Anybody with ADHD who has done a masters/ PHD?

[DottyTheFrog]

I got through my undergrad undiagnosed/ unmedicated doing assignments the night before, hating myself and being super stressed but survived and got a lowish 2.1. Also had a much trickier life then - started with a 5mo baby and escaped an abusive relationship which left my anxiety so heightened that I could barely leave the house and hardly went to any lectures for my 2nd and 3rd year.

Started my masters this year, and I've just failed one of the modules. My essay for another one was even worse than this one, so I've likely failed that too. I've never failed even one essay before.

I'm medicated now, which is helpful at work, but wears off by the evening time when DD goes to bed and I need to study. I just can't focus, and can't stop myself procrastinating, until the essay is due.

I've read that often, people with ADHD reach an educational stage where they just cannot cope, and it's not possible to pass and do assignments at the last minute anymore. Might be college, might be undergrad, might be masters...

I really wanted to get my professional doctorate after this. That's always been my plan, and I always believed I can do it. But I guess this has made me realise that I likely can't.

I switched to part time study a couple of weeks ago, doing it over 2 years instead of one, so hopefully that'll help a bit. But I just wondered if anybody had any positive tales of being able to achieve this level of study whilst having ADHD or another condition which prohibits your learning?

Long shot really. I don't know. Can't stop crying. So gutted.

I was undiagnosed at the time. But my masters was intercalated.

I did everything I would normally do.

I have other issues, so was able to pre book the uni private room

Also you can have DSA to pay for mentoring sessions. This would surely help, someone to problem solve with. Your university support should be able to tell you more.

Yes - this would absolutely help so much. It's not the same obviously, but I had counselling whilst going through antenatal depression and it was just amazing to have somebody to talk things through with. I don't have anybody to do that with IRL. I never realised this type of thing* (therapy or mentoring) was covered by DSA, until you and oddgirlout* said. Thank you!

I'll look into both of these things, now you mention it I think I can borrow via post. Thank you!

My pleasure. I'm going to try and get off my phone and read for a bit now - I only got a few hours sleep last night and I'm emotionally drained... but let's check in soon thank you for chatting to me, I don't feel so alone now after talking to you, and everybody else.

Placemarking as I’m an undergrad with ASD/ADHD so will try and answer any questions that arise!

In response to a PP I’ve heard CBT doesn’t really work with regards to treating autism or if it’s being used to treat something else but you’re also autistic

The mentors in dsa are really helpful, also software like mind manger and dragon. Module material can be put onto daisy so can listen on the the way to work or in the bath etc. Definitely worth getting dsa, it’s free if you don’t need a computer I think, or £200 contribution

I have a masters (undiagnosed), diagnosed last year and have a job that involves writing shed loads.

So I told my sister, and she said that something in my mind has to change and I need to get the motivation to start earlier and stop being like this.

This isn't helpful lol. If it was this easy!

I take quick release methylphenidate and have just started with an ADHD coach. Strategies we've discussed so far.

Uncluttered work space (fixed 2 cork boards and a massive clock behind my pc)

Usual things of objectives, smart plan, visual gantt chart to break down work month by month.

Master to do list.
Daily to do list.
Colour coding.
For focus - the Forest App is brilliant (you grow trees, if you click away they die :(), Pomodoro technique, 60 minute winding timer, turning my phone off when working, changing social media passwords to something complicated and making it as hard as possible to log in.
Drawing up a template master weekly schedule and colour coding it.
Accountability- I can whatsapp her photos of progress..this is SO important for ADHDers, to have accountability

Quality Time App is also good - you can block everything apart from selected apps during a timeframe.

Also Alarmy (an alarm app where to switch it off you have to take a photo of something in your home or solve some maths problems).

There are other things but more relevant to my job.

The other thing is exercise (one of my goals).

In your case I'd look at breaking down the types of tasks and chunking them. Working out when your energy is best etc.

Hope some of that helps.

ADDitude website has resources that have changed my life re studying.

Definitely get on to DSA, also life changing.

I have MH issues on top of ADHD (which I'm currently going through NHS diagnosis for, wait list should have been 24 months but being as I'm seeing a psych for the other stuff, my amazing GP advocated HARD for them to do the ADHD at the same time being as my screening scores were so high), that starts for me at the end of February.

You dont have the same amount of usable hours as NT people. Theres an article about it somewhere, I cant remember off the top of my head though.

Excuse the piss poor grammar, I have a new phone that I can barely hold

Also a single parent with 3DC, one also has ADHD so it's a fun combination some days.

Morning everyone! I've emailed my supervisor today with my diagnosis. I'm hoping he won't react badly! He has known me two years without knowing about it do hopefully it'll be ok.
I've decided to do just a couple of hours work each day and see how I get on. Also to not Google horror stories about PhD work load which really doesn't help. I'm giving it 6 months, if I can't manage it at least I will have given it a good go. Will also be filling out my DSA form today. X

@wheresmyrunningshoes loads of brilliant ideas there, thank you! I'm going to look into them all. Can I ask - where did you find your ADHD coach? Assuming it's private - is it very expensive?

The mentors in dsa are really helpful, also software like mind manger and dragon. Module material can be put onto daisy so can listen on the the way to work or in the bath etc. Definitely worth getting dsa, it’s free if you don’t need a computer I think, or £200 contribution

Oh - this all does sound really useful! I'm going to fill in my application today for sure.

I did my Masters Online, and since I work a desk job I was able to do my assignments after I'd finished flying through my other work of the day. If I'd tried to do anything at home, I would have failed. I took a little longer to do it as well, so if things were really hectic and I couldn't do it during working hours, I would put it off for a couple of months.

I realize that approach probably doesn't work for everyone though.

You dont have the same amount of usable hours as NT people. Theres an article about it somewhere, I cant remember off the top of my head though.

This sounds interesting, I'm going to look it up. I think half my battle is that I'm not very kind to myself. I really beat myself up for not being able to do what others can. I thought these feelings of shame would go away after my diagnosis, but they haven't really. So I think this article will be useful - and I'll have a look at the resources you mention. Thank you!

I have a feeling my 4yo has ADHD too, but she's like I was as a kid - fidgety and a chatterbox but hates breaking rules or getting in trouble, so her teacher hasn't picked up on it and I'm not sure there's any point raising it at this stage in time. 3 kids as a single mum with ADHD and MH issues too  another superwoman.

Placemarking as I’m an undergrad with ASD/ADHD so will try and answer any questions that arise!

Best of luck, and feel free to stick around if you fancy a chat or need any support.

Morning everyone! I've emailed my supervisor today with my diagnosis. I'm hoping he won't react badly! He has known me two years without knowing about it do hopefully it'll be ok.

Morning - well done! That was really brave. I'm sure it will be fine, I find universities are on the whole very inclusive (much more so than employers) but hope he replies to you soon so you don't have to worry.

I've decided to do just a couple of hours work each day and see how I get on. Also to not Google horror stories about PhD work load which really doesn't help. I'm giving it 6 months, if I can't manage it at least I will have given it a good go. Will also be filling out my DSA form today. X

Definitely - Googling horror stories is the fastest route to madness! I've found myself googling 'can you write a 3000 word essay in four hours' more than a few times over the years

Also going to fill the DSA form out today. Feeling a little bit more positive. I've had a really busy couple of weeks and this is the first day that DDs at school, I'm working from home for a couple of hours but for once I've not got too much to do so am going to crack on and hopefully by tonight I'll feel like things are somewhat back on track.

I've worked out that each module is only worth 7.5% of my final grade, with the research project being worth 40%. Retakes are capped at 50%, so even if I fail the other module too (which I think is likely - my essay for that was even worse and more rushed) and have to retake, I reckon I could still get a merit (60%+) or even a distinction (70%+) overall if I put all these things in place and stay on track.

I think I may have undiagnosed ADHD. I got through my masters by working at night when for some reason the barriers seemed to go down a bit.

I'm now unraveling as I now have a young child so working overnight is no longer practical and I just cannot make myself work a standard working day.

Hats off to you OP for managing yourself as well as you have been and for getting a diagnosis. While you're looking into medication changes etc. I would say one thing you could try to set up is someone to be accountable to. I know this makes a difference to me.

If you're up for having an accountability buddy let me know. I could do with one at the moment! I'm thinking we could email each other with a brief list of our day's tasks and then report to each other as the day goes on as to what we manage to tick off.

I'm going to join in a bit prematurely. I'm currently on an access course, hoping to go to uni in September and got referred for an ADHD assessment a week ago. Had a phone call about 10 minutes ago offering me an appointment on 8th Feb. I'm amazed it's so soon!

I've found I really struggle to focus when the work isn't interesting enough or seems overwhelming. Its like my brain loses all its words. I frequently send messages to my classmate explaining what word I'm looking for - writing cutlery = stationery, flappy door things = valves (in the heart), upside down W = M 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ that one gave the class a good laugh 😂

I've also noticed how often I interrupt people and speak out impulsively. I've apologised to the class and promised to try to keep my mouth shut, but instructed them to call me out on it so I don't piss people off!

I'm lucky in that I high a good natural level of intelligence, so got through school really easily, so not paying attention didn't affect me too much and I picked up enough to get through all my exams without revising - I still have no idea how to revise and would love some tips as I have a hard test coming up in a couple of weeks and I know I don't know enough.

Keep going today everyone. I'd really like to read the useable hours article if it can be found. Maybe I have ADHD too...

I saw the title and thought, God, good luck with that. I have a law degree and professional qualifications but studying was hell, most of the time it felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall and I had to keep on coming up with different methods of studying. What really helped me was meditating, the concentration kicked in a couple of hours later. (ADHD).

@misscockerspaniel - Its really good that you managed it all though. We're trying to be positive about our attempts to complete these courses.

DS has just received an ADHD diagnosis and the Ed psyc who he saw has ADHD and a PhD so it is possible.

*I think I may have undiagnosed ADHD. I got through my masters by working at night when for some reason the barriers seemed to go down a bit.

I'm now unraveling as I now have a young child so working overnight is no longer practical and I just cannot make myself work a standard working day.*

Have you thought about getting diagnosed, and trying medication? It really has changed my life. My symptoms are still there and life is still a struggle, but I'd say they improved by about 70%.

*Hats off to you OP for managing yourself as well as you have been and for getting a diagnosis. While you're looking into medication changes etc. I would say one thing you could try to set up is someone to be accountable to. I know this makes a difference to me.

If you're up for having an accountability buddy let me know. I could do with one at the moment! I'm thinking we could email each other with a brief list of our day's tasks and then report to each other as the day goes on as to what we manage to tick off.*

Maybe we could use this thread, or start another one, to do as you suggest? I'm just honestly a bit rubbish at being dependable with anything consistently and I wouldn't want to let you down. But if we're a group of accountability buddies, it wouldn't matter so much if one of us went MIA for a few days, IYSWIM? But I do think it's a good idea and I'd definitely be up for it.

So far today I've:

Filled in the DSA form as much as I can, and emailed it to myself to print at work tomorrow.
Filled in a parking ticket form which I've been putting off for years so they're now about to take me to court
Finished my work (as in my regular job) for the day
Put a load of washing on
Emailed my tutor about an IT issue (another thing I've been putting off)
I've also procrastinated and read loads about ADHD coaches which, though useful, is not necessary for months (until my DSA gets granted)

For the rest of the day, I need to:

Hang the washing up
Have a tidy round
Take recycling to the recycling centre on the way to soft play after school
Post this parking ticket form and take some clothes to the post office
Read a chapter for uni and post a contribution or two on the online forum
Do an hour of my WFH job

Will report back later!

*I've also noticed how often I interrupt people and speak out impulsively. I've apologised to the class and promised to try to keep my mouth shut, but instructed them to call me out on it so I don't piss people off!

I'm lucky in that I high a good natural level of intelligence, so got through school really easily, so not paying attention didn't affect me too much and I picked up enough to get through all my exams without revising.*

Are you me? can definitely relate with all this.

I still have no idea how to revise and would love some tips as I have a hard test coming up in a couple of weeks and I know I don't know enough.

Not sure how much I can help tbh, as I just leave it to the last minute (obviously). One thing that helped me in assignments and exams (which I inevitably stopped using) was an app called Evernote. You can take pictures of handwritten notes, or books/ journal articles, and store screenshots and webpages etc. in different folders. The most useful thing for me was that you can search for a key term and it'll bring up everything including that search word.

Because I always write notes and then misplace them or don't keep them organised, or read interesting things online and forget about it or it gets lost in a sea of bookmarked pages, this was really useful for me.

Other than that, I guess just trying to plan and stick to the plan. The pomorodo technique a PP mentioned sounds interesting.

I went to see my GP and was referred to a mental health nurse who assessed me (not using any of the ADHD tests - just by interview) then a panel prescribed a course of CBT which I’m still waiting for an appointment for. It’s frustrating. I don’t think my GP believes that ADHD medication would be good for me long term or something.

At the moment I can’t afford even £500 for a diagnosis although I’m pleased to hear that it could cost that little! So hopefully at a later date I’ll be able to scrape the money together.

@DottyTheFrog Are you me? can definitely relate with all this

😂 It's so nice to find people with the same struggles. Such a weight off, knowing there might be a reason for it all.

I've never considered I might have ADHD before, but I've done so much reading since it was suggested to me and it's really shocked me how much of it applies to me and the things that annoy me about myself.

The biggest revelations for me were the procrastination and rejection sensitive dysphoria. I always just thought I was lazy and useless, and never understood how people don't constantly obsess over every comment made about them.

I'm definitely up for an accountability thread. I literally said to myself before coming on here that I need some one around me all the time to hold me accountable for the things I do and don't do 😁