Pretty sure I have ADHD, but what difference does it make to know for sure?

[PoppingOutForMilk]

Or at least ADD, or inattentive ADHD.

I tick a lot of the boxes. No formal diagnosis but I live abroad and it’s not a “thing” for adults here, plus language barriers etc.

I could probably go private, but what difference would a formal diagnosis make? I guess I could access medication but is that it?

A friend of mine has been diagnosed and says her meds are amazing, but they are short-lived (lasts not quite a day) and her heart needs monitoring because of side effects. Not sure that the meds sound worth it on that basis.

And tbh I am worried about being assessed and it NOT being ADHD and instead finding out I’m just shit!

All or nothing definitely resonating here!

I often initiate a declutter/clear-out on a whim. Then either get bored half way through or run out of time to finish.

Beginning to realise what a nightmare I must be to live with.

This is where I struggle. I work from home and am basically chained to a laptop all day and I just really struggle to focus on tasks sometimes. I lose track quite easily when someone's talking in a meeting and feel the need to keep my hands busy by scrolling through my phone or doodling. I'm always itching to get out my seat and go do something like strip the beds, fold the laundry. Stuff that can really wait until after work but it's an excuse to get out my seat.

I was a gym manager for a year and loved it because I was always on my feet. Could easily work a 16 hour day. But sitting at a desk for half the time I totally struggle with.

I think I have ADHD too but haven't pursued a formal diagnosis. Following with interest.

DP has a diagnosis and meds. It has made a big difference to his ability to focus. I suspect I have it too, but I have spent my life developing coping strategies. Working from home makes it a lot harder and I hate feeling chained to a laptop.

I have recently been diagnosed. The key is that the symptoms have to have persisted since childhood. I had to provide evidence from people who knew me 40 years ago!

I have been wondering this too op.
My 14 year old dd is on the waiting list for an assessment.
Whilst researching the symptoms for her I came to the realisation that all the issues I have had, all my life, may indicate I too, may have inattentive ADHD (and possibly on the asd spectrum?) but what would a diagnosis do to help me at 50 years of age?
It’s a 4-5 year wait for an NHS assessment in my area and, being the agitated person that I am, I am eager to get seen asap but will it be worth paying the £800+ fee and what a waste of money if it turns out that I am just an anxious, depressed, anti-social, messy, unorganised weirdo!
Will it give me some kind of validation? Will it help me to understand how/why my brain functions the way it does and will it help me to heal the hurt I have always felt from childhood because I always felt no one understood how I was feeling inside, I had and have always felt different from those around me, feel so disorganised, overwhelmed and agitated but constantly told I was just an airhead who couldn’t keep a job or a organised life. I’m not sure if I would want to take the medication so really in a quandary as to what I should do.
Most of my family/friends say it’s not worth it and it’s just a ‘trendy’ thing atm. I certainly don’t want to look like I am jumping on a bandwagon but I do score highly on the online tests.
But I do like the idea of a diagnosis purely just to feel recognised and to know that yes, I am different from my friends and family members but it’s ok because it’s a recognised condition.

The validation is huge. I also have an asd diagnosis and both have really explained my life long struggles. I'm not shit at life, in fact I'm actually really good at it considering.

This will probably help a bit more with what adhd is

OP I'm diagnosed (nhs 2 years ago) medication has helped, especially in terms of focus and emotional regulation. I used to get irritated and impatient quite a lot, which I never knew was part of my hyperactivity, as my brain would be going a million miles an hour. Then I'd end up with burnout and spend as much time as possible under my duvet, not wanting to talk to anyone or leave the house. Rinse and repeat

I'm still a little bit like this, it hasn't eradicated it completely, but I feel a lot calmer

I'm pretty certain I have adhd, my neice was recently diagnosed and a good friend said she was convinced I have it.

Also staying with my dad recently I saw some old school reports which spoke about moments of absolute genius and intense focus but almost every report described me as erratic. My parents also sent me to a psychologist in the 80s and the report said my executive function was almost nil but verbal and non verbal reasoning very very good.

Now I always want to leave the house perfect but end up being late for everything. Despite being clever I've never done amazingly at work as I get overwhelmed seem disorganised and chronically messy, switch off in meetings to daydream.

I used to work as a news journalist, which was a good job for me, I could research, interview but deadlines were tight and I could push out stories and everyday was a novelty. People used to ask if I liked writing, to be honest I hate it but I loved the variety and obsessively gathering info and getting a story in.

DH finds me frustrating, I'm a reasonable cook but when he asks how I do things it is all very haphazard, I'm poor at budgeting, great at spontaneous fun but then get tired, and I'm not a great driver but much better in a manual.

I know I have it. It explains everything. I also have prosopagnosia, which has been medically confirmed.

When I read about adult ADHD it was like a lightbulb moment.

When I talk to friends on the phone, if the conversation is going on too long I say "I'm bored now, have to go" yes it sounds rude but my friends know me and love me.

I'm fun to be with, impulsive, generous and have loads of good friends many from primary school (I'm in my 50's)

I change jobs every 2 years and excel at them. Before getting bored and moving on to something completely different.

I love who I am. BUT the fucking procrastination does my head in, and the binge eating.

I like that I have 20 television stations going on in my head at once.

I don't like the depression and suicidal thoughts, although HRT has been a game changer for that.

I think I want to be formally diagnosed BUT not sure what I'd get out of it. I was once on steroids for a chest infection and for some reason it completely changed my way of thinking the procrastination completely went and I got loads of things done!

Maybe taking medication part time what have the same effect. I go to the gym at least once a day sometimes twice or my head will explode.

I'm sorry loads of random thoughts and probably sound like a dick.

I owe quarter of a million on a repossessed house which I haven't sorted for 3 years. Pathetic and stressful.

It's £650 for private consultation, I think fuck it just pay it and find out. Then I back out.

I don't know why I'm posting. Just want some feedback I suppose.

Ban - I was similarly on steroids for a chest infection one year and often look back at how good it was. Given I'm asthmatic and get fearful about not breathing km amazed I just Got Stuff Done those few days.

I struggle with binge eating. I'd really like help with this but over the years haven't found any. Unlike you I don't have an exercise habit... which would help I've just never stuck at anything.

I'm also faceblind... (and querying autism)

There was a thread on here about a year ago where someone posted their symptoms and someone asked if they had considered ADHD. I had thought the list sounded like me and the more I read the more I was convinced this was me.

It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to speak to my Dr about it - especially as there is a lot about it on social media at the moment.

I did the questionnaire,met the criteria for assessment. Was so proud of myself for doing this, and the. Got a letter to say adult ADHD services in my area were under review and I would not be seen.

I felt at such as loss. If asked. Y GP about going private as DH and I were willing to pay if it moved things along a bit. GP said not to as the waiting list to be seen was short (before we realised service was suspended) and there was an issue about prescribing medication (in NI so not sure if the shared care thing applies here).

I'm now trying to pluck up the courage to make a further appointment with GP to discuss my options.

In relation to your actual question, for me, a diagnosis would have explained so much and I think would have made me go a bit easier on myself. I often feel like a really rubbish person because of the things I struggle with that others find so easy. I had hoped medication would make things a bit easier too.

I have to disagree with PPs that say meds don't have an effect or are only useful for children. They have been life changing for me and are only available with a diagnosis, so it's worth pursuing for that reason alone.

@FunctionalSkills how interesting!

I'm asthmatic too. I and also look back and think shall I just say I have a chest infection so I can get some steroids and get shit done!

It was like being a different person.

I've had steroids before though and don't remember it being so good.

I did google search to see if there was any research behind it but couldn't find anything. But often think about it!