Does this sound like ADHD?

[Fanda26]

I’m really aware there’s a lot of awareness of ADHD at the moment and it could just be anxiety but I wondered if anyone else with diagnosed ADHD (inattentive) could give me their thoughts?

Obviously I know only a doctor can diagnose properly.

• find it really hard to organise myself, over the years I’ve probably become organised as a way of guarding against this - lots of lists that I have to check over and over and over, set reminders, notes for myself…

• very forgetful, I hardly remember what I’m doing half the time or what I had for dinner

• I find cooking difficult, remembering a recipe, putting together the different elements when it’s not just a one pot thing. Also find shopping for ingredients so challenging, i go back to the list a million times and have to keep double checking I’ve got everything. My mind feels so slippery

• In work I find it really hard to stick to one task, I constantly flit from one task to another, not finishing an email, starting something new x10

• Very indecisive

• Not a very good listener

• Not loads but I can be impulsive with things and then find it hard to focus

I do find it difficult to focus on some things but other times I’m very details orientated and perfectionist about getting things right, which doesn’t seem to fit. I’ve had depression and anxiety diagnosed throughout life.

Really appreciate people’s thoughts :)

thanks

Oops sorry about the big gaps

Having adhd doesn’t mean you can’t focus, it means that you can’t do it consistently.

everything you have listed is a symptom of adhd. It’s quite common for women to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression before receiving a diagnosis of adhd.

but no one here can say if you do or dont. I think it would be worth you seeking an assessment though.

These do seem like symptoms of adhd yes, not coming from a professional but a grown women with adhd x

Yes, yes, yes, yes. To all of them. I'm recently diagnosed and you sound just like me. Women are chronically under diagnosed.

You sound like me as well. So much stuff I read about ADHD is relatable.

I have similar symptoms as you op.and my gp has referred me for assessment for ADHD. Unfortunately services in my area are under review so an appointment will be ages.

I love your use of the word slippery to describe your mind! This is the closest I've come to describing how my brain works!! Thanks for that!

I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression many times over the past 25 years and sometimes I've felt it's not been the right fit. It's heartening (but also very annoying!) To hear this is how women are misdiagnosed sometimes.

It's kind of frustrating at the minute with all the people on tik tok talking about ADHD as I felt I was jumping on some sort of bandwagon when I went to my go, but she was lovely and assessed me.

Thank you all so much, it’s really helpful to hear that it’s worth approaching GP, especially from people who are diagnosed

Yes slippery seems to fit really well! My mind feels like sand slipping between my fingers. It was people on Tiktok I was thinking about, it is huge on there and I know there’s a lot of self diagnosis, so didn’t want to think that was just me as well.

for those that are diagnosed, how did a diagnosis help you? Are you on medication? Can you be a “bit” ADHD and not be at the level that needs medication?

A diagnosis has only helped me be a bit kinder to yourself. I'd like to try medication but it's not available in my area on the NHS to adults, only under 16s. I've just spent my life's savings on surgery sorting another disease that our so called health service elect not to treat, so no drugs for me as I just can't afford them. Just bear that in mind before you start thinking you'd like to take medication!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think a diagnosis would be helpful just for helping me be kind to myself too - so if nothing else I may as well try. Good to know that prescribing medication varies so much by area, thanks