To think I may have ADHD

[MaybeADHD]

Throughout my education I have found it difficult to complete tasks, I procrastinate until it eats away at me, I keep my mobile phone off for weeks on end because I can't deal with too many things I'm very either/or.

This affects my friendships.

I get in a muddle with all my paper work and am unable to save money at all.

I am a work-aholic and though I'm at uni I work 35 hours a week and volunteer for charity for 5+hours a week. When I'm not busy I'm feeling lost and lonely.

But its all starting to unravel because Im exhausted and my attendance at uni is suffering.

My thoughts are very multi directional.

I am just finishing the first year of a uni course and have struggled to meet deadlines and seem to only be able to complete my work when I'm fully adrenalin fuelled.

I am not stupid, I am just really struggling with this pattern.

I know I may be U to think it is ADHD. Maybe I'm just depressed?

Any help welcomed,

Book an appoinment with your gp

Sorry cut short, no harm in asking for some assessments

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

I was dx last year w. ADHD following dc dx. Adult symptoms different from children's. As soon as I read it I knew.

That list of adult symptoms is me 100% exact, apart from the last symptom, though I used to be outrageously, shockingly reckless as a teen and young adult, before parenthood.

I have no idea how easy it is to do this in UK, here it was ok. I have med but it's $$$$$, so I don't take it all the time, but it makes a huge difference when I do.

No harm in going for initial talk w. GP.

PM if you wish

Thank you, I hope it doesn't take too long to go through the assessment process I can't afford to mess this degree up. Plus my lecturers are starting to lose respect for me- they think Im just lazy. I'm not.

I spoke to my Dr and she has said to go back on monday where she will ask me loads of questions then refer me to a specialist, so Im quite hopeful.

ok, good luck. I know when I take my med I am unbelievable more focussed and productive. It is very clear from my day's achievements.

OP- good luck, hope you find some answers.

Ernest, did you really do for a diagnosis after your DC were diagnosed? Did you ever suspect anything before that? I am only asking because ever since my DD was diagnosed (2 years ago now, but it was clear there was something there from when she was a baby) I have found myself seeing some family members in a new light, as I am now convinced (but I could be wrong) there is a 'strand' of ADHD both in my family and in my DH's.

Thank you I'm a bit pissed off I've found out so late into my education and further annoyed to read that some GP's don't even beleive it exists. My friend had ADHD and she has been so happy and focussed since she was given the right drugs. I hope my path to diagnosis is smooth

what drugs do they give you for ADHD as an adult. Do they have side effect?

Apparently there are a variety, I know only about Ritalin which can cause nausea.
Ive heard some negative things too like, bone softening.

I knew I had ADHD from the moment ds was diagnosed. I have decided not to seek diagnosis as I believe it could affect my career. I wouldn't take meds now anyway but it has had a big effect on my life.

I think Ill happily take meds through my degree to give me the best possible chance. Ive not had too much trouble with work, Im very punctual and and thorough with my tasks, it's more the whole deadline thing which messes me up.

Does your uni not have any help with getting a diagnosis?

Have you asked for support?

My DD has ADHD, now 26, her symptoms are different now from when she was a child.

She has to manage her condition, she chooses to this without meds, but tbh, it's tough on all of us.

My tutor took me to one side the other day and said

'some of your reasons are valid but you are very bad at time management for a degree student'

He doesn't acknowledge what I'm going through, he doesn't beleive me.

What does your daughter do to manage it if you don't mind me asking?

I think Ill happily take meds through my degree to give me the best possible chance

There is good research to show ill effects of Ritalin in adults, she took this until 16.

She then tried different mood stabilisers, but they had side effects, she dropped massively underweight and one type made her suicidal.

I would go through the process of assessment and other therapies, then make the decisions as you.

Thank you

She has charts and lists for everything, we all support her, she wouldn't manage alone.

She is in certain routines, for the storage of keys etc and uses alarms,as a reminder of time pasing.

She saw a dietician and sticks to it, which she thinks helps, she is less anxious wen she eats in a certain way.

She has a 'programme' which includes work/essential life stuff/exercise/lesuire etc, she in effect micro manages her life, but without doing that, she would just plummet in mood and be jobless.

Btw, GP's aren't qualified to tell you whether you have it, just ask for an assessment.

I would look up the additional support that your uni offers.

Thanks so much she is lucky to have a supportive family.

Im like that I have no awareness of time. The other day I took the day off lectures and thought Oh I can spend all day doing work and 12 hours later Id done nothing. VERY DEPRESSING

Thanks for the ideas I appreciate it.

anothermadame -yes I did, I has 1 ds dx w. ADD then 2 with ADHD. I read a lot about it, but tbh always knew something was wrong but didn't know what it was. Then as I read up for my ds, I also read the adult symptoms and I knew. 100% sure.

Was dx quite soon after, can't remember how long it took, but I guess it's different here. I take the same med as my ds, but theirs is child, mine is adult, but am pretty sure it's exactly the same , just the packaging different.

I don' like the thought of taking meds 8I have to be really suffering to take a paracetomol! It doesn't even occur to me), so really don't want to take med much, but it makes such a huge difference that if I really need to get stuff done I'll take it.

Every day, especially those without med are chaotic and I have a constant underlying dread and worry that I have forgotten an appointment, or to do something. Often it's true! :(

I didn't want to list 'alternative' remedies, they always get a reaction, but reading on another thread, you probably already know the benefits of meditation/positive thoughts etc.

Thanks, yes meditation and applying regular commitments to my life helps a lot and I can be quite determined once I know I will let others down it's more things relating to letting myself down that Im crap with, it's like what comes first the adhd or the depression/low self esteem.
Thanks for your help because already tonight based on what you said I have written lists and plans and sorted out my paper work mountain and things feel clearer and less scary

Shhhhhh - don't mention paperwork

I went to the Dr today, she said I am probably just undisciplined

I'm feeling really discouraged, where do I go from here?

Push for a second opinion.

DP's GP was an ADHD denier (we are in the UK). DP went to another surgery and was referred immediately. After extensive tests at the Maudsley, he was told he was a very extreme case and it was a wonder he'd managed to progress so far with his education/career/relationships given the extent of his ADHD. That was 4-5 years ago and he is now under the ongoing care of the regional MHU which is a centre of excellence.

After the DX and once his meds were stabilised, our lives improved beyond measure. He is on Concerta xl and the only problems we have with it is when he runs out of medication before he's ordered a repeat prescription.

I was concerned that medication might alter him negatively, but quite the contrary, his positive traits are accentuated while his struggles related to the condition are greatly diminished.

It might not be ADHD, but I urge you to at least pursue your suspicions, if only to rule it out. All the very best.