To think I could have ADHD?

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I hope it is ok to repost this in AIBU, because I feel really desparate for a few responses.

Long story short, have a long mental health history first needing professional help when I was a very young child. As I child, my primary diagnosis was OCD. As an adult, the primary diagnosis has been depression which I've had a few bouts of.

A lot of what I have struggled with and, in my view, what gives rise to some of the depression is that I've basically got quite significant yet maskable problems with executive functioning. Looking at my childhood the EF problems were massive (struggling hugely with everything from time to navigation..basically just being lost in space) but I don't think ever really looked at. In adulthood, it was very frustrating with my last psychologist to try to explain that actually, I felt the problem was this way around: depression wasn't stopping me functioning - poor functioning was causing depression. Being a mother now is highlighting all my deficits to me once more.

Anyway, I have considered nearly every diagnosis in the book to explain my lifelong and recurring issues but, having had an OCD diagnosis, the one thing I never thought about was ADHD as I believe it's generally felt you can't have both. Lately, having happened upon some info about ADHD though, I read about it and suddenly felt that it explains exactly everything that I go through. It resonates so much. I can't believe I never happened upon this before.

But, is it possible that I could have ADHD if I also have (had) OCD? Would it be worth trying to get a diagnosis now in my thirties? Does anyone have a similar experience? Like so many people I just feel that it could be life changing to have, finally, THE ANSWER. But at the same time, maybe I will be told I don't have it and be disappointed that there is no answer. Maybe no one will feel it's worth referring me. I feel a bit repeatedly let down by the system.

I would really appreciate any experiences or personal stories or advice people could share about any of this.

I have a diagnosis of both op. Am 42, diagnosed with ADHD last year and around 4 years ago with OCD after suffering my whole life.

When I went for my ADHD assessment they told me that lots of people in their 30’s/40’s are being diagnosed and have slipped through the net as a child as the awareness simply wasn’t there.

Traits of ASD and ADHD. They're slightly different. I'd look into both if I were you and see which seems more fitting. Alot of things fit in both, but there a few defining characteristics that separate them.
I have ASD and OCD, and dyslexia, and depression and anxiety. (Yup fun!) The OCD was actually diagnosed during my ASD test so is definitely an additional rather than an alternative diagnosis.

Ps will come back later on op. There are a lot of things you said in your op that are relevant to my situation. Also my 17yr old ds was diagnosed aged 8 with Aspergers and I highly suspect my 9yr old dd has ADHD too.

You’re not alone

This is so helpful thank you.

I don't think I have ASD, but this occurred to me before I ever thought about ADHD. I have considered it a lot in the past, have been sort of assessed for it and also have worked with people who have ASD and while I identify with aspects of it, I don't think I have enough traits. But thank you for the suggestion. I guess what I realise is that many diagnoses actually can go hand in hand.

You may well do. I'm not diagnosed but my teenage son was fairly recently diagnosed with HF ASD and then ADHD.

I have (and have always had) similar but less pronounced executive function issues to his. I'm pretty sure I have both conditions though ADHD without the H especially having gone through the pathway with my son. I am hopeless with time management, directions, coordination. I can be hapless, disorganised and forgetful/dreamy. But also, when I'm determined/ worried about things, or they interest me, I can be super organised and hyperfocused. I also get incredibly anxious about my shortcomings and worried about missing or forgetting things and so make obsessive lists for lots of things, fret and agonise etc.

So I don't see any reason why OCD and ADD could not be comorbid and plenty of reason why they could.

I very much relate to your description.

I'm not sure exactly why some have argued they can't co occur. Simplistically I think it's because one is considered an excess of attention and the other a deficit, so they seem contradictory. I think that characterization is outdated now but could explain why no professional may have considered ADHD for me, especially when I was a child.

NC fail. Ah well.

Had my official asd diagnosis yesterday at the age of 50. I'm still processing it, but it's a relief to know that I'm not just shit at life. I also have executive functioning issues and the simplest task can paralyse me.

DD was diagnosed with OCD in her early twenties, and about a year later with ADD.

DH is exactly the same, he is not diagnosed but it’s clear as light as day, that he has OCD and ADHD.

He can discuss rituals with DD; his are about preventing a catastrophe happening to a member of the family (started after his father had a heart attack in his teens), while DD’s are about stopping her, developing a serious health condition!

I've got traits of both ADHD and ASD, mainly, like you, due to executive function stuff. I spent my childhood anxious and losing everything technology has improved my organisation so much.

I used to self-medicate with alcohol and other stuff in my early 20s and have felt much less overwhelmed since. I still think I'd benefit from a diagnosis as I get very tired and my head is a bit chaotic.

PS DS1 has an ASD diagnosis, he's 8.

@Mabelface

I had a diagnosis this year at 43. I have had long history of depression. Chronic overwhelm, very basic stuff impossible for me: preparing food, brushing teeth regularly etc.

I'd got through life just massively under achieving but just about coping apart from the depression. It was only when I became a mum. I was trying so hard but couldn't do the very basics. It was the first time I'd tried so hard but just couldn't do the stuff.

When I first read about adhd, it changed everything for me. I read loads tried lots I'd tios, strategies. That worked a bit but ultimately the only thing that really helped was just dropping my own standards. Unfortunately, the degree to which I had to drop my standards was just so low it was awful.

I paid for a private diagnosis but made sure j went with a reputable consultant. I have been on stimulant medications for 8 months and it has been life changing..its like before I had this dark glue at the edges of my consciousness. With meds it goes and I can now press go, if that's make sense.

Diagnosed last week with ADHD at age 58.
One of the questions in my consultations was around OCD which I don't have but is apparently (as referenced above) not unknown.

I was encouraged to seek a diagnosis as there can be medical (drug help) for some people.

No sign of a prescription yet as we are waiting for my overloaded GP surgery to send some details to my private consultant.

I've also been subject to depression/anxiety and prescribed Citalopram over the years - which helped me not feel so desperate but didn't help with the underlying cause.

There are ranges of experience but in my case, organisation and Time management are the things I really struggle with (mainly at work). I also have a classic tendency to be distracted by more interesting stuff and not bother to listen to anything that doesn't interest me.

Good luck.

Hi my husband has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and already had OCD diagnosis. I would say his main symptoms are inability to regulate emotions, cant deal with stress well, difficulty focusing, drifts off, very very forgetful, cant find things, never sits still, doesnt like silence ( needs noise and activity) , doesnt always respond appropriately in situations. The ADHD clinic things he may have ASD traits and they think this could be the traits that got picked out as OCD. I was talking to a worker there and he told me they often think how has this person not been diagnosed and how has it been missed all this time but obviously these people are adults now and maybe it wasnt looked at at the time when they were children.

The only thing is that, when I get really into something, I get into it to the point where I literally don't break off from it to eat or drink and then end up feeling awful because I haven't had any water for six hours

This is known as hyperfocus and definitely is an ADHD trait.

This seems contraindicative to everything I've read about ADHD online (which all seems geared towards children).

No, DD can do work on a subject of her interest for 12 hours!

Hi again op, sod the name change fail I hope you feel a bit better reading the replies here.

With me, I was at Alder Hey with ds, seeing his ASD consultant last year. It’s a children’s hospital but normally stops seeing kids at 16 but they like to extend to 18 with ASD patients and it was a new consultant ( to us ) and we only go once a year.

Anyway, he was lovely and before we left he commented on me and asked if I had any
diagnosis of ASD or similar. I wasn’t too surprised as have long suspected something and he told me to see my doctor which I did and to cut a long story short I was seen super quick and diagnosed with ADHD though they often refer to ADD now.

I was in the waiting list for an appointment to discuss a plan of action and I last received a letter in August saying i would hear within 6 weeks. That has just reminded me I need to contact them and push it.

My time keeping is abysmal. I can’t watch a film or even the television without being seriously distracted and I’m always procrastinating. I was such a clever child and feel like I’ve wasted my life. I only lasted 5 months at university away from home as I was too overwhelmed, spent all my student loan and got into a right mess.

That was long sorry. Just wanted to share my experiences of this. The stigma surrounding ADHD has long gone and its like my whole life suddenly makes sense.

Gosh - yes absolutely you can have more than one, or many of these things going on at once! ADHD and OCD are very often comorbidities (occuring together). Same for anxiety, ASD.

Also when I went to a class for parents of ADHD DCs every single parent said their child had some sonsory issues - sensory-seeking (hyposensitivity) or over sensitive (hypersensitive). These neurodiversities dance hand in hand through our brains.

My dx is Autism, OCD and Adhd.
Ds Autism, Tourettes, ADHD and Pure O
Dd Autism, Tourettes, OCD , ADHD.

Thank you so much everyone. I feel so reassured to hear that it clearly is possible to have OCD and AD(H)D, that people have succeeded in getting diagnosed as adults and that getting a diagnosis has helped. I feel I can relate very much to many of the experiences shared and I feel less alone.

depression wasn't stopping me functioning - poor functioning was causing depression

This is exactly how my OH got diagnosed - after 15 years of being unsuccesfully treated for depression. He's now had just over a year of treatment for ADHD, including therapy and medication, and the difference is night and day. Push for a referral to whichever service in your area deals with ADHD - where we are it's called 'extended services' and deals with ADHD and autism diagnoses.

Wow! I've found my tribe.

I've been toying with the idea that I may have undiagnosed ADD but what some of you have described is so familiar to me.

How on earth do I start the ball rolling for being assessed? I feel like I won't be taken serious if I rock up yo my GP.