Inattentive ADHD but brain constantly restless. If you have ADHD how does diazepam affect you?

[HolidayHankering]

My diagnosis is inattentive type, no physical hyperactivity. But honestly I feel like my brain is hyperactive, as it constantly hops from thing to thing to thing.

It gets far worse mid cycle and then before period, so I assume influenced by hormones, and severe prolonged stress makes the brain flitting all over the place worse too.

But does this sound like part of ADHD? Or am I now getting dementia (sadly in my family) or something else?

Reason I ask is the most effective thing I have taken to quiet the constant flitting thoughts is diazepam. It does not make my brain go vacant and useless, it calms it to the point of being able to focus and order things in my head, and I can do tasks on other days I find impossible? Surely that's a bit weird for ADHD and should not do this?

Does that point to the issue being something else?

I do have anxiety, but when the brain flitting is at its worst I don't feel necessarily "anxious" as in scared - but ruminate loads and loads, past mistakes and severe guilt etc. The diazepam stops that in its tracks.

Obviously this is an impractical solution as can't take it long term. I take it (prescribed) once a month when things get unbearable and looking at my calender it is always around ovulation.

GP is happy enough to prescribe the diazepam because I don't take it more than once per month, but I'm uneasy to just basically settle for doing this long term as I'm pretty sure diazepam isn't good for the brain long term?

Bumping in hope...

So your brain going 100mph is a part of ADHD and it stems from hyperactivity.

Are you on any meds for ADHD? I take methylphenidate aka Ritalin and it calms my brain right down. Stimulants don't stimulate us, they calm us down. We're a walking contradiction.

Hormones absolutely affect ADHD. I'm Perimenopausal and I nearly checked out for good before I got HRT. Your estrogen helps to produce dopamine that we lack so see if you can have your hormone levels checked.

Diazipam isn't a solution, women were prescribed it like smarties back in the day, and I understand why, however you can't take it long term because it becomes ineffective.

Honestly it sounds like ADHD but you need to look into different medications to control it.

My ADHD brain repels all but horse sized doses of diazepam, which aren't recommended for regular use 😬

Mine is much worse depending on part of my cycle too, it sometimes feel like I need to take my brain out and shake it like an etch-a-sketch.

Have you tried normal ADHD meds?

So your brain going 100mph is a part of ADHD and it stems from hyperactivity.

Yeah this is how it feels! But I always just assumed I didn't have any hyperactive part at all because I lie on the couch (or awake for hours at night) when my brain is bouncing in 30 different directions at once and refusing to shut up.

Wow I actually cannot believe it's taken me so long for it to dawn that some of the issues stems from hyperactivity.

Mine is much worse depending on part of my cycle too, it sometimes feel like I need to take my brain out and shake it like an etch-a-sketch.

This is so relatable it sent chills down my spine

No haven't tried ADHD medications yet. Diagnosed before pandemic, and was not allowed try any until having some tests with cardiology due to blood pressure concerns which sounds scary. Then pandemic happened and I didn't chase it up...

I should try to get my courage together though.

If my brain would be reliably calm and shut up it would be such a relief.

That's so interesting that it's around ovulation. I've been really struggling with ovulation for about 6 months now. I get so angry and thoughts at 100 miles an hour, but physically exhausted - to the point of suicidal thoughts which I've never had before. I have also wondered if I have ADHD. Ds1 is diagnosed. I take citalopram for anxiety and it's a lot worse if I don't but the hormone thing is really, really difficult.

But I always just assumed I didn't have any hyperactive part at all because I lie on the couch (or awake for hours at night) when my brain is bouncing in 30 different directions at once and refusing to shut up.

My diagnosis is combined type ADHD but this is me as well ^ - I was told by the psychiatrist that the hyperactivity is going on in my head. When I went for the assessment I fully expected to get an inattentive diagnosis

Brain hyperactivity, eg overthinking etc is a common sign of ADHD in women. Physical hyperactivity seems to be more prevalent in boys.

Physical hyperactivity in girls can be really subtle, such as playing with hair.

There's some interesting articles around into the effect of hormones on ADHD.

ADHD meds seem to be less effective in the lead up to periods.

Physical hyperactivity in girls can be really subtle, such as playing with hair.

That's really interesting.

Like I say I'm not outwardly physically restless let alone hyperactive but since schooldays sitting at a desk, I will often need to physically tense muscles very subtly in a rhythm - say in my forearms, one after another, then thighs, all in a loop if that makes sense. If I try to stop this I feel really unwell like I'm going to dissolve or faint or explode or something.

God. I sound nuts But it has always felt like some kind of self-regulating habit, that I never thought of in relation to ADHD but possibly is connected.

I twitch my toes, inside my shoes and I 'pulse'/'slightly tap my fingers in the same rhythm. My daughter says that I 'count' with my fingers on her, if my arm is round her.

I'm never completely physically or mentally still.

My dd is diagnosed. I'm on the waiting list of assessment.

Honestly I think ovulation is crazier for me hormone wise than the pre menstrual time.

My chin always gets a massive fucking spot as well which I think means the hormone surge is dramatic.

Maybe some people's hormones are more a smooth rise and fall, and others spikily rocket up and dive down?

@MerryMarigold as your ds is diagnosed you must be tempted to see if you have it too. Good that citalopram helps though.

It's so hard!

A relief that your diagnoser picked up on the combined type you have.