So I got pulled up at work...

[Arana]

...for poor quality of work, inability to regulate my time, distractability, inability to communicate effectively with team members bla bla bla.

One of my managers is aware of my ADHD and depression, but my senior manager wasn't. (When I informed my manager of my ADHD and depression, I asked him to use his judgement as to whether to inform a project manager of my issues - he didn't tell anyone).

Once I explained what was going on (treatment resistant severe depression for over a year, no success with ADs, panic attacks, hypothyroidism, very painful pelvic pain (pelvic tendinopathy) ADHD) my senior manager was much more sympathetic and supportive. He's asked me for ways I think the company can support me better? The project manager wan'ts my main responsibilities taken away from me, but I think that's unnecessary - I can handle that fine, it's the other, last minute, vaguely outlined demands that I struggle with.

Any suggestions or advice?

Has anyone come across a good "tips for managing someone with ADHD" article? I've found a couple, but not always been entirely relevant.

If they took your main responsibilities away from you, what would you be left doing?
If your getting those done, then why have you been pulled up?
Are the last minute vaugeries something that your role is meant to cover or could they be directed elsewhere?

Brief update, my responsibilities haven't been taken away from me now (I put my foot down about it, and asked for more support).

The issue I really struggle with is vague remits, where I can't see a clear goal or pathway. This is a tough one, because often the managers are too busy to clearly explain what needs doing (with appropriate templates etc), but I just can't get to grips with stuff unless the direction is clear.

Also anyone got any tips for coping with depression and anxiety in the workplace? I've found a few good tips for ADHD which I'll pass on to my manager, but the depression is a tough one.

I suppose to some extent I need to explain to them in context that my work a certain week wasn't up to scratch because I was distracted somewhat with constant thoughts of suicide. But I don't know if I really want to tell them that much without leaving myself open to stigma in the future.

I don't mind being open about the ADHD because it's something I have always had and always will have, but the depression is something I'm fighting off (albeit unsuccessfully at the moment) and I don't want to be tarred with that brush once I've overcome it.

Can I ask what medication you take for your ADHD?

I was diagnosed with ADHD last year, after years of running myself into the ground trying to keep on top of deadlines, multiple tasks, time management, home, work, kids, life etc.

The treatment I am on has changed my life and dramatically improved my ability to deal with these things.

Over the last few years I had been treated for depression too, but know now that it was caused by my constant feeling of failure to cope with what others found so simple, and because I couldn't get on top of that, the ADs made no difference.

Do you see an adult ADHD specialist or does your GP deal with it? It might be worth checking you're on the right meds.

I've also got a couple of books that I found quite useful for helping me keep on top of things:

ADHD Friendly Ways To Organise Your Life

Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD: Beyond Piles, Palms and Post-Its

Thanks for your post yourcall, those books look really useful. I can also recommend this book: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0976986728/ref=redir_mdp_mobile.

My mental health is managed by a psychiatrist. I was originally referred because of self harm / suicide attempts, but she quickly diagnosed me with adhd as well. I'm on ritalin la daily with dexedrine top ups as needed. I find the combo works better than ritalin alone. I'm in Australia, so diagnosis and treatment had been much less of a struggle than it was in the uk. I'm 30, and I can safely say my work life has been revolutionised since I was diagnosed.

My previous depression was linked to the adhd and associated frustration and low self esteem. This bout of depression is like a cancer though. Every day I'm still alive is a small victory. The fact I still have a job is a miracle, but absolutely necessary to my mental health. I can safely say if I didn't have my job I wouldn't be here now.

I'm trying my 5th anti depressant at the moment, which is demoralizing, but I've got used to the disappointment by now. It's just very hard work keeping it all together.

If the anti-ds are not helping (and I am not sure what taking them in combo with ritalin might do, hopefully your pysch does) then you need to look at other options.
I would say ect but that is really a last resort. Something I have also come across over the past year is ketamine infusion therapy, it's fairly cutting edge but might also be worth looking into.
Do you have any ongoing therapy/ counselling?
If the answer is no, then get some, get your pysch to make some recommendations.
Also look into something called mindfulness, it has revolutionised the way I think over recent months.

The ad I'm taking at the moment is agomelatine and isn't a traditional SSRI/SNRI so doesn't have the horrendous side effects. It's also meant to have some effect within 2-3 weeks, so I'll know soon enough whether it works or not.

I've done a LOT of research, and the next AD I'll try if this one isn't successful is desipramine. I might ask about lamictal as well as my moods can be pretty volatile at times.