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Talk to me about adult ADHD

266 replies

Thefitfatty · 25/02/2016 08:20

Just been diagnosed, and started on Concerta. Anyone else not figure out they were ADHD till they were in their mid-30's? Can anyone tell me about their side effects? Or what I can expect now that I'm on meds?

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iPost · 13/07/2016 14:58

Mov1ing

I'd suggest starting small.

Maybe just the pomodoro method of getting stuff done. It's a technique and an hour or two with Google reading how people with ADHD have employed it is enough to get to grips with the how and why. Pomodoro timers can be found free on most app stores

I tend to design hacking great big, over doing it ".project style" plans to get organised. The pomodoro method helped me limit the extent to which getting organised is something I plan... rather than do.

DH and DS prod me as required. Although I did not like the way the prodding kicked up a notch today. They've put a passcode on my iPad. I get it. I agree with them. I am still not a happy bunny. The procrastination, it is strong in me.

I can see them checking the timer to see how much longer I have online.

Thecatgotmytongue · 13/07/2016 15:09

So many things mentioned here apply to me too. Cleaning, showering, cleaning teeth, reading, any sort of concentration ... I thought I was just lazy or stupid ... I still can't believe that I'm not tbh ...

Thecatgotmytongue · 13/07/2016 15:21

I like to do things in my own time, in my own order ... The school holidays finish me off! And my dd is not tiny!

I'm in the UK .. I just don't think any gp I could see will be happy if I say I think I'm adhd .. I can't see them taking me seriously. I'm considering printing off some sort of list of symptoms, so I can point out how many boxes I tick ... Can anyone suggest a good website that gp might take seriously?

Thefitfatty · 14/07/2016 04:43

Mov1ng0n I didn't think I'd be taken seriously. Thecatgotmytongue here's two: www.addadult.com/getting-help/for-you/online-screening-test/
psychcentral.com/quizzes/addquiz.htm

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Natsku · 14/07/2016 06:12

Reading this thread makes me really think I might have it. I've been wondering it for a while (ever since my OH got diagnosed) as I can never concentrate on a conversation as the moment someone starts talking my mind wanders off. It was the same when I was little, and I'd always get in trouble for daydreaming. And all the cleaning issues mentioned here - same here! I get the place really clean and then tell myself that all I have to do is a quick tidy up every day and it'll stay clean but I just can't do it.

I did an experiment the other week when I first started considering this, and I took one of my OH's concertas in the morning. I went to work and was able to listen and focus, then I came home and was able to clean. It was amazing. But I really don't know how to bring it up with a doctor - I'm thinking about confessing to my psychiatrist about trying the medicine and its effect on me and seeing what he says but worried he'll think I'm drug-seeking or something.

Thefitfatty · 14/07/2016 06:16

Natsku I remember when I was a teenager I used to sell my little brothers Ritalin to friends (ya, I wasn't a great kid). One night I took some as well, and it was the same as you, I was focused and calm. Didn't understand what the fuss was about and never did it again. :/ Similar when I tried E.

No harm in mentioning it to your psych.

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Alfieisnoisy · 14/07/2016 06:23

I know I have it along with autism. Problem is that no bugger will refer me. Because I am 50 now.

Aged 50 and my life has been a massive struggle. My eye opening moment when the penny finally dropped was when DS was diagnosed. He is described as a carbon copy of me as a child. I think this is a pretty good reason for referral and I do t think I am being unreasonable in asking to sit down with someone who knows about these things and see if I fit the same profile as my DS. But no....nobody wants to know.

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 06:27

Hello all. I was diagnosed in February at 27, I'd suspected ADHD for a couple of years Shock but it took me that long to get around to each stage of the self referral process Hmm

I live in germany and the only medication available for adults here is Ritalin Adult. But they won't let me have it right now as I'm TTC. So I am having CBT which is helpful mainly for keeping me accountable but not much else and trying hard to keep up with eating breakfast, going to bed on time and regular exercise as this helps a little for me.

Haven't read all the posts Blush I will go back.

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 06:28

I have a good link about adults getting referred in the UK. .. I need to get it later for you when I finish work.

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 06:30

Natsku, I would go with 'my partner is diagnosed and I noticed I have the same symptoms' (bring a list if you can) rather than mentioning the medication as some doctors are funny about it.

Silly, really. I only knew I needed glasses aged 12 because I tried my friend's on and suddenly I could see.

Thefitfatty · 14/07/2016 06:33

me doctors are funny about it.

Lol, I guess I'm pretty lucky as my psych is fine with that kind of thing. One of the first things he asked me was whether I'd taken stimulants in the past, and how they'd effected me. Than we had a good laugh about how I didn't understand the fuss. Grin

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Natsku · 14/07/2016 06:38

Good idea BertieBotts

StrictlyMumDancing · 14/07/2016 07:56

Thank ipost I'll have a look at that later.

Made an apt with my dr to talk about my downturn wrt controlling my symptoms. I'm still not sure in my mind whether it's the adhd that needs treating or my physical health as I was largely functioning fine until my body started failing me. Which led to a massive lecture by the receptionist. My GP is closing soon, I need to register elsewhere. I've known this for over a month but they're the only Drs who have listened to me for years so I've not done anything, at all. Don't want to deal with it, oh look this seems more fun, lets obsess over this rather than do something important like ensuring my dcs and I have a GP Angry

Thecatgotmytongue · 14/07/2016 11:13

Thanks for the link, I'll print that off and take it to my doctor in two weeks.

FretYeNotAllIsShiny · 14/07/2016 11:45

I scored quite highly on both those tests. I've always been disorganised and even though I've got a multitude of strategies I've put in place to help me - I've got a kitchen calendar, notes on the fridge, phone alarms, I put my keys in only selected spots, same with my phone, electric key etc - I still find it hard to sort things out. I will put everything off. I've two phone calls to make today, I've done neither. My house is always a tip because I'll start something, then wander off.

A great example of this happened at work, I was told to move a stack of plastic boxes, they had a lot of kitchen foil piled on top. I moved the kitchen foil, then moved the boxes but then forgot to put the foil away, so I got a bollocking for that. I had forgotten all about it.

I think I have ADD rather than ADHD but I'm not sure what good an actual diagnosis will do me. I've suffered from anxiety and depression all my life, and I'm now on ADs which have helped enormously. It's taken me years to establish a routine of taking regular medication.

I was going to add more to this post but I've lost my train of thought.

PovertyPain · 14/07/2016 12:37

Oh bugger! Shock I just popped back for a nosey, didn't go to the other thread, and did that test out of curiosity. I scored high for both! Does ADD and ADHD run in families. I know I have so many of the traits, but thought that my interrupting, lack of concentration, inability to relax, ect, was down to my life long depression and lack of self control. Ive never liked myself very much. Sad I know my constant interrupting and talking irritates other people, but can't seem to stop it. I'm 48 for fucks sake!

Thefitfatty · 14/07/2016 12:43

Welcome to the club ladies. Grin

(Yes ADHD does run in families).

An actual diagnosis will get you meds, meds that will give you the ability to focus and remember things and cut down on anxiety. They are wonderful. Far better than my AD's ever were.

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PovertyPain · 14/07/2016 12:47

I think I love you, OP! Grin Always looking at the positive. Smile

Thefitfatty · 14/07/2016 12:50

LOL. Thanks. :)

But honestly, my whole diagnosis has been a pretty positive experience.

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PovertyPain · 14/07/2016 12:51

Did any of the diagnosed posters find that they gave away too much personal information about themselves? I can hear myself talking and in my head my voice is screaming "shut up! You're talking too much! Stop telling them that" but my gub won't stop. Blush

Natsku · 14/07/2016 12:51

Scored highly on both those tests, particularly the inattentive bits though the second test suggests I might have the combined type.

Thefitfatty · 14/07/2016 12:53

I always give away too much information. Once I start talking I generally can't stop, and it takes a great deal of control to not interrupt people.

I'm very bad with sharing personal information on forums like this. I type faster than I think.

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BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 12:55

Right I can go back and do replies now :) I've done a LOT of reading and research on the topic over the last 2 years and in the 6 months since I was diagnosed (it seems to be one of my hyperfocus topics of choice) so if I can spread any info, I will try.

If this is too much to read my one big recommendation is to google Dr. Russell Barkley. He is absolutely amazing and his lectures (on Youtube) changed my life. They are v. long but v. worth it. I stuck them on while ironing and folding clothes and cleaning the kitchen and just listened. (That motivates me to clean too).

Fret I am always doing things like that with the foil etc. Drives DH absolutely potty. I don't think he believes me when I say I'm really not aware I'm doing it. I also have strategies. I mentioned to my therapist today that I have trouble waking up in the mornings and one thing I use to help me is an alarm on my phone which is only deactivated when I scan a particular barcode. I use my toothpaste. So it forces me to get up and walk into the bathroom. Once I'm there I do a wee and brush my teeth and then I'm awake enough not to go back to bed (though I'm still not really awake). He has given me some exercises to do which might help me wake up further so I will report back on those.

Here is the link for adult ADHD diagnosis in the UK: www.simplywellbeing.com/help-for-adhd/adult-adhd-diagnosis-in-the-uk/

Strictly IMO if the ADHD is under control it should make dealing with your other health issues easier and less stressful.

Thefitfatty That is one of the standard questions actually, they also ask if you've ever been addicted to anything. I mentioned that coffee makes me sleepy. But I think that it's different once you're actually seeing a psychiatrist, because GPs often have no training in psychiatry, and also it's different to say "I tried this and it was great, can I get some on prescription?" than to answer a question relating to stimulants in general, during an assessment. But then I've just gone back and maybe I misread the point. Blush

Alfie Apparently it's actually very common for parents to seek diagnosis after their children are diagnosed. And the latest evidence shows that ADHD is very heritable. Meaning it is actually very likely that you would have it. Have a look at the link I posted.

In my experience with diagnosis (and the German system might be different, but I don't think it's that different) my GP was pretty dismissive. She asked why I would want a label, and said there is no treatment, which isn't true. She suggested that I try sticking to a programme of three meals, good sleep, fresh air and exercise and see if that helped. It did, marginally, but it was excruciatingly hard to stick to and it didn't solve most of the problems I was having.

People having issues with listening - look up Auditory Processing Disorder. It's extremely highly correlated with ADHD (most people with ADHD have at least one other disorder, another common one is Sensory Processing Disorder, and Dyslexia.)

iPost What is that app? It looks good.

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 12:57

I'm so jealous of anyone who can have medication Grin As soon as we conceive and I'm not pregnant any more I'm going to be on them like a rabid dog until they tell me if I'm allowed them while breastfeeding!

I am always telling my life story to anybody who sits still near me long enough. It's a curse Blush

Thefitfatty · 14/07/2016 12:59

Good Luck with the whole getting knocked up thing BertieBotts. I'm not going to lie, my symptoms got worse during pregnancy. But it's worth it. ;)

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