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Original poster

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?

OP posts:
Natsku · 14/07/2016 13:01

I can't clean because I'll start cleaning meaning to just pick things up off the floor and vacuum and mop and end up organising the bathroom cupboard or something. Or fixing furniture (which has resulted in everything being a bigger mess and there's still a bag of screws on the floor from the weekend)

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 13:03

ADD/ADHD doesn't make a difference any more BTW. I am diagnosed inattentive type (So without hyperactivity). But there is a school of thought that actually the subtypes aren't that different, and it's more of a social difference. Boys tend to be ADHD hyperactive or combined subtype, adult women tend to be ADHD inattentive subtype, girls and adult men can be either. The hyperactive symptoms tend to reduce as people age and I believe they are less expressed in women because of socialisation, or perhaps biology, maybe testosterone interacts more.

The school of thought which says it's all one thing says that the hyperactivity comes out in other ways, predominantly thought and speech patterns. If you've ever felt that your brain is running too fast for you to keep up or you're falling over your words because you can't get them out fast enough or you've been accused of talking too much, that is the hyperactive part of ADHD coming out, even if you have a "non hyperactive kind".

Also, fidgeting. Who in here sits normally on a chair? I'll always sit on the floor given a choice or pull my legs up onto the chair. I just don't find it comfortable to sit in the normal way.

iPost · 14/07/2016 13:07

Bertie

The kids one ? breathing bubbles here

What's the name of your barcode alarm app ? I was going to get one of those "leap off bedside table and run around the room" alarm clocks, but an app that forces me out of bed would be far cheaper. And less likely to trip me up. Grin

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 13:07

I have a DS already so I know what it's like (Though I had no idea back then!) At least I can put it down to baby brain Grin Actually I felt more alert and focused for the short time I was pregnant earlier this year. (I had a miscarriage, am OK though.)

I think my DS is ADHD too but it hasn't been flagged up. I am leaving it for now because it doesn't seem to be causing major issues at the moment except for me constantly having to replace his school supplies and jumpers when he loses them. It's hard to tell how much that is him and how much that is a normal 7 year old thing to do.

PovertyPain · 14/07/2016 13:08

Ffs! I come on here to get advice about my oldest and end up recognising myself! Who would have thunk it? ShockBlushGrin

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 13:10

No the one you said does everything.

I am using Sleep as Android (it's predominantly a sleep tracker) which is a paid one but there are lots of free ones both for iOS and android now. Search "QR alarm" in your preferred app store. It's quite clever. Mine even disables itself if I'm not at home which is genius because I would never remember to turn it off. Actually last year it didn't realise I was at Kindergarten because I was in the basement, I had to take the battery out to get it to stop! I was at a parent's concert Blush

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 13:11

Oh no Poverty! Grin

iPost · 14/07/2016 14:47

Bertie

Ah the mega planner for getting shit done, with visual extra specialness for capturing all those random "good ideas" as they happen rather than wandering around trying to remember what you forgot as you looked for a pen ?

Awesome Note 2 for the iPad (and phone and watch as well now I think) My whole life is in it, from daily routines, shopping lists, anniversaries, random good ideas, projects in progress and all my work stuff too. www.bridworks.com/anote/ It's the only planner I've ever used that seems to work with me, rather than against me. And it is very naggy, which helps.

Bloody love the idea of that QR Alarm. Off to see what I can download. Will put it on DS's device too. He is AHDH-free, but suffers from teenage "won't get up" disease.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 14/07/2016 18:52

Does anyone have any good anti-fidgeting tips?

Natsku · 14/07/2016 19:23

Not really a good anti-fidgeting tip but I like to carry little puzzles (like those mini IQ puzzles, or a rubix cube) with me and just fiddle with them (not properly trying to solve them, just moving the bits around) so I'm at least not tapping pens on the table or jiggling my chair or things like that.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 14/07/2016 19:38

Sounds like a good idea Natsku. I'm struggling at work - in appointments I'm having to literally sit on my hands to stop myself drumming on the desk/tapping pens. I need to find some kind of coping strategy because it looks weird.

Natsku · 14/07/2016 19:41

If I have nothing else, then I take a small bit of paper and just fold and refold it repeatedly.

Luckily I work in a charity shop and I can just get up and fiddle with the things for sale when I need to fidget under the guise of 'arranging the displays' and 'tidying the shelves'

PovertyPain · 14/07/2016 19:45

My oldest says that energy drinks help him. Does anyone else find that they help?

Natsku · 14/07/2016 19:46

Can't really say they do anything for me except for taste foul!

PovertyPain · 14/07/2016 20:08

Natsku Grin

bobbilyknob · 14/07/2016 20:20

A lot of this rings true for me. Do any of you have trouble with speaking? I often speak a bit like yoda, with my words all muddled around, some merging together etc. People always seem to look at me with confusion and I get frustrated that they can't see my point! Rargh!

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 14/07/2016 20:26

Poverty Monster is my hangover drink. Totally not a good idea but that's the only time I'll drink it! And I only have red bull with jaeger.

bobbily with speaking I'm either going at 100 words per minute so no-one can understand what the heck I'm saying and I don't think before speaking, or I'm barely stringing a sentence together and getting mixed up like you describe.

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 20:39

I find energy drink with Gurana works well for me but pure caffiene ones, nope. I really like the taste of them but actually all they do is give me palpitations.

I fidget a lot but I don't really stop myself from doing it. The only one I wish I could stop is the way I fidget by - not grinding my teeth exactly but brushing them against each other. So the same thing as grinding but with less force. I am actually wrecking my teeth vvv slowly by doing this but I can't break the habit. The usual treatment is mouth guards but it's not at night that I have the problem.

Natsku · 14/07/2016 20:48

Talking is ok but reading aloud is not. I read much faster than I talk so I end up mixing the words up. Makes bedtime stories hell.

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 20:58

Ha, yes. I used to do that falling-asleep-slurring thing when I had to read to DS at bedtime. He reads to himself now. Or watches the ipad Blush

Natsku · 14/07/2016 21:02

I'm thinking I best just get DD audiobooks for her bedtime stories!

BertieBotts · 14/07/2016 21:09

I think I started to use audiobooks when he was about 3 or 4 but at first only after we had read some stories.

I find it's okay if you can do voices or it has a rhythm and if I'm not too tired myself. I like alternating reading with DS now he can read, that's fun.

Juliecloud · 14/07/2016 21:53

Honestly, this thread is so helpful for me. I have so many symptoms that are described here. I don't know where to start with it all. I know I interrupt people and I hate myself for doing it but I can't stop.

I also see my DD doing a lot of the things. She can't concentrate on anything. I'll tell her to put her shoes on then find her with one shoe half on and doing something completely different, like a puzzle. Her report card was full of comments about her being slow and not able to concentrate or finish work, but she is bright.

I'm going to look at some of the apps mentioned here, thanks.

unlucky83 · 14/07/2016 23:46

I'm awaiting an appointment in Aug with psychiatry to get assessed and hopefully diagnosed.
DD1 was diagnosed at just 14 - but I had suspected for years. I didn't want her labelled but with exams etc looming she was starting to lose it - I thought she was going to stop going to school (which is what I did). The medication transformed her school work. But there are 2 downsides - one she only takes it for school - when it wears off at night she becomes more lively than she was before - it is kind of like a release. And at the weekend/holidays she is also harder to deal with - more bouncy and loud than ever...and in some ways she controls it less as she has an excuse/reason - she isn't trying to be 'normal' any more. Which is probably better for her metal health... but can be a nightmare for me. She is also oppositional - you have to carefully phrase everything so she doesn't see it as an 'order' ... if she feels like you are telling her to do something she won't and the more cross you become with her the more she fights back.
I'm 49 and going for a diagnosis cos I am struggling keeping on top of everything - I am the queen of procrastination...everything feels slightly out of control. I have seen what a difference medication made to DD and think if I took when I needed to I could get on top of everything for once and for all and feel happier. (I am back on ADs at the moment -struggled with depression all my life and was suicidal when I was in my 20s)
I am addicted to coffee and nicotine - although I vape now on the whole - only have the odd cigarette. I cry when I haven't had a cigarette for a while - I panic and feel like I can't function. I read Allan carrs book about stopping smoking - in it he says remember how awful that first cigarette made you feel - my first cigarette made me feel great Sad.
The same is true for coffee - I drink gallons of super strong coffee every day and I really can't function without it. I then read both nicotine and caffeine have been trialled as treatments for ADHD...which was a real ahhhh I get it moment for me -before that I just thought I had an addictive personality.
I only took E a couple of times (I became ill and was on serious prescription drugs when I was into that scene - so then couldn't risk it or any other illegal drugs) and it made my brain feel so focused - it was amazing - everything was so clear - I wasn't buzzing I was just super calm and together...I kind of thought that is how it made everyone feel Hmm Only took cocaine once and it had no real noticeable effect on me...that I can remember. I'm still on prescription medication and have dodgy health so daren't risk sneaking some of DD's concerta -although I have been tempted.
As to fidgeting - an acquaintance apparently thought I was an addict cos I was so fidgety, keep touching my face etc. But I have developed a technique to stop me being too fidgety.

I also think DP has ADHD (doing the questionnaire for DD was when the penny dropped). The other day we were watching a (slightly tedious) school concert. He can't sit still- rocks around on his chair, wriggles, his legs are bouncing etc. I realised to all outward appearance I was sitting still - I cross my arms and legs to stop me fidgeting - but I am wriggling my toes like mad in my shoes....

Butterchunks · 15/07/2016 00:32

Wow, there's been some good chatting going on here. I'm looking forward to reading what everyone's said, I've caught glimpses of discussion on energy drinks (any trying the various 19p red bull knock off in home bargains, pretty good), clean, productivity apps. I'm forwarding this onto my do now (and the will remind him to read it in the morning)