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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:
BertieBotts · 17/07/2016 21:30

Do you know how to read tabs? You can learn that in about 10 seconds from a website. It's really easy and a properly "instant" way to get into playing lots of songs, you can often google the name of the song plus tabs to find tabs for it, like you might with lyrics.

Then another tip is just to search on youtube "beginner guitar songs" or tutorials, or whatever. There are lots of videos on there and it's a much quicker way to get into it.

Lastly chords are fairly easy to learn and the easiest to sing with. The first song I "played" was Horse With No Name because it literally has two chords which are right next to each other and you just have to switch between them. This was my goal this time - just learn a few chords so I can strum along to a song to accompany myself. So I did that and then when I wanted to play something new I'd just shuffle my music until I found something which seemed good and looked that up to see if it looked easy. I got to a few songs this way and then just spent an afternoon going through all the music I could think of, looking up the chords and if they looked easy (you'll get to know what "easy" is once you've attempted a few songs. For me it's no bar chords, nothing in a weird tuning, maximum 4 different chords). The surprising (maybe not that surprising!) hit is Taylor Swift - lots of her songs use the same four chords just repeated in a loop and her songs are really fun to sing!

The one song I can play (via tabs) almost perfectly now is Daydreamer by Adele. I tend to just do a little bit at a time rather than sitting down to practice. I find I burn things if I leave the kitchen while I'm cooking so I just sit and play my guitar now while I'm waiting. I remember my mum used to practice while she supervised us in the bath...

Poverty Food issues sound like they might be sensory related.

Thecatgotmytongue · 17/07/2016 22:22

Thanks Bertie! I love Taylor, so I'll have a look ... Do you have a link to some of her songs? I can just about read tabs and I can play about five chords, just struggle to strum properly (I don't know why!) And changing chords quickly is still a challenge. But I so want to be able to play and sing along!

BertieBotts · 18/07/2016 07:03

Are you using a plectrum or just your thumb? I prefer using my thumb but some people find a plectrum easier. You can also get one which goes around your thumb like a ring which is even easier for strumming.

With Taylor's stuff you can just play the chord once when it comes up and as you get better/faster at changing you can add one more until you're strumming four times for each chord. I still just strum once for each bar.

This is the site I usually end up on, the mobile site is rubbish though as it wants you to buy the app, but the desktop one is good. They are all user submitted so if you don't like one try another version.

www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/taylor_swift_tabs.htm

I started with Fearless, Our Song, Speak Now ... and I think that's it for now.

Original poster
Thefitfatty · 18/07/2016 07:05

I have a job interview in a few moments and no amount of Concerta is calming my nerves!!!!

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 18/07/2016 07:05

tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/t/taylor_swift/fearless_acoustic_crd.htm

Click "Display chords" on the left for a quick visual or you can just mouse over.

BertieBotts · 18/07/2016 07:06

Oh no, try deep breaths and repeating "I am calm, confident and competent" in your head.

Original poster
Thefitfatty · 18/07/2016 07:08

That's what I'm doing :D I've never had an interview on meds so it will be interesting to see if it's any different.

OP posts:
Thecatgotmytongue · 18/07/2016 10:34

Good luck Thefit.

Bertie, thanks. I can almost play Candy by Paolo Nutini using tabs from that site Smile It's all I can play so far.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 18/07/2016 13:45

Those of you struggling with guitar, have you tried ukulele? It's a really easy starter instrument. I got frustrated with guitar (instant gratification), then started playing ukulele at school (we had an awesome music teacher!), picked it up really quickly so I was happy with that. When it came to starting guitar again it came so much easier as a progression from ukulele, so I didn't get frustrated with it. (I do still give up if I can't get a song first or second time though)

Chords are easier than tabs once you get the hang of it.

Hope your interview went well Thefit

Thecatgotmytongue · 18/07/2016 14:19

Thanks ovaries ... I think I've heard that before. Unfortunately I bought a guitar not long ago and can't afford a ukulele too (not keen on the sound either tbh) so will persevere .. In my own little way!

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 18/07/2016 22:54

It's definitely an acquired sound Grin

Natsku · 18/07/2016 22:56

Hope the job interview went well FitFatty

Thecatgotmytongue · 19/07/2016 01:48

I've actually picked up the guitar a few times today and played .. I think I'm improving slightly, picking up speed and changing chords better, some anyway.

How was the interview Fit?

Original poster
Thefitfatty · 19/07/2016 05:41

I think it went well, but I definitely talked too much. It's so hard to stop myself once my mouth gets going faster than my brain. :(

OP posts:
Natsku · 19/07/2016 08:50

I'm wondering whether to take one of OH's meds before the documentary guys turn up. I am really restless right now, keep walking around the house trying to find some little job to do but I've done them all.

Thecatgotmytongue · 19/07/2016 13:21

Have you taken them before? Do you know what effect they'll have on you? If not I probably wouldn't take one if it was me.

Natsku · 19/07/2016 13:27

I've taken them before, they make me more focussed, the concerta that is, but come to think of it there's only the short acting one at home right now and that makes me a bit too jittery so probably best not to. They're almost here anyway, maybe I'll just make some tea to make me calm.

Alfieisnoisy · 19/07/2016 14:50

My son has been on Mediknet for five years now. I also take a pill each morning and three times over the past five years I have accidentally taken DS's meds instead of mine.
three days where I experienced the world properly, I was focused and could achieve stuff. Brilliant.

Shame that no fecker is prepared to refer me and that the medication is not licensed for adults.

Ah well....fuzzy and unfocused/untuned it is then.

Natsku · 19/07/2016 16:43

OH has Mediknet Alfie so they must prescribe to some adults

Managed to do ok without the meds anyway though I couldn't really keep focussed on the subject and tended to go off on tangents quite a bit but nevermind.

MrsCoyote · 20/07/2016 03:21

Can I ask, how about your (long term) memory, especially memories from childhood, young age etc.?

I find that I don't remember places of holidays, names of teachers, people and events - and everybody else seems to know these. When I talk to my sister or former schoolmates, they speak about things I don't remember, only vaguely think they are probably right.

This applies also to recent time - my friend talked about an event we were at about half a year ago and she was able to talk about people who were there and I was not able to recall them or their names or other details.

Does someone experience that too?

Original poster
Thefitfatty · 20/07/2016 04:49

I can't say I've noticed a memory issue other than I'm horrible with names MrsCoyote. I always though I had a fairly decent memory to be honest.

In regards to self medicating. I've recently upped my dose of Concerta from 3 tabs to 4. As 3 wasn't cutting it. 4 seems great. Now I just have to figure out a way of bringing this up with my psych next week. Unfortunately this will also mean that I'll be shelling out about 200 pounds a month for meds. :(

OP posts:
StrictlyMumDancing · 20/07/2016 06:18

coyote my memory has always been like yours. Worse currently as my short term seems totally defective. I can often remember things if prompted but not off my own back. Which reminds me, I need to get these apps mentioned earlier in this thread...

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 20/07/2016 08:32

I've called in sick for work today. I'm getting so restless there; it's not challenging enough and there's no chance of progression. I'm making small mistakes because it requires a lot of focus not to get errors, but the errors are so silly and everyone agrees. I want to move on to something different. This always happens.

I love the job, love my team, love the company, which is why it's so frustrating that I'm getting itchy feet. The only thing keeping me there is the knowledge that it's going to look awful on my CV that I've gone through three jobs in a year :(

Mov1ngOn · 20/07/2016 11:59

Gosh the more i read the more I see myself. I have memory issues too. I need to find work at some point and anything repetitive would be impossible.

I'm also faceblind, i know it overlaps with autism ( which I think my dad is but I don't think i am) i wonder if it overlaps with add too.

Mov1ngOn · 20/07/2016 12:00

Yes yes to not having patience to cook. I can hyperfocus for a bit and create elaborate meal plans for the week but the. Not actually be able to do them on the day.

Need to clear up today to pack for tomorrow and wasted most of the morning so far.