Thread for those with adult ADHD or who think they might have ADHD

[Borntobedifferent]

So I've put this into mental health as although it isn't really a mental health issue it tends to be discovered (in adults) when there is other mental health issues.

I've written a few times elsewhere on here about my ADHD but thought it might be nice to have an ongoing thread.

All that i ask is that we focus on adult ADHD as I'm sure there is other threads for those with children with ADHD.

I am nearly a year diagnosed now (I'm 37) and am on Elvanse 40mg and amfexa 5mg first thing in the morning.

I am so on 200mg sertraline and diazepam as by the time I was diagnosed I was just totally broken.

I have a therapist and today I started with an ADHD coach, I have to learn to accept my past and to embrace the positives of ADHD but it's not an easy thing to do.

Thank you @toffee1000 I guess it is good to know that I am not the only one that has had that reaction to ASD diagnosis. You sound so much more together than I did when I was 23!

I got the ADHD & ASD diagnosis last week, but I had already had the diagnosis for PTSD a couple of months or so ago. To think all of this started because I thought I had really bad anxiety. I wasn't very clear or detailed in my post, I still feel weird typing it all out!

I spent the last year slowly disintegrating, I was being bullied at work relentlessly after a promotion and the company I worked at didn't really do anything about the bullying other than keep them and I apart (didn't stop them). The bullies left, but I was SO stressed it had made me sick. I got burgled, so it felt like everything was turned inside-out, my home, my routines, my sense of safety. Then I had life-threatening allergic reactions. So, a lot to unpick...

I really think a lot of my life has been semi-consciously structured as to mitigate what I now know are ADHD/ASD (still don't know what to call the second diagnosis, Aspergers? Autism? The words haven't settled into my mind yet). So, when all of those structures, and routines, and habits that kept me functioning in the world fell apart, so did I.

I also don't know what to tell people. When I fell apart, I isolated myself from many of my loved ones because of reasons I can't explain. Now I have a little bit more understanding I want to get back in touch to apologise, hopefully explain, but I don't know what to say or whether I'll be understood. Am sure they all think I was ghosting them, but I was trapped behind a mind-wall of my own making.

Herbal stuff - Omega 3, Ginseng, and Guaranine (which might be the same thing as caffeine). I actually find Ginseng very good but I can't take it while BF.

I had my trial of Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and it didn't work - just did absolutely nothing for me. It gives me the same test results as Nortryptilin does on its own so my doctor recommended I stick with that. Slightly frustrating, especially as I feel I was only given an extremely tiny dose of MPH and I'd be interested to try a larger one. But I will keep going with the nortryptilin as it is making a small difference. I can either keep my appointment for July if I have questions or cancel it and make a new one for September to review.

I think it can be a bit "...What now?" after a diagnosis especially if you aren't then given immediately a referral to some kind of therapy, medication or a treatment plan or even just given info to digest these things before deciding whether to go for any of them.

In fact I feel MUCH more this way about DS1's diagnosis. Because he was just sort of given it with no follow up really I sort of don't know what to think about it. Half of me is like "Oh yes, that's good, it makes sense now, we need to make allowances for this" and half of me is like "But he doesn't really have anything and we should expect normality, he's not got a serious problem" and it makes me wonder WTF is wrong with me

I should call that therapist I've been recommended and see if she can see him.

But also I never really know what I want from doctors/therapists etc? I suppose what I should really do is make a list of all of the problems I feel are due to the disorder and ask if they have any suggestions that would help with those things.

I have become a bit of a self appointed expert in ADHD but I'm not convinced that is especially helpful in itself.

So my counsellor emailed earlier to say she’s been writing up my ADHD report. I’m meeting the meds person next week, which should be interesting.

With me, I don’t really have any kind of anxiety disorder. I can ignore things that I worry about, but when I have to “confront” them and start catastrophising (why am I like this, why aren’t I like other people kind of thing), I’m not good at dealing with it. My main thing is worrying how/what other people will think of me, and feeling unable to approach people I’d like to befriend because of how I perceive myself.

BertieBotts I searched for someone who had experience with dealing with people who have ASD. Since ASD is often co-morbid with ADHD, it came up.

Have just taken ADHD medication for the first time today. 30mg of Elvanse.

No idea what to expect 😬

Oh, me, can I join in please?! 🙋🏻‍♀️

I’m so excited to see that thread, as I got diagnosed just 2 years ago (at 36). I take Ritalin.

I actually got diagnosised with bipolar type 2 at the same time, and weirdly enough, I think that has far fewer impacts on my life than ADHD, I just a mood stabiliser every day and seem to be quite stable. Although it can be hard to know the difference between ADHD impulsive behaviour.

Not sure really how much the Ritalin works. It helps so much with feeling calmer, reduces sensory overload, I don’t lose my car keys and debit cards anymore (So it obviously does help!) but my house is still such a mess, and still struggle with organising food shops and stuff. I had such high hopes for that side of things.

Off to read the thread now (in true ADHD style, I got excited and wanted to join in straight away, before reading it all 😂)

But just saw some info about therapy and wondered if that will help - I feel so alone sometimes as it feels like a hidden disability, and it is wearing having a “scatty” label at times, when it is stuff I can’t help.

Just retrained as a teacher, which I am proud of, and parent my DC as well as I can (with my ex being an every other weekend dad). But beat myself to for not being a tidy organised mum and worry that my DC do not have enough to routine and consistency.

For example, I impulsively bought a big inflatable hot tub at the weekend. But still haven’t got around to doing a food shop or paying outstanding bills 😳. Am still totally distracted by making the garden nice!

HelenHandcart, please update on the medication, I remember the first day being a bit scary as I was walking around just waiting for something to happen!

Oh, and as an addition - I was diagnosed privately and then my GP took over the prescription straight away after my psychiatrist wrote to her.

I never saw my GP face to face at all, and I now pay for a yearly review with the psychiatrist (who is brilliant, and I can recommend to anyone in the South West if you would like a recommendation and PM me.)

Apparently not all GPs are so accommodating. Perhaps my Dr was sick of me phoning up crying (I’d been signed off work for 6 weeks with depression at that point) and was glad to hand me over to the private sector.

I'm coming round to the idea that I may well have Adhd. I could have written so many posts in this thread. Particularly not reaching potential.

The Uni comments really ring true. My dissertation was completed at 10am on the dot and handed in unbound. I'd spent the previous 2 hours printing it, my mate proof reading it, fixing errors, slotting in the new pages.

I got a formal dyslexia diagnosis in my 30s I blamed so many problems on it. But now DS is under going assessment for ASD (I think they are barking up the wrong tree). I'm actually thinking ADHD for us both.

Being curious how many of you are also dyslexic?

So I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD. Not a surprise really. It’s been recommended that I start Concerta XL, so I have to sort all that out.

Not dyslexic here.

So I started the Elvanse on Monday. Took one Tuesday.

For the first time in my life, I had one thought happening at a time, that I could think all the way from the beginning to the end, in one go.

How odd.

Is this what 'normal' brains can do all of the time? Bloody hell.

So, my brain was calm. Amazing.

Physical effects, hmmm...

I felt a bit high and energised. I also got very bad teeth grinding and my jaw ached.

I thought it was supposed to last 12 or so hours, but was wide awake a good 18 hours later. It was a relief to feel it wear off eventually.

Brain was working though, and calm. Body a little bit on edge. Feel like I have to choose between the two.

Yesterday when I woke my body was saying NO don't take it, so I didn't. Am currently looking at the bottle and wondering whether to take today's dose. Had the ADHD brain stuff back again yesterday.

Was told to take every day. Is this what everyone does? Or is it ok to take as and when wanted? Also worried about addiction, as they are amphetamines.

Did anyone else have these effects? Anyone know what to do about the jaw/teeth grinding? Tried gum, massaging jaw, do I need a dummy?

Apologies haven’t had time to read everything yet but just wanted to ask how exactly you get diagnosed as an adult. DD was diagnosed with GAD and depression by GP as a younger teen but apart from putting it on her records there has been no further help offered. She ticks so many boxes for ADHD though that I would be astonished if she wasn’t. I think a diagnosis might help her accept herself better, she herself suspected some kind of personality disorder but the GP didn’t want to pursue it at the time and told her she was just depressed but had no reason to be.

So many of these posts could have been written about her or by her. I’m desperate for her to get some help, it’s miserable seeing your child so unhappy. On the face of it she just needs to find her crowd, happy place, niche whatever but its proving impossible and I think that ADHD is the reason. Her slightly younger sibling doesn’t have the same issues and it’s becoming painfully obvious to her and us that it really is more than just teen behaviour.

It's been a while since diagnosis (moderate inattentive). I finally got back to my psychiatrist and said that I'd prefer not to take medication at this time.

I am tapering off ads. Also at some point I will probably need to start an immunosuppressant for life for a disease I have and I'd rather have minimal intervention.

I've reduced work stress levels, started exercise (joined a gym, loads of classes, perfect for ADHD). I've quit caffeine (this has made a huge difference) and most sugar (one or two pieces of fruit a day OK) and only kept a little dairy. Plenty of low histamine food and healthy fat. I've also downloaded an app to track nutrition against RDA. I can see some have been low so I've increased nutrient dense food and veggies. B6 food in particular seems to make a difference to my cognitive function. I usually take vit E and omega 3. I try to get the rest from my diet. For sleep I usually now force myself to go to bed and use a black out mask and ear plugs.

I'm also trying to coach myself to focus on what needs to be done. Eventually I will probably get a coach.

The change has been pretty big. My brain actually remembers things and prioritises. I am still a bit impulsive with purchases but getting there. The brain fog is much better.

For the first time in my life, I had one thought happening at a time, that I could think all the way from the beginning to the end, in one go.

I think meditation does a similar thing to this but takes regular practise.

Zinc has also helped.

Someone asked up thread how I feel about having a diagnosis. Just to answer I'm glad I saw someone as it has helped me put my struggles in a box.

I officially have my Concerta XL. Not started yet, so it’ll be interesting to see how it goes.

Hi all, is this thread still live? My DD and DH have diagnosed ADHD, I strongly suspect I have it too but can't get organised (ha!) enough to go through the steps needed. I need to RTFT but I'm place marking as it's great this thread exists

Im waiting on seeing someone for a diagnosis, I've been refused an asd diagnosis as in this area they are refusing most adults whether you are or not. Im hopeful for an adhd diagnosis though.

Hi,

I've not got an ADHD diagnosis yet. I had considered a skype assessment but think i'd been better with a proper face to face assessment so was just wondering whether anyone had a private assessment in the West Midlands?

Thanks!

*I'd be, not 'been'.

Bumping this thread.

I had a diagnosis through Psychiatry UK. The appointment comes through in a few weeks. The hard part was getting someone who knows me to complete the forms, and writing up how it impacts me, there were a LOT of questions, it felt like a massive test to someone with ADHD!

In the end DM and DF both did them, nothing they wrote was very helpful so I also got a close friend, who perhaps sees me more objectively, to do them too. I also dug out old school reports but that's not essential.

After diagnosis I felt relieved. I improved my self care and had improvements in my symptoms, although consistency is hard.

I have just been prescribed medication. I'm not expecting a miracle cure, just a little improvement. I've also spoken to an ADHD coach, and have been watching Russell Barkley on You Tube (30 essentials of ADHD is a good place to start) and reading books.

It would be nice to hear from OP again who started the thread. I don't think I would have had the courage to get a diagnosis without reading about it here.

Thank you for posting. I need to.do this!

I’ve just read my way through this thread. I’m sure I’ve got adhd, my brother and one of my sons have diagnoses. I find it almost impossible to tidy, I just can’t see the mess. In every job I’ve had I’ve eventually been encouraged to move on (apart from my time in comms which I know think suited me as it is so fast paced). I’m always ther person who sends the wrong attachment or who gets slides in the wrong order.

I interrupt people a lot and am famously tactless. I do also have childhood memories of zoning out and forgotting things and being told off in a very humiliating way.

Just not sure what to do next. Can’t imagine my GP will refer me and don’t want to spend £££ on a private assessment if there’s a chance I won’t get a dx

Took meds for a month or so, they really helped, predominantly making it easier to start things, less distracted, easier to come back to things. Also way less anxious which I wasn't expecting.

What they don't help with are directing focus, remembering where I put things (that got worse), and sense of time. Also not good for creative thinking. But they are short acting so I am in control.

They don't work at all if I am tired or haven't eaten.

Have learned a lot about myself. I need to move to stay focused. I need to balance my energy, exertion then rest, to avoid burnout. Doing mental things online is using energy! The brain is a massive user of energy. Sleep is so important.

I got an Alexa, I think they should be on prescription for ADHD! She keeps my to do lists on one place! Also setting reminders etc.

Spoke to some ADHD coaches, best advice so far has been simplify goals, use check lists, plan the next day at the end of today.

I just stopped meds as I have this cold virus.