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.

[Teacakeandalatte]

But I do get the point that its a condition where it seems like there is a lot of negativity towards the condition and little positive support, so you have to ask yourself if a diagnosis will help or hinder you. Its a bad state of affairs when this should be the case.

[collectingcpd]

Bookmarking

[TheGodmother]

@Teacakeandalatte
I can see that a positive diagnosis would def effect my life detrimentally. I'll stay undiagnosed and just lurk ;)

[Pluginwall]

Adhd is different, still I feel with a positive doctor's report they would not stop you.

Definitely. My understanding is that you have to notify the DVLA , but that in the vast majority of cases this is no chance that your license will be withdrawn. Lots of people drive legally with a diagnosis of dementia, Parkinson’s etc

[Borntobedifferent]

You don't need to inform the DVLA unless it affects your driving

As others have said, there was a change and then it was changed back to this.

Also yep, ADHD is totally misunderstood and most people don't believe it exists so there is empathy or understanding at all.

[Pluginwall]

You don't need to inform the DVLA unless it affects your driving

Glad to be wrong on this occasion

[Teacakeandalatte]

Its terrible, really there should be a campaign about this. People should be able to go for a diagnosis without fear that it will hold them back.

[Teacakeandalatte]

This chart about the difference between the adhd
Inattentive type vs hyperactive/ combined types is interesting. I think it might not be quite right in some areas though. I dont like the description of someone on the adhd side being egotistical, certainly noone on here seems that way! Also the bottom two columns have been reversed.
www.ldpride.net/addsub-types.htm

[BertieBotts]

Yes, I'm not sure about that chart TBH.

Russell Barkley's view is that the subtypes are unhelpful as distinctions anyway. Everyone with hyperactivity outgrows the hyperactivity apparently and there is not so much difference, certainly not so much it ought to be classed as a totally separate disorder.

[Teacakeandalatte]

I think this chart might be a bit old or something and research has moved on, but so many of the descriptions fit me, even liking loose clothing 😂.

[BertieBotts]

TBH it reminds me a bit of those personality test things But yes sensory issues can go along with ADHD. I recommend the book "Too Fast, Too Bright, Too Loud, Too Tight" (Adjectives may be in a different order).

[toffee1000]

ASD is also a reason behind sensory issues. I don’t have major ones. I’m not a fan of tight clothing (although skinny jeans are ok, though some brands are a bit too tight). I also hate running water over my face (eg from a shower) so I find washing my hair hard. Normal daily showering is ok. They’re quite minor, and easily avoidable. I’ve never had a problem with light or sound (not a fan of loud nightclub music, but again easily avoidable).

[Borntobedifferent]

I hate anything touching my neck which can also include round neck t-shirts.

The feeling of things like seat belts against my stomach

And wearing my shoes. I try not to wear shoes as much as possible

[BertieBotts]

I don't like being wet which does make showering a bit of a problem. I also used to avoid washing my hands because of so many places having crap options to dry them. I've got better at that now since the ick factor of catching worms outweighs the annoyance from a wet sleeve. Clothing can be a problem for me, I find I can handle things when I'm out that I have to throw off as soon as I get home. I prefer men's clothes but they look awful :( I don't like brushing my hair so I have to have it short. Certain textures of food are a complete no, I am really oversensitive to grease even in the air sometimes. Noises seem to be painful to me at a lower level than others, but I've been happily to music gigs in the past. I am the only person I've ever met who can feel ear wax and is irritated by it :o I also get really bothered by snot or bogeys being in my nose. I have sensory seeking behaviours too, quite a few of them. The worst one is needing to "clean" my fingernails with the corners of pages, and continuing to rub under the nail because it feels satisfying. I've given myself paper cuts there so many times and it's awful, but worse is that I push the nail bed down so the white bit is too long. I also like to rub material between two fingers, it's very important to me that my pillow cases have the ability to do this right, and I'm very bothered by things feeling uneven, so if I do it for one finger gap I have to do it to all the rest as well. Sometimes I blink unevenly and then have to spend ages trying to blink my eyes just right to redress the balance. I probably look totally odd to normal people. I don't understand how the normal way of sitting in a chair is comfortable, I need to have one or preferably both feet up on the seat to be comfy. There's loads more, I wouldn't say that sensory issues cause me a problem as such but I definitely experience them and will put them over things like social customs which can sometimes be a bit awkward.

[ADHDme]

I definitely fit the inattentive type- Perseverance and Distractability is me all over. I never thought I had much sensory things but maybe I do.

[Borntobedifferent]

With my ADHD coach I did this personality strength test (only takes 10 mins and you can save if and come back to it if you want to do it

There is of course a paid report but there is also a free one which lists your personality strengths in order.

www.viacharacter.org/Survey/

My top 5 were

Bravery
Humour
Creativity
Perspective
Kindness

Bottom was prudence and then self regulation (of course!)

Be interesting to see if others with ADHD are the same

[rooibostea]

@borntobedifferent

Mine were:

Perserverance
Judgment
Forgiveness
Kindness
Appreciation of excellence/beauty

So a wierd combo! This was last August when I was quite depressed. Bravery and creativity were last.

I did it in 2012 when I was changing careers and they were:

Curiosity
Appreciation of beauty/excellence
Forgiveness
Fairness
Love of Learning
With Prudence and Self Regulation being last!

[Borntobedifferent]

Ha that we both had prudence and self regulation last!

I think it's good that you have Perserverance. I don't have this at all!

[ADHDme]

^user name fail

[Borntobedifferent]

So I've just come out to see a mate I've not seen for a few weeks.

Last time I saw him (he's just a mate ) we went to see a couple more of his mates. I just said to him how I had a good time and he said he did but just to let me know I didn't stop talking all night and I need to learn to listen more.

He's a pretty new friend and doesn't really understand ADHD by knows Ive had a breakdown and had depression and have ADHD.

So now I've just burst into tears and want to go home and crawl back into bed and not meet new people again

[Teacakeandalatte]

Sorry to hear that born he sounds like a bit of an arse to say such a thing though. I would ditch him and find someone nicer.

[ADHDme]

Aww that's a bit mean. Can you turn it round in your head into a strength? You bring lively conversation and keep the energy up in a group. You are doing so well on your journey, don't let his stupid comment stop you

[Borntobedifferent]

I don't think he meant to. I think he thought he has helping somehow.

People don't get it. Anwyay I'll be ok X

[Teacakeandalatte]

Well I think that is a charitable way of looking at it and just shows what a nice person you are. I still think he was an arse and you should ltb!

[ADHDme]

Just had an epiphany reading the DIVA diagnosis- one of the questions is 'Injuries due to Excessive Sport'. I tried a difficult sport eight years ago, there was an important instruction which we were told was the number one rule, I was distracted and didn't follow it, got injured and ended up having to have surgery! The instructors were partly to blame too but I also felt so disappointed in myself! It ruined my life at the time as I went on a downward spiral and quit my job!