ADHD support thread

[adhdme2019]

I did comment on the other thread but it doesn’t seem to be active.

Anyone else trying to get a diagnosis at the moment?

Hopeful bump!

I have a diagnosis and take medication for it, if you have any questions 😬

I've recently been diagnosed & would love to be part of a thread

@CrackedIphone can I ask what meds u take & how long you've been diagnosed? Also do u feel ok? I'm struggling & feeling glum that I'll always feel like this. Been feeling down & anxious past few days.
Also at a complete loss what to do career wise

Hi @Fifteenthnamechange!

This just popped up on my phone.

I take methylphenidate, every day. Got diagnosed 2 years ago.

I found the medication hard at first as it made me feel slow I thought - but now I am used to it, I realise I am not feeling slow at all, it was the contrast between the fast thoughts I used to have and the more normal paced ones.

I sometimes think that the medication doesn’t do anything (I am still a bit scatty and untidy).

Then I stop taking it, and my mood starts bouncing about all over the place and I lose my car keys within minutes 😂 then I go back on it.

Is it the diagnosis that you struggling with? I am on my 4th job since the diagnosis (through choice) but am planning to stay in this one (for at least a year anyway!)

And hi @adhdme2019 🙋🏻‍♀️

Hi all!

Totally forgot I’d posted this.

Would be really interested to hear any more about how people have managed to actually get their diagnosis.

I’m consistently scoring really high on all of the tests but just feel like I’m not being taken seriously. Can’t even face going back to the psychiatrist. But also can’t really justify paying to go private.

All my life I’ve been known as lazy, scatty, forgetful, always late etc etc etc and I finally know why but don’t feel anyone wants to help me.

I wrote a massive list of all the things that affect me that point to ADHD and think I’ll take that with me next time as my mind goes blank when I actually go to talk about it and I basically just sound like I’m describing a ‘normal busy mum’.

@adhdme2019 my diagnosis journey was quite positive. I went to see GP & told of my concerns-she was of the busy normal mum mindset & said I was very critical of myself but referred me to CPN regardless.
When I saw CPN I took diagnosis list from ADHD foundation & ticked the boxes I related to. I was then referred to CMHT.
For CMHT appt over the previous weeks every time I thought of something I struggled with I noted it on my phone. I then printed it out (it was long) & took to psychiatrist. As like you I just go blank.
I was diagnosed at that appointment. I'm trying medication but don't think it's worked so far.

@CrackedIphone thanks for that. I'm trying the same as you-the XL one at 36mg. I don't relate to what you're saying in making me feel slow. My mind feels just as busy & I have a nervy tummy. And my moods & emotions are all over the shop.
I am struggling with the diagnosis. Think it's affecting my self image & the fact I may struggle like I am now forever.
But more I'm struggling with my emotions, moods, constant self criticism, that I haven't done as well as I should career wise but feel my chaos & disorganisation will always limit me. I wanted to have more children but feel my ability to cope has changed & I don't think it's a good idea.

Have you ever struggled like this? And do you feel more stable now?

Also struggling with motivation to do anything. I hate the state of my house but can't motivate myself to do anything about it. I find cleaning SO boring

@Fifteenthnamechange - Hmm, I take 10mg or so every 4 hours. I started on 5mg for the first week, and sent the symptoms checklist back to the psychiatrist, then up to 10mg the second and so on.

I like being able to choose how much I take - if I am going somewhere very overstimulating then I can put the dose up, and I can also just take one nearer the end of the day if I need to go to a school play or out for dinner etc.

Re: it not working, I’m not sure about that, as I felt an effect straight away, really calming, even on the dose of 5mg. But I’ve heard that different medications work for different people.

Hiya, waiting times vary depending on your CCG. There is a really helpful facebook group called ADHD UK. If you post there you may hear experiences of how long people waited in your area. In some cases people got bumped up the list by complaining.

I went private with Psychiatry UK. The appointment was £350 and the follow up and first prescription was £175. You should inform your GP and ask them about Shared Care. Eventually once you are on the right med/dose the GP does the prescribing.

It was not cheap and I felt like I was chucking money at the problem. But getting a diagnosis was the best thing.

I take methylphenidate (ritalin). There are different types - slow and fast release.

It helps me get started on overwhelming tasks and six months on I am getting on top of my life.

I do not take it every day. Meds have side effects too (for me anyway) e.g. insomnia.

IMHO a combination of diagnosis, meds, diet, exercise and ADHD specfic strategies help the most. Good luck xx

@CrackedIphone

I am the same, I tend to take them when I know I have to do something I don't want to and need a little boost.

At the same time, no amount of meds in the world would make me do something if my heart really, really isn't into it. That's something I am learning.

As Mark Manson says, we only have so many fucks to give, so I am trying to use them wisely!

I waited NHS for me and private for my teenager.
Methylphenidate extended release is life changing. It’s not a total fix though so other stuff also plays a part.

Sari Solden’s Women with ADHD is a really hard emotionally but very useful book.

Cleaning is boring. Decluttering ruthlessly (hard but worth it) helps with cleaning. Also for me listening to something like podcasts or audio book gives my brain enough positive stimulation so I can just do the boring. Or phoning a friend who can put up with me doing stuff while chatting.

Getting started is the hardest bit. I’m trying to not plan the ultimate order and just start something.

I was diagnosed with ADHD last January at the grand old age of 47. Took me a couple of months to agree to meds but they’re a game changer. They’re not a magic pill but they definitely changed things for me. I’m on Concerta XL.
I second the Women with ADHD book. So informative and relatable.
One thing I’ve learned (I’ve hyperfocused on learning about ADHD ) is that people with ADHD often can only do things that interest them. There’s a name for it like ‘interest-based motivation’ or something like that. Even medicated I struggle to even start tasks that I’m not interested in.

I just want to be able to connect the person in my head when the actual person I am. Does that make sense? So many things I want to do but I never seem to be able to put them into practice. I think medication would help me do that.

Anyone’s parents or children have it? One of my kids scores pretty highly on tests too.

Inattentive ADHD here. I am on Concerta XL although I need to get the dosage upped to 36mg. Also very messy here.

Currently unemployed. I also have ASD and social anxiety disorder.

I’ve not got great self-confidence. I just feel like jobs want qualities that I just don’t possess eg being organised, good at time management, efficient etc. I’ve also never been very hard-working, when at school I just didn’t know what it meant. I think a lot of it is down to fear of failure though, ie what if I put a load of effort in and still don’t do well. I’ve never been a goal-setting person either, I don’t really even know what I want out of life. Trying to work out what job I’d be good at is so hard!!

My mum suspects she may have ADHD. I have never had a relationship (no dates, no kissing, no nothing) so no children here.

Hi, I’m in my early twenties and autistic, awaiting assessment for ADHD and OCD after I decided to request my childhood medical records and I saw that these things were flagged up, but never taken any further. (The latter because I was at the awkward age of 17 when it got flagged for the most recent time, then never got transferred to the adult mental health team.)

I scored highly on a screening test so have recently taken to Twitter to try and learn a bit more about myself, I’m discovering a lot along the way but if I have any questions I’ll stick ’em on here. :)

My DS1 was diagnosed with ADHD same day as me. He’s 26. My DS2 is diagnosed with ASD, SPD and severe anxiety. I think he needs assessed for ADHD too.
My DD is 21 and needs assessed. But she doesn’t want to which is fair enough. It’s entirely up to her.

Just thought I'd check in on this thread & see how everyone is doing.
I've been taking Xaggitin (if that's how it's spelled 🤷🏼‍♀️) XL 36mg & I think it's working! I can't say I've massively felt the difference in my attention but I feel more motivated & positive, less overwhelmed & all over the place emotionally. I feel in a better place to address my issues.
I'm praying this lasts!
Hope everyone is doing ok

Just bumping this thread again.

Gosh since I wrote my last post I actually got a new job. Medication helped me realise my situation was depressing me so much! I got something that will be good in my heart.

I'm going to give modified release meds a go as I will be at work 8 hours. I hope there isn't a withdrawal but at least I know that I can go back to instant release.

Excited and nervous

Hi all My main issues are procrastination, chronic boredom, poor attention/distractibility. For those on meds I would be really interested in hearing how meds helped or didn't help those symptoms. Thank you!

Also has anyone tried rhodiola rosea?