Peri or ADD?

[Ffsbrainscrambled]

I have always been disorganised and prone to losing things. Struggled with weight and prone to tantrums at home. At the same
time, I had academic success at school and uni with exams. I could always pull it out of the bag at the 11th hour at work too and am known for ‘great ideas’. I hate paperwork and admin and tidying up. I find these harder than I should. Since having children, the brain fog has got worse though I’ve managed to organise parties/tutors/admissions etc without any disasters to date. Since hitting mid-40s, I am finally wondering if I have ADD (no hyperactive element) or whether it’s peri-menopause (though periods are unchanged and still regular). I have always embarrassingly had the odd thick chin hair which I try to deal with. Before going to my useless GP, I want to be armed with what sorts of tests to ask for. My childhood was tricky but I have never had severe depression and don’t want drugs for this. I wonder if ADD drugs will help with focus and weight loss and some outbursts or if it is HRT I need. I do not need any meds which pile on the pounds as I’m dangerously heavy now. I will seek medical
help but wanted a bit of signposting first: Thank you!

Can anyone relate to what I'm going through?

I just cannot focus and concentrate. Have loads of work to do but intense anxiety about doing it so am instead kidding myself that it's ok to put a wash on as at least I'm doing something even though that's not what I'm being paid to do.

In a constant state of stress and anxiety but avoiding work is less anxiety making than trying to do it. Brain fog is really bad. I can speak reasonably articulately when I have a conversation but my thoughts feel muddled otherwise. I am struggling to read and write (but I think this is my visual stress affecting me).

Have no idea if this is stress, burnout, perimenopause, ADHD, illness or a combination.

I even took a lateral flow test earlier but it was negative.

I've just been diagnosed with adhd. Similar at school to you. But I pulled through.
Having kids drove me to the edge. Why could I not be as organised as all the other working mums. Why was our life so chaotic. Why was I such a failure. Etc etc.
Then our oldest was Diagnosed with adhd. In 2020. A year later we did a parenting course. Omg. What a revelation. Husband and I both tick all the boxes.

However I was starting to fail at work. (I just cannot do admin). So after a disaster of a December I booked an appointment with my pace U.K. and was assessed in late March.

Confirmed. Combined adhd. (I'm not physically hyperactive now but I have a very restless mind and am impulsive). I've started meds. And do you know.... my mind is quieter!!!

Also the diagnosis has been like finding a piece of my personal jigsaw puzzle. It's reassuring. I'm not lazy. Not stupid. I have lots of redeeming features and need to make sure I have tools to help me overcome the challenges I face in this world.

At the end of the assessment the psych almost made me cry by saying (most likely in response to my look of disbelief at the diagnosis) "look you may have had a successful life, a career, marriage and so on BUT you will have found all of this so much harder than your peers".
Well. It was a revelation.

She also said hormonal changes in our lives make symptoms worse but also just having kids and having to manage so much means life becomes more challenging and the condition may become more obvious - ie use executive function skills that adhders don't always have!!

I booked a private assessment as I couldn't wait for the nhs.

Whatever you decide. Good luck!!

Oh and I'm 45!!! 45 years on this planet and now I find out.... imagine if I had been 7 when I was diagnosed..... I could have done something very different with my life!!!!

I got this one because Chemmy Alcott (British winter Olympian) advertised it!!

dragonflycbd.com/dragonfly-cbd-story/