Adhd and stress

[AlexaShutUp]

I am currently awaiting diagnosis but pretty certain I have adhd. I find that my symptoms are significantly exacerbated by stress, and it's harder than ever to focus and get stuff done. This, in turn, leads to more stress which just perpetuates the cycle.

I am at breaking point right now. Overwhelmed by work but unable to make progress. I have so much to do but I cannot for the life of me make myself do it. I am feeling unbelievably guilty and anxious about everything that I have not done, but I am completely paralysed and switching between blind panic, total disengagement and the depths of despair. Right now, I just want to lie in a darkened room and cry.

Please help. What can I do to break the cycle? Please don't tell me to take the night off and relax because I have stuff that absolutely must be done by tomorrow.

I think it would be best to seek an assessment and diagnosis then try some medication as this can really help.

In the short term I don't have the answer as I have adhd (unmedicated due to side effects) and my strict adherence to routine, as part of my autism, largely forces me to do things like housework and I'm quite tidy. My downfall is bureaucracy and paperwork, which dh helps with. I also struggle with cooking - again he helps with this.

My advice would be to prioritise and try to keep things simple. Don't take too much on. Give yourself small rewards for completing tasks.

Mucuna pruriens can increase dopamine levels in the brain - with adhders lack.

Drink coffee if you can tolerate it.

Try to exercise if you can - even fresh air and a walk will help.

Make a list of everything that you have to do.
Prioritise the list
You really can do this
Allow yourself short breaks
Brainstorm with a colleague or friend if you hit a wall
Ask for help

In the short-term ask for help and delegate at work. Don't be afraid to go to the gp and get signed off work with stress. Just stopping completely and allowing yourself the time and space to recover (cry in a darkened room, hide from the world, whatever is necessary in the moment) can help to reset and give you time and space to eventually find coping strategies, start towards diagnosis, whatever helps in the longer term .

Diagnosis did help me with this - knowing that there are brain reasons for acting in the way I do was helpful. I haven’t fallen into depression since knowing about the adhd.
The stress though - mostly it’s still there. I can organise better when meds are ‘on’ but can also see what I can’t do. When ‘off’ I can’t do, but I also can’t see the problem.
My hyperactivity is of thought and it’s exhausting.