Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Neurodiverse Mumsnetters

Use this forum to discuss neurodiverse parenting.

Original poster

ADHD Working Mums

11 replies

BlazenWeights · 03/11/2023 20:22

Hi all,
First post as I signed up today. I'm 97% sure I have ADHD. For context, I come from an ethnic minority background. Growing up and if I am honest now, being neuro diverse is not something that was known or spoken about. I have only as an adult started googling so my diagnosis is from Dr Google but I have all the symptoms. I have always known I struggle to keep my attention on anything for long. My question though is I am currently struggling, if I have to admit ,maybe cause of a new role at work. Those of you who work, do you have any tips on how to prioritise having things done. I have a million things open on my laptop, I skip between emails and have plans but then it's just too much for me and I just shut down and start internet scrolling. How do those of you who have learned how to work around this, any tips to help me get on track and not get overwhelmed. Thank you

OP posts:
beautifulbrothers · 03/11/2023 22:59

Do you have Outlook? The most organised I have ever been was when I worked in an office and used Outlook for everything. I organised my inbox/sentbox into different folders and used the task flags. You can also set reminders with the task flags.

I'm sorry if that's really basic and I'm sure someone else will have something much better to add, but it really worked for me. I couldn't cope with multiple apps/programmes, so having everything in one place helped me to focus. A weird bonus was that when I left the job the handover was really simple.

Unfortunately, my gmail and outlook (education - no desk) have got 1000s of unsorted emails and it's such a horrible weight on my mind. I hope you find a solution!x

Mentalhealthnursemama · 04/11/2023 21:17

I always try and prioritise between 'now' and 'not now' in other words what am I going to get in the shit for not doing. And write lists tasks. I put a star next to tasks I need to prioritise

Seasidetrains · 04/11/2023 22:32

Pomodoro timers are good if I can persuade myself to set them!

Original poster
BlazenWeights · 05/11/2023 00:31

I find that I flag important emails and end up with all flagged. 😕

OP posts:
Original poster
BlazenWeights · 05/11/2023 00:32

Seasidetrains · 04/11/2023 22:32

Pomodoro timers are good if I can persuade myself to set them!

I’m away to check what that is. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
BlazenWeights · 05/11/2023 00:33

Mentalhealthnursemama · 04/11/2023 21:17

I always try and prioritise between 'now' and 'not now' in other words what am I going to get in the shit for not doing. And write lists tasks. I put a star next to tasks I need to prioritise

I have a daily lists but sometimes stuff comes in and knock me off and I haven’t got to the days tasks yet 😮‍💨

OP posts:
AshGirl · 11/11/2023 09:37

To be honest, the only thing that has really helped me has been getting diagnosed and medicated! I also changed jobs to one which is still VERY busy, but it is a better structure for me and I have disclosed my diagnosis to my boss and 2 immediate colleagues.

I think I really need to access specialist ADHD coaching, but it is just one more thing to organise when I am so stretched with my existing workload!

Good luck Flowers

Original poster
BlazenWeights · 12/11/2023 20:32

AshGirl · 11/11/2023 09:37

To be honest, the only thing that has really helped me has been getting diagnosed and medicated! I also changed jobs to one which is still VERY busy, but it is a better structure for me and I have disclosed my diagnosis to my boss and 2 immediate colleagues.

I think I really need to access specialist ADHD coaching, but it is just one more thing to organise when I am so stretched with my existing workload!

Good luck Flowers

Thanks for that. Been doing a lot of reading and trying to see if lifestyle changes can help me. Did you have to wait long to get diagnosed, you hear waiting lists of years

OP posts:
AshGirl · 17/11/2023 18:26

"Thanks for that. Been doing a lot of reading and trying to see if lifestyle changes can help me. Did you have to wait long to get diagnosed, you hear waiting lists of years"

@BlazenWeights Sorry, I didn't notice your reply (classic ADHD!)

I got my diagnosis privately, though I did have to wait to see a psychiatrist as they were all really busy. I think the process took about 3 months, and then another 3 months to be stable on meds.

Meds are not for everyone, and so it's good to think about lifestyle factors as well. Supposedly exercise is a significant way to improve symptoms, but I felt so overwhelmed without meds that it was incredibly hard to find the time / headspace to actually do any exercise!

Original poster
BlazenWeights · 18/11/2023 23:26

AshGirl · 17/11/2023 18:26

"Thanks for that. Been doing a lot of reading and trying to see if lifestyle changes can help me. Did you have to wait long to get diagnosed, you hear waiting lists of years"

@BlazenWeights Sorry, I didn't notice your reply (classic ADHD!)

I got my diagnosis privately, though I did have to wait to see a psychiatrist as they were all really busy. I think the process took about 3 months, and then another 3 months to be stable on meds.

Meds are not for everyone, and so it's good to think about lifestyle factors as well. Supposedly exercise is a significant way to improve symptoms, but I felt so overwhelmed without meds that it was incredibly hard to find the time / headspace to actually do any exercise!

Thank you

OP posts:
BrassicaBabe · 19/11/2023 12:26

Mentalhealthnursemama · 04/11/2023 21:17

I always try and prioritise between 'now' and 'not now' in other words what am I going to get in the shit for not doing. And write lists tasks. I put a star next to tasks I need to prioritise

Oh Lordy, for me "not now" means Never! 😢😢

New posts on this thread. Refresh page