Undiagnosed ADHD ruining my life

[Thefluffycatthatsitsonthewindow]

Might be wrong but all signs lead to it. Though on a indefinite wait-list to be assessed. I find after years of struggling through life that I now believe this is it.... This has been the problem.
At the moment though I find it consuming me. My emotional disregulation and social anxiety is unbearable especially. It is leading me into depression again. My anxiety is rocketing too.

Just to give me some hope for the future... did medication help you? Yes I'm aware that there is different approaches and therapies as well. But I want to hear your positive stories of how your life turned around.

Signed: a desperate mum.

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Hi OP

I also have undiagnosed ADHD, and a recent run of incidents has made me realise that I can't go on without a diagnosis.

So, I feel your anguish. I'm lucky in that I have some money that I'm going to go private with, just to get the diagnosis.

Is there any way at all you can do the same?

Hi, sorry can’t offer any advice but I’m currently in a similar boat and feeling your frustration. I found a good thread on Reddit about how to fast track getting meds on NHS (you still need to pay privately for a diagnosis, around £700)

I have read threads and spoken to one friend with ADHD in person about the effectiveness of medication and only really heard good things once you get your dosage right

Have you already been to your GP then? I’ve booked an appointment to discuss my symptoms in a couple of weeks time.

@MisterPNumber23 I could afford a private diagnosis but my GP refuses to take on shared care for medication.

It's really a shit show.

@TayceOnToast could you link me to that article?
Been with GP and been referred 3 years ago. Medication seems to work for a lot and it seems to be trail and error. I am more than willing to try them, given the opportunity that is 🙁

@Thefluffycatthatsitsonthewindow I got diagnosed about 3 years ago and actually changed my life massively by coaching, therapy and medication.

I then became an ADHD coach too - Adhdclub.co.uk

The biggest difference has been realising I’m not just shit at life there’s reasons.

• accepting I need to do things differently
• speaking to others who understand it
• getting help from therapy/coaching
• then medication just removes about 20% of my overthinking!!!!

Access to work info - @Thefluffycatthatsitsonthewindow @MisterPNumber23 @TayceOnToast

not sure if you’ve heard of this scheme you can get funding for coaching here - promise it’s not a scam!!!

I have used it

Here’s the Reddit thread, it is 2 years old though……

www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/vo4tuf/adhd_and_the_nhs_how_to_fasttrack/

In the meantime what about meds for the depression/anxiety? I’m on Fluoxetine and Propranolol.

These made my ADHD symptoms/traits/behaviours (choose your own word) absolutely sky rocket. I struggled so much with ADHD when took this combination I honestly thought something else was going on as the issues were so heightened. Fortunately after stopping them my ADHD went back to its usual more manageable state.

Were you on them for long? Usually the first 2-4 weeks are rough but after 4-5 weeks things should stabilise. Not trying to push you onto them just wondering.

@DesertGecko

About 8 or 9 months - it took at least 4 months for me to piece things together and realise what it was, I wasn't able to come off them at the time, so I stuck it out but it was horrendous. (Un) fortunately I wasnt able signed off work for almost a year as I never would have coped with working and the ADHD hell that the meds brought.

This is really interesting. I was prescribed fluoxetine years ago for depression, and I also skyrocketed and it was hyper central until I came off it.

@drippingtapp same.i tried 7 different types of ssri's and each of them made me significantly worse. Didnt realize til later that there is actually a link with ssri and ADHD.

@DesertGecko tried and failed with that one. Pronpanol also makes me feel funny. Have been suggested a new one by phystrist to called agomelatine. Unsure what to do. Just wanted my bloody assessment done and offered ADHD medication

My dh was diagnosed with adhd (which i had always known he's had) a couple of years ago at almost 50. We had to pay privately however, is it possible for you to do the same? He says it's been money well spent. He's also on antidepressants and has been most his adult life, without them he probably wouldn't function well but he leads a mostly 'normal' life on them.

@Arrwedancers does your DH take ADHD medication along with anti depressants? Private diagnosis is an option but GP refuses to take on shared care and I would be unable to afford the medication.

Its so very sad after YEARS of being told I had depression, that I don't actually believe it is. But now I am grappling and screaming for help, it just is not available. I feel I'm being ignored and same old...'try these anti depressants'.

Presently he only takes the antidepressants. It's a shame they're not listening, it's very frustrating. He's had to trial a few different ones and preserve them with the initial side effects before they settle and help. I hope you manage to get somewhere op.

@Arrwedancers is there a reason why he wouldn't try ADHD medication instead/as well as? SSRI medication is known not to be helpful with ADHD. Sometimes quite the opposite like in my case. They sent me crazy.

I switched from the Psychiatry UK wait list after a year and was seen by ADHD 360 within a couple of months. No additional three month wait for titration either. They prescribed the medication on the day and I received it three days later. This is through the NHS RTC pathway.