ADHD - Adults

[anonymous-user]

sparkyhx said:

MonkeyMatt said:

I also have ADHD, on the spectrum, dyslexia but finally managed to have a bipolar diagnosis challenged. Getting a proper diagnosis is tricky and often the experts cant agree. Best thing I have found is once you realise you have an issue its work exploring yourself how best to manage and develop coping mechanisms. A diagnosis is only a label and often makes things more difficult, especially if the diagnosis isn't quite right.

misdiagnosis with bipolar and also Borderline is a common thing with autistic people.

Don't I know it, been horrendous coming off the wrong meds! Although now I understand everything a lot better and have made my own adjustments I feel better and healthier than ever. Mental heath medication can be absolutely horrific and debilitating and worse than the condition itself, more so when the diagnosis is wrong

[Total loss]

Wow, what a revelation reading everybodys stories.
So its not just me then.

[Woodrow Wilson]

I'm feeling particularly frustrated at the moment. I think I probably should contact my GP again, although I'm really not sure to what end.

Irritation about wasting the past 20-odd years of working life on things I realy dislike and struggle with, and not realising or addressing my issues when I was growing up, is annoying me. Almost a year of doing it (not well) exclusively from home hasn't helped.

A feeling of Under-achievement and, to an extent, failure, with an accompanying lack of motivation and discipline for things I'm not interested in, has been a constant thought to varying degrees from my teenage years onwards.

[anonymous-user]

Woodrow Wilson said:

I'm feeling particularly frustrated at the moment. I think I probably should contact my GP again, although I'm really not sure to what end.

Irritation about wasting the past 20-odd years of working life on things I realy dislike and struggle with, and not realising or addressing my issues when I was growing up, is annoying me. Almost a year of doing it (not well) exclusively from home hasn't helped.

A feeling of Under-achievement and, to an extent, failure, with an accompanying lack of motivation and discipline for things I'm not interested in, has been a constant thought to varying degrees from my teenage years onwards.

I totally hear you, spoke to my GP recently and he pretty much said there is bugger all he could do

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Woodrow Wilson said:

I'm feeling particularly frustrated at the moment. I think I probably should contact my GP again, although I'm really not sure to what end.

Irritation about wasting the past 20-odd years of working life on things I realy dislike and struggle with, and not realising or addressing my issues when I was growing up, is annoying me. Almost a year of doing it (not well) exclusively from home hasn't helped.

A feeling of Under-achievement and, to an extent, failure, with an accompanying lack of motivation and discipline for things I'm not interested in, has been a constant thought to varying degrees from my teenage years onwards.

Why dwell on the past.

You control your destiny. Get off your ass. Go private if need be. Get meds I'm on Ritalin.

I left a highly paid job that I could do with my eyes closed. I took a huge wage cut and joined a vocation with colleagues half my age. Guess who had the energy whilst my colleagues double crewed took the easy route.

Adhd has many downsides but I've always dwelled for the main on the positives; hyperactivity, energy and endless keeness.

[TameRacingDriver]

Totally agreed about not looking at the past. Frankly, if I judged myself on my past mistakes, I should probably just go ahead and kill myself right now.

Back on topic but I think my (undiagnosed) condition is ADD rather than ADHD as I'm probably the least hyperactive, most sluggish individual one could probably care to meet.

[mikewilliams79]

How are they expecting he will be treated? Mostly through therapy or medicine too?

[sparkyhx]

Interesting, .given the previous diagnosis

I would suggest maybe exploring with the psychiatris (if he hasnt already) an Autism assessment you can do them online as an indicator RAADS-R and AQ test. There are additional ones such as The Sensory Profile, CAT-Q and WURS which you probably can't get hold of but are part of the toolkit for psychiatrist and some psychotherapists if they have access to the tool kit. I have built automated versions (in excel) of all of them for my wife who is a psychotherapist and who specialises in this area.

He may have already been thru the WURS as thats commonly used for ADHD.

There is a big crossover with Autism (High Functioning Autism (HFA)and Aspergers) and ADHD, both in traits (symptoms and signs) and the fact that Autism and ADHD are co-occuring.
i.e. people can have Autism, ADHD, or both. Both is very common for people whos primary diagnosis is Autism i.e. Autism+ADHD rather than ADHD+Autism.

Given his previous diagnosis (SCD which is a key factor in Autism) I would be seriously considering the Autism route. Psychaitrists unless they specialise have limited knowledge of Autism and people can be misdiagnosed (Bi Polar, Borderline Schitzophrenia) or missed completely.

We have had a number of medical people on our training (including a senior consultant psychiatrist who freely admited their knowledge and exposure was poor. One GP even decided to seek a diagnosis for themselves after attending our course having originally coming on the course to know more about their child who had been diagnosed. The Consultant Psychiatrist now refers his private clients to my wife if he suspects autism.

I also note your sons previous diagnosis was 25 years ago. HFA and Aspergers only became an official diagnosis in 1996. Up to then, peoples understanding of autism was limited to the lower functioning non verbal people. i.e. he ended up with an SCD diagnosis because the correct Aspergers of HFA diagnosis didnt exist. Also SCD is trait of Autism.

I am not a psychiatrist but I know a hell of a lot about Autism (Myself son and daughter) and son and daughter with ADHD. My son was diagnosed with ADHD before his Aspergers diagnosis 2 years later. I have done a lot of research both in relation to a Masters and also the production and delivery training for our Autism and ADHD courses. Unfortunately you've just missed our autism cource.

Food for thought - there is an autism thread on here as well.

Its good he's getting help, medication can be a absolute game changer for people who have ADHD, unfortunately its not 100% guaranteed.

Its great

[Hugo Stiglitz]

RegMolehusband said:

Medication, it appears, at this early stage.

Medicine can help. I've tried 3. 2 I didn't get on with.

[sparkyhx]

RegMolehusband said:

Thank you very much for that very detailed reply. I will absorb it more deeply tomorrow and consider whether I should put some of it to Molehusband jnr. It’s early in the process at them moment. The psychiatrist he’s seeing in the Midlands appears to be very effective on the basis of the first meeting.

Another factor in it being misdiagnosed/not spotted is that adults learn masking techniques to make them 'appear normal', some people do it better than others, but it is pretty much universal with people who fall into the 'old' HFA/Aspergers diagnosis. The downside of this is mental exhaustion.

FYI I do know that HFA and Aspergers do not exist as diagnosis any more it come under the Autism umbrella, but its a useful shorthand to differentiate classic 'Kanner' autism from other people who require less support.

[Woodrow Wilson]

sparkyhx said:

Another factor in it being misdiagnosed/not spotted is that adults learn masking techniques to make them 'appear normal', some people do it better than others....The downside of this is mental exhaustion.

There appears to be some truth in thism and "mental exhaustion" is a good description. From experience, it is possible to be "cognitively intelligent" and to appear competent, whilst really struggling with organisation, attention to detail, and completing tasks without constant distraction -it only becomes an external problem when the music stops and people notice the lack of delivery, in sharp contrast with the apparent understanding and intelligence. If you can speak well, you can compensate for quite a bit.

ps. Some people seem to take offence to fairly direct, very rational, opinions too. Weirdos

[Total loss]

Woodrow Wilson said:

ps. Some people seem to take offence to fairly direct, very rational, opinions too. Weirdos

Ever watch 'the big bang theory '?
I found it interesting that I would agree with lots of what Sheldon said, not all, & could see the others reactions & still I'd think why couldn't they see where he was coming from.

[sparkyhx]

RegMolehusband said:

Thank you very much for that very detailed reply. I will absorb it more deeply tomorrow and consider whether I should put some of it to Molehusband jnr. It’s early in the process at them moment. The psychiatrist he’s seeing in the Midlands appears to be very effective on the basis of the first meeting.

try this - its usually pretty good indicator - you could probably rule it out at an early stage. NOTE this is an indicator NOT a diagnosis

https://musingsofanaspie.com/2012/12/11/taking-the...

Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 23 March 18:54

[VR99]

Woodrow Wilson said:

sparkyhx said:

Another factor in it being misdiagnosed/not spotted is that adults learn masking techniques to make them 'appear normal', some people do it better than others....The downside of this is mental exhaustion.

There appears to be some truth in thism and "mental exhaustion" is a good description. From experience, it is possible to be "cognitively intelligent" and to appear competent, whilst really struggling with organisation, attention to detail, and completing tasks without constant distraction -it only becomes an external problem when the music stops and people notice the lack of delivery, in sharp contrast with the apparent understanding and intelligence. If you can speak well, you can compensate for quite a bit.

I've read some of your other posts and what is uncanny are the symptoms you describe..word for word they are exactly what I go through and have done since I graduated over 20 years back...took a career path that wasnt really thought out and have always struggled with some concepts, distraction, not motivated and somehow just managing to get by but it feels like a constant struggle and I've never quite been fulfilled by work..it's just a means to an end. I am also behind peers of my same age and even younger...I think the lack of motivation has really held me back in progression or at least made it much slower.
I dont think I've ever quite found 'the job' or industry/calling that will light my fire. I am very all or nothing..if motivated I will deliver and then some but otherwise just abt delivering and constantly procrastinating and dealing with the anxiety of not knowing what else should or could I be doing that's the right 'fit' for me. Struggled with organisation for a long time, always known for being late, slower at tasks etc tend to be a deep thinker/over analyse....did coding at uni but went into a completely diff career path as didn't enjoy it but feel like I want to start again.... who knows. Don't have issues with feeling depressed etc but then probably due to other parts of my life that are relatively ok e.g: family support, life responsibilities that keep us busy etc
Also the point abt 'masking' our struggles...I definitely do that with the speaking side of it.

Edited by VR99 on Wednesday 17th March 00:29

[Woodrow Wilson]

VR99 said:

I've read some of your other posts and what is uncanny are the symptoms you describe..word for word they are exactly what I go through and have done since I graduated over 20 years back...took a career path that wasnt really thought out and have always struggled with some concepts, distraction, not motivated and somehow just managing to get by but it feels like a constant struggle and I've never quite been fulfilled by work..it's just a means to an end. I am also behind peers of my same age and even younger...I think the lack of motivation has really held me back in progression or at least made it much slower.
I dont think I've ever quite found 'the job' or industry/calling that will light my fire. I am very all or nothing..if motivated I will deliver and then some but otherwise just abt delivering and constantly procrastinating and dealing with the anxiety of not knowing what else should or could I be doing that's the right 'fit' for me. Struggled with organisation for a long time, always known for being late, slower at tasks etc tend to be a deep thinker/over analyse....did coding at uni but went into a completely diff career path as didn't enjoy it but feel like I want to start again.... who knows. Don't have issues with feeling depressed etc but then probably due to other parts of my life that are relatively ok e.g: family support, life responsibilities that keep us busy etc
Also the point abt 'masking' our struggles...I definitely do that with the speaking side of it.

Yes. I've been able to relate very closely to some of your posts too. I suppose that it is good to know that there are others with similar issues. I too am interested in anything and everything, with little in the way of filtering out the important from the trivial. I talk a lot.

In some ways I like being like that: I enjoy learning new things and get very enthusiastic and absorbed. I have a wide range of knowledge and skills (albeit at medium, rather than an expert, level). I don't worry about perfection, I'm not afraid to try, not a lot frightens me physically. I have met and talked comfortably with some very interesting and accomplished people. People ask me for help with all kinds of things. I joke about being a "poor man's polymath" (more accurately a "jack of all trades")

On the other hand, I'm not able to set-to and do/deliver what I am supposed to do without a lot of pressure (I'll do plenty of other things, though). Planning out how to achieve a large task, especially when there are even a small number of sub-tasks to juggle is an almost comically bad nightmare. I am blind to fine detail. I will never develop specialist expertise.

I am naturally inquisitive and adventurous, but I think that was supressed by convention/expectation, partially by good intentions of family, partially by school and partially by myself.

A year of working from home has been tedious.

Unfortunately, I don't expect that I'll ever find something that I want to work at every day. Certainly not in the corporate world. My ideal would be to semi-retire without money worries and be able to have a "portfolio" life, doing useful, helpful and interesting things throughout the week.

It may be confirmation bias, but I have spotted some similar traits to mine in various family members.

Edited by Woodrow Wilson on Wednesday 17th March 09:28

[mikewilliams79]

Wow - these most recent posts resonate very closely. I am wondering if I should take action.

[Woodrow Wilson]

mikewilliams79 said:

Wow - these most recent posts resonate very closely. I am wondering if I should take action.

Only if it causes you a problem. I suspect that many people could relate to a greater or lesser degree. I know that I am quite different to almost all of my colleagues, though.

Health professionals deal with some people who are in a terrible state. Educated, functioning, but frustrated people who succesfully "act" their way through modern work life until they are caught out and may then move to another job(until maybe they don't....then their problems start...) are understandably not necessarily considered a priority.

[sparkyhx]

autism and ADHD are closely related, and the difficulties are often centred around lack of direction, focus, and under achievement.

There is no treatment to speak of for autism. ADHD treatment can be transformational.

Both can benefit from talking therapies and developing strategies.

then you move onto the thorny issue of diagnosis. ADHD diagnoisi opens drug treatment doors for you and like I said it can be transformational.

Autism - basically opens no doors to any help, especially as an adult. Autism diagnosis gives you understanding, a lightbulb moment, and its largely what you do with that information.
People go thru the usual grief process after diagnosis, denial anger etc and ultimately acceptance and understanding and that can be useful for yourself and others around you to make suitable adjustments in relationships and communication.
Having said all this - you dont need to get a diagnosis to do all the above, you can simply self identify. however a formal diagnosis does open doors to 'reasonable adjustments' in a work setting and sunflower lanyard to avoid some of the queues at airports, thats about it.

Do not underestimate the power of understanding. I've mentioned before on this and the autism thread I do Autism Training with my wife, I've been doing 2-3 per year for the past 6 years and EVERY time ive done one I've learnt something new about myself..........things that I assumed everyone did/felt to find out its a feature of the autism and people dont actually think that way, why I do certain things in certain situations, I can now recognise when I am reaching meltdown and deal with it, etc etc

I would encourage people to do the RAADS-R test I posted above. What you do with that info is then entirely down to you.

[mikewilliams79]

Woodrow Wilson said:

Only if it causes you a problem. I suspect that many people could relate to a greater or lesser degree. I know that I am quite different to almost all of my colleagues, though.

Health professionals deal with some people who are in a terrible state. Educated, functioning, but frustrated people who succesfully "act" their way through modern work life until they are caught out and may then move to another job(until maybe they don't....then their problems start...) are understandably not necessarily considered a priority.

That's what I am struggling to understand from my own self assessment. To the outsider looking it, probably not. But I guess only I know for sure. My struggle to focus on specific tasks seems to be becoming an increasing issue although I always achieve 'good performance' at work.

[Woodrow Wilson]

This is still causing me problems.

Work (which is very dull) procrastination is now chronic.

My daughter is increasingly displaying similar traits to mine...

Outside of work, I have now added possibly too many "hobbies" and too much physical training and volunteering.

This amused me yesterday:
Time millionaires: meet the people pursuing the pleasure of leisure