FabSwingers.com forum: Undiagnosed ADHD

By (user no longer on site) OP
24 weeks ago

I just wondered what peoples experiences are with ADHD before diagnosis.

It's something I had never really considered, I thought always being late, a bit "ditsy" was just me being me. Since having my daughter I feel like everything has been magnified.

I can't get organised,

I'm struggling with setting and sticking to a routine,

I rarely feel motivated and when I do I start a task, 15 mins in I get distracted and start another four tasks, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and abandoning ship.

It's got progressively worse over the last year or so and I've finally made an appointment with the doctor.

My question is did you have similar experiences before diagnosis, does diagnosis help? And how long did it take to get?

I just feel like I'm failing at everything at the moment

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By (user no longer on site)
24 weeks ago

I don’t have ADHD myself (at least as far as I’m aware), but I can really see how frustrating that must be for you. It sounds exhausting to feel like you're constantly juggling things but never quite getting anywhere.

Personally, I think a lot of people assume things like being forgetful, disorganised, or struggling with motivation are just personality quirks, but when it starts affecting daily life so much, it makes sense to look in more deeper.

I will say it's great that you’ve made an appointment with the doctor, its a start and hopefully, that brings some clarity.

I’ve heard that just trying to understanding the brain better has helped, whether getting a diagnosis or not. You're definitely not failing, and I hope you get the support and answers you need!

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By *atte Lover 82Man
24 weeks ago

BERWICK-UPON-TWEED

This sounds very familiar. It was never something I had considered due to not having the hyperactive part. But more sand more I see it in my everyday experience. Was diagnosed with ASD in 2022 after years of doctors etc. Still waiting for my ADHD assessment since then. Maybe one day

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
24 weeks ago

Reading

It's a long long process. My daughter had a diagnosis from the USA but it still too about 16 months to see a specialist who could prescribe her meds. After that the GP can issue refills. My daughter didn't find anything useful for her condition other than meds. She was on Adderall in the US but that's not available here and she doesn't find concerta as good but it's worse without.

Hope that helps. Best of luck with it all. There are apps that can help with organisation and the like. I have one for instance to remind me to drink water. If you have any questions feel free to dm me.

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By *bi HaiveMan
24 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

"I just wondered what peoples experiences are with ADHD before diagnosis.

It's something I had never really considered, I thought always being late, a bit "ditsy" was just me being me. Since having my daughter I feel like everything has been magnified.

I can't get organised,

I'm struggling with setting and sticking to a routine,

I rarely feel motivated and when I do I start a task, 15 mins in I get distracted and start another four tasks, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and abandoning ship.

It's got progressively worse over the last year or so and I've finally made an appointment with the doctor.

My question is did you have similar experiences before diagnosis, does diagnosis help? And how long did it take to get?

I just feel like I'm failing at everything at the moment

Sounds like my life for the last 30 years.

I tried getting an appointment for an assessment about 15 years ago. Was told I was just overworked, stressed and tired. I haven't tried again.

I've come to terms with being 'random' and after a spell on some hard-core antidepressants a year or so ago I couldn't go back to being medicated again.

It is what it is. Fortunately I work for myself, have no dependants/pets and as such don't have a regular work pattern or any home commitments that I can't easily work around when I don't feel like doing anything at all.

Sending hugs.

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
24 weeks ago

Reading

"This sounds very familiar. It was never something I had considered due to not having the hyperactive part. But more sand more I see it in my everyday experience. Was diagnosed with ASD in 2022 after years of doctors etc. Still waiting for my ADHD assessment since then. Maybe one day "

They have dropped the hyperactivity as in adhd and just call it add as lots dont have the hyperactivity. ASD and ADD are often comorbitities.

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By *atte Lover 82Man
24 weeks ago

BERWICK-UPON-TWEED

They have dropped the hyperactivity as in adhd and just call it add as lots dont have the hyperactivity. ASD and ADD are often comorbitities."
yeah once I looked into it more and seen that it can be just ADD the penny kind of dropped for me. Was just when I was growing up the only experience I had with it was with that hyperactive element as that how it manifests itself in my cousin

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By *cLovin2Man
24 weeks ago

London

"I just wondered what peoples experiences are with ADHD before diagnosis.

It's something I had never really considered, I thought always being late, a bit "ditsy" was just me being me. Since having my daughter I feel like everything has been magnified.

I can't get organised,

I'm struggling with setting and sticking to a routine,

I rarely feel motivated and when I do I start a task, 15 mins in I get distracted and start another four tasks, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and abandoning ship.

It's got progressively worse over the last year or so and I've finally made an appointment with the doctor.

My question is did you have similar experiences before diagnosis, does diagnosis help? And how long did it take to get?

I just feel like I'm failing at everything at the moment

Miss Bella, you are not failing darling. We all just have those insecurities in the back of our heads. It's perfectly normal to be like that.

I'm glad you are getting diagnosed, at least you should have an answer soon to whatever the actual issue is.

Just keep being the wonderful person you are.

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
24 weeks ago

Reading

They have dropped the hyperactivity as in adhd and just call it add as lots dont have the hyperactivity. ASD and ADD are often comorbitities. yeah once I looked into it more and seen that it can be just ADD the penny kind of dropped for me. Was just when I was growing up the only experience I had with it was with that hyperactive element as that how it manifests itself in my cousin "

Yeah my son definitely had the hyper part but my daughter doesn't.it can look very different in different people and if there is asd in there that can make it look even more different. My son does a lot of pacing up and down now which is a type of stimming.

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By (user no longer on site)
24 weeks ago

Mr Shiv is currently trying to get a diagnosis and being pushed back from every corner. Every medical professional he has seen, has confirmed that he has ADHD but it’s impossible to get a formal diagnosis being an adult, in the area we live. Which means he can’t get any proper treatment. It seriously impacts his day to day life.

It’s an absolute nightmare!!

ADHD is no joke and I’m sorry you’re going through it. I hope you can get a diagnosis and some proper help to manage the symptoms 🖤

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By *eoBloomsMan
24 weeks ago

Springfield

Sorry no expertise to offer but great that you're seeing the Doc about your concerns and best of luck OP in getting a positive outcome.🤞

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By (user no longer on site)
24 weeks ago

"Mr Shiv is currently trying to get a diagnosis and being pushed back from every corner. Every medical professional he has seen, has confirmed that he has ADHD but it’s impossible to get a formal diagnosis being an adult, in the area we live. Which means he can’t get any proper treatment. It seriously impacts his day to day life.

It’s an absolute nightmare!!

ADHD is no joke and I’m sorry you’re going through it. I hope you can get a diagnosis and some proper help to manage the symptoms 🖤"

My sister used the "Right to Choose" pathway to get an assessment out of area. The waiting list here is 8 years, but now she's going to London next month for the assessment.

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By (user no longer on site)
24 weeks ago

It’s an absolute nightmare!!

ADHD is no joke and I’m sorry you’re going through it. I hope you can get a diagnosis and some proper help to manage the symptoms 🖤

My sister used the "Right to Choose" pathway to get an assessment out of area. The waiting list here is 8 years, but now she's going to London next month for the assessment. "

I’m not sure if he’s already aware of that option, I will mention that to him, thank you!

The last time he spoke to a professional, he was told his only option was to go private. We have considered it, but it’s pricey and we’re not in a position to do that right now.

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By *hesblokeMan
24 weeks ago

Derbyshire village

Mrs. C. has recently had a diagnosis, and apart from supplements to help, it gave her a huge relief that she wasn't 'broken'.

Can't hurt to get a referral.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
24 weeks ago

"I don’t have ADHD myself (at least as far as I’m aware), but I can really see how frustrating that must be for you. It sounds exhausting to feel like you're constantly juggling things but never quite getting anywhere.

I will say it's great that you’ve made an appointment with the doctor, its a start and hopefully, that brings some clarity.

I’ve heard that just trying to understanding the brain better has helped, whether getting a diagnosis or not. You're definitely not failing, and I hope you get the support and answers you need!

Thanks for your reply, yes I (usually) teach so planning my time in days, weeks, half terms, terms gave me structure and masked my symptoms a little.

Being away from work has likely contributed, but that's how life has fallen for the time being.

yes I do hope that finally knowing for sure will help to some degree. I'll likely have returned to work by then though 🤷‍♀️😂

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By (user no longer on site) OP
24 weeks ago

Yes, that's familiar the hyperactivity doesn't fit my experience either. Another reason I hadn't considered it. Wow, really? Fingers crossed that comes soon for you!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
24 weeks ago

"It's a long long process. My daughter had a diagnosis from the USA but it still too about 16 months to see a specialist who could prescribe her meds. After that the GP can issue refills. My daughter didn't find anything useful for her condition other than meds. She was on Adderall in the US but that's not available here and she doesn't find concerta as good but it's worse without.

That is a help thank you I never really knew which medications were available. Appreciate your reply. Thank you 😊

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By *ouble-SidedCouple
24 weeks ago

Voldsøy

It’s an absolute nightmare!!

ADHD is no joke and I’m sorry you’re going through it. I hope you can get a diagnosis and some proper help to manage the symptoms 🖤"

Certainly not alone, Miss B! 🫶 Well done for taking that first step and making the appointment!

Currently going through this too. It's only our 3rd born (he's 5), who has been accepted for an assessment atm. That can take up to 3 years here. I've been told by my GP that there's only 1 person in the whole of North Wales that can diagnose/treat ADHD in adults!

I've been passed around mental health services and fed meds that don't work all my adult life. Only since seeing professionals about our kids did I click, that sounds like us and they all agree! Mr is happy as he is, doesn't feel he needs a diagnosis or treatment. I feel I do.

Hope Mr Shiv gets some proper support, it's a long slog!

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By *acky RacersCouple
24 weeks ago

Lincoln

It just made everything finally make sense. All the things I'd struggled with throughout my life all had an underlying reason and it wasn't just that I was a shit human being...

All of the research now points towards ADHD manifesting itself very differently in boys and men to girls and women and its often a shake up hormonally for women that causes a major shift in our ability to continue to mask as a coping mechanism...periods, childbirth, menopause and peri menopause are often watershed moments to seek help, support and diagnosis...a lot of parents find getting their kids diagnosed makes them realise the similarities.

It created a huge shift in our relationship as well because he could see that there were some aspects of daily life that I found really challenging that just made me come across as inconsiderate.

I had therapy to help me to learn emotional regulation and to come to terms with diagnosis...which was a time of both huge relief and huge sense of grief and loss for what could have been...

It's been life changing both in a good and bad way...I've managed to build a lot of frameworks in order to manage some aspects of daily like but my executive functioning us currently shot to pieces causing huge stress and anxiety so my go for some more therapy to address that.

Surprisingly, I learned so much from some of the ADHD content on Instagram...you have to be really selective and careful about what you follow but some of the creators on there and what they say have been life changing for me and my partner

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