The ADD/ADHD Thread (cont'd from Peeves)

[Wretched]

@Herja MMMMMfukkinHMMM. I have so many little neurotic twitches, impostor syndrome, and so much more from just, family expecting me to act normal. Hell it's not all just ADHD. Why didn't i just get a part time job and my own apartment in the SF bay area like they did. Why dont I just remember? Make a list! If you cant remember, ask! (bitch do you know what not remembering means?!!)

[Gingerlily]

My ADHD fun today.

There are three post-its on my desk. They all have phone numbers. One has an asterisk to remind me...a thing?

I have no idea what the numbers are for because of course I did not write names, or reasons, or any words or letters at all. One just has an asterisk to signify it from the rest.

I do remember exactly what I was thinking when I wrote down each of those numbers though.

[Auspice]

@Gingerlily said in The ADD/ADHD Thread (cont'd from Peeves):

I do remember exactly what I was thinking when I wrote down each of those numbers though.

'If I write this down I'll remember it.'

[Gingerlily]

@Auspice

I also remember that one number someone said to me aloud in person, one someone said on the phone, and another one I copied from somewhere else. It's like I'm the star of my own mystery!

[Auspice]

@Gingerlily said in The ADD/ADHD Thread (cont'd from Peeves):

@Auspice

I also remember that one number someone said to me aloud in person, one someone said on the phone, and another one I copied from somewhere else. It's like I'm the star of my own mystery!

It's really common for me to need to find something and go 'I remember I put it somewhere that made sense at the time.'

[Wretched]

[RightMeow]

@Wretched

All of this. So much of this. The friends one today. I rationally know this isn't true, but...

[Auspice]

@RightMeow said in The ADD/ADHD Thread (cont'd from Peeves):

@Wretched

All of this. So much of this. The friends one today. I rationally know this isn't true, but...

This hits me a few times a year. I'll just hole up for a couple days once or twice a year and talk to no one because it'll get in my head that everyone hates me.

[Wretched]

[Wretched]

[Atomic]

My brother broached the idea to me that I should get .. I dunno, tested? Examined? However folks put a pin in figuring out how one isn't textbook neurotypical? He thinks I'm in the AD* zone, somewhere. A lot of reading later I'm inclined to take his advice. I guess the question is, outside of the possibility of a diagnosis, does it actually help getting it identified?

[Auspice]

@Atomic said in The ADD/ADHD Thread (cont'd from Peeves):

My brother broached the idea to me that I should get .. I dunno, tested? Examined? However folks put a pin in figuring out how one isn't textbook neurotypical? He thinks I'm in the AD* zone, somewhere. A lot of reading later I'm inclined to take his advice. I guess the question is, outside of the possibility of a diagnosis, does it actually help getting it identified?

I think so. There are medications and different medications work differently. I know if I was medicated it'd help me immensely. I've lost a job over not being medicated.

Unfortunately, getting tested/treated can be expensive, so. I think it depends on how much it may be impacting your life.

[Wretched]

@Atomic I would say it can definitely help. Even if it just helps you identify when your brain is being bullshit at you.

https://www.additudemag.com/ is a good resource. A few 'self tests' on there. But ADHD definitely has a bit of a spectrum, so a professional is usually the better bet.

[Wretched]

[Atomic]

@Wretched said in The ADD/ADHD Thread (cont'd from Peeves):

@Atomic I would say it can definitely help. Even if it just helps you identify when your brain is being bullshit at you.

https://www.additudemag.com/ is a good resource. A few 'self tests' on there. But ADHD definitely has a bit of a spectrum, so a professional is usually the better bet.

Yeah, according to my brother, I should probably expect something something executive function.I guess I'll find out.

[Gingerlily]

@Atomic said in The ADD/ADHD Thread (cont'd from Peeves):

My brother broached the idea to me that I should get .. I dunno, tested? Examined? However folks put a pin in figuring out how one isn't textbook neurotypical? He thinks I'm in the AD* zone, somewhere. A lot of reading later I'm inclined to take his advice. I guess the question is, outside of the possibility of a diagnosis, does it actually help getting it identified?

100% yes, at least if it is impacting your daily life in negative ways. Lots of adults who make it to adulthood without diagnosis have already developed effective strategies for mitigating the impact of ADD in order to get there. But if you feel like it does have a negative impact on life, whether its work or with interpersonal stuff or whatever else, its definitely worth getting the diagnosis. There are lots of new medications, they no longer just toss ritalin at the problem and hope it works, and there are also strategies and skills to learn whether you want to go the meds route or not. I'd go to a neurologist for testing rather than a GP if you have the option.

[Kanye Qwest]

@Gingerlily Seconded. The neurologist diagnosis makes it much easier get the medications you probably need, as they are largely schedule I.

And beyond that, having it helped me with a lot of things I internalized. When I was a kid, most people thought ADHD was something only boys had - if they didn't think it was outright fake, or had even heard of it. So I always heard I was lazy, or unmotivated, or just bad because I wouldn't do the simple things I knew I was supposed to do. It has been very eye opening to look at my life and behavior against the data on this disorder. Lots of "oh so THAT explains a lot" moments.

[juke]

My ADHD isn't going to let me read all 20 pages of this (lol), but I wanted to mention How To ADHD in case nobody has yet. It's a youtube channel, and she also has a Patreon, along with a Discord that has a supportive community of people who have not only ADD/ADHD, but often all sorts of comorbid combinations of things (depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and so on). There are a lot of resources there and a lot of support. I can't pay attention to that throughout the day either, but it's nice to have.

I'm all for people trying for testing. I just wanted to mention that there is sometimes a possible downside to taking the tests. Outside of observing your actual brain activity, the currently available tests are a pretty poor measurement of need for some people, and taking a test and being told you do not have ADHD can actually make it more difficult to get a reassessment and diagnosis. I would very probably not show up as ADHD with most tests available, but adding concerta to my meds has made a phenomenal difference in my life.

It's pretty easy to tell whether or not you need the medications, anyway. If you don't, you will know right away, because you'll probably feel like you're about to blast off into low orbit, instead of suddenly able to focus. Some doctors can be reluctant to try them without testing, but often, at low doses, they aren't. It can be worth asking, depending on how you feel about medications in general, your current needs/stability, etc.

[Wretched]

@juke I was JUST about to link to that channel as well!

And I'm still gonna.

Motivation.

[juke]

@Wretched said in The ADD/ADHD Thread (cont'd from Peeves):

Motivation.

Good pick!!

So many of those videos helped me to feel validated about things I struggle with, like @Kanye-Qwest described, with her diagnosis. Community definitely helps me to stave off the impulse to beat myself up for things that aren't really under my control, and it's hard to measure the difference that can make!