Hi: Relieved to find a group of people who might understand me. 🙏
I was diagnosed with Mod-Severe ADHD about a month ago. I have managed Depression and Anxiety for all of my life. I am a bit older and am overwhelmed with the idea that I have had ADHD for so long and did not know it. I am confused, relieved and anxious as I begin to try ADHD meds and figure out the Anti-Depressant part as well. I am managing a thought loop and a myriad of feelings and thoughts. I want to have hope but sometimes I struggle.
Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. 💝
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Outlier55
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I was diagnosed with adhd at 22 in 2002. I was diagnosed also anxiety and possibly bipolar a year ago. When I was diagnosed with adhd I was never educated or given counseling and I grew up believing we don’t talk about mental illness. Adhd meds helped a lot but I still struggled so much and until I was diagnosed last year for the other stuff and put on a couple more medications everything now is far better for me. Hang in there. With the anxiety medication the first medication he tried me on didn’t work well for me but the then he tried something different and I’m so glad I spoke up and my doctor checking in regularly to see how things are for me
I’m in a similar boat, having been diagnosed recently, and in my 40s. I am still working out the medication piece, and even though I suspected I might have ADD for years, the formal diagnosis set off quite the roller coaster of emotions (definitely a stages-of-grief-type reaction). I’ve found lots of helpful info in this group, and just started listening to the ADHD Experts podcast series, which provides plenty of hope! Good luck with your medication trial!
Good for you! It is a roller coaster but it sounds like you are seeking the support and learning as much as you can. I love the ADDitude Mag experts podcast too!
Thank you for the ADHD Expert Podcasts recommendation. I just listened to one with Dr. Dodson speaking. I learned about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria which seems to fit. 🌞
You are not alone. I figured it out when I was 40 when my daughter was flagged. I spun out and went to see a therapist. She confirmed my ADHD and then we both realized how much anxiety I was living in. I started on Lexipro so I could see what life was like without anxiety. I couldn’t recognize it to use the tools my therapist suggested. Those 9 months changed my life. There is hope but you have to do the work. Finding the tools that work for you is critical. Disclaimer, I fell in love with ADHD so much so that now I’m a ADHD coach. PM me if you want to talk. ZERO obligation to start coaching with me. Just want to help you see some hope. My other suggestion is to read anything you can about ADHD. The key is to figure how to work with ADHD and not against it. You got this. It is clear you are tough with everything you have been dealt. With time, knowledge and understanding this dx may be the key to a happier life. It was for me...
That is tough Elfje. Good for you for being on this board looking for help and support. That speaks to your tenacity and inner strength.
It sounds like you need to work with a Psychiatrist who really knows ADHD and depression. The things YOU can do today that will help is to sleep, have well balanced diet and exercise. My hunch is that it may sound overwhelming to tackle all 3, so don’t. Is there 1 tiny change you can make today to improve any of the big three? I would suggest leading with sleep but any of these will help your ADHD brain. Even if it’s just sitting or walking outside in the fresh air for a little bit. What has lifted your spirits in the past? Try that if possible. You can do this. You are not alone.
Sleep problems are common with ADHD. If you have good "sleep hygiene" meaning you go to bed at reasonable hour consistently, get up at the same time, stay off the screens, etc. and you still have a problem, then consider going to a sleep doctor. Sleeping Disorders are common with us ADHDers. Sleep is critical. additudemag.com/adhd-sleep-...
Hi! I from the UK and was diagnosed at 50. I assume you're in the USA but I was hospitalised for the symptoms of ADHD when I was 9 and it was a real missed opportunity. I can only say to you that you really have to try and work through the feeling of anger and frustration around being diagnosed late in life. I would say that I found both Elvanse (60mg) which I think is Vylance in the US and Sertraline as an antidepressant (100mg) work really well for me and they have also lessened the anger and frustration too. I have largely been able to let go of the "what if" questions, though it may be that you need to see a therapist for some CBT or similar to get rid of the feelings which are not going to help your state of mind. I hope you find peace round this and sincerely hope starting meds has a good effect for you.
I'm very sorry to hear this and that healthcare in Belgium is poor quality. It's a shame that you cannot take the antidepressants too as I feel they help the stimulants to work better. I will remember you in my prayers if you would like, since you sound as if you could do with all sorts of help.
Thank you for your response fylakasaggelos. Yes, I do live in the US. As I learn more about ADHD, I have discovered a symptom called Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. I will add a link to a good article by William Dodson, MD. Dr. Dodson states that psychotherapy and/CBT are insufficient in treating symptoms of ADHD. The reason being is that therapy/CBT address behavior whereas medication addresses the root cause (of the dysphoria). This has been my experience as well. Although I have been treated for depression since 2002, the root cause of the depression has only been uncovered in the last couple of months.
Since my children both have ADHD (diagnosed in the last year) my mental health status has an effect on them too. During many difficult times, I have told myself that my children will benefit from my struggle. At least, this is my hope. 🙏
Here is the article on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria:
Diagnosed yrs ago myself for PTSD & ADHD & depression,&LD having gone back for help again at 45. This yr, just found out my daughter has add( not so much the hyper part) LD, & spouts of depression. Instantly I realized I'm almost positive my son has it.( A more emotionally sensitive type) & something different. I've been non-stop going to app.'s & I have a great fear of Dr. Offices. Sleep is an issue to. I go to sleep at 12 after laying there since 9 OR I wake up at 2:30 & don't sleep again till following night, same thing.( Naps have NEVER been an option) I laugh when people say ,take a nap. Etc. I know I'll figure it out with dr.its just frustrating from time to time. Everyday.so much to keep moving forward towards. I've wanted to go back to school since AUG. With LD + figuring out med. For ADHD & PTSD & depression & anxiety Right for me , has made the wait ....well here we are in April. Still learning always learning. I leave it in God's hands.i know the answers will come.
I too was diagnosed later in life (33) with 4 mental illnesses-Anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and an original Depression diagnosis which changed to Bi-Polar just 3 months ago.
Support groups, a psychiatrist, medication, and a therapist have completely changed my life. My medication has played a huge part in that, although everyone is different and this is just me.
Being on medication for my ADHD has been amazing!! I can think through things one at a time, I can think before I speak or react, which was getting me in trouble before my meds. I feel like an adult—finally! Just more stable! My frustrations with never being able to follow through on my goals due to ADHD was really feeding my Bi-Polar depression, and since I have been medicated that has changed drastically. I have hope again, and stable, consistent drive that helped me believe in myself again.
I strongly feel medication (if you feel it’s right for you) and therapy are awesome solutions that give you a lot of tools to combat our illnesses.
I am so sorry you are in crisis. Are you doing OK today? I totally understand about PTSD and ADHD. I am so glad you are on here, and am hoping this site can provide support that you don’t have in Belgium. Do you have any friends or family you can call for help? Do you have a doctor?
I actually had a PTSD attack about five minutes ago. What helps me in those situations are my spiritual beliefs, but that’s just for me and everyone has something different.
I go to an ADHD group, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and a group for people with mental illness and in recovery from substance abuse called Dual Diagnosis. I go to Dual Diagnosis 3 times a week.
It gets to be a lot sometimes. The mind is a powerful thing, and when it’s working in my favor it’s amazing! When it isn’t...it’s horrible. I wrote this also to Elfje, but my spiritual beliefs help me tremendously.
I too was diagnosed late in life at 67. I have found books and YouTube lectures by Thomas Brown and Russell Barkley to be very helpful in understanding what this is all about, especially for folks diagnosed late in life. You can also look up CHADD and ADDA which are two organizations for ADHD. I believe they will have a national conference in Pennsylvania in November so keep your eyes open if you want to go. I’m interested in going if I can afford it. I understand it’s a good way to meet others who have ADHD.
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