Post #1

[Frances2019]

Hi

I’m new here. I recently found out that I have adhd with depression and anxiety disorder tbh I kinda am glad I know but I wish I’d known sooner. Apparently I’ve had these problems since I was a kid and my parents thought I was being a kid and for my depression and anxiety they thought it would be best to give me a dog instead of medications I mean I can’t blame they were doing their best but lately I think my conditions have worsened that’s how I found out honestly I don’t think anyone can understand if there not in my shoes I got the ADAA something website from the doctor and i stumbled upon this app . So I thought it’s worth a shot I mean if I can sign up for a dating app why not this. Does it help ? I mean talking to people u can actually relate to

[dgs2018]

Hi Frances2019 and welcome to this website. It should be a place where you can express yourself and ask questions of others. Glad that you were able to get a diagnosis. You said that your anxiety and depression have worsened lately. Can you think of a reason for this happening? I haven't been to that website myself.

Just some general advice based on what you've presented: Rigorous daily exercise outside as this usually relieves stress; find a service activity in your area to help others' lives; keep a journal of positive things that you and others do. Overall, ask yourself- What do I really enjoy and feel contentment while doing? Hope this helps somehow.

[Frances2019]

A lot of stress studying for medschool and finishing your BA is not a walk in the park and I can’t stop people keep telling me to relax I don’t even know how to do that I sometimes spend a couple hours in the shower with the water running on my head to cool off

I do that sometimes I volunteer at a soup kitchen every day it helps

[dubstepMaul]

hi Frances, welcome!! You'll find lots of good fellowship here, shared experiences, and good advice as well.

Check out Jessica McCabe's YouTube channel "How to ADHD" - really good stuff there. Also for a deeper dive, anything by Russell Barkley is incredibly informative.

[Frances2019 in reply to dubstepMaul]

Thank you

[CalmingBreath]

I am new on this site as well. My story parallels yours. I was diagnosed at 55 years old when the extreme stress from my job. If you look back on my life I had all the red flags for ADHD from the time I was young and often heard the all too familiar “ why do you start things and not finish them”, “why are you just a mediocre student when you are so smart”,”Why are you so sensitive” etc. I too have anxiety and depression as well. What I am finding is that my symptoms of ADHD are getting worse as I get older. I have been getting frustrated more lately and am more aware of my deficits which may have been exacerbated my the abusive high stress job I had but was terminated last June after just short of 15 years. I think we just need to understand ourselves and work on acceptance for our negatives as well as our positives.

[Frances2019 in reply to CalmingBreath]

I tried and I honestly don’t know how to understand or try to manage it I mean I tutored my classmates in physics and organic chemistry which are not easy subjects but I messed up my own exams I used to say “ i don’t test well “ bc I get so nervous and can’t concentrate. It hurts a lot when I know I know something too well but i can’t do well on a simple exam which makes me average this thing makes me average and I get depressed sometimes every time I think about how hard it is to get into a us medical school and with my condition should I even bother?