Hey! I'm new here

[LifeplusNature]

I have ADHD and have been diagnosed with it since I was 6.

I only took an interest in understanding myself better this year.

I've only told 2 people outside of my family that I have it and no one else. I would never think to mention having ADHD to someone unless I fully trust them.

It's like somethings wrong with me and I can't share such a thing with the world, otherwise, I feel people will judge me differently and not like me because I have ADHD.

I'm always lost in my own thoughts - You could say, I'm lost in my own wee world.

I have struggled with falling asleep my whole life. I find it hard to maintain relationships with friends and family. I struggle in completing daily tasks. Get easily distracted. I sometimes act younger than my own age (19). Feel restless constantly. Always feel like there is never enough time in the day. I get easily overwhelmed. I either can't focus at all or focus too much on things that don't matter.

I have depression that comes and goes. I have social anxiety. I'm introverted and I enjoy solitude - it helps me think clearer, compared to being in a crowded room with people.

Sometimes I wonder should I tell more people I have ADHD? Or should I keep it a secret? Would it help me, if I decided to share the world my secret? - That I have ADHD and have struggled my whole life with it?

Not all my friends know I have it and that in itself can be really frustrating at times.

I was very hyperactive as a kid. But today, I'm more like a space cadet that can never stop fidgeting and is constantly lost in one's own thoughts. I can never listen to someone for long periods of time. And that makes me come off as rude. Which I find is painfully frustrating as it's really hard for me to concentrate. I can't focus when I need to. And when I do focus, it's almost always too late and there's no point in even focusing at all!

In high school, I'd constantly get shouted at for not paying attention. Well no shit. What would you expect from someone with ADHD?

It's tiresome. I get very depressed at times and spend days where I struggle to get anything done at all.

My thoughts are all over the place and I struggle to communicate with others without being misunderstood. This leads me to not want to communicate at all, and to shut others out. And then I look like I don't want to be friends with people. But I do. I do want to be friends. (I just struggle to maintain relationships.) Then they think I don't like them. And then I hate myself for it. For simply not being able to communicate with a friend! I struggle to function like a regular person and sometimes hate the fact that I have ADHD.

Any advice for an easily overwhelmed person with ADHD?

[Perfectstorm]

You have taken a brave first step to share here. I can't image going through that and not telling anyone; you must be an incredably strong person. "Seek first to understand" is my approach. I read books "delivered from distraction," "your not lazy, stupid or crazy," to understand myself and what can actully help. Medication helps most people, combined with understanding, perhaps some support to help change negative perceptions that build up over time. I have experienced all of the challenges and emotions you describe.

People see me as being organized and together but I'm like a duck on the water - looks calm on the top but underneath I'm paddling like crazy. It's such hard work to keep up. I hope you are able to access the support you need but I would also say that we are all built differently for a reason and an importannt part of the journey is figuring out how to lead with your strengths and get help or at least understanding for the things that are just really hard.

[LifeplusNature in reply to Perfectstorm]

I'm still learning about more about myself and my ADHD.

Having ADHD feels like a complex puzzle to me that I'll never be able to understand. No matter how hard I try.

It's an invisible added weight that no one else can see. Slowly chipping away at you every morning you wake up.

At times, I feel like an alien. Not every person I talk to gets me. They call me weird, odd or strange. It feels so alienating and uncomfortable. It's not fair. My brain isn't the way I'd like it to be. But I gotta work around it. I have to find ways to overcome areas I've always struggled with. So that I can become more confident in myself and around others.

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A fun way to explain my mind on a daily basis:

Me: Focus

Brain: NO

Me: WHY NOT?

Brain: BECAUSE... Oooo what's that over there?

Me: FOCUS

Brain: ...

Me: Ughhhh Why can't I think straight!!!!

*Fast forward to bedtime*

Me: Gets ready to sleep

Brain: BRO! WAKE UP! LET'S THINK ABOUT ALL THESE AMAZING THOUGHTS AND IGNORE THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

Me: I literally can't stand this... WHY DO I HAVE A MIND THAT IS ALWAYS AGAINST ME?!?!?

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Sharing problems with people (like this) helps to address and overcome it.

Being aware of a problem is the first step to solving it!

I must be on the right track! haha

Thanks for replying! It means a lot.