What are we doing again??

[lemonspeaks]

hey all—it’s been 4 weeks since I got diagnosed with adult ADHD. I have the combined type. I’m on 30mg of Vyvanse and continuing my therapy journey with my therapist I’ve been seeing for a year. I got an adhd workbook and started listening to some ADHD podcasts. I feel like I’m doing things to understand this, and also I don’t think I’m retaining much of it (adhd brain!).

Question for you all—what is it exactly we’re trying to do here after getting diagnosed, medicated, and letting our loved ones know we have it?

I’m feeling overwhelmed because I’m 37 and I don’t know what’s ADHD, what’s my PTSD, and what’s just me being a human?

I’ve been in therapy for ptsd for many years and it was through that that we discovered I have ADHD because my ptsd has been getting better and yet I am still feeling like I’m struggling. Dealing with my trauma makes sense in my brain. Dealing with ADHD doesn’t right now.

[mrsm68]

I can’t help much but I would say give yourself more time. I was diagnosed 8 months ago and I wouldn’t say I’ve worked it out but I am continuing to understand myself x

[lemonspeaks in reply to mrsm68]

thank you! I think that’s exactly the affirmation I needed.

[Vshermz]

I’m 36 was diagnosed 4 years ago after my MTBI was much better and the post concussion syndrome was over because like you the symptoms overlapped. With ADHD you just have take one day at a time, no not even one hour at time and even sometimes one minute at a time. And for me I try really hard not to compare myself to the neuro typicals and focus on the good parts of my ADHD. I am Creative, witty, spontaneous, caring, and even if it takes me longer to accomplish a task once it’s done I’m really proud that it got done and because of my ADHD I probably even got two other tasks done simultaneously, and on the days where I have zero productivity and feel like a failure I make sure to at least accomplish one small thing even it’s just going for a walk or watering my plants and then I have something the feel good about, and on the days where I can’t even do that I think it’s ok because tomorrow will be better and it’s ok to have an off day and I try not to think too much about the big picture because that just gets too overwhelming. I’m really glad your PTSD is getting better and I’m sure you will figure out how to make your ADHD work for you not against you. You’re taking all the right steps. 😀

[Hidden in reply to Vshermz]

Thank you Vshermz. I sometimes forget the positives of ADHD...thanks for the reminder

[lemonspeaks in reply to Vshermz]

such a great perspective! I have been concentrating more on how this negatively impacts me rather than the beautiful parts.

[Gettingittogether]

Two things:

One, here you are looking for familiarity in others stories and thus self-acceptance. ADHD creates lots of shame, which undermines our ability to manage the ADHD. So this is the encouragement side of things .

Some people feel such shame at the "label," that they refuse basic treatment.

Two, you are looking for tips for managing ADHD and treatment. ADHD interferes with a lot of functioning, so even tips on how to talk to a provider, how to describe the effects of meds on us, when and how to ask for a change of med. Also tips on living with ADHD--because treatment never 100 percent "cures" the condition. So we have to live with it.

Part of this is to notice any posts that really inspire you or strike a chord with you. Sometimes one person's single post can be life-changing .I remember early on reading about this lawyer who got diagnosed as an adult. He went on meds and the meds helped a lot ... and then ... less so ... But the meds and the diagnosis and all helped him with his esteem. So he started to notice his strengths and to focus his work as much as possible towards his strengths. And he became deliberately forgiving of his weaknesses. Forgiving is not denial or ignoring. That one person's post gave me such encouragement. I'll never forget it.

[Hidden in reply to Gettingittogether]

Thank you Gettingittogether for sharing...many things you said did "strike a chord". Sometimes it's just one word or sentence that makes me feel less "different".

[Gettingittogether in reply to Hidden]

Yes, sometimes we just need to feel less alone, less like freaks. Coming here helps me in both of those areas. And I come and go--and that's fine.

[lemonspeaks in reply to Gettingittogether]

all of this made my heart feel so warm and seen. Thank you!

[Jungle_Jim]

This is a very good question. I am 54 and not yet diagnosed but all the signs are there so it looks like I have it. What is the point of diagnosis. I got this far without meds. I am 8 months sober and that is where all my self healing is coming from and a better understanding of what’s going on. I actually had that moment, “doesn’t everyone feel like this?”. Not sure what to do with this info. Tell everyone or tell nobody or or??

[Hidden]

wow lemonspeaks great way to articulate what’s going on with.

I’m trying to figure that exact same thing out.

I find it difficult for people to see what I’m struggling with and not just rewriting it off as being lazy, stubborn or not being able to learn and just do it!