bewareofgoose
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Recently got a formal ADHD diagnosis after.... spending my life with symptoms thinking it was normal and I was just bad at life.
To celebrate, have some ADHD memes I've been saving while repeatedly going: omg that's me! It was me.. it is me. I have the letters now and hopefully skills to manage it soon.
Any advice from veterans on how to manage life from here is welcomed.
This is the thing that causes me the most stress. I usually forget the rest.
I think this was the first time I went: hmm.. so this isn't just how people work?
It's ADHD related somehow I'm sure. Leaving it there.
Sometimes after trying it's just over and I give in and willfully do not do it anymore. Too tired. Is this also a symptom?
I just put a load on the third cycle cause I keep forgetting.
Therapy is good. It's scary to dredge the river though. The bodies have been down there a long time. It's settled. But I just think about them and that's messing with life so it's time. Doing EMDR and was 300% skeptical about it working but tried a few sessions... Yeah damn. Lots of crying and physical pain relief? Worth it.
I'm torn between loving this and still in the phase of denial where I think I'll use my entire spare room full of craft supplies and trinkets someday. What if I'm suddenly inspired to crochet again after 7 years?! I need that totebox of yarn and assorted custom colour hooks. For crafts.
This is the day I knew. Sitting in a room of my friends and 6/8 had ADHD among other things. Now it's 7/8 and I'm not convinced 8 isnt in the club.
Puppy Tax. Gyda with her Lambie she's had from day 1. 11 years ago!
Pony Tax. This is Maybe being a goof.
Random smol fren.
My little barn helper. Goodest rescue boy.
craigwilliams69
Just got re-diagnosed after 5 decades of no treatment! Meds have been life saving.
MrStealYourGiF
#9 That's ridiculous I am a man of class and culture... so it's the war room scene in Dr Strangelove.
agentmcgee
The main reason I got diagnosed with ADHD is that the memes became way too relatable. When I was assessed the psychiatrist asked what made me think I had it and I was honest and said about the memes being relatable. He nodded sagely and said "we're getting a lot of that these days." It didn't help that morning I was mid sentence and got distracted by a fat squirrel in the garden. Got diagnosed and medicated within 2 hours of that happening.
punditzy
Don't forget that when, eventually (sadly happens not enough IME) you are IN THE ZONE, omg you'll catch up so fast =D hence Hammy = my spirit animal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-eMdMsMgCU
SwordfishSomethings
....One of my friends Linked me to a Lapidary (Gemcutting) Video this weekend. I sketched out a design for a Grinding machine the next day after a deep youtube dive for the prior 12ish hours.
Littledirtybirdyfeet
#5 it's things like this that make me grateful for being autistic even if it makes me a self isolating weirdo. My son is ADHD and struggles with executive function so much, and he tries so hard. I feel sorry about him riding the struggle bus and hope to be around for a long time to support him.
slipmagt
#42 its so much easier to take small bites of a mess than to tackle the entire mess all at once, and if I pinball around then I can get all of the messes a bite at a time.
Thehungrybunn
Hi friend! If your brain tries to tell you you're being lazy, reply to it that "if you were being lazy, you'd be having fun". Also sometimes when the brain has its parking break on and the executive dysfunction has your ass dont keep pushing! Spinning your wheels just use energy, you need to take a step back.
Most of dealing with being neurodiverse is stuff you probably already have been doing for yourself, but hopefully your diagnosis lets you do these things with more kindness!
LadyVimes
What are you on about? Life is great! My diagnosed neurodiversities have Imposter Syndrome! I am somehow in charge of remembering to renew my own prescriptions for the Forgetting Stuff Disease! I love looking back on my whole life and thinking "Well, that was entirely preventable."
Seriously though. Yeah. All of this.
Oh fuck my laundry
Tryingmybestsorta
While saving your laundry you should also drink some water, which is somehow also really easy to forget even though I’m thirsty most the damn day
cattywumpus
That tea you made 4 hours ago is still on the counter.
doctorId
Hi fellow late diagnosed person! I also experience imposter syndrome about my own illness and I have a voice that tells me I just need to try harder, despite that almost never working throughout my entire life.
Thesaya
Give the meds a try. It's really worth it. While in contact with your doctor about dosage, etc. Also, for me, CBT worked really well. I still use methods I learn there in my daily life.
xaddak
Talked to my psychiatrist today. Explained everything that's going on. "And how are your medications working, uh, under the circumstances?" "They're... doing their best "
Thesaya
Time to up the dosage a bit? ;)
DillIsMySpiritSpice
Yeah. EMDR. Seems like a load of hooey. AND THEN SHIT STARTS HAPPENING. Good stuff, that.
bewareofgoose
Oh boy did I ever learn a lot about it after it started to do the things. I needed to know how the sorcery worked.
ManholeStellarReconveneSubstanceOlympicsReunion
I finally got a diagnosis for ADHD. It went like this: "Yes, you certainly qualify as having ADHD, but at your age you've built such a good toolset for dealing with it that we wouldn't recommend medication for it." The whole point was to get pharmaceutical help to ease the struggle. It was very disheartening.
bewareofgoose
Oh that's so sad that they wouldn't at least let you try to see if it can help. Could you try another provider or get a second opinion? Worst case there's always the black market.
ManholeStellarReconveneSubstanceOlympicsReunion
That's my next step now that I'm on a different health insurance plan.
Akintunde
I was always certain I have ADHD. What confirmed it was my mom telling me I was diagnosed twice in school. I forgot.
I also forgot I used to take cream for my eczema, which I forgot I had.
Wish I would've been medicated before my 30's, software engineering is hard enough without having to play on hard mode all the time.
jetact12
Emdr saved my life. Twice.
rabbihimself
Not happy with how accurate these things are.
bewareofgoose
Time to get testedddddd fren.
InfiniteBirds
I hate that I relate so much to all of these lol. Also #17 stays in because DAMN don’t those intrusive thoughts get the best of you sometimes.
katoutwo8
Honestly, I don't know why they don't just give you some to try.
If they make you feel like you had too much coffee, congrats, you don't have ADHD.
But you if you suddenly feel more relaxed than you have for most of your life...
Seriously, prior to meds, two of the most relaxing moments of my life were the two car accidents I was in.
Like, boneless cat-in-the-sun relaxed.
bewareofgoose
This is why I feel like I was too good at acting and it's really something else. I don't feel this way. I have the inattentive type which is apparently a thing, not the go fast version. I can feel calm and relaxed but while doing 70 things and finishing nothing. Procrastinating, avoiding mental work, delaying doing things I wanna do. So there are different flavours.
Meds, so far, just make me feel like I can actually stay on the road and well caffeinated at the same time.
TemporarilyEmbarrassedThousandaire
NinjaFishPotter
Decide on your top three focuses the third one can change each week.
This is what I aim for. It’s still hard
ApothecaryGrant
Post-diagnosis I'm finally looking at everything that I've struggled with and erasing all of my doubts about it. I realize now that I was masking so much of the time and hoping that I could get past my memory and communication issues with experience and mind-over-matter. It made me a total burnout. I can now kind of accept my shortcomings, but it sucks knowing that certain systemic parts of me will never improve because they're inherently broken and can never fulfill my needs.
RenegadeBlob
I was diagnosed about a year ago and just found some drugs (I kept putting it off, surprised?) Anyway my days are completely different now. I literally went from being a night owl to a morning person and from being an introvert to leaning extrovert. I spent ~7 years wondering what was wrong and fearing meds. I consider those 7 years mostly wasted. (I'm 32) Good luck my friend!
ABotImNot
You're lucky. I just started meds 6 months ago and I'm 70.
I went back to school at your age to get a diploma in environmental chemistry and out of 13 mature students in my class of 52 was the only one to graduate. I was also the oldest by almost 10 years.
If it wasn't for keeping a promise to my dead dad I never would have made it.
TryHardEggplant
#36 I studied behavioral psych in university. So when I went to therapy for depression and then a psychiatrist for ADHD, it was kind of meta. I understand why you're telling me this. Or, no, that's not how I would tell a patient that. And then I wonder, can I trick myself to improve when I know the tricks they are telling to do? Will it still work? Kind of. Brains are complex and dumb. Give me that dopamine.
bewareofgoose
Fascinating. Can I imposter syndrome my way through life? Is it a trick if it works? Placebo something something.
5m4llP0X
ADHD with CPTSD. The person doing my assessment told me, before we started, if I didn't have someone who could talk about my symptoms as a child I would have had to go in for a brain scan, which was about a month+ backlogged and likely not covered by insurance. During the assessment she wasn't comfortable with my mom be that person because of my past stories.
Diagnosed, and she's gonna try and see what additional services she can get for me. Already have a therapist, thankfully.
bewareofgoose
That sounds sucky :( my assessment was easy because Canada. First appointment, some questionnaires and follow up to confirm.
I also had to do the childhood component and the only people who knew me pre 12 both have dementia (sadness). So it wasnt easy but my nurse who did the assessment was very understanding.
Having a therapist on your side also helps a lot. I'm glad you have that going for you.
5m4llP0X
Thanks. Yeah, the receptionist at the ADHD place sucks, but the therapist has been wonderful. She's gonna help me learn how to better plan, budget, and do normal human shit.
Mercurybird
I had to skip all the way down to comment on #3. I’ll go back in a sec. Unless I get distracted by another comment. I am sitting here next to my laptop trying to buy tickets (presale with special code!) to see STYX! Session has expired 2x but I just wanted to check Imgur right quick.. I love this post.
Do I finish 50 images or get the tickets?? Faaak
Mercurybird
Okay. I’ve decided to favorite this, get the clothes out of the dryer THEN get the tickets. But before that, I want to see how many in the band are original members. I mean, I’m getting the tickets anyway but I just want to know. For knowledge.
Mercurybird
Two founding members. Lead singer/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung and bassist Chuck Panozzo (brothers!) in case you’re interested.
bewareofgoose
4 hours later laptop in the dryer. Eating cereal and listening to the Styx thinking it would be rad to see if they are touring... Where's my laptop?
slipmagt
#10 You should see the problems I can create while trying to solve a problem.
AnonOmis1000
I love the fact that despite having ADHD and autism I don't hyperfocus on anything. At least not in a long long time. I think depression has beaten out of me the ability to have any genuine, long lasting joy.
bewareofgoose
Sorry to hear that's how it Is for you. Don't stop looking for it.
AnonOmis1000
I've ran out of ideas
ABotImNot
I suffered chronic depression and PTSD for over 40 years after a near fatal hammer attack in my early 20s. Drank and drugged my way thru many relationships and jobs then 4 years ago tried microdosing magic mushrooms I bought online. Sober almost 4 years now. Got my info and sources from Reddit over at r/microdosing. May try microdosing LSD next and did a lot of that back in the late 60s and early 70s.
Winters have always been the worst for me and still are. Spring is coming soon!
AnonOmis1000
Well, I'm glad things are going better for you. I don't drink or do drugs.
ABotImNot
I basically accelerated my use of those as a form of self-medication that only made things worse.
Here in Canada they are finally beginning to use things like 'shrooms to treat persistent depression and PTSD that doesn't respond to the mind altering substances doctors who aren't qualified like to play russian roulette on your sanity with. Could take years to get approval for a try so I just jumped the queue and it has helped a lot.
Just a suggestion as you seemed out of options.
dpflug
#43 I love this, but who could we get to organize it??
ABotImNot
I wish I'd known about that before spending a few thousand of rod building and fly tying gear I've barely touched in in 2 years.
Was diagnosed ADHD while seeing a therapist for depression 15 years ago. Fixed the worst of that microdosing magic mushrooms 4 years ago.
Started meds 6 months or so and after trying a few now using 5mg dextroamphetamine fast acting to the best effect. 1 - 3 tabs a day depending on my need with a couple days/wk off.
ABotImNot
Has not been much help with the procrastination but it's early days.
Don't wait until you're 70 like me before trying to deal with this stuff. Regret is a poor companion.
bewareofgoose
The doing of the idea isnt what we do here.
charliethewizard
#43 Pre-diagnosis I had made a point to focus on a limited number of hobbies that aligned with some life goals. Went through and evaluated my art supply stash. If it was needed for the top three focuses it could stay. The rest went to friends I knew were interested or could use the supplies. The dopamine rush of their joy helped solidify the choice.
charliethewizard
Eventually more stuff creeps in. I try to think who the final thing can go to so I have guilt about not finishing it for them to push me through after the initial novelty wears off. It helps some.
blcollier
Shh.
Stop.
I just did a clearout of Stuff I Accumulated For What I Thought Was A Very Good Reason But In Reality Was Hardly Ever Used, but now I’m about to drop ~£800ish on a 3D printer and I’m also looking at Warhammer LotR miniatures…
So… stop being so sensible about this.
In all srsnss, I tend to “recycle” a lot of older stuff to either fund or make space for newer stuff. I’m always buying computer bits, for example, but the older parts either get sold on or donated.
bewareofgoose
I need a 'really, right infront of my art supplies' reaction meme for this.
CrisprCAS
#1 Take some amphetamines. If it helps you relax, you are ADHD. If not, you are not. Congratulations on your diagnosis.
peeopeepeee
But definitely talk to a doctor about taking them long term, I've got heart issues after 7 year of taking Adderall, but I also started at 11 years old, so that may have played a role.
CrisprCAS
You need to taper the dosage as you age. I'm on 10mg XR, it works great for me now, but wouldn't have at 18. Lower dosage keeps the heart damage low, so you can take it longer. Also: drug holidays. Don't take it every single day, 4-5 days a week is MUCH lower risk of long term damage than daily.
peeopeepeee
Yeah I never took it on the weekends, as we were broke, and any day I didn't need it was a day extra I would get out of it, but my doctor clearly didn't get the memo on dosage. He upped it to 20mg once I hit 15, then 30mg at 17 but I told him it was too much since my resting heartrate was 120bpm and during exercise in gym my heart rate regularly went above 220bpm on 20mg alone, so I went back to 20mg until I hit 18 and the heart damage was already done and noticeable.
deadtedw
I take 60mg and can go to sleep for several hours. Only thing that wakes me up in bed is one of the rotties stepping on my nuts.
CrisprCAS
60mg of Vyvanse? Or do you mean a methylphenidate like concerta?
deadtedw
Adderall. Oops.
CrisprCAS
60mg daily Adderall is higher than the upper end of recommended dosing guidelines by 50%. That's not compatible with successful long-term treatment, and will cause heart problems within 5-10 years.
Drenathar
Can confirm. First day I went on Adderall, I chased it with half a pot of coffee and then had a faaaaaaantastic nap.
CrisprCAS
Amphetamine naps are great. The best dreams.
bearstrap
I mean, you're not WRONG but somehow this seems wrong.
CrisprCAS
I think everyone should take amphetamines at increasing higher doses until it stops helping. Start at 10ug/day and double it per week until it does more harm than good to productivity. Non-ADHD people cap out at around 100-200ug/day from what I've seen, ADHD might be up to 30-40mg/day.
Thesaya
I take 90 mg a day.
CrisprCAS
Of Vyvanse?
Thesaya
You didn't specify which type. No, of concerta.
bearstrap
God I loved Vyvanse when I could have it. 200MG a day was WHOO