ADHD resources

Getting diagnosed can be difficult for many people. My GP referred me to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with possible ADHD or depression and referred me to a clinical psychologist for therapy. They prescribed SSRIs - I thought I had depression - and I didn't want to take them. To me, the story didn't add up. 6 years later, I faced depression again, and went back for therapy. At this point I was willing to accept whatever medication they thought was best, and I went to see the same therapist that I trusted. This time, when she said I had ADHD, something clicked. I'd seen videos on Tiktok about people's experiences and I understood better what my therapist was saying. That's when I began to re-evaluate my life and also tried various medications.

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Depression, anxiety and imposter syndrome often come with ADHD. It can be exhausting and confusing when life is not going to plan!

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It's not easy to get a diagnosis on the NHS, but I have been repeatedly advised to head here:

https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/

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Understanding ADHD and telling friends and family

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This video is a great place to start and can help explain to your nearest and dearest. It was recommended to me by my therapist. It dispels common myths and gives some examples of ADHD characteristics:

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I was also recommended the book Smart But Stuck. It's good to have a book of testimony that also has commentary from a medical professional. I found TikTok a snappier way to hear stories from lots of people, first-hand, about living with ADHD. Unfortunately, there are a lot of different opinions and some inaccurate information so TikTok can be a confusing place to start. I would take a look at @catieosaurus - her presentation doesn't match mine exactly, but I felt she was doing her research and could be trusted. Tiktok helped me a lot but take it with a pinch of salt.

 

Each person has their own experience. You may have been told, for example, that you're quirky or difficult. Whether or not those traits are down to ADHD will feel important at first but gradually you become more accepting of your yourself and the things that make you unique, and you will learn how to manage, forgive yourself, and move forward with your life with confidence and accountability. In my opinion, the main reason an ADHD diagnosis can be helpful (other than getting the medication you need), is for moving towards self-acceptance.

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Productivity

Toggl and the raccoon are probably my favourites

 

Timers

Pomodoro –– https://pomofocus.io/

I used this when I had a full-time office job to help cajole me into completing some more boring tasks and rewarding me with breaks.

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Toggl Track — https://toggl.com/track

As a freelancer I really like this timer for when I know what I want to work on. I am minded to stay focused whilst it's running. I can be surprised either by how quickly I get things done or by how much time has passed while I was totally absorbed. That in turn can encourage me to take a break with a sense of achievement, because time-blindness means I am not otherwise aware of how long or hard I have been working. 

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Music

Wear headphones! I find over-ear headphones helpful for immersing myself in a task once I've decided what I'm going to do. The act of putting them on feels intentional - 'now I'm going to start'. Headphones can signal to others not to distract as well.

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The raccoon – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NOSDKb0HlU.

If you don't have a cat, you can put this lil dude on the TV. They can give you a sense of having a buddy in the room if you work from home. Cute, no? We spend time together regularly. 

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Tree.FM – sounds of forests from around the world

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Medication

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Talk to a doctor, obviously! There are so many factors that inform their decisions that will be personal to you. I have tried a number of meds and currently take a lions mane tincture most days. I see them work for others though! 

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I started with Elvanse, 30mg, then 20mg which was effective but I was very sensitive to it in my heart and with my mood. It was such a relief to just quieten my mind, act without hesitating, and feel positive. I got less sensitive to it over time but still felt I was putting my system through a lot even after a few weeks. Those first few weeks of diagnosis and medication can be a rollercoaster. Everything becomes about ADHD. Have friends for support but also remember you are more than your ADHD. 

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I then tried Amfexa which lasts for about 4 hours instead of the 8. It's milder and today, if I have a chunky project I need to focus on I still might take one. I don't take them regularly as I am also sensitive to these, but less so nowadays and I'm glad I have these up my sleeve for when I need them.

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I also tried Buproprion - a non-stimulant medication - which is an anti-smoking medication sometimes given for ADHD. This felt strange at first as it takes a week or two to kick in, but I noticed it helped with my emotional regulation. That, in itself, was an important lesson. I calmed my emotional reactions, particularly to my boss, and I've tried to hold on to that emotional distance even though I no longer take it. 

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The biggest change in my mood came from quitting my office job and moving to hospitality where I can be on my feet and serve customers. I'm now back in an office with flexible hours and a supportive environment. Regaining my confidence after pandemic is an ongoing journey.

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I was prescribed cannabis - private clinics will do this for ADHD if you have previously tried other medications. In a busy hospitality environment, it led to slip-ups and mistakes, and was not worth the dependency on it that I felt was setting in, so I stopped. 

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Currently, I take a lion's mane tincture from Bristol Fungarium, unproven to be effective but I find it helpful although it can cause headaches (adjusting my dose helped with that). Multivitamins and cold-water swmming are also incredibly helpful.

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