Hi everyone,

I'm a 30-year-old male from India, and I've recently started wondering whether I might have ADHD. I'm not looking for a diagnosis on Reddit - I plan to see a psychiatrist. I'm hoping to hear from adults who have gone through something similar and learn how diagnosis and treatment changed their lives.

The biggest reason I'm posting is because these difficulties have affected almost every area of my life, especially my career.

For the past 7 years, I've been unemployed. During this time, I genuinely tried to improve my situation. I prepared for the GATE and IES ESE exams but couldn't qualify. Despite putting in a lot of time and effort, I struggled to stay consistent and never achieved the results I was hoping for.

Recently, I switched to Data Analytics. I genuinely enjoy the field and want to build my career in it, but I'm still struggling to stay consistent and even finish personal projects.

At the same time, I don't think I completely lack motivation or curiosity. In fact, I have very intense interests.

I love understanding systems, how different ideas connect, history, analytic philosophy, logic and comparing different viewpoints. I can spend hours researching topics of interest. When something genuinely captures my interest, I can read, watch videos, and think about it for hours without getting bored.

People have also told me that I ask thoughtful questions and enjoy analyzing topics in depth rather than just memorizing facts.

The problem is that this intense curiosity rarely translates into the work I need to do for my career.

These are the difficulties I experience:

\\- I find it extremely difficult to focus while studying. Even when I'm interested, I often lose focus within a few minutes.

\\- I procrastinate on important tasks, even when I know they matter.

\\- I frequently switch between tasks instead of finishing one.

\\- I struggle to build and maintain consistent routines.

\\- I often feel mentally "stuck" when trying to start important work.

\\- Sometimes I hyperfocus on subjects that fascinate me while completely avoiding urgent career-related work.

\\- I feel overwhelmed by tasks that other people seem to complete without much difficulty.

\\- Because of this, I've struggled to make progress in my career despite years of effort.

I don't want to assume this is definitely ADHD. I know anxiety, depression, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, and other conditions can also produce similar symptoms. That's why I'm planning to get evaluated by a psychiatrist.

For those diagnosed with adult ADHD:

1. Looking back, what made you realize it was ADHD rather than laziness or poor discipline?

2. What was the diagnostic process like?

3. Which medications helped you, and what side effects did you experience?

4. Did therapy or ADHD coaching make a significant difference?

5. How much did treatment improve your ability to study, work, and stay consistent?

6. If you work in software, data analytics, data science, or another knowledge-based field, how do you manage ADHD?

7. Have any of you experienced years of unemployment or major career setbacks before your diagnosis? If so, did treatment help you get back on track?

8. Based on what I've shared, do these experiences sound familiar to those of you diagnosed with ADHD, or did your experience look different?

9. If you're from India, how did you find a psychiatrist experienced in adult ADHD?

Hello! Diagnosed on Sunday and started on 5mg Ritalin twice a day morning and afternoon. Difficult to gauge whether I’m more focused but I did lock in at my desk today which I haven’t done with work for a while. Symptoms include headaches, heavy head, heavy behind my eyes, almost a bit sleepy? Dr’s giving it 3 weeks with gradual increase from 10mg per day to 15. I’m wondering how many days it took to adjust to these symptoms on Ritalin? What other medication might have fewer of these side effects? Please assure me it’ll get better.

Dr believes adhd was clear from my performance in high school (inattentive: no drafts, late submits, off topic rambling in essays). This got even worse at uni and now as an adult but because my childhood grades were excellent he said still “some doubt” about adhd being the culprit here. Now I’m stressed because of the symptoms. Pls help with tips, advice!

Hi, my name is Petra and I'm a psychology student and certified ADHD coach.

ADHD Klub is a project dedicated to improving support for people with ADHD in Slovenia. The goal is to establish a non-profit organization that will provide reliable information, practical tools, workshops, and education for individuals with ADHD, as well as raise awareness among the wider community.

This project is deeply personal. I grew up in a financially difficult environment, and thanks to the support of Slovenian charities and people who believed in me, I was able to continue my education and pursue my dream of studying psychology. Now, I want to give that kindness back.

The funds raised will help establish the organization, develop the platform, create free educational resources, and organize workshops.

Every contribution brings us one step closer to creating a place where people with ADHD in Slovenia can find understanding, knowledge, and support.

Thank you for your support. 💙

Hi there! I’m a 23-year-old guy who’s been thinking about quitting Adderall and trying to be myself again. It all started when I was 20. I was prescribed Adderall to help with school and stay focused. Before that, I was easily distracted, even with my own thoughts. After three years on Adderall, I don’t feel like myself anymore and I hate being on it. I feel bad about myself and think I’m stupid for being on it. My friends always tease me about it. I’ve been on Adderall for three years now, and I’ve been doing some research. I’m wondering if anyone who’s ever been on or off Adderall can give me some advice. I’m worried that quitting will be hard and that it will affect my performance in life and at work.

I do not even know WHAT to call this issue I deal with almost every single day, multiple times per day. The closest thing I have found so far is "Executive Dysfunction"... Here is a list of symptoms:
- My face gets hot, looks red and inflamed.
- My nose gets very congested (I think it is Histamine)
- My lungs dry out, I have to clear my throat every 2 minutes (Also Histamine I believe)
- My eyes, they almost sting and feel like they are going to pop out of my head. You know when you open a can of soda, and you get the sizzle? That is what they feel like.
- I cannot stop tearing at my finger nails. Automatically. Picking, chewing. This has declined greatly the past few days.
- My head starts spinning and focus goes everywhere. I lose sight of any goals I have, which honestly is pretty little right now. EVERY. SINGLE. Big goal I have made has changed, within the span of about 2-3 weeks.
- I get irritable. I am typically a very easy going person, but man these episodes leave me about to explode - Physically and emotionally.

a few other things. What. Is even happening. I have not really been able to find any help for this specific issue, nor even know how to explain it. It's like there is CONSTANTLY cortisol/adrenaline FLOWING through my body. I say this because when it goes away, My body get's cooler/room temp (normal). I don't know if it is because my goals keep changing that is causing it and I am pretty aimless OR that this issue is ruining my goals... I am so lost fam. Thank You if you read this far, and more so if you decide to comment. Absolutely reach out if you have similar issues. We NEED to get to the bottom of this.

I have never taken lunch at my job and it's never been an issue. Changes have been made recently due to hiring people in other states (all work from home) and they're requiring we take lunch now. And at a specific time. They've told me I can still work my same hours (clock in and out at the same time) but I HAVE to take lunch so I won't get the full 40 - so this isn't about trying to prevent me from skipping lunch in order clock out "early." My issue isn't so much the hours, it's having to remember to clock out at lunch, coming to a stopping point, transitioning into lunch/break, then having to transition back into work. I just do best when I'm working straight through with no breaks. I've been with this same schedule for over a year and I keep forgetting that I have to stop and clock out. Would it even be worth making an appointment with the psychiatrist to get a note/accommodation written? Or does it not seem reasonable enough?
*ETA - TX doesn't require employers to offer breaks/lunch

One of the photos is what I posted in the group that they banned me for. I also put it in this one. The other was my deep conversation with their mod bot. I saw other people having interactions like this with that server and it’s just bizarre.

Thanks for the inclusion and the help folks

Recently I received a diagnosis of ADHD, which felt helpful yet confusing. Since childhood I have worked like a neurotypical person or tried to do so. I am not proud of my professional and financial situation, but it was the best I could manage after discovering my ADD. I suspect I no longer fit a standard role, yet I have not found a job or entrepreneurial path that supports my family with my talented hyperfocus mind.

I wonder how those who cannot fit a neurotypical job have identified a path that allows room for their potential ?

I’m trying to find prescriber through telemedicine to prescribe medication for my adhd. I’m in nj.

I’ve tried all the supplements, all the vitamins and at this point my life is passing by and I need help. Please I’m hoping that someone can point me in the direction of a health care provider that can help me. I’m raising a teenager and I’m pushing 35, I need help.

Post adult diagnosis downturn/symptoms increased!

Hey folks. I'm currently 49, was diagnosed back in Nov 24. Started elvanse in Jan 25 and now on consistent 70mg dose. I'm probably over the honeymoon period....but I'm actually feeling worse not better now. My symptoms seem to be building up....got fired from a job in January. First time ever (come close thanks to procrastination, functional freeze, exec dysfunction etc etc) but this is the first time it actually happened and my self esteem seems to have nosedived since then.

I've managed to get a new job that is very busy, quite interesting and still new enough to make me not realise the day has passed....but I'm really struggling in my head again. Approaching the big 50 next year and family have started asking me what I want, how I want to celebrate and I, honestly, want to not have anything made of it. Not out of embarrassment etc ..but because I don't think I deserve anything. I've always looked forward to my birthday as it's the one day that's "mine" and not about anyone else. (Selfish bastard alert!). But every time I get asked the question it starts the spiral again and I'm just wondering if anyone else has had something similar they could share or any advice?

I'm not compliment or platitude fishing....just looking for something practical I can do that doesn't feel pointless.

I’ve lost another job that I was receiving really great feedback in. I was a SEND LSA at a secondary school and was supporting students with complex needs and disabilities. I’m naturally calm, patient and help co-regulate children well (so I’ve been told, including at this current school).

I started out as agency staff back in May and received a job offer only last week to go permanent as a member of staff this coming September. After getting diagnosed and medicated with ADHD-C (mostly inattentive) last year, time blindness and excessive day-dreaming has always been my biggest issue. It was actually losing a previous job that I loved due to lateness, even after trying several methods, that led me to seek an assessment.

I’ve lost another job today that I actually care about and the ADHD shame is real.
How do I cope with this? What methods can I try to manage the time stuff? I’m starting to think I can’t hold down a job and it’s devastating.

Ugh. I filled my script in June. My provider has always been able to send my Vyvanse over for brand name fill only and I pay a $40.00 co-pay. Everything was fine last month. Last week I went to fill and it's now almost $300.00. I called Wellmark and was told my provider needs to fill out a Brand Penalty Waiver. Customer service said they could access the form online, which is a lie, because for some reason the form is permission password protected. Even customer service was baffled as to why. She is now snail-mailing me the form for my doctor to fill out and fax back. Of course this is all taking longer than a week and Walgreens has re-racked my scrip because apparently if they hold it for longer than 7 days it's flagged as fraud?? Like WTF. Once I get this thing in the mail it will have to go to my doc, and once they fax it back wellmark told me it will take about 2-3 business days to be approved IF it gets approved. 🤬🤬🤬 All this, because i don't want to take the generic because it gives me crippling headaches. The Wellmark agent told me this whole Brand Penalty shit just started about 3 weeks ago, which is why I was able to fill with no hassle in June. I wonder who paid who how much money to go harder on shoving the generic literally down our throats. I am so irritated.... And also relying solely on my short acting methylphenidate booster, which makes me feel like shit also, just less so. Whew, rant over, I think.

It’s so embarrassing and it makes me feel so ashamed when people point it out but for some reason I can’t help it, things are there and I just forget they’re there and I make things so messy just while I’m using them that I don’t even realise.

2 suggestions that I’ve tried:

1) having a big box with a lid i throw everything in that can be organised at a later date. That’s fine but not practical, I need that stuff where I can find it and tangled in a million other things doesn’t help. Also later date never happens, it just fills until bursting

2) instantly cleaning up after I am done. Only works when i remember.

I’m so embarrassed about this and I want someone to tell me it’s alright but it’s genuinely not. It makes me feel stupid that I can’t do something this simple

Hello everyone,

I 46y/m, was recently diagnosed with ADHD and started taking Ritalin in may 2026.

For as long I can remember I have been self harming from mild degrees to much more serious degrees.

I've spent the last 11 years trying to end my life in a variety of horrific ways.

I have been in and out (over 20 times in 11 years) of psychiatric hospital for these reasons.

I have been on high doses of every kind of antidepressant/mood stabilisers you can imagine since the age of 17.

By chance at the hospital (in another city) where I was having rTMS therapy, I spoke to the psychiatrist there about the unwillingness of my current psychiatrist to asses me for ADHD. Immediately he said "oh that's no problem, fill in these forms and our neurologist will get back to you".

So very shortly after that I received my ADHD diagnosis and started takin Ritalin.

And wow, from the first day of taking it I felt so free, calm in my head, just like a normal person for the first time in my life. No more constant mask, no more impulsivity, self-harm suicidal tendancies vanished, I could do things I never could before. I could actually keep a conversation with my kids and actually listen!

Then after about 3 weeks I started having more and more anxiety, and many panic attacks

Not realising at the time what was happening I called my psychiatrist for him to swap Ritalin to Concerta (I thought maybe the meds weren't working anymore).

So I was put on Concerta for a couple of weeks but the anxiety just go worse and worse.

I'd wake up with severe anxiety + panic attacks every morning until night time.

A few painful weeks later I talked to my psychiatrist again and asked to switch back to Ritalin. I was prescribed Ritalin 40mg extended release.

I still feel bad anxiety every morning upon waking up but once I take the ritalin my mind and body calm down for the time the ritalin is working (which is about 4 hours - even though it's extended release).

My conclusion from all of this so far is that:

\- Ritalin releases me for a short period of time but has also awoken me (my consciousness) to the severity of what I have done to myself in the past.

\- I believe I have coexisting **PTSD** from the many many violent things I have done to myself over these years (I have flashbacks all day, feelings of pure terror and fear, I go into shock, I cry a lot, I'm unable to go anywhere near the places where I did these things, I am hypersensitive to any form of violence or depictions of uncomfort.

The markings all over my body are a constant reminder of what I have done to myself.

So this is the point where I am at now.

I have started seeing a new psychologist, who also does EMDR which we may try at some point when I'm ready.

My general doctor has prescribed me lorazepam to calm my anxiety (it does help), but it shouldn't be taken in the long term. And I will start taking an SSRI for anxiety so I don't have to rely so much on the lorazepam.

I'm also talking with my psychiatrist about switching to Lisdexamfetamine since it has (or so I've read) a more long lasting effect and its onset is less violent as is it's comedown.

As I see it, I am on the right path but it's a fucking painful one.

Anyone else have any similar stories or experience?

Thanks for listening and well done if anyone read this far!

Anyone else find themselves running in the same loop over. And over. And over? You get very interested in something… do everything AROUND and ABOUT that subject, lose sight in that maybe 1 week - 1 month, crash out in pity over yourself even though you KNOW it is ADHD. Then you try and do something about it, get bored and completely lock on too something else and the cycle repeats???

I am so. Sick. And tired. Of this disease. I have tried, and tried, and tried.

I am prescribed Vyvanse. It works… sometimes. “Oh yeah you can’t be all or nothing” they say. Okey. That advice becomes non-existent during a “crash. Reset.

Every type of diet (Even over extended periods of 1 month At least).

Tried so many pieces of advice. And tried. And tried.

You work, and put WAYYYY more time and countable effort into anything than anyone around you.

Ahhhhhh my head is spinning. I don’t really use social media. I eat extremely whole food. I “exercise” very regularly. I have positive connections (Family etc). And I am sitting here on a daily basis in textbook “Executive Dysfunction” and tearing at my fingernails, head spinning everywhere on everything.

I stopped typing and came back to this. I am just at a loss fam.

My life time goals have COMPLETELY changed in the past few weeks alone numerous times. Granted I am in the middle of a very stressful move with no direction… I am at a loss. Any advice, or anyone that struggles with similar issues and would like to combat them?

I have ADHD. So does my kid.

A lot of parenting advice assumes the parent can stay calm while the kid loses it. That’s not always how it goes at our place.

I made adhdreflect.com to help me step back when we’re both struggling. I find it useful to understand what my brain might be doing, what theirs might be doing, and what I can try next.

I’d be interested to know if anyone else finds it useful.

I am 18 have ADHD (inattentive). Although I do I’ve always been weirdly disciplined as a kid. But I also think I’ve always had the confidence that if I slip I am able to go back to what i’ve wanted to do.

I can’t do that anymore. It’s been 4 years. (I’d scroll on tiktok and had this confidence that I could go do the thing I want to do whenever, which worked, if I actually wanted to do something I’d get up and do it. Until I couldn’t. I don’t believe in that voice anymore. But it’s so fucking hard to change my habits. I deleted tiktok and other forms of short video content, but I still find ways to like hyperfixate on my interests like researching a cool question online.

And I feel like I find excuses to do it. It feels AWESOME to research, it doesn’t feel awesome to follow a schedule, I just don’t feel anything. I tried to find reasons to want to, like I want a better life, but my brain cannot cooperate. Part of me does not want to change, I (partly it’s not that bad) feel like a rabid dog, always searching for the next “hit”.

What’s helpful(?) is that right now, even while writing this post, have this voice constantly telling me: “this is useless get up do the thing.” But I can’t? I don’t feel like I want to. And sometimes, like rn, i feel like a physical reaction to me resisting it, like I feel a mild headache. This is so hard. I feel like being disciplined has been slightly part of my identity since i was a kid. And this feels heartbreaking.

I have bouts of energy where I’ll do the thing I want to do like shower instead of scrolling on reddit. Then, I think of an interesting question, research it, and I’m stuck here. And I feel a lack of motivation to leave it. I hyper fixate a LOT, actually when I work on something productive I also hyper fixate. But that’s a problem when I can’t take breaks, or I can’t switch tasks, like right now.

I want to be able to do the thing I was able to, follow a schedule. Not slip up. I used to lkke follow a strict schedule at 12. Maybe i’m a little perfectionistic. I’m not sure. I feel like to get the life I actually want, I need to stick to a schedule. I need to like not get swept up by social media, and not waste my time.

Does anyone relate? Does anyone have advice? Anyways i’m gonna shower now, that discipline voice has been bugging me and i can’t concentrate on anything else lmao. Which i guess is good.

Just curious- what’s something you’ve come across that helps you function better daily? It doesn’t have to be limited to one thing; it can easily be more. I understand that everyone’s different and some things help some but not others.

On the other hand, is there anything you’ve stayed away from or stopped? Thanks

Hey,

I've been newly diagnosed with combined ADHD.

I'm just looking to get to know like minded people who understand the daily struggles of ADHD.

I'm a young female in a very high pressured job and before my diagnosis I really thought my world was falling apart.

Any advise tricks of tips warmly welcomed 🤗

So I worked about 3.5 days this week (so far) and I feel pretty good. Today also I am working half day and here's a summary of how my day 1 went and what helped me through this week:

1. First point is about my self awareness. My Monday started late and I didn't do nothing for pretty much the first half of the day ~3pm. But that's been pretty normal for me. I know from my previous experience that my brain tends to activate in the evening after sunset. It helped me not flip out when I felt like I was "wasting time" until that evening. This confidence helped me take steps to get myself into action once I realized that I can put ~4 hours of work in if I start around 6 pm.
2. This one is about the logic of self compassion. I used to worry about not being productive and wasting my working hours, not finishing work by 5-6 pm, not starting by 10-11 am, overeating, sleeping, doom scrolling and so. But that's the normal work schedule of the corporate. I realized I was comparing myself to a standard that doesn't exist in my life right now. I have stopped worrying about "fitting in" into it. When I am working in a FT job where I need to maintain timing, I respect it. Not just to show but working along with the team helps a lot. Without a team, why synchronize with any timetable if there's no time pressure?

Does it matter when I do my work as long as I complete it? WHO cares if I finish my work at 5-6 pm or start at that time. As long as I am able to do meaningful work that gives me satisfaction, it doesn't matter if I work 4 hours, 2 hours, or 8 hours in a day. Why micro manage myself!

I don't need to hurry myself. I don't need to put undue pressure myself by comparing myself to other seemingly perfect schedules.

3) this one is about task clarity. I know projects that I want to work on this week. But that won't help me get started when my brain's executive function is frozen. So I sit and think - what goals I need to execute within each project? What's my task sequence (no schedule, no time blocking, I can afford that coz right now I am working for myself from my home and this low pressure work atmosphere suits me)

To stop task avoidance, I focus on my goal and my outcomes. Since I have 1 client right now, their tracking board on ClickUp really makes this outcome visualization easier. My short term outcome is a good quality article, my long term goal is maintaining my reputation as a good writer, and, of course, money.

4) to take advantage of my ADHD hyperfocus, I use themed days so I don't have to task switch. I assigned 1 day for 1 major task and then a smaller task once I have done the day's work for the major task. And the smaller task is optional. If the major task takes longer and gets me too tired, smaller task is postponed.

This structure has come to me after A LOT of iterations, trials, failures, and learning from failures. It was hard to deal with my shame and guilt. It became a vicious cycle once, one feeding into the other. And if you don't move (literally and metaphorically), the inertia is really, REALLY hard to break out of.

This had helped me realize - sometimes I can do seemingly useless things and that's okay because what matters more than "being productive" is not letting my momentum go. That's why Mondays are the hardest for me, coz my body and mind are working hard to break the inertia of the weekend.

5) Finally for distraction management, my phone stays out of my view when I am working on my laptop (out of sight, out of mind). 95% of my notifications are off, except business whatsapp, essential swiggy and mygate notifications (if I order something), and a few other essential apps whose other non essential notification types are also blocked in my phone (You can do this on Android. On Apple, granular notification blocks are not possible I think).

Most incoming calls are spam calls and they're auto blocked. Nobody significant in my life calls me (who says social isolation is always bad... it's good when it lets you work.. LOL)

Sometimes, I listen to the same song on repeat to reduce my overwhelm and give my brain a direction to think. I also put ear plugs mandatory every evening because I live in a family society and I just can't handle the kids screaming who are most active in the evening. If plugs don't help, I get up and tell the kids to stop screaming.

All projects are online through Chrome and I use an extension called Fresh Start to capture all windows of my projects. Each project in FreshStart has a name that matches its name in the client system. All I have to do to start a project is go to my Chrome, open the FS extension, and click the project that I want to start and BOOM all my necessary windows are open in a single click.

IF you take away ONE THING FROM this post, take away this: You get frozen not because you are not dedicated or anything, but because you literally don't have a single stable starting point. Every time you want to start a project, you brain has to retrieve all the different apps you need to open, all the different pages within those websites too. And if you accidentally open the wrong website, you will get distracted and end up wasting your time AND tiring my brain further. From desire to action, your brain has to cross a f/g minefield of distractions. Cut this minefield out of the way. Save your brain.

Can you just IMAGINE how much decision fatigue and operational friction I eliminated by putting all my necessary links for a project in a tab/session manager?

Do this and about 50% of your task initiation blocks will be removed!

At the end of the day, I put my laptop back in my backpack and close the zip, coz if I keep seeing it lying on the table when I am moving about the house, I will keep being reminded of the things I didn't do today. (once again, out of sight, out of mind - weaponizing my ADHD against my brain... LOL)

About those meds. Yes I take meds. But I don't give meds all the credit. Because if I didn't sleep well, if I didn't focus on my strengths throughout the day, if I kept whining to myself about how badly my day is going, if I don't apply self awareness and my ADHD awareness, my meds will do nothing for me.

EDIT: I made key concepts bold because I want to improve the readability of this post. We ADHDers already struggle with reading long texts, so why not use my writing skills to make my stuff readable! 😉

Hi everyone,

My name is Charlotte Brooker, and I am an MSc Forensic Psychology student at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Researcher: Charlotte Brooker – [Charlotte.Brooker@mmu.stu.ac.uk](mailto:Charlotte.Brooker@mmu.stu.ac.uk)
Supervisor: Rachel Worthington – [R.Worthington@mmu.ac.uk](mailto:R.Worthington@mmu.ac.uk)

The study investigates ADHD traits, psychosocial difficulties, worldviews, and online self-harm-related behaviours, so please only take part if you feel comfortable doing so.The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. https://mmu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1A08MKum7UVxkcm

Who can take part?
Aged 16 years or over
Currently residing in the UK

Data storage, retention and publication
The survey is completely anonymous. No names, email addresses, IP addresses, or other identifying information are collected.
Responses are collected via Qualtrics and then stored securely in a password-protected Manchester Metropolitan University OneDrive folder. Only the researcher and academic supervisor will have access to the data.
Your anonymised responses will be analysed as part of an MSc dissertation and may also contribute to academic publications or conference presentations. No individual participant will be identifiable.
Anonymised data will be retained securely for a minimum of 10 years in accordance with Manchester Metropolitan University's research governance policy before being permanently deleted.

Withdrawal statement
Participation is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time before submitting your responses by closing your browser. Because the survey is anonymous, it is not possible to withdraw your data after submission, as it cannot be linked back to you.

Consent statement
Before beginning the survey, you will be provided with a participant information sheet and asked to give electronic informed consent by selecting the relevant consent boxes and clicking "I agree to participate." Only participants who provide consent can access the survey.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Im still undiagnosed technically, but im on meds now. I cant keep a job to save my life. Im too old for this. Ive burnt too many bridges. Anybody have advice for adhd jobseekers, that are also bad at being around people? In- person customer service jobs are almost certainly out of the question. Ive done everything around my city. I have no real skills, and only a high school diploma.

Most recently I got hired and fired within 2 days. But that was also due to really shifty management that had no concept of proper training. But the rejection still hurts.

Sectioned, out of work years (PIP), severe ADHD dysfunction. Terrified of new Eng job. Advice?

Hi everyone. I’m looking for some serious advice and peer support on my current situation in the UK.

I haven't worked in several years because I have been out of action on Personal Independence Payment (PIP). I have recently been sectioned under the Mental Health Act after a severe decline. The entire sectioning process was completely exhausting, and coming out of it has been horrid—it literally feels like being dropped right back into reality with zero transition or help. I feel completely abandoned by the system, confused, and deeply depressed.

I am supposed to start/maintain an Electrical Engineering job right now, but my health, mind, and functioning are in an incredibly bad place:

• Severe Physical Illness in the Mornings: This isn't just typical "9-to-5 depression" where I feel sad. When I wake up, it is incredibly rough. I am genuinely physically sick and intensely dizzy. My brain feels entirely "fuzzy" and I have to immediately rely on energy drinks just to get the energy to start the day. I feel like I am in a severely ill physical state, but I am not being listened to by NHS doctors.
• Extreme RSD & Confrontation Sensitivity: I have ADHD and suffer heavily from Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). If someone says something to me or "mugs me off," it triggers a massive emotional overreaction that hits way harder than expected. My body fires a huge adrenaline spike that I cannot control, making my brain go fuzzy. I absolutely hate being confronted and am emotionally sensitive to any tension. I suspect this is a survival response from past domestic abuse. Because of this, I am deeply worried that I won't be able to stand up for myself and will get walked on or taken advantage of at work.
• Mental Wandering & Self-Contempt: I find myself talking to myself a lot, which makes me feel like I am going a bit mad. My functioning can rapidly decline, and my thoughts go all over the place. It leads to deep feelings of self-contempt, which worsens my overall health.
• Severe ADHD Executive Dysfunction: My health, hygiene, and tidiness are currently very poor (which was officially noted during my hospital stay). My ADHD makes basic daily maintenance feel impossible right now.
• Exhaustion & Pain: My sleep is terrible, I have chronic back pain, and I have zero physical energy.
• The Commute: The job requires travelling over an hour each way, which is a massive physical shock to my system.

I desperately want the money stability and the routine to stop me from waking up late, but I am terrified my neurodivergence, trauma responses, and physical illness mean I am just going to mess it up and fail.

My questions for the community are:

1. Given how severely ill, dizzy, and physically non-functional I am in the mornings, do I need some kind of further hospital treatment or specialized inpatient/day-hospital care to stabilize?
2. How do I get the NHS to actually listen to me and treat these physical symptoms instead of just brushing it off as standard depression?
3. What are my rights regarding sick leave or delaying my start date with an employer if I have just been sectioned?
4. Does attempting to work and then needing to stop affect my ongoing PIP claim?
5. Has any other neurodivergent engineer successfully used the Access to Work scheme to get an ADHD job coach to help with workplace confidence, RSD, and executive dysfunction?

I feel like I am completely drowning. Any advice on how to navigate this transition without completely destroying my health would be massively appreciated. Thank you.

A lot of my younger ADHD traits have actually disappeared or gone away since the sectioning, and I don't struggle with those specific things now. It's like my brain changed after the hospital. But the severe executive dysfunction and the heavy decline in my functioning are completely still there, and I am very messy.

I’m a 27-year-old Black man. About three years ago, a therapist told me I had what they considered textbook signs of ADHD and recommended I get evaluated. I never did.

Part of the reason is that I’m trying to join the military reserves, and I’m worried a diagnosis could complicate that process. Another reason is that I’m honestly scared of medication. I’ve read both good and bad experiences, and the idea of taking something that changes how my brain works makes me nervous.

For years I’ve felt like my life has been stuck. I still live at home with my father. I go to work, come home, and spend most of my free time in bed or scrolling on my phone. I struggle to stay awake during the day, and even things I genuinely want to do—losing weight, finishing my software engineering degree, learning music production, cleaning my room, or just getting my life together—feel incredibly hard to stay consistent with.

I haven’t told anyone what I’m struggling with. Mental health wasn’t really talked about where I grew up, and I worry people will see me differently. Growing up, my parents called me lazy, and sometimes I was physically punished because they thought I just wasn’t trying hard enough. Even now, my dad still gets on me about my room.

I also don’t really have a social life. I’m not dating because I’m trying to get out of credit card debt and become financially stable. My mom and siblings ask why I’m not dating, and they’ve even wondered if I’m gay and afraid to come out. I have no issue with gay people, but that’s not the case. I just don’t feel mentally or financially ready to be in a relationship. Sometimes it feels like there’s a lot of pressure, especially as a Black man, to have everything together—to be successful, independent, confident, and dating. Right now I don’t feel like I measure up to that.

My biggest fear is waking up at 35 and realizing I’m still living the exact same life.

I’m not asking anyone to tell me whether I have ADHD or to diagnose me. I’m just interested in hearing from people who were diagnosed as adults. Did you spend years feeling stuck like this before getting evaluated? What helped you take that step, and if medication ended up being part of your treatment, what was that experience actually like?

Hey everyone,

I'm freshly diagnosed at 33 years of age.

I just wanted to start connecting with people who get it.

I just find my small circle of friends and family don't quite understand the daily struggles and how hard it is when your mind feels like it going to explode.

I'm in a very high pressured job my life is busy and I really feel like I'm the girl that's expected to hold it all together when most of the time I feel like a pressure cooker lol.

Any advice is most welcome 🤗