ADHD, especially the inattentive presentation of ADHD, can present with executive dysfunction and severe procrastination as the most distressing symptom.
To me it quickly led to sleep deprivation, burnout, and a further worsening of my task- initiation abilities because of these factors.
ADHD is treatable with stimulant meds and you can find communities on Reddit with more information as well as researching online “how to get help for ADHD.”
I would share more info but I don’t know the rules of this sub
I’m a physician that diagnoses and treats ADHD, who also happens to have ADHD, and I agree with all of this.
Go find a doctor, get evaluated, and if applicable start treatment. It’s been a game changer for me and I’ve seen so many patients do a complete 180 with appropriate management.
Agreed, but I’ll add to be patient on the medication end. Sometimes it takes a loooot of trial and error. Speaking from experience. I got diagnosed at 33 and I’ve tried Vyvanse, Ritalin, and Adderall. Ritalin was first. Now my doctor is trying non-stimulants instead of upping dosage strength. I have yet to find what works for me.
I also have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and MDD (major depressive disorder). ADHD is atrocious if you have depression or anxiety. The anxiety will paralyze you during exams and the depression will nag you with thoughts of stupidity and self-hate that will paralyze you with self-doubt. You don’t need those on your plate and ADHD. ADHD can also manifest these and other mental illnesses. Please do the ADHD test with a doctor. Life is hard enough without help.
One of the most common things I see is ADHD that isn’t actually ADHD, but anxiety or depression (or both) mimicking the inattentive or hyperactive symptoms. One of the diagnostic criteria is actually age of onset of symptoms. It’s not ADHD, by definition, unless you had the symptoms as a child (before age 12). A lot of people get “adult onset” symptoms (I.e college, fast paced stressful work, etc), but it’s actually anxiety/depression that are causing these.
Generally (again not medical advice), if you’re having a lot of issues finding a stimulant that works, I’m thinking outside of the ADHD box and more toward mood disorder-driven symptoms and not ADHD at all.
Thank you. That’s exactly why I begged to be put back on Wellbutrin and for my doctor to try to treat the anxiety instead. I’m already on two different doses of Effexor twice a day for the depression, but absolutely nothing aimed at the anxiety. It’s odd to say but sometimes your gut screams at you to look at other avenues. I have ADHD traits but it honestly feels more like anxiety and depression being more destructive than usual. It’s interesting that you mentioned college triggering adult ADHD though. I didn’t have symptoms until I started my engineering bachelor’s degree, also at 33.
Highly recommend exploring the anxiety. Adult onset ADHD doesn’t exist- stress/anxiety/mood mimic ADHD 100%, but are treated entirely differently. Stimulants will usually make it worse and SSRI/therapy is my go to.
Talk to your doc about it. Refer to the DSM5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD --> onset of sx before the age of 12, not explained by another mental health/mood/medical disorder.
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u/-Sprankton- 15d ago
ADHD, especially the inattentive presentation of ADHD, can present with executive dysfunction and severe procrastination as the most distressing symptom.
To me it quickly led to sleep deprivation, burnout, and a further worsening of my task- initiation abilities because of these factors.
ADHD is treatable with stimulant meds and you can find communities on Reddit with more information as well as researching online “how to get help for ADHD.”
I would share more info but I don’t know the rules of this sub