Wait what did I come into this thread for again? Oh yeah, ADHD!

[maddison]

Thanks for sharing these @Former-Member 

I found three I could really relate too 

  

I feel like this cycle of procrastination describes so much of me. 

  

 

It's so funny to see things that I thought were 'only me'!! Im not generally late or loud, though everything else on this is exactly me.

Really cool art xx thankyou.

[maddison]

Oh dear @R2RSD2 I can totally empathize with your frustration & disappointment. I only started my meds a couple of months ago. My first Telehealth appt. Was a fail due to tech issues. It had to be postponed 5 weeks. I had already waited 6 months prior!! I was very annoyed.

I am so used to going to GP all my life for other meds. The hassle of trying to get stimulants prescribed is terrible.

Now that I have my prescription, I have so many questions & various issues regarding the efficacy (I can only get relief for about 4 hrs). 

My only option is to pay $$ & make another psych appt (who knows how long waiting list is) or simply wait for my 6 month review that has already been scheduled. It's completely inappropriate imo.

If I were you, I might try calling GPs.I wouldn't like doing it either. You might be surprised tho. There could be a GP who understands & is willing to help. I have had experience with GPs who are very open & helpful. 

Best of luck with everything.

[ArraDreaming]

Not sure if I updated here or not but so far restarting my meds has been going ok, about 4 weeks in, ironically I’m not sure how someone with the memory of a goldfish is expected to remember to take something every day but that’s why we have alarms right
Just feels a little less like I’m wading through mud each day which is good but in fairness I have also had a fair bit going on the last month so not sure if thats got anything to do with it… working ok for the min though 

[R2RSD2]

How was the end of everyone's month?

I finally have a psychiatric appointment - in less than 2 weeks - along with a new GP who is experienced with and informed about ADHD. I have all the forms etc to fill out (love that it's called DIVA). Not sure about school reports - I was a (hand always went up) "model" student, except for handing things in, and this is **decades** ago.

Anyway, I'm feeling lucky - but it's felt like such a fight to get this far.

Does anybody have an idea of what the proposed new guidelines will help with? If GPs remain as uninformed as I've recently discovered them to be, what could change for the better?

[Shaz51]

Hello @clh1 come and meet some awesome members @R2RSD2 , @Jynx , @ArraDreaming , @maddison , @Former-Member 

[ArraDreaming]

Hey all! DIagnosed since I was a teen but no doubt always had adhd from what I know about my younger years it was always there, just didn’t get seen to. going through the process with oldest child of my own at the minute. how is everyone going?

I’m currently medicated too btw

[Shaz51]

Hello @ArraDreaming 

My step sons 2 and 3 have adhd and my husband has been diagnosed with Adhd and other diagnosis 

[Former-Member]

ohh @ArraDreaming, how is the process for your kid? 

And hi @clh1! I was diagnosed at 29. Pretty late! Since getting diagnosed, a lot of my childhood and adult life makes a lot more sense. I'm still learning how to manage it, but just understanding how my brain works makes managing a lot easier ❤️ 

Welcome and feel free to ask us anything ❤️ 

[clh1]

Hi everyone! Hope we are all having a great week. 

And hello again to @Shaz51, @maddison and @Former-Member. Thank you so much for welcoming me to this thread (and the forums in general). 

Currently have a partner who was diagnosed with ADHD in his younger years and has not sought treatment or therapy (struggling with the motivation to go), and has also had depression from a young age. 

Would love to know (for those diagnosed) what is the best way a partner could support you in this space? I mentioned in my previous post I really struggle walking the tightrope between encouraging him to seek help versus that making him feel as though he’s not good enough as he is and needs to be “fixed”. But it sucks seeing him so down on himself and absent all the time. Even though we are still young it feels like depression has robbed us of so much time, you know? 

Anyway - sending positive vibes everybody’s way ☺️ 

[Former-Member]

hey again @clh1 ❤️ I have just realised this is a little long! So sorry, and please let me know if it was helpful ❤️ 

Firstly, I noticed this in your other post and here, you seem to be such a wonderful, caring partner who has done a lot of reading on ADHD. I think I know what you mean about depression robbing you of time. I feel a similar way sometimes with my partner and I. And it really does suck ❤️ 

I also think this is a tough one, because it sounds like a big emotional drain on you. And a supportive partner can make a huge difference, but know that you alone can't solve it ❤️ From the sounds, he may need to get a fresh diagnosis or speak to a GP to figure out some treatment. 

I think I have a few questions based on what you've said so far

• I think you already mentioned somewhere that you have tried speaking with your partner. What was that like? How did you approach that? 
• What do you see as your partners biggest challenge with ADHD/Depression

I think what I've found most supportive is

• I wrote a "menu" of self-care and activities I can do when I'm over or under stimulated. That way, I can chose one where the dopamine is. If I'm too "stuck" then my partner helps me pick one and gently reminds me that I'll feel better afterwards
• My partner helps me talk through what I'm feeling at the time because I can struggle to recognise it. For example, am I feeling tired or am I under-stimulated, he helps me figure it out!
• My partner and I have come up with ways of doing things which limit micro-decision making, limit the "steps" in a process, normalising limits on socialising to 90 minutes, helping put in good routines
• On bad days, helping me keep a sense of hope or remember that things can be better

I also found a few articles I wanted to share with you ❤️ 

• How to support a partner with ADHD
• Survival Skills for a non-ADHD partner
• Dating someone with ADHD
• This is a downloadable resource - I haven't downloaded it myself, but this website has heaps of useful resources ❤️