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ellinoris

Updated 11mo ago

Struggling with ADHD Symptoms and Misdiagnosis

I have the classic symptoms of ADHD and it effects my day to day life, I have a hard time remembering times or schedules (for work and school) I suffer from brain fog which causes listening to be difficult/ I only hear parts of sentences. procrastination is unreal and I hyper focus on "non important" things like I could tell you all about norse and Celt mythology and back stories. to give a few examples. I took an ADHD test at my doctor's office but once I did my research on it it was for men with ADHD plus for hyper ADHD where I have inattentive ADHD so of course I failed the test and my doctor is denying my symptoms and struggles assuming I only have depression and anxiety (which I also struggle with). what can I do to lessen my symptoms with our meds? or any help really

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Kenziebear

2y

I have ADHD also and it affects my life also
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PhoenixGrey

2y

If you aren't super sensitive to it, caffeine. Cup of coffee or an energy drink in the morning, a strong tea in the early afternoon, and you should be able to focus enough to get something done. You shouldn't go to your PCP for neurodivergent testing, get a referral and go to a specialist. My doctor didn't touch diagnosis just sent me off to someone qualified.
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RhetoricalYou

2y

I would also advise trying to find a psychiatrist who ideally specializes in ADHD for adults, primary care doctors often don't have the education to fully understand the condition. CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) has a resource guide that may help you find a good doctor in your area, it's how I found mind. Psychology Today also has an extensive website for finding doctors also. My only warning with that is Psychology Today allows doctors to list all the of the conditions they treat, but only allows them to list 3 specialities. You can't search specifically by specialty, so you'll just have to filter doctors who list ADHD vs those who specialize on your own. Feel free to DM with any questions!
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ellinoris

2y

wow thank you! I'll defiantly read up ADHD and try to find a specialist!
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ellinoris

2y

I wondered why coffee didn't give me a serge of energy when I drank it, I'll use it more methodically now that I know it can be used as a tool! Also I'll try to go to a specialist, I'll see if it's in my insurance plan :)
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AnimalBoy

2y

I would definitely find a new doctor especially a specialist. Caffeine and sugar can help manage some of the symptoms, for me caffeine in the right doses puts me to sleep and sugar helps me concentrate and lower the amount of brain fog I experience. Plan things you want to do in the day ahead mentally, or written down, so you know what you're supposed to be doing and where to start and then set lots of alarms as reminders and motivation to do the things you procrastinate or move from task to task or break. It also frequently helps to break up tasks into smaller easier to do tasks to make it feel less overwhelming and give yourself breaks and rewards to keep you motivated and to make sure you don't mentally or physically overwhelm yourself. I have to live with incredibly bad adhd without meds so I know alternatives for pretty much every symptom I could find it for.
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ellinoris

2y

thank you so much for the advice! I'll definitely add it to my day to day!
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RedCollar15

2y

ADDitude is an online magazine my therapist recommended because I can't have ADHD meds (genetics) and the articles on there have helped me tremendously. Alarms are my best friend to pull me out of a task.
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ellinoris

2y

I've been getting recommended to use alarms alot so I'll definitely start using them more than just to wake up! Thank you :)
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ForestFemme

2y

Caffeine is also a stimulant, it may help you focus! My other suggestions are making sure you try to get good sleep (I know that's tough with ADHD, but it helps with the brain fog), lots of alarms to help with time blindness, creating incentives for yourself (if I finish ____, then I'll spend ___ amount of time on my hyperfixation/get myself some chocolate/etc.), and "body doubling". Body doubling is just having someone else in the room with you doing their own thing while you work, tends to help me when I'm trying to get something done I keep getting distracted (even a big mirror could probably do the trick if you live alone, or working somewhere public like a park or library). Also make sure you're not understimulated, that'll make inattention worse, so get fidget toys and/or listen to music (something repetitive or that you've heard a million times works best). Try to remember to eat, (this is something I forget a lot, and not fueling your body makes inattention and brain fog way worse) and try to eat high-nutrient foods when you can, ideally whole foods (meat/cheese/whole grains/nuts/etc.), not "zero-calorie/diet" whatever. Hope some of these help! Also, keep trying for a diagnosis, get a second opinion, ideally someone who specializes in adult ADHD.
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ellinoris

2y

I always forget to eat! Then I'm so so nauseous or hyperfixated on something that I cant/still don't remember to then its 11pm and too Kate to eat! I'll try to set an alarm for minimum lunch and dinner, I'll try the other things you said too! Thank you so much :)
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Bridgette

2y

I say still try to get on medication. Shouldn't be ashamed to get medication for something you suffer with. Also yes the lady above gave really good advice.
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MarySol

2y

My memory is the last thing to go but I have adhd. I am more apt to remember an appointment if I looked at it written on an appointment card. It I saw it written or forced myself to write it a few times after it was scheduled I will remember it. I have never told anyone some of my tricks. I need the physical movement in a lot of situations. Providers will ask about appointment times I think to test if adhd is applicable. Today I responded immediately with an appointment time( medicated) but yesterday when given the appointment card I literally wrote the time and day and name of who meeting with 10 times.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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