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The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

bbc.com

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Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#11

Post by ghorto »

Moissanite wrote: post #5

As an adult who feels like they identify with these characteristics, it is hard to know when to try to get help, or whether you are just seeing what you want to see and looking for an excuse. I have always shied away from seeking an adult ADHD diagnosis, partly because of prideful denial (not wanting to acknowledge that there might be something wrong with me), and partly because I have no faith in the NHS giving a sh…

I got diagnosed and medicated, significantly improved my ability to work, got promoted way past what I ever would have expected ... and still feel like a fraud who doesn't really have ADHD and who will get caught out any minute.

But I'm still glad I sought help, even if it didn't fix the underlying self-doubt and self-derision.

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#12

Post by falcolas »

Moissanite wrote: post #5

As an adult who feels like they identify with these characteristics, it is hard to know when to try to get help, or whether you are just seeing what you want to see and looking for an excuse. I have always shied away from seeking an adult ADHD diagnosis, partly because of prideful denial (not wanting to acknowledge that there might be something wrong with me), and partly because I have no faith in the NHS giving a sh…

> it is hard to know when to try to get help, or whether you are just seeing what you want to see and looking for an excuse

And that's why you see a professional. If you don't, you'll never know. It's hard, it's embarrassing, and ultimately, it can be redeeming to know that no, you're not just lazy.

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#13

Post by adhdthrowaway11 »

friedman23 wrote: post #7
Moissanite wrote: post #5

As an adult who feels like they identify with these characteristics, it is hard to know when to try to get help, or whether you are just seeing what you want to see and looking for an excuse. I have always shied away from seeking an adult ADHD diagnosis, partly because of prideful denial (not wanting to acknowledge that there might be something wrong with me), and partly because I have no faith in the NHS giving a sh…

I tried everything before considering medication. I took every vitamin under the sun, walked 5 to 10 miles a day, lifted weights, did cardio, slept at the same exact time every day, and ate at the same exact time every day. None of it worked. Medication, so far, has been life changing.

Same. Doing any of these (exercise, trying to find a job that's intrinsically more motivating, etc.) would somehow work, for a limited time, but not consistently. And if I stopped doing any of them, I'd go back to exactly where I was before. Dealing with procrastination and self-hate related to it had been a constant for me for the past 20 years.

I consulted a therapist for many months (which I also hoped would help with this) and she confirmed that I should seek out medication.

I don't want to promote any specific company, but I had a really good experience with one of the newest online medical startups (check reddit for recommendations). I was able to make an appointment, talk to a doctor twice in two days, and get my prescription and medication within 48 hours of signing up... I'm lucky to be in the US right now (I'm not a citizen, just working here legally). Out of pocket (i.e. without any insurance) it cost me roughly speaking $250 all in all which is extremely reasonable...

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#14

Post by Moissanite »

WheatMillington wrote: post #10
Moissanite wrote: post #5

As an adult who feels like they identify with these characteristics, it is hard to know when to try to get help, or whether you are just seeing what you want to see and looking for an excuse. I have always shied away from seeking an adult ADHD diagnosis, partly because of prideful denial (not wanting to acknowledge that there might be something wrong with me), and partly because I have no faith in the NHS giving a sh…

FWIW here's my experience: mid 30s, New Zealand, wife read about ADHD due to young kids and recognised the adult symptoms in me. After some prodding I saw a specialist and was diagnosed. I take daily ritalin - outside of the first few days (which were dramatic) I haven't had a life altering experience on the drugs, and tbh it doesn't change much whether or not I take it. However, having a diagnoses changes the way I…

My reluctance to engage with the health service has led me to experiment with a few things like exercise, vitamin D and better sleep, which all had positive outcomes even if they didn't fix the problem.

Your description of ritalin is similar to what I found when I took my experiments further and tried modafinil for about 18 months. It was just about effective enough to justify the (legal but awkward) way of obtaining it. Speaking to a doctor would of course be the sensible next step if I wasn't so bloody stubborn.

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#15

Post by tjkrusinski »

Glad to see this article focus on more than distractibility. In my mid twenties I struggled with managing impulsive behavior. I would regularly say inappropriate things in meetings, unable to understand why I said what I said.

After a lot of work in therapy and many different types and dosages of medications, I'm in a better spot. I've turned what was a problem into something I'm proud of.

Through putting my foot in my mouth so many times, I've grown an ability to say the hard, uncomfortable things. Building a lot of empathy and mental processes has helped me be able to approach conversations and situations head on with (some amount of) grace. I'm a better manager because of it.

However, humor is a requirement for working with me, it's a way I've diverted the impulsive thoughts into something less abrasive. I often wish I didn't make so many remarks or jokes but on balance it's not too bad.

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#16

Post by opportune »

Moissanite wrote: post #5

As an adult who feels like they identify with these characteristics, it is hard to know when to try to get help, or whether you are just seeing what you want to see and looking for an excuse. I have always shied away from seeking an adult ADHD diagnosis, partly because of prideful denial (not wanting to acknowledge that there might be something wrong with me), and partly because I have no faith in the NHS giving a sh…

A diagnosis might help you get something like medication which does actually help.

I agree that if you don’t plan on taking medication there is no need to seek a diagnosis. Unless you want to get involved in ADHD support groups and stuff, where you’d (imo rightfully) draw some errant looks if you admitted you’d never been diagnosed with it.

For me the medication is life changingly effective so I’m very glad I got formally diagnosed at 25

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#17

Post by 2bitencryption »

I just started working with a new team a few weeks ago.

So far I've had "nice to meet you" calls with six or seven of the people on this team. And nearly half of them mentioned "by the way, I have ADHD, just so you know."

And since I share so many characteristics with these individuals, now _I'm_ wondering if I have ADHD. Certainly the never-ending Instagram ads want me to think so. Or is this becoming a blanket term for "I'm easily excited and a bit weird"?

Personally, I went almost my whole life with mild depression and didn't even know it - I just thought depression happened to other people, and that what I felt was normal. Then when a doctor gave me the questionnaire during a routine checkup and put me on SSRIs, it was basically life-changing.

So I wonder if this is another case of that?

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#18

Post by gnicholas »

Moissanite wrote: post #5

As an adult who feels like they identify with these characteristics, it is hard to know when to try to get help, or whether you are just seeing what you want to see and looking for an excuse. I have always shied away from seeking an adult ADHD diagnosis, partly because of prideful denial (not wanting to acknowledge that there might be something wrong with me), and partly because I have no faith in the NHS giving a sh…

FWIW, there seem to be more employee affinity groups for dyslexia or neurodiversity in general. I think you've identified some of the reasons why. I've also heard nightmares about getting support services in the UK. One person told me that she had been diagnosed and was receiving some assistive technology supports, but to get access to tools she wasn't previously aware of (my startup's browser plugin), she would need to go through the diagnosis process again. Not surprisingly, she chose not to and just paid out-of-pocket.

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#19

Post by 666lumberjack »

Welp, this is very relevant to me. Diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type ~4 months ago at 26, unfortunately too late to save myself from an inescapable spiral at work and a firing.

Definitely would recommend anyone who has serious suspicions about themselves to get checked out, especially if you found academics intuitively trivial through the 'typical' diagnosis years of ~8-14.

Re: The silent struggles of workers with ADHD

#20

Post by falcolas »

opportune wrote: post #16
Moissanite wrote: post #5

As an adult who feels like they identify with these characteristics, it is hard to know when to try to get help, or whether you are just seeing what you want to see and looking for an excuse. I have always shied away from seeking an adult ADHD diagnosis, partly because of prideful denial (not wanting to acknowledge that there might be something wrong with me), and partly because I have no faith in the NHS giving a sh…

A diagnosis might help you get something like medication which does actually help. I agree that if you don’t plan on taking medication there is no need to seek a diagnosis. Unless you want to get involved in ADHD support groups and stuff, where you’d (imo rightfully) draw some errant looks if you admitted you’d never been diagnosed with it. For me the medication is life changingly effective so I’m very glad I got for…

I was once in the "no medication" camp. Even without medication, a diagnosis can get you:

- Help via CBT and other thereputical techniques.

- Knowledge of what's imposter syndrome and what's a real issue you're facing.

- Allowances (the legally required ADA type) at work.

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