phookoo
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Posts: 1
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Post by phookoo on Oct 29, 2022 12:03:55 GMT
So, I grew up in the 70’s & 80’s, a period of time when ADHD wasn’t a thing, you were ‘hyperactive’. I was one of these diagnosed kids, but I never underwent any real treatment, back then it was considered that the E numbers in flavoured drinks was a big cause. Suffered sleep problems from a very young age until even now & even went through a period of seeing a sleep psychologist, was always academically poor because I could just never figure out how to study and yet, I guess mainly because I did have a fairly loving family & decent upbringing, I’ve done ok in life, have a job & a family, but I’ve always had a manic, unsettled mind & have spoiled tons of opportunities to improve my life because I can’t handle any kind of stresses. I’ve always sought out any way to feel calm, and this has meant I’ve spent most of the last 30 years drinking unhealthily. Not necessarily huge amounts of alcohol, but an unhealthy amount & regularly.
I finally admitted to myself that I had problems around 3 years ago and was diagnosed as suffering with depression & severe anxiety, and I’ve been medicated for that ever since, although all that does is take the sharp edges off it all. I also started seeking help for my drinking, but it took a long time for me to realise that it’s never been the drink I’ve been addicted to, it’s feeling any sense of peace. I started looking into adult adhd & So. Much. Made. Sense. Every insight people were sharing resonated with me, and I’m so depressed that I never knew to investigate this before now.
I’m currently waiting for my GP to get back to me to start looking into diagnosis & treatment, but can anyone offer any advice to someone like me?
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Post by Rossall on Oct 29, 2022 16:05:22 GMT
A fellow drinker, aged 51 with ADHD (inattentive rather than hyperactive) here. Getting diagnosed hasn't really helped me that much but at least it explains why I have had so many problems in life, mainly with concentration and decision making. Hopefully getting treated and maybe meds will work better for you.
BTW I recognise the sense of calm alcohol gives you. I feel better on my first glass of Guinness.
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Post by Samuel Eastman on Nov 6, 2022 17:59:58 GMT
Hi everyone.
I’m Samuel and I’m from Buckinghamshire, near London. I’m 31 years old and I got diagnosed with combined ADHD after a long battle in July 2022. I had issues since I was a little boy because I couldn’t socialise properly and had unusual habits. Then as a teenager I developed depression and started having suicidal tendencies because I struggled to fit in with my peers at school and college. I nearly took my own life at 25 years old but my friend, with me at the time, stopped me. I never felt so alone in my whole life until I got this diagnosis because people often ignore me and I feel like I’m invisible. Nice to meet you all here and I’m a good listener if anyone needs to talk. 🙂
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lostnomad
Member's not posted much yet
Posts: 5
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Post by lostnomad on Jan 3, 2023 13:42:18 GMT
So, I grew up in the 70’s & 80’s, a period of time when ADHD wasn’t a thing, you were ‘hyperactive’. I was one of these diagnosed kids, but I never underwent any real treatment, back then it was considered that the E numbers in flavoured drinks was a big cause. Suffered sleep problems from a very young age until even now & even went through a period of seeing a sleep psychologist, was always academically poor because I could just never figure out how to study and yet, I guess mainly because I did have a fairly loving family & decent upbringing, I’ve done ok in life, have a job & a family, but I’ve always had a manic, unsettled mind & have spoiled tons of opportunities to improve my life because I can’t handle any kind of stresses. I’ve always sought out any way to feel calm, and this has meant I’ve spent most of the last 30 years drinking unhealthily. Not necessarily huge amounts of alcohol, but an unhealthy amount & regularly. I finally admitted to myself that I had problems around 3 years ago and was diagnosed as suffering with depression & severe anxiety, and I’ve been medicated for that ever since, although all that does is take the sharp edges off it all. I also started seeking help for my drinking, but it took a long time for me to realise that it’s never been the drink I’ve been addicted to, it’s feeling any sense of peace. I started looking into adult adhd & So. Much. Made. Sense. Every insight people were sharing resonated with me, and I’m so depressed that I never knew to investigate this before now. I’m currently waiting for my GP to get back to me to start looking into diagnosis & treatment, but can anyone offer any advice to someone like me? Hey, I’m a few years younger & have recently been looking at my life through the lense of adhd. The depression, tobacco, weed then alcohol misuse, the poor relationships & work. There are so many different symptoms & associated behaviours that I’m discovering that the ‘hyper, daydreamy, ‘naughty’ impulsive child’ grew up & learned some coping mechanisms & self medicated for others. I’ve decided to go for a private diagnosis, it’s not cheap & whether meds will help, the mental framing of what I’ve struggled with for so long (but ostriche’d about) could help with the same kind of realisations you are, ie the nicotine isn’t nicotine, it’s an excuse to get up from what I’m doing, & drinking is a way to shut out boredom E& give some relief to the restlessness.
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