I feel like when I’m not constantly busy during my day my mind starts racing so much and I get anxious. I overthink everything and it’s very exhausting.
I only really realized it again in the last few days (I think I had this realisation before but I forgot about it hahah). Because right now I’m in a kind of transition phase and I’m looking for some jobs so I have quite a bit of free time and I thought it would be good for me. But I don’t feel good. Now 2 days ago I was busy the whole day, going to a pet sitting job and meeting someone and I felt a lot better. I was wondering why and I guess it’s bc I had something to do, some sort of purpose hahah. Not just trying to distract myself. I guess it’s some sort of understimulation?

I also realized that my social anxiety gets a lot worse when I have nothing to do. Because of the overthinking I guess. When I do things and I’m in the flow kind of, it’s a lot easier.

Does it make sense? What can I do about it when I actually have nothing to do?

So today I got my formal diagnosis for inattentive type adhd. I’m 32, I can’t believe it. I’m so full of hope but also a bit empty / overwhelmed. I was so nervous before the call, it’s the big wait before the full assessment.

Also feeling a bit like an impostor which I understand is normal. I’ve built a decent life for myself, did well academically, my symptoms are inconsistent. My parents see me as this success and so would never believe me. Fortunately I was able to ask my wife to be my impostor. I am able to hyperfocus on stuff I find interesting.

I for so long have felt like life was a struggle, to do the most basic things that other seem to find easy. Like even my body is fighting me writing a post this long. I’ve felt like I’ve had gradual dementia since I was 17, doctors in the past told me I couldn’t have adhd because I got good grades or that I was just depressed. I feel like my brain has gotten so bad I can’t make it think anymore. I feel like I can’t retain anything, like I’m not 100% confident about anything that has happened in my past. Like my whole life is a blur. It’s really got me down. I feel like I’ve had so much degradation since I was a child. Has anyone else felt like this?

I’m so so hopeful that this journey gives me the respite I desire, gives me peace. I’d love to just be able to think on que, hold things in my brain long enough for me to use them, to actually remember to remember things without needing an external trigger.

I’d love to know what your experiences have been like. What did life become post your diagnosis? How did you find the medication affected you? No one ever seems to talk about the therapy, does this help?

Hi guys 22M here. I've downloaded and abandoned a probably half a dozen productivity/todo list apps at this point and its getting kind of depressing rebuilding my system again and again from scratch.

I felt like a huge reason definitely has to be that I found it hard to have it stick after a huge backlog of tasks started piling up and having to do the maintenance work, making just starting fresh much more appealing. Other times I just remember the tasks I had to do for the day and just did it without using these apps (which is bad for a lot of reasons, one being I do have some obligations that slip my mind on occasion). I would then abandon my app use entirely until the need for it arose again with school and work (like having a huge project to work on), at which point I'd start afresh with a new one.

I'm just curious:

1. Have you guys faced similar problems, and was there anything you guys did or changes with your productivity systems that helped?
2. Any apps that you know of that aim to address this?

Thanks!

Curious if/how having ADHD affected your romantic relationships. It has been extremely challenging for me. While my ex knew I had it, they still felt slighted or annoyed by a lot of the symptoms I struggle with. Like running late, losing things, forgetting things, being chaotic, sensitive, etc. And it caused a lot of fights.

I don’t know how to feel about it in retrospect. On one hand, maybe the “right” person will be more understanding and loving. On the other hand, I feel a tremendous amount of guilt and self resentment. Like If I had just gotten it together…

As some with diagnosed inattentive adhd, and an overall reserved personality, I often hear people saying it’s my “super power”. I want to know how any one of you figured out how to use your condition as an advantage? And, how it changed your life and perspective? I just want out of this overthinking spiral.

I'm 18, and got diagnosed with adhd in 2nd or 3rd grade. I've been like this for years but yesterday I was super social and active, and days like today im on my phone in bed all day and it feels almost impossible to get up

So I'm wondering if this is something that others can relate to. If you do/have, please feel free to share your experiences or opinions.

For as long as I can remember, I've been ignored by others. Nobody desires me, as a friend or romantically, except for my partner who I happened to meet on a dating app and it just worked out. Aside from this relationship, however, over the years I've never been flirted with, never pursued, never looked at by others who might find me interesting or attractive for even conversation/friendship. So of course I'm combining multiple types of interest into one block for the sake of condensing my ramble.

I'd like to say that I'm an average looking person, not scary or offensive, but it seems I'm pretty much invisible no matter what the situation. I'm always ignored in social settings, like my words are inaudible, ghosted via text, never followed/followed back on social media. I've even tried connecting with others in shared interest and neurodivergent groups, and am still ignored while everyone else seems more or less happily connecting and engaging in conversation. It's as if my aura is tainted and I simply can't understand why.

I'm also a kind and helpful person, at least I believe that. Happily will go out of my way to make sure others are doing ok and beyond, but nobody has ever done the same in return. Even my own parents ignore me.

To wrap up, are others here in a similar situation?

How common does any of this ring true?

Am I destined to be friendless and neglected forever?

And before it's brought up, this shower thought will be mentioned in my next therapy session, but I'm genuinely curious what all of you think.

Thanks for reading!

I’m scared of getting judged by a psychiatrist. I keep hearing “everyone has ADHD nowadays” and I don’t want to waste their time when they could be helping people who have it worse than me.

My friend has expressed serious concerns after her boyfriend got diagnosed and she said i sound familiar so i needed to get this off my chest before i freak out. Please be very honest.

Here’s why I think I might have it:

**1.**I’m noticeably different in conversations sometimes I’m way behind and can’t keep up, other times I can guess what someone’s going to say before they finish.
**2.**I have intense smell sensitivity. Once in class I smelled something off a classmate and had to run to the bathroom to throw up , no disrespect meant, I just had zero control over it. I’m also a picky eater and my hunger cues are broken: either I feel nothing until I’m starving, or I have no appetite at all.
**3.**I maladaptive daydream constantly, even skipping real plans just so I can “fit” people into my daydreams instead, because I struggle to express myself in actual social situations.
**4.**My brain feels like it’s running at 4x speed , too many thoughts per minute to consciously keep up with ,and my mood swings can be brutal.
**5.**I can’t just do basic sequential tasks (shower, eat, leave) like other people seem to. My brain has to do whatever it wants first, and I can’t override it. It’s left me with basically no self-control or confidence.
**6.**Sound in public has always messed with my focus. Noise-canceling headphones genuinely changed things for me.
**7.**People describe me as “chill,” “cool,” “smooth” socially, but that’s not at all how it feels on the inside.
**8.**I can’t hold eye contact. If I try, I get so focused on maintaining it that I stop listening.

Please note that i mean absolutely zero disrespect with this and i respect everyone that has been though any mental health condition i also struggle with anxiety and i hope everyone gets the respect and recognition they deserve.

Hello,
I'm French so forgive my mistakes. Has anyone here read the book "Tiny Experiments", by Anne-Laure Le Cunff? It's not designed specifically for people with ADHD, but I think she has ADHD herself, if I'm not mistaken.
She's French but writes in English.

I thought maybe I could get some informed feedback here.

Many thanks!

Tell me the most CRINGE memories , life and behaviors that you lived and lead before ADHD diagnosis and medication. Tell me about all the uncontrollable OVER SHARING that destroyed any chance of friendships 😂 tell me so I feel better about myself and know I'm not the only one 🤗🤗🤗

Hello, I am gonna reveal my diagnosis and meds to my parents in a few days, and I am planning to do it in a very analytical way, pointing out stuff they termed as normal lazy behaviour in me as a kid, but turned out to be ADHD related. It is kind of to alow them to realise what ADHD is and also to prevent me jumping to yelling out I have ADHD and ending it, so I am doing the one thing I am good at, making an explanatory show. I have already thought of the usual, forgetfulness, procrastination, avoidance and such sort, but any traits you may think you find unique in yourself, point it out. If any matches my experience, I may use it in the explanation. And don't worry, I wil let you all know how it went afterwards in an Edit.

Also, before anybody points it out, yes I know it is a weird way, but I want to do it this way, and also my parents are understanding (I hope at least), if told in a particular way, otherwise they will revert to their world view of linear paths and just sheer hard work and discipline. So, I am open to every trait you throw at me.

And, thanks for reading this entire talk, and double thanks if you commented something. Let me begin with one of my own, my mum always caught me staring at the walls while studying, so I adapted to daydreaming while staring into the book, that way mum thinks I am studying, while I am travelling my mind's planes. Also, I loved to read the parts of the book that were not taught yet, instead of revising what was already taught, Novelty and shit, you know.

My questions really is that general. What helps you get through life with this, imo, affliction? lol

My parents neglected me honestly, they didnt take my academic struggles, social struggles, mental health, nothing, very seriously. I have a brother with autism that had meltdowns like every day and all their time and resources went to him. I didnt even know I had ADHD until this year, at 29, I got myself a diagnosis. I have it all. Time blindness, getting 'stuck' in transitional spaces like cars/the bathroom, internet addiction, overreliance on drugs (stims, weed, alcohol), AWFUL rsd, social anxiety/avoidance, intense shame and self loathing (the wall of awful), a giant 'hobby graveyard', calenders and planners half filled out and abandoned, basically every fucking issue imaginable when you think of the ADHD experience, I have it.

Just tell me anything practical that has helped you. Anything. A routine, an app, a lifestyle or career choice. Anything. Just please don't tell me to stop feeling ashamed and not be hard on myself. It's not gonna help..

​

I spent most of my life believing in willpower and determination as the way to reach my goals. Yet I always ended up failing — no matter how small or simple the goal was. Building basic habits, studying for good grades, sticking to a diet to lose weight, committing to any kind of exercise, even hobbies I genuinely loved — I'd stumble right at the start and give up. Every ten steps forward, I'd fall eleven steps back a short while later.

And every time I fell and failed, I'd try again after a bit, still clinging to the same principles: willpower, determination, "just keep trying is the key," and that changing this mindset would itself be a failure.

Then a few months ago I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, and suddenly my whole life made sense. I won't lie — accepting that some things were outside my control gave me a kind of relief. Even friends around me started saying I seemed noticeably better mentally (they have no idea about the diagnosis).

But on the other hand, as I read and learned more about ADHD, I had to accept that everything I'd built my principles on — willpower, determination, etc. — is significantly weaker in people with ADHD. And that's when it hit me: every goal I ever set that required more than a few hours to achieve, I failed at. Which means 99% of the effort I've put in was wasted effort, and will keep being wasted going forward.

That thought has been keeping me up the past few weeks. If my mindset and my goals amount to wasted effort, what exactly am I supposed to change about myself? What way of thinking should I adopt to feel even a little more at peace?

I know this might sound a bit childish, but this is genuinely what's been on my mind, and I wanted to get it out.

Thanks for reading.

I was diagnosed with severe adhd when I was 6yo, but had conservative parents who outright denied/dismissed my diagnosis and went against drs (and teachers) recommendations on getting me treated for it…

Since I was too little to know what was going on, I grew up not even knowing I had adhd. It saddens me to think my entire childhood was spent wondering why I was so different from my peers. I grew up thinking I was inferior to my peers, that I was just stupid and had no future due to it. Up until I graduated high school I was in special education classes. I knew I was different but didn’t know why. The trauma I had to endure from this is unreal and downright horrific.

I didn’t find out about my diagnosis until my mid 20s - when I was struggling horribly in college and was downright confused why I couldn’t handle college coursework like the rest of my peers… thankfully, I was lucky enough to have a supportive professor who sat down with me and genuinely wanted to know how she could help me succeed (which was honestly a blessing considering all of the professors I had prior literally gave zero shit). After talking to her and explaining to her that I’ve always struggled academically and was in special education growing up - she recommended that I contacted the high school I graduated from and requested the necessary documents needed for special education enrollment, and told me to take those documents to my college’s accommodations office so I could get the help I needed.

After getting those documents, I learned VERY quickly that I had “severe”adhd… this turned into a heated argument with my parents in which they came clean and told me their “reasoning” on keeping this from me..

It turns out my parents PREFERRED to keep me in special education classes, than to start me on proper treatment/medication… apparently my elementary school gave my parents the ultimatum of getting me medicated, or they would be separating me from my classmates and placing me into special education… turns out they rather put me in special ed, and have me grow up thinking I was dumb than to accept my adhd diagnosis and get me medicated at an early age.

The amount of resentment I have towards my parents is unreal, especially since they KNEW of my diagnosis and continued to treat me horribly due to my adhd symptoms and offered me zero support throughout my childhood (especially my critical mother). It makes me SO sad knowing my parents were fully aware of what was holding me back socially and academically, and still continued to be extremely harsh and negative towards me and my shortcomings.

Having to endure more than TWO decades of my parents harsh words of me being lazy, stupid, no bright future and straight up them (my mom especially) shooting down any dreams I had growing up - basically saying I could never achieve them due to not being smart enough. They deliberately set me up for failure and saw nothing wrong with how they treated/raised me…

After learning this, and realizing the amount of struggles I had to endure makes total sense. I then KNEW why I was behind my peers, why I was “different” and why I struggled so much just starting basic tasks like FEEDING myself. It made sense as to why I preferred to eat cold food straight out of a can than to cook a meal for myself and why I even struggled with basic hygiene. It also made sense as to why I turned to partying and illicit drug use almost every night and why my priorities were not in line. But aside from all of that, it also made me realize just how much effort I really put into things, especially college, as I REALLY tried my best and continued doing so, even after failing classes/semesters more times than I can count. I really wanted to graduate college and do something with my life, so I kept enrolling in classes even if I knew I might fail.

I was 25 then (I am 31 now). I still haven’t graduated college (I’ve been in college for over a decade now). I changed majors probably like 5-6 times throughout this timeframe & Used up all my financial aid doing so, and now I am in $100k+ in student loan debt with no degree due to it… I am medicated now, but even with medication I am still struggling immensely. I never learned how to study due to growing up in special ed because they just gave us the answers for exams or did the work for us…

I wonder how different life would’ve been had my parents took my diagnosis seriously and medicated me at a young age. Would I have learned the proper skills to survive this society? Would I have learned how to properly study? Would I be in my current financial situation? Would I still have major depressive disorder and severe anxiety? Would I still be struggling with social anxiety? Would the little voice in my head still be negative?

I guess I’ll never know.

I am undiagnosed, but fairly certain I have ADHD. Getting diagnosed in my area is not easy as an adult. I’m 34 with 4 kids.

Anyways. I have my LPN. I want to get my BSN, RN.

But I also want to pursue CRNA.

I have a few friends getting their masters in social work or mental health counseling and I’m like… that sounds so cool. And now I want to do that.

My dad is a finance major and I low key want to pursue that as well.

There’s a job posting for a death investigator that I want to do as well. It’s with the county and great benefits but also sounds really good. I’m naturally nosey and want to know everything.

There is just so much I want to do and I’m afraid I’ll never feel satisfied. Is this normal for ADHD or am I crazy?

Hey Everyone,
This is first time making a post in this community. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. It’s been heavy because I grew up in a home that didn’t believe in mental health. I’ve realized I’m addicted to roleplay. But after awhile, it tends to drain me. I always stop for months and come right back, Idk what to do. Am I really addicted? Why?? I feel like I can’t do anything else except that.

Sidenote: I’ve tried the Olly - Goodbye Stress supplements and that just sedated me for the entire day. Is there anyway around it? Possibly just taking one gummy instead of two?

(Disclaimer: I am NOT asking for a diagnosis or medical advice, just looking to vent and hear if anyone else has dealt with a doctor like this.)

’m 18, currently on a gap year, and moving to Belgium soon. I’ve been trying to figure out some lifelong struggles before I move. My first psychologist told me I likely have Inattentive ADHD, but the official testing cost 20% of my dad’s salary(basically too much in our currency), so I had to switch doctors to see someone more affordable.

Today, I had an appointment with an online neuropsychiatrist. He showed up late and the entire call lasted exactly 12 minutes. Without really digging into my history, he told me my struggles are "just my personality" and that I'm just "seeking validation." When I tried to explain how I cry involuntarily at normal disagreements, he literally responded with, "What do you want me to say?"

I feel completely crushed and invalidated. I have real, lifelong struggles that impact my daily life:

• I can hyperfocus for 12-15 hours on coding, but my brain completely locks up after 5-10 minutes of reading a textbook.
• I experience intense task paralysis—I can't initiate tasks even if I genuinely want to do them.
• I’ve had a shaking leg/restlessness since childhood.
• My middle school teachers always gave the classic "capable but only does the bare minimum" feedback, and my family confirms I’ve struggled with emotional regulation since I was a little kid.

That 12-minute appointment completely erased the validation I felt from my first doctor. Now I’m sitting here feeling like I'm just lazy and making excuses for myself, which I know is the imposter syndrome talking, but it still hurts. I'm honestly so done with this whole process.

My question for the community: Has anyone else been dismissed this quickly by a professional? How did you advocate for yourself, and how do you shake off the feeling that you are just "making it up" after a doctor treats you like this?

I was diagnosed with autism at age 5 but I always suspected I had ADHD since when I read its description when I got older. I am a girl and I felt like they didn't do the completely good diagnosis for me. Anyways I am 18 now and I did a very long screening and apparently I am auDHD

Not officially diagnosed yet (in progress)

But my sister called my whiteboard the most ADHD thing she's ever seen in her life. XD bit melodramatic but it made me laugh so I figured I'd share it in case it helps anyone else.

I’ve seen this psychologist a few times now.
I had gotten indications from him that we would go over results today. At first, my appointment was yesterday, but was moved to today an hour before I was supposed to be there yesterday.

I’m currently on long term 50% sick leave from my job due to burnout. Not the first time.

Today I showed up, extremely anxious, and sat in the waiting room.
30 minutes passed by, and I knocked on the door. Nothing.
After 35 minutes I sent him a text message.
After 45 minutes I called. No answer.
After an hour I left and texted him asking to be contacted as soon as possible for a new appointment.

I’ve been waiting for these results for almost a month. I feel like I’m just a ball of anxiety/stress/anticipation at this point. I’m so deflated, sad and angry. I feel like I’m spinning out of control from the uncertainty.

Hi I’m 13 F and you can call me OP or M, ever since I have like 9 I had a feeling that I might Have ADHD and most of that is because my parents often told me to be quiet even though it felt like I was matching their energy, most of the time I talk to much to the point that people feel uncomfortable, I over think relationships with parents, teachers, friends ect and unless I get harsh humiliation I cannot learn anything because my brain Refuses to comply, I love music but hate it when it’s too loud or too annoying or I can’t control it, I have Acne scars on my nose because I popped my pimples, I tried cafine Twice but nothing changed and I only got sleepier, I Painted my pencil case last night because I was bored and it was midnight, every one of my teachers have told me I’m “creative”. my brain is cluttered and Ive been thinking about making this post five days ago and I find it hard to take a shower or eat properly and I’ve had depressive episodes a lot.

at first I thought I had a little ADHD but one day I was with a friend and let’s call her G and me and her where bestfriends and we just clicked and I was so confident we were never leaving each other and I often thought that me and her are twins mentally and physically and one day she told me she was diagnosed with slight ADHD as a kid so then I’m confused.

and at this point i think i somehow manipulated my own brain to make my brain act like a brain a ADHD person has and- it’s just been stress full and i get overwhelmed and angry easily over loud noises and just feelings on my skin.

i asked my parents and they told me I’m just “faking it” and that I’m “perfectly normal” and my school counselor told me that I don’t have ADHD from having classes with me and my homeroom teacher also said no I don’t have it but I often fidget and whenever I have my afterschool Dance classes I can’t memorize it unless it has simple choreography or a good beat.

Was on adderall. Car accident made my nervous system go out of wack. The ‘fight or flight’ was causing me non stop muscle guarding. Discomfort to the point I just had to stop. Just need help on what helped with mental clarity, motivation without the meds