annie_muss

I was diagnosed almost a year ago at age 30.

I think 'How would this help me?' is a great question to explore. I'm quite different to you as I struggle to maintain a full time job or a consistent relationship. Adults with ADHD have often developed coping methods and systems that work well for them.

Even if you are diagnosed you don't have to take any particular course of action. Medication is not mandatory.

After I was diagnosed I tried concerta. I didn't really feel it helped me a lot. I am currently in part time work but struggling to progress in my career. 8 years in and I'm still a junior and I think my condition is a big contributor.

ADHD has a large negative effect on my life.

Professionally: I did very well in high school and then came very close to failing out of college. I am in my thirties and I have had many jobs. My average time on a job is less than 6 months. New jobs start well. Everything is novel and new and this drives concentration. After a while this wears off and I cannot keep on a task. I generally fall behind and feel ashamed about my performance. When this is finally noticed and I am reprimanded I quit the job. Even the gentlest reprimand feels utterly unbearable (emotional disregulation is a big part of ADHD for me.)

Socially I feel like I basically do ok. Often I blurt things out that I shouldn't but people are usually reasonably forgiving and I have good friends. I struggle with romantic relationships because after the initial novelty wears off there's often not much there.

I have to-do lists, timers, systems etc. These help but aren't a silver bullet. A list won't help you it takes you 12 hours of procrastination to complete a 5 minute task.

I have tried concerta for treatment. I couldn't really tell if it helped. Maybe, maybe not. I experience some fairly bad side effects and it is quite pricey so I decided to not continue with it after a few months.