The ADHD Focused Blog

 I had an initial ADHD life coaching session with a friend yesterday.  I'll call him A.  Something he kept saying really resonated with me.  My interpretation of what he said was, that even things that he is now very good at, such as drawing, were tough for him to learn.  He also thinks that he 'should' be able to do things the same way a neurotypical person does them.   Thinking about this this morning made me think of my intense struggles getting through the final year of my degree. On one occasion, even the thought of sitting in my study made me cry, and I had to ask for advice from my support worker as to what to do-she advised a walk whilst listening to music on my headphones.  This helped, but it was still a few days until I was able to sit in my study.   I compare this struggle, where the only thing that got me through the last few months of my degree was the thought of me in my gown at my graduation ceremony, to my experience wit...

 Living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often means grappling with a myriad of emotional and cognitive challenges. One particularly distressing aspect that many individuals with ADHD face is Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). This term describes the intense emotional pain triggered by the perception of rejection or criticism. Understanding the interplay between ADHD and RSD can provide valuable insights and strategies for managing these overwhelming feelings. In this blog post, we will delve into the relationship between ADHD and RSD, explore their impact on daily life, and offer practical tips for coping and thriving. What is ADHD? ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms can vary widely in severity and often lead to difficulties in academic, occupational, and social settings. Individuals with ADHD may struggle with organization, time management, and maintaining fo...

  I had a fascinating conversation with my therapist recently.  She suggested that symptoms of   ADHD are actually caused by childhood trauma.  However, I believe that the relationship between ADHD and trauma is far more complex.  While environmental factors such as trauma can play a role, ADHD is primarily influenced by genetic factors and must be evident before the age of 12 for diagnosis. This blog post aims to delve into the intricacies of ADHD, exploring the roles of genetics, trauma, and other contributing factors. Understanding ADHD ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood, often before the age of 12, and frequently persists into adulthood. The condition is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis; it presents differently in each individual, with varying degrees of se...

  I started taking my new ADHD medication yesterday morning.  I was prescribed Elvanse and have started on 20mg for a week, and I will then increase my dose by 10mg each week until I get to 50mg.  The plan is to get the most benefit from the medication while keeping any side effects to a minimum or at least a tolerable level.  I guess different people have different levels of tolerance. I had a great day yesterday.  I felt calm all day, very settled.  I was productive and got quite a few outstanding tasks done.  I didn't think about food constantly, which can be an issue for me.  While I woke up a few times in the night, I managed to get back to sleep quickly each time.  I only became aware recently that being off my previous ADHD medication impacted my sleep because my mind would be so busy at 3 or 4am, I couldn't get back to sleep.  So, I am very relieved to be medicated again after a couple of days without medication. So far, the only...

It occurred to me during a class about ADHD medication that my medication may not be as beneficial as it could be.  I have been on Methylphenidate for over a year and a half.  The main difference I noticed is that my brain is a little quieter.  I am still restless, fidgety, impulsive, and struggle with focus and concentration.  Which is basically almost everything I struggled with at the start of my journey!   I will be honest-I rushed through titration-I was assessed privately, and it was expensive to pay privately for ADHD medication, so I was reluctant to extend the process any further than I needed to.  I was happy that my brain was quieter and settled for that.   I've been exploring natural ways to increase dopamine levels, one of the neurotransmitters that impact ADHD: sleep, exercise, a healthy diet (with enough protein), and meditation. I'm doing all of these, apart from sleep, as I'm really struggling to sleep well. I can't even reme...

This doesn’t relate to my ADHD coaching training but to my ongoing frustration with myself over my diet. I have lost about two stone in the last year, so I have definitely made improvements. However, I fluctuate so much between being healthy and almost binge eating. I’m also pre diabetic and have high cholesterol, both further evidence of my unhealthy diet, and the importance of a consistently healthy diet.  We’ve been on holiday for the last week and my diet has been shocking. All inclusive and all the cakes and treats I could possibly eat! Too hard to resist!  I’ve started reading Jaylen Fleming’s book, ADHD diet for women: How to become healthy and stay healthy (ADHD and women). He advises that eating healthily helps to decrease symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. This strikes me as a bit of a vicious circle. If I impulsively eat a bar of chocolate, that will potentially increase my levels of impulsivity. I actually feel better when I eat healthily-it’s the one thing...

 We are on day five of our holiday in Turkey.  It’s just as well because it doesn’t sound as though summer is happening in the UK any time soon!  I had lots of plans for this holiday, and I am at risk of feeling as though I have let myself down.  I have attended my three ADHD coaching classes this week and done all the required preparation for them, which some people may consider going above and beyond whilst on holiday.  However, my other main plan was to write and publish two blog posts a week.  My initial goal was to blog at least weekly about what I’m learning in my ADHD coaching training, and how it is impacting on me.  I haven’t got very far with doing that yet!  That then creates a bit of a dilemma-do I go back to the beginning of my training and catch up with the backlog?  Or do I start from here, six weeks in?!  While I ponder that dilemma, I will share some of my own experiences and thoughts about ADHD.  I have definitely ...