I love showering. It’s like self care for me and one of the best moments of my day. The feeling of warm water, quite hot actually, makes something special to my nervous system that calms me down.
So I look forward to take a shower everyday.

But I see many people struggling to even take one.

Is it just me? Maybe I don’t have ADHD?

I’m self diagnosed ADHD and autistic (AuDHD), according to a few self tests with clear scores. But I might just fool myself? Or it’s the autistic side that takes other for the showers?
I’m confused 😅

i'm a 20 year old university student in aircraft engineering and i did 2 years in business prior to that.

i have been told i have adhd all my life but never got it tested or diagnosed. the first couple weeks everything was fine and i was academically well but out of nowhere my focus stopped and i try so hard so incredibly hard to study and remember terms and part numbers and everything in the moment seems perfect and it all makes sense then out of nowhere my mind is black.

i picked aircraft engineering because its a one year course and its really demanded in the city and province where i am in canada. but all the projects and practicals i cant seem to memorize or understand even though i am really gifted in other aspects like writing poems and articles and design. it all just never felt like something i can make a career out of.

i had high 80s in high school due to unfortunately cheating my way through exams which i am not proud of at all. i'm not stupid. i know i'm really smart but my brain doesnt allow me to focus or lock in with anything study wise.

this was the same issue when i was in business in one of the best universities in canada and now i just really dont know what to do.

I literally fell asleep after taking it. I thought it was going to help me be able to focus and instead all I could focus on is sleep! Is this normal for people? I’ve barely been diagnosed with ADHD and have particularly really been struggling. I can’t focus on anything or get myself to do anything. It’s like I’m stuck. It’s very overwhelming and I’m starting to feel like maybe I just can’t do anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. On tips and tricks or anything.

I took 15 mg of extended release Adderall. It was a previous prescription. I’m not prescribed anymore. I just had an extra three from my prescription from literally like five years ago, but it still worked lol. Anyways that’s not the point but I took it on Wednesday morning at 11am and then I took a drug test Monday afternoon at 2 PM. So it’s been roughly around five days am I going to be positive? I’m freaking out. Yes I am diagnosed with ADHD but my prescription isn’t valid right now and I doubt they’re gonna believe that. It’s my old pills. Please let me know. I did the math and basically I would fall below the 500 that it would detect, but I just need validation.

Hi all my lovely ADHDers,

I came across a few opinions online, saying that ADHD is just a medical excuse for laziness or low agency. Having stimulants could even be worse, because these are all drugs. I have also seen some words labelling people with ADHD taking stimulants as "druggies".

I am currently taking Vyvanse and it transforms my life. But sometimes I do feel guilty or uncomfortable, thinking that I cannot even think or act properly without meds, unlike other normal people.

What do you think?

Just wondering if anyone else experiences insomnia and also takes stimulant meds for ADHD and has some advice for what to do in this situation. I normally take my Adderall every day but last night I slept like shit and when I woke up my heart was already racing so I’m not sure if I should skip my dose or not. I don’t feel tired right now but I have class later today so maybe I should skip the XR dose and just take an IR later in the day?

hiiiii i recently got a new tattoo across my collarbone/shoulder/shoulder blade and want to start wearing more halter tops and things like that so im able to show it off but i have a lot of sensory issues and one of them is a like to wear a bra with my shirts.
i like having a barrier between my shirt and chest because it feels too loose and weird otherwise but some of my shirts are made where you can’t really wear any bra with them.
so far ive got normal ones and some halter bras (bought sports ones by accident but that’s ok) and have some low quality strapless ones and am getting some new strapless ones. i was wondering if anyone else has the same experiences and have found some padding/bras/tops that can help with this?

I'm new to Australia, and I'm surprised by how difficult it seems to access ADHD medication, even when you already have a diagnosis from your home country.

The process seems to involve so many appointments, costs and restrictions. I'm trying to understand why it's so complicated and whether other people have had similar experiences.

How do international visitors usually navigate the system? Is there a reason it's so difficult to continue treatment here? Any advice?

I’ve been taking 15 mg once a day for a very long time. I don’t feel like I need an increase, but I also drink coffee after I take my dose and several more cups of coffee throughout the day. Do other people combine their coffee with their medication? What kind of supplements do you take?

I've been on Vyvanse 10mg for 3 weeks as of today, and the dizziness hasn't subsided like. At all. Which apparently is unheard of because this dose is super small. I do feel a bit more focused and motivated to do menial tasks like chores and keeping my spaces clean. But it's hard to act on them because I'm ALWAYS! DIZZY! And what's frustrating is the dizziness and heavy headed sensation goes away once the med wears off in the evening. Today has been particularly difficult with the dizziness and my head feeling super heavy. I've tried taking nondrowsy Dramamine, Meclizine, and even herbal BS like ginger supplements and smelling peppermint oil. My diet is pretty consistent, I eat 3 square meals a day and even have smoothies with creatine mixed in every morning. I also take Wellbutrin XL 300mg as a mood stabilizer and supplements like Vitamin D, B-Complex, and Magnesium.

Previously I tried Concerta at 18mg and it made me violently ill. Like, nausea and vomiting that sometimes was uncontrollable to the point I had to stop immediately and get fluids and Zofran when I went to urgent care. It's been an incredibly disappointing and frustrating journey for the last few months trying to figure out meds that will work for me while also suffering with all these weird symptoms.

How should I go about managing this? And has anyone experienced this with such a low dose? (Do they normally prescribe so low..) I see my PCP tomorrow morning and I worry she'll either take me off of it and give me something else I'm forced to try and get used to all over again or simply brush it off as me "not being used to it" yet.

(Also don't be afraid to tell me I'm dumb if I'm missing a glaring issue somewhere, I'm pretty scatterbrained by default HAHA)

Hello. It’s my first day on Ritalin 10 mg 3x time a day. I’m taking albo Cymbalta 60 mg for depression. Morning dose caused me being speedy and very focused, but the second dose caused me „spaced out” and sleepy. I also have very little thoughts. Is it normal? I supposed it will prevent me from being sleepy? Will it pass with time?

I tried Vyvanse for 2 days and couldn’t bear it! (Is that how you spell “bear” as in bear it? I just don’t get that one. Ya, I think I have Autism too and don’t understand how that word/phrase, “I can’t bear it” uses the word for that animal) anywayyys, LOL, I couldn’t handle the almost immediate crash from 30mg of Vyvanse and got switched to 10mg of Adderall XR.

I am very hopeful that there is no crash instantly like the other one, and I have at least a few hours of some type of ease of my ADHD symptoms. I have been a complete mess where I go to work and instantly am just highly fatigued, drained, my eyes are drooping, I can’t even make eye contact with people, with obviously still having all my ADHD symptoms present.

But it’s been an hour and 53 minutes since I took it, and I also had a great breakfast right before. I don’t really feel anything at all, yet as far as feeling like I can tackle things, and my concentration. Omg my husband just randomly told me to think about copper head road. Are you kidding me? LOOOOL now I’m gonna have that playing in my freaking head all day and maybe even all night to fight. Man, that reminds me of last night, I could not get that song out of my head which wow I can’t even think of the lyrics now thank flipping heavens, I did not sleep until 3 because it wouldn’t go away. Sorry I can’t offer you the lyrics but maybe later I was remember it and get it in your guys’s head. But I found out last night that it’s called something worm. See, ADHD still here because I can’t even think of a word. Anyways…I will update on what I feel on 10mg of Adderall and has anyone else had a similar experience with Vyvanse, and a good experience with Adderall?

Spent weeks going back and fourth about PA for vyvanse which I’ve been before and made progress just to get denied
But now I have to do step therapy starting with adderall and now the pharmacy says it’s on back order and rushes me off phone with attitude and doctor’s office not even picking up

Hi I female 26 I live in rural area , I live an hour away from the city we have no moods of transportation, and it is very limited and expensive I can’t even do basic stuff like go to the gym cuz of how far it is so I’ve been tying to get my license to the point where not driving is making me suicidal because I’m basically locked at home due to the lack of transportation I’ve been trying to get my license for two years I am mentally drained I have adhd , and I keep fallling over and over again to the point where I can’t take it anymore and not driving is not an option especially where I live , and my circumstances I was fed up and went to the phiscatist she prescribed be medication but I still got criticism from my instructor what do I do especially knowing I live an hour away what do I do even with being medicated I noticed myself ignoring distractions, do I need a stronger dose ? The issue is that the medication is even making me more depressed especially about the situation it’s making me feel miserable,

I have a really hard time understanding things and my mom is acting dumb or wasn’t educated on what a APY is or is pretending would you recommend I do that and why shouldn’t I?

Right now, I am 20 years old. I got only 888$ in my bank account. I had $1000 but I did just recently get a job so hopefully I can start making some money right now. I’m living with my parents.

So if you ever done something like this, please help me understand. Please tell me the risk. Please tell me the point of it.

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I'm an aged care worker. I'm grieving after 3 of regular clients passing a few weeks ago one of which i had been working with for 5+ years. Taking my Vyvance seem to make it worse, taking about just seems to make me have a break down and I'm out of EAP sessions for the year already. I'm not sure what to do i cannot be disregulated at work.

Anyone else have absolutely zero patience for video game dialogue that comes one line at a time?

It drives me insane. Unless the story is genuinely compelling or my choices actually affect what happens, I just can’t sit through it.

A lot of mobile games are especially bad about this. They’ll have pages and pages of dialogue, but instead of letting me read it all at once, I have to keep tapping through each individual line. For example, games like genshin impact, where winds meet, etc, and their style of games are just so annoying to read through. Even the “choices” they offer just lead to the same outcome.

At that point, I’d rather they just put the whole conversation on the screen like a book so I can read it at my own pace instead of constantly waiting and clicking.

Games I can absolutely sit through are like Baldur’s gate 3 and the mass effect and Dragon Age series. Games where the choices are real.

I’m so completely exhausted and I don’t know what to do. It has been four years of self advocating and I still cannot even get an actual assessment. I did all the pointless “social training”, I did all the talking and talking. My own brain is screaming at me 24 to 7. Doctors simply will not help you if you don’t fit the exact stereotype that they half remember from their outdated training.

If you have an idea of how I can break free of this cycle please let me know.

Hey y'all, AUDHD here - looking for some advice dealing with fatigue. During the summer I was dealing with it fine- Vivance was kicking butt, and I had sufficient energy to do most of the things I wanted to. Ever since September hit though it been non stop fatigue. I'm constantly feeling too tired to do things I planned on doing. Going out one day leaves me feeling mentally exhausted for the next two. Doing the things I like, like drawing or taking a walk taje up my entire day. I haven't stopped taking the Vivance but it's not noticable anymore. I thought it was part of a normal depression cycle, but it feels different from how it has in previous years- I'm not anxious or self deprecating, just tired. I'm maintaining a regular sleep schedule and healthy diet, as well as going to the gym regularly- all the things you're supposed to do. It's even followed me on vacation (where I am currently)- I had hoped a new environment might be invigorating. Is this just seasonal depression, normal ADHD, or should I start looking into other issues like chronic fatigue? Does anyone else have some experience with this that could help? Thanks!

Not looking for medical advice, just asking this out of curiosity.

I'm a late bloomer, got diagnosed at 36, Primarily Inattentive, and properly medicated since a year back. Currently at 54mg Concerta.

I read a lot of threads both here and elsewhere about how people experience a energy boost after taking their meds. How all of a sudden you went from having a very brainfoggy day to cleaning the entire house, paying all your bills, meal prepping for two weeks, watering your plants and calculating next years holiday budget just because you remembered to take your medication.

I find this very interesting, as I cant relate to this energy surge. I take my meds every morning and feel basically the same as I always do. I forget things, I don't achieve all the chores on the to-do list and I still feel overwhelmed from time to time. I'm currently at the point where the only difference I notice from not taking my meds is that I might lock in a bit easier with meds, hopefully at the right task, my temperament is a bit calmer, and without the meds I usually get the classic brain fog and task paralysis.

Can't remember getting this sensation of energy even when I started my medication investigation.

So basically, am I a edge case from not feeling energised from methylphenidates, or is there other people like me who takes their meds and just feel normal afterwards?

I need help my girlfriend has severe adhd the doctors she was seen have said she has one of the worst cases of adhd they’ve seen. We are both in college and I want to be able to help her with classes staying on top of school work and making sure she goes to classes. Some weeks it’s real easy for her to and other is not same with the school work. I want to be able to help I just not sure how. My second ask for advice is sometime she lashes out when she gets stressed. She always apologizes the second have she snaps at me an I know it’s how her brain is wired but some days it hurts a lot getting yelled at. I need help trying to fully understand what it like to live with adhd because I know I never will be able to and any tips people would have to help

I’ve been on adderall for about 7 years now. I work an Office/corporate desk job. I noticed that my medicine makes me insanely productive during work. I’ll push to get as much done as possible, and I’ll be very efficient, productive and good with time management. Weird thing to complain about right? However, I noticed recently that I might be a little…too focused? To the point where I am taking very few breaks during the day. I get so locked in that I forget to drink water. I am sitting for most of the day and rarely stand up to stretch. Now I’m having body aches and pains from the prolonged sitting. I get so locked in and focused that I neglect my own wellbeing. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for this. How do I “snap out of it” once my medication kicks in and I enter the zone? How do I make sure I can be focused and productive at work while also making sure I’m taking lots of breaks, eating, etc. I recently started a lower dose but am wondering if I should go even lower? If you can relate to this- Please let me know what works for you!

I’ve had severe depression three times in 6 years after realising I cannot find a job that I can do and that sustains me.

I was a teacher before I burnt out - my serious executive dysfunction meant I could never keep up with the admin, marking, paperwork…

Again I am here feeling like I’m gonna lose my home

My mind is so scattered, adhd means most jobs are beyond me. People think I’m overreacting but it’s the Truth. I’ve lived it.

When I was younger I failed in every single job I had. I make mistakes constantly, cannot read or follow instructions and even simple photocopying I mess up every single time. My mind flits and flits.

The depression is so deep. I don’t know a way out.

.

I'm over 40 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.

I've spent many years trying to achieve job stability, but I've been fired from multiple jobs. These experiences have taken a serious toll on my mental health, confidence, and self-esteem.

It's not because of a lack of effort or willingness to work. I genuinely want to work, contribute, and do my job well. I always try my hardest, but I struggle with attention, working memory, impulsivity, and handling pressure.

One of my biggest difficulties is how I react when something goes wrong. When I make a mistake, I become extremely anxious and feel an overwhelming urge to fix it immediately. Instead of slowing down and thinking clearly, I sometimes become overwhelmed, freeze up, or make even more mistakes.

Over time, this has created a vicious cycle. Every time I start a new job, I'm afraid of making mistakes, disappointing others, and eventually losing my job again. That fear makes me even more anxious, which affects my performance.

I'm receiving professional treatment and actively working on improving my coping strategies, but I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted.

The hardest part is that I genuinely want a stable working life. I want to feel capable, independent, and useful. But after so many unsuccessful attempts, I'm starting to question whether I'll ever be able to maintain long-term employment.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from adults who were diagnosed later in life and have experienced similar employment difficulties.

For those of you who have struggled with repeated job losses due to ADHD, what has helped you find and maintain stable employment?

Have certain types of jobs, workplace accommodations, treatments, or coping strategies made a meaningful difference?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially from people over 40 who have managed to find some stability.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

27M, I'm not officially diagnosed with ADHD but I'm sure that I'm having this because I can feel most of the posts are related to me.

Joined as an engineer in a power plant manufacturing company. Work involves preparing specifications for fuel system components, piping, forecast, design drawings etc which is completely a desk job.

Problem with me is every week or so, I'm rearranging files and folders in different categories, sometimes creating new structure, sometimes scraping everything and starting fresh.. It's like I'm reinventing the wheel everytime. It may be partly because of broad domain of work with no proper documentation and instructions from boss, but I can't stick to something and make my own simple documentation, working procedures, calculation sheets etc. Everytime, I'm creating a new format, new set of instructions, new files if i found an additional step is missing etc.

Pls help me with this. I want some real tips who had gone through this kind of problem.