Another post by you that makes me feel seen, and helps me to rationlise how I am feeling. I know I have ADHD, I often think I should get a diagnosis to prove it to others, but I know I have it. What I don't do it admit that widely and embrace it, I suggested to a few people that I may have it, interestingly two of my ND friends nearly fell off their chairs laughing when I said I may have ADHD - they both thought I already knew I had it (both work in the MH sector including with NDs). They were both very helpful in guiding me where to learn more about it, without them it wouldn't have even crossed my mind back in lockdown that it's ADHD, I thought it was something else. I'm a few years into perimenopause, plus have a teenager and work full time, so I do think that's highlighted it, I definitely tell people I'm messy/ rubbish at housekeeping/ obsessively early and organised because I have to be.
I also have a sneaky feeling my new workplace have worked it out, they keep telling me to slow down so that I don't burn out, I do wonder what their reaction would be if I told them
Isn't it fascinating when our ND friends see it so clearly but we, and our neurotypical friends haven't spotted it all this time? It sounds like your workplace wants you to take care of yourself so you don't burn out, does that feel encouraging to you?
So wish I could reach through the internet and hug you, Louise. Having thought myself a bit crap all my life this discovery finally gave me something real to challenge that thought with x
It’s like you’re in my brain Gabrielle. I actually said those words “I’m worried it looks like I’m jumping on the bandwagon” to a friend this week as I spoke to her about it. Plus I sent your last post to my mum to help her understand better what I mean when I say I think I have ADHD. I actually submitted my referral form to the GP last week and put the words ‘I’ve always just thought I was useless’ on it. Thank you. Your words mean so much x
I think my eyes would well up with tears if someone asked me if I was jumping on the bandwagon! 🥺 Sometimes it’s hard to separate what is ADHD and what is me. Am I doing this because of my personality or is it because of my ADHD. It’s hard to know when you don’t talk about it with other people and see similarities. That’s why it’s so lovely that you are writing about it.
Yes, Mika, it’s so invalidating for someone to be that dismissive. Masking makes it hard to know what’s you and what are you covering up because of fitting in, especially when you’re not even sure when you’re masking because you’ve done it your whole life! The more we talk about neurodiversity openly and share experiences the more we understand ourselves and help others understand us too x
Nailed it! That is exactly the position I find myself in with my older sister...thanks for your suggestions ☺️
No probs, Janey, will keep my fingers crossed for you x
Another post by you that makes me feel seen, and helps me to rationlise how I am feeling. I know I have ADHD, I often think I should get a diagnosis to prove it to others, but I know I have it. What I don't do it admit that widely and embrace it, I suggested to a few people that I may have it, interestingly two of my ND friends nearly fell off their chairs laughing when I said I may have ADHD - they both thought I already knew I had it (both work in the MH sector including with NDs). They were both very helpful in guiding me where to learn more about it, without them it wouldn't have even crossed my mind back in lockdown that it's ADHD, I thought it was something else. I'm a few years into perimenopause, plus have a teenager and work full time, so I do think that's highlighted it, I definitely tell people I'm messy/ rubbish at housekeeping/ obsessively early and organised because I have to be.
I also have a sneaky feeling my new workplace have worked it out, they keep telling me to slow down so that I don't burn out, I do wonder what their reaction would be if I told them
Isn't it fascinating when our ND friends see it so clearly but we, and our neurotypical friends haven't spotted it all this time? It sounds like your workplace wants you to take care of yourself so you don't burn out, does that feel encouraging to you?
I'm trying to get over the fact that I have to prove myself by burning myself out.
"You're not just a bit crap"
I can't tell you how relatable this is and how much I feel seen and validated by these words.
So wish I could reach through the internet and hug you, Louise. Having thought myself a bit crap all my life this discovery finally gave me something real to challenge that thought with x
It’s like you’re in my brain Gabrielle. I actually said those words “I’m worried it looks like I’m jumping on the bandwagon” to a friend this week as I spoke to her about it. Plus I sent your last post to my mum to help her understand better what I mean when I say I think I have ADHD. I actually submitted my referral form to the GP last week and put the words ‘I’ve always just thought I was useless’ on it. Thank you. Your words mean so much x
Oh Helen, how many other women like you and me have thought these thoughts about ourselves for so many years? x
Well, so many more than I would have thought based on the amount of women I’m speaking to about it right now!! Xx
Yep, too many!
I read out one of your posts to my husband this morning and this evening he said I think you do have ADHD.
Oof, Claire, how do you feel about that? x
I mean he has known me for nearly 30 years. He is very supportive so it's not a bad thing. It's all very stirring though.
Yep, this can stir up a lot so go gently on yourself x
I think my eyes would well up with tears if someone asked me if I was jumping on the bandwagon! 🥺 Sometimes it’s hard to separate what is ADHD and what is me. Am I doing this because of my personality or is it because of my ADHD. It’s hard to know when you don’t talk about it with other people and see similarities. That’s why it’s so lovely that you are writing about it.
Yes, Mika, it’s so invalidating for someone to be that dismissive. Masking makes it hard to know what’s you and what are you covering up because of fitting in, especially when you’re not even sure when you’re masking because you’ve done it your whole life! The more we talk about neurodiversity openly and share experiences the more we understand ourselves and help others understand us too x