ADHD IN ADULTS...

(WHAT?…)

The huge misconception exists in the UK that ADHD affects only children. However, the sad reality is, about 4% of adults in the UK have ADHD but the majority of cases are either miss or undiagnosed. The devastating ramifications of this oversight often leads to institutional deprivation causing catastrophic underachievement along with lifelong shattering effects on mental health, all of which heavily impacts a persons overall quality of life. 

This includes (and is by no means limited to) the following difficulties:

- Poor educational performance 

- Unemployment, difficulties in maintaining jobs, and financial difficulties

- Low self-esteem 

- Relationship issues

- Emotional dysfunction 

- Suicidal thoughts / self-harm 

- Mood disorders, anxiety, and social barriers

- Addiction

- Eating disorders

- Risk-seeking patterns of behaviour

By increasing awareness, educating, and developing existing research/understanding, adult sufferers would have better access to diagnosis, treatment, and to invaluable support with education, employment, and mental health.

ADHD IN WOMEN/INATTENTIVES...

More often than not, the miss and undiagnosed ADHD occurs in women and girls which is down to a drastic misconception of the symptoms of ADHD and how they can present much differently to males. The absence of awareness in how symptoms show in females is often the reason behind the lack of early diagnosis that would have otherwise granted them the same opportunities as those around them.

The reason that boys are still more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD is due, at least in part, to the fact that one of its more visible symptoms (hyperactivity) is more common among boys (it’s a lot of gone tic science stuff!). 

Most girls receive diagnosis later in life because they tend to have the predominantly inattentive (hidden) presentation, where most of the hyperactivity is battled with internally.

This means that many undiagnosed girls live their lives in a pretty constant state of stress and anxiety. Many are bright, high achievers, but are also masters of concealing the consistent battles and struggle, so much so, that no one around them really sees the upheaval that they’re forever facing.

ME...

I have always known there was something holding me back from achieving the same as my peers. It was odd because I always felt quite confident in my way of thinking. I’ve always been over-meticulous and thinking outside of the box to find solutions to tasks that no one else ever thought of. I loved to find out about everything and anything and researched constantly about anything I was even slightly interested in. So much so that I have always suffered with the inability to switch off, causing major disruptions in sleep, distractibility, and focus. Even though this was the case, I was always told I lived my live in a bubble. I was oblivious to the world around me most of the time, constantly zoning out, daydreaming and conceptualising. I can remember being in class at school and seeing my teachers speaking but not being able to hear the words coming out of their mouths because I couldn’t “latch” onto their voices through my issues with focus. In the end I would give in through distraction of my racing thoughts, doodling in the back of my book, until it was time to work when I came to and realised we were supposed to be doing something with everyone’s heads down writing, looking back to my blank page with the date neatly underlined at the top. I felt like an alien, causing me to shrink inside of myself which invited isolation, ostracisation, and an endless string of torment from bullies.

During primary school the teachers couldn’t understand my lack of focus. They would shake my chair from behind me and tell me to wake up. They suggested I was tested for Petit Mal (a mild form of Epilepsy) but the tests were inconclusive. I can remember how scary it was having all these things stuck to my head with goo matting my hair. I felt like I had been abducted by aliens who were looking into my brain!!!

After school I had no idea what I was going to do. I was always artistic (probably all the doodling!) but I didn’t really know how to get anywhere with that.. I though it was just a pointless hobby. So I pretty much just went into retail work. I hopped from job to job because I was never good enough to keep on. I would forget stuff, I was unreliable, always late, didn’t follow instructions well etc. The more I worked, the more incapable I felt. I always wondered; why am I always trying so hard, like I’m sailing through a constant storm, whilst everyone around me seemed to be just happily sailing ahead!

I got to my 30s and began to dig into things again. I was sick of going round in circles in my life, not getting anywhere when I felt like I had the capability inside me for more. So I called my doctor and we began going through my records. I thought maybe I’m dyslexic? My doctor suggested that I was assessed for ADHD. I didn’t know anything about it at the time apart from the typical naughty school boy cliché so I said ok and googled it. To my surprise I related to all of it. Everything was screaming out to me. I had the assessment and I was the highest it could be on the scale!! When the diagnosis came through I cried my heart out. This was it!! I couldn’t believe it. 

NOW…

Since then I have stopped thinking I am dumb, stupid, incapable etc. I thought – I can do anything now. I could get support I need to improve my life. A top marked Diploma, extensive portfolio and 3 unconditional offers later, I got into Derby University - something I NEVER thought would happen to me. 

Because of my diagnosis I am finally pursuing my passions and striving more because I believe in myself, but also easier on myself for failing. I understand myself, why I react the way I do sometimes, why I don’t understand things quite like other people etc. It has actually changed my life. 

WHY?...

It's really important to me to raise this awareness to help other people like me. It’s heart-breaking that there are so many people (in work particularly) that don’t have the support and flexibility that they need to perform to their highest abilities, so if nothing else, to raise greater awareness in my own place of work would bring me so much happiness. 

HOW?…

I decided to organise a hike because last year I struggled heavily with anxiety caused by my ADHD. During this period, I started hiking to clear my head and it was absolutely the best thing I could have done for myself during this time. It helped me to get back on my feet and I feel anyone that struggles with the debilitating effects of ADHD and/or it’s co-morbidities (such as anxiety and depression) would significantly benefit from this activity. Getting out in the fresh air, walking in nature and taking in your surroundings.. There are no words to describe the way it improves your mental health. 

So anyone who would like to join me is absolutely welcome to do so. I will be starting at Edale, at the Old Nags Head. The hike is approximately 10 miles and takes around 5-6hrs. I’ll be starting out at 10am on 1st October 2022 (the first day of ADHD awareness month). If you chose to join me, make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes, bring snacks, and plenty of water! 

You can join the event by hitting the attend button on my event below 😊

https://fb.me/e/2oROGwkiA

You can also donate via this page which will be active until the end of ADHD awareness month (October). Even if it is just £1.. this will go towards ADHD UK; a fantastic cause which funds research, free ADHD support groups, as well as many other fantastic resources for advice and information that is accessible for employers, families, educators, friends, peers, and of course, aliens like me ^_^