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Thoughts on ADHD by Arlette Overman
A quick background I attended an ADHD and autism talk as part of my school cpd in January. In March I burnt out due to brain overload working too many hours and trying to do too many things at work. This is where it all began 5 months ago.
2023
Dear friends,
I have BCC’d you and none of you know each other, to my knowledge, but all of you (5 on the list) have a connection ADHD.
As I think you all know, I had no clue as to having possible ADHD until January of this year, when school put on a talk so we could help the kids who have been diagnosed in the classroom.
I am now so convinced that I have ADHD. I self-referred myself to the local mental health team and have now been referred for ADHD diagnosis, (however the waiting list is 2 to 3 years on the NHS
Currently I am off work for Unipolar depression. Actually I think I am off work for a complete and utter burn out caused by low self-esteem, lack of confidence in my abilities and mental and physical health problems caused by anti-depression medication that is suppressing the dopamine chemical imbalance that I already have.
I would love to learn more and share my journey. I don’t warm to the idea of going to a support group, I am not good at meeting new people. However I need to identify and share what I’m going through.I have written this to you because, a huge uphill struggle for me has been trying to explain ADHD to my friends. They simply don’t believe me and try and self identify with my symptoms and talk me out of it.I (in true ADHD fashion) have had an idea that I want to help the Non ADHD world to understand what it is like to feel like me and help others who can help me to make a positive move forward on this subject. As a teacher in a school full of ADHD kids, I am in an excellent place to make a start.If you would like to share in this journey with me please let me know. If not, I will leave you off the list.Videos I have found really useful are here.https://youtu.be/WoN7GFOTvu8This lady has made loads of short YouTube videos. She resonates with me entirely.https://youtu.be/jhcn1_qsYmgThis girl may leave you feeling irritable, but she again resonates with me and explains things in an amusing (if not slightly ridiculous) way. I personally warm to her.https://youtu.be/JiwZQNYlGQIThis is Jessica McCabe’s Ted Talk. It made me cry, because it is the story of my life. This is important to me because if you are a mother of an ADHDer, you will not want your child to suffer as she and I have.Some of you have also sent me some excellent material, if you are happy I can share this with all of you.If you do like this idea of anonymously sharing and supporting ADHD and you know.of others who would like to join too, let me know.With very best wishes ArletteWeek 2I have booked an appointment for a whopping £1500 with a Dr Utpaul Bose in a week and a half. Slightly worried, it is online and expensive. However his write up is excellent and I have asked a special needs expert and she thinks it is ok, although she hasn’t heard of him, but she works with children and he specialises in adults (and making money). Anyone else got any ideas? Am I mad paying for this? Other than that it is a 2 -3 year waiting list on the NHS and probably about a year to get on it and then I don’t know who I might see at the end of the day.
Here is the link to this organisation and Dr. Utpaul Bose
https://mindprofessionals.com/news – Any thoughts gratefully received.
In an article he wrote the following – (I felt this fitted me 100% which is why I am going for it).
Leading London psychiatrist Dr Utpaul Bose explains how adult ADHD presents in both men and women and the negative effects that it can have on people’s behaviour if left untreated.
In adults as opposed to children, ADHD presents as a syndrome of extremes. In addition to inattention there is hyper-focusing, which is when an emotion is attached to a task at hand. There is both procrastination and impulsivity; hyperactivity and hypoactivity; disorganisation and perfectionism. The main feature of adults with ADHD is their variability.
I was sent this interesting online support group which looks good, including a decluttering party on zoom – Thank you for sharing.https://theadhdcollective.org/about/ It costs to be a member, but comes recommended.
I have also been sent some reading material – again thank you.
“A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD: Embrace Neurodiversity, Live Boldly, and Break Through Barriers.” By Sari Solden. I see it is available on Audible, which is something I use a great deal so will download it today.
“ADHD is Our Superpower” by Soli Lazarus. This is a book about kids with ADHD and how we can help to understand them. Probably a must read for teachers I would guess! I will see if they have it in the library at school and if not why not?
On that note – lots of love, have a great week and I will check in again next weekend.
Arlette
Preview YouTube video Is ADHD Real? – Difference in the ADHD Brain
Is ADHD Real? – Difference in the ADHD Brain
Preview YouTube video How to (Explain) ADHDHow to (Explain) ADHD
Preview YouTube video Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe | TEDxBratislavaFailing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe | TEDxBratislava
