I've just been reading this thread and saw some people mention PTSD and trauma. My therapist believes I have C-ptsd but I have not began treating this yet. My symptoms could be attributed to this or to ADHD as I know there can be massive overlap. Does anyone have any particular experience of this? Having both or one being diagnosed as the other?
Hi, I have cptsd and diagnosed with adhd just under a year ago.
As soon as I got adhd diagnosis and understood more about it, it really changed my relationship with the ptsd and for whatever reason, it's made it easier to deal with the ptsd symptoms and I haven't felt like I need to revisit the trauma for now.
I started to feel that my trauma response (and people's reactions to it /me) were possibly linked to the adhd and how I process and express emotions etc.
Not saying this would happen for everyone but it diluted the ptsd feelings , v weird
Its impacted me in different ways, having such a late diagnosis has left me questioning EVERYTHING about my life, my relationships, friendships, choices etc.
i feel id benefit hugely with more support around this.
I take methylphenidate, it made a huge difference, I stopped binge eating, stopped ruminating, stopped some coping mechanisms, not jumped into anymore unsafe dating situations, was able to focus better etc, more energy (have a physical condition which causes lots of issues including severe fatigue)
Then my gp surgery completely messed up my script since November, I put all the weight back on, back to wasting hours, messing up at work, missing appointments , wasting money, wasting food, falling asleep in the day, not sleepingat night and struggling to get going in the morning.
The adhd clinic (nhs) has finally intervened re GP and fingers crossed I'm back on track with the meds (from last week) but it had a huge impact not taking them so that's enough proof for me that it's helping!
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Anyone else have issues with their identity after a diagnosis? Feel like I’ve lost myself and I’m so grumpy all the time, even though a lot of my behaviours are making more sense now.
some of that may be that work is tit at the mo but still
Yeah totally.
I don't know myself anymore, I don't know what's 'me', my personality and what's adhd symptoms.
It's left me feeling weird about all my friendships , I've done some crazy
tit that never made sense.
I've pissed off a lot of people and I've been a huge people pleaser, always beliving im the bad person, the car wreck and going out of my way to be 'good' and kind.
Wanting to be kind but also overcompensating for my general 'crapness'
ive also allowed people/friends/family to put me down a lot because ive always messed up, i felt like everyone is superior and let a lot of people use me , or be rude and treat me without respect
I don't know where i belong anymore , who is genuinely in my corner and feel quite vulnerable.
all my strong close friendships have been hard to maintain as my health has deteriorated.
Covid lockdown really exacerbated this and with this feeling of 'not knowing who i am' means i have cut myself off for now, feels like self preservation.
I'm also struggling with physical health issues which has meant I don't have much capacity for a social life , hobbies etc
Invisible illness has led to many unhelpful comments leaving me feeling that friends and family think I'm a hypochondriac and the response to adhd diagnosis has been largely negative or dismissive.
Prior to diagnosis had a breakdown/ autistic burn out, so work has been really complex too, very unsettling, plus kids who seem to be neurodivergent too, and inherited my health issues
generally feeling a bit meh
Plus hugely overwhelmed!
Two weird feelings to juggle!