Hi everyone,

I'm Katie, a 24 year old struggling with undiagnosed ADHD. While on the surface, it may seem like I've really got my life together - a Master's degree in Psychology, a leadership position working in mental health, married, a home owner etc, in reality, undiagnosed ADHD can completely take over on days and it impacts every area of my life- work, home, family and friends. It has been a fight to try and get support, I particularly noticed symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity in 2023 when I came off anxiety medication, but all my life, I have struggled... Like so many others, I struggle with a range of things, including: excessive talking, difficulty prioritising tasks, feeling like I'm being driven by a car motor and unable to rest, interrupting others, excessive fidgeting, getting overwhelmed, struggling to focus but on the flip side hyper focusing (which can be great, but also incredibly draining). 

I have recently been for a mental health assessment during which the community psychiatric nurse told me that I score extremely high on the ADHD questionnaire, which certainly didn't come as a surprise, but that I would have to wait between 5 and 7 years before even being assessed. The CPN also told me that there are currently no commissioned services in Northern Ireland. 

I am fortunate to have an excellent support network, including, a very supportive manager, but the situation in NI is dire to say the least and thousands are struggling! We urgently need commissioned services to support those seeking a diagnosis and treatment.

 

Symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Symptoms of ADHD involve your ability to pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive) and your ability to control your impulses (being impulsive).

 

You may show signs of being inattentive, such as:

* being easily distracted or forgetful

* finding it hard to organise your time

* finding it hard to follow instructions or finish tasks

* losing things often, like your wallet, mobile or keys

You may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including:

*having a lot of energy or feeling restless

*being very talkative or interrupting conversations

*making quick decisions without thinking about what might happen as a result

Most people with ADHD will have symptoms of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive type. Some only show signs of one type. 

ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in women than men. This may be because women with ADHD more commonly have inattentive symptoms and these can be harder to recognise than hyperactive symptoms.

People with ADHD may often have other conditions too, such as depression, anxiety or addictions, or a learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

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