This week at Microlise, we are recognising Neurodiversity Celebration Week. The best way that we can become more inclusive is by understanding what neurodiversity means, and starting conversations where possible. There is sometimes prejudice and misconception when we talk about neurodiversity and what that means for the individual.

To help break the stigma around neurodiversity, our very own Lucy has shared her story about her ADHD diagnosis; covering her experience of being diagnosed as an adult, medication, and how she’s adjusted to a life with ADHD.

About Lucy

Towards the end of 2020, I started to believe I might have ADHD. At the height of the pandemic, I was working part-time at Microlise, and had been furloughed from my second job. Very suddenly I’d been presented with the freest time I’d had since being in education. Despite this new abundance of time, I found myself largely unable to focus on anything. After work and daily walks, I could mostly be found “doomscrolling” social media.

I had wanted to spend my time pursuing hobbies, finishing artwork, reading the stack of books I’d accumulated – instead I was endlessly scrolling social media channels, never really enjoying myself. I realised my difficulties maintaining focus didn’t just apply to tasks I wasn’t especially interested in. Even as I’m drafting this blog, I’m sat a few feet away from a project I started last October, which I haven’t touched since! Maybe the intended Christmas 2023 present will be finished in time for Christmas 2024!

I also realised at times I was able to hyperfocus on particular activities, generally completely involuntarily. It can be easy for a person with ADHD to slip into a trance-like state while doing an activity – usually one they’re interested in, which can last for several hours. This is a clinical phenomenon, which sounds very useful, though for most ADHDers it’s incredibly hard to “snap out” of. We often end up in a position where we’ve neglected our own basic needs in favour of the activity we’re doing.

Learning About ADHD

In addition to focus and attention issues, as I learnt more about ADHD, I realised I had issues with my memory, impulsivity, sleep, and misophonia amongst other things. Finally, I decided to pursue diagnosis. Unfortunately, even in 2020 the timeline for receiving diagnosis via the NHS was upwards of 6 months for an initial assessment. A handful of people I spoke to around this time had been waiting for well over a year.

When exploring alternative options I came across an organisation that is recognised by the NHS (meaning if you receive diagnosis, after titration with them, you can be referred back to the NHS to continue receiving medication on a regular prescription) and has a “pathway” to receiving diagnosis which is still covered financially by the NHS, with typically faster waiting times. They exclusively work with adults aged 18+, and currently you can pursue diagnosis for ADHD and Autism under the NHS pathway. Privately funded diagnosis is also available with them if desired.

Personally, I had success by requesting an appointment with my practice manager and providing her with all the information I had compiled online and based on my own personal experiences. After taking the information away and doing some research, she was then happy to make the referral for me.

Diagnosis

After receiving my ADHD diagnosis, I made the decision to try medication. There are a handful of options available – but many people find only one works for them, so the process can be quite exhausting. I’d read from others in my position that starting medication triggered an incredible sense of clarity. The constant mental “loudness” disappears, and you’re finally able to get through the day without hundreds of distractions.

My first try with medication in 2021 unfortunately wasn’t a success. I thought there was some progress initially, but with time I realised nothing had really changed. I tried a second option, and only got the side effects! After a couple of months I decided to take a break, and see what I could do to manage my symptoms a little better by myself.

The three main things that seem to help my ADHD are (perhaps unsurprisingly) sleep, diet, and exercise. All three can be difficult for anyone to manage; but since ADHD often comes paired with sleep disorders, a reliance on specific food groups for dopamine, and a need for spontaneity – finding a routine that works for me has been a long process.

Making Changes

I’ll remain fairly vague about the changes I’ve made in my own routines, as I have other health conditions to consider and what works for me won’t necessarily work for everyone. Typically, I try to get 8 or 9 hours of sleep each night. I go to bed and wake up at mostly consistent times, the most difficult thing being actually getting to sleep. I’ve tried virtually every “hack” for getting to sleep you can find, mostly unsuccessfully!

As for diet, many ADHDers have difficult relationships with food. We are generally deficient in dopamine and will find ourselves chasing it as much as possible without realising. Sugar and caffeine are common fixations for people with ADHD, as they provide a little bit of dopamine, but in the long run tend to make symptom management more difficult. Personally, I’ve done my best to reduce my sugar and caffeine intake, and have begun prioritising protein and complex carbohydrates.

Even a small amount of daily exercise has been beneficial to managing my ADHD. Exercising is a great way to boost dopamine levels. Even when my energy is quite low, a 15-minute walk outside before work really seems to help me focus in a morning.

The number one thing that helps me maintain focus on an activity is having a secondary source of input that keeps me on-track. Whether I’m working at my laptop or doing household chores, I’ve almost always got headphones on. I’ve read that music provides structure which helps ADHDers focus, and that it’s another way to boost dopamine.

I did eventually try medication again in 2023, and found the one that worked for me. I had a really great several weeks of structure and productivity, and finally got to experience the mental “quiet” that I’d heard so much about. Unfortunately, the side effects I experienced made it so continuing to take the medication wasn’t an option. This situation does happen from time to time, medication isn’t ideal for all of us. I’m still grateful that I pursued titration.

Looking Ahead

Another year on, and I feel I’ve reached a place where I don’t think so much about my ADHD diagnosis. I’m always happy to talk about it and raise awareness, and I feel knowing this about myself has really helped me understand the way I work. I have good and bad days like anyone else, but I know how to deal with the worse days now. I very rarely get frustrated with myself, instead I’ve developed healthier coping strategies even without medication.

The decision to pursue diagnosis is completely up to the individual. I made it through childhood and education without realising certain things shouldn’t have been as difficult as they were, for many reasons. I’m glad I went through this process for the reasons mentioned above; but others may prefer to remain un-diagnosed and work with their symptoms independently.

I’m excited to be working with the HR team at Microlise, to further our understanding of neurodivergence and develop some new resources.

Thanks for reading!