I was diagnosed with ADHD in February this year after waiting over 2 years for an assessment. I am under Psychiatry UK and I’m awaiting medication but I have reached near desperation. I am not functioning and I don’t think I ever have. I am struggling to do my job, maintain friendships, look after myself such as making meals or brushing my teeth. I am really really at my lowest when it comes to my self esteem and belief that things will get better. I feel totally unable to engage with the available help such as counselling. I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety but I think one of the key causes is my crippling executive dysfunction. I genuinely feel totally out of control of my brain and unable to do even basic tasks such as keeping a journal, or getting out of the house for a walk. I truly believe the only thing that could help would be ADHD medication.
The current waiting time on Psych UK is 8-10 months to begin titration and I really don’t think I can wait that long. I’ve been on venlafaxine to help with my mood and my dose keeps being raised each time I’ve spoken to my GP. Counselling has had little impact. I have now got to the point where this week I contacted 111, my local crisis service, and Psych UK to see if there’s anything that can be done and all of them have said they are unable to do anything about the waiting list. I’m now signed off from work because I’ve been so distressed but without any impactful help I am terrified I’m going to lose my job. I have autism and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as well and I am just so burnt out and have given up on trying to fight a brain that refuses to cooperate.
I don’t know what else I can do. I have pleaded with my GP if there’s anything to be done but I don’t think right to choose is an option because of the region I’m in. Is there anything else that I can possibly do? I’m so tired. I wish I could control my brain just enough to cope until I can begin titration.
Hey. Reading your post is like reading something I’ve written. You are describing my life. It’s so frustrating. Crippling anxiety due to inability to function and complete normal tasks.
I’m now suffering with chronic fatigue. Related to adhd burnout. I feel so isolated. Unable to hold down friendships. I’m finding my work so hard as the systems rhey have are just so hard for me to use I’m bring out from the mental effort.
There’s some comfort in hearing Simone else describe this as at least it takes away the feeling that I’m just mental.
Anyway I wanted to say see if you can swap to HH Minds. I was with psychiatry uk for years. Took so long to even be assessed I asked to swap. HH minds is new and I was seen within weeks. Got titration coming up.
Good luck. If you have found and help through any support groups please advise.
Hi, thank you for sharing openly. It sounds exhausting for you, and others will read this, likely relate, and feel like they’re not alone in their struggles, and I hope you can feel the same.
Waiting for support when you’re feeling how you do can feel incredibly difficult as you’re describing. Along with the words shared by others in the community here, if you’re able to get along to one of the support groups it might help you to feel less alone with everything (links below).
Executive functioning challenges really can affect most things, and sometimes the mind just wants is some clarity, especially when anticipating how and when you you might receive support.
You might not find grounding strategies and suggestions particularly helpful right now based on what you shared about your recent experiences with support, but I’d happy to share some strategies I use to help feel calmer when overwhelmed or completely depleted. Others also might also be happy to share what helps them.
I hope things can start to feel less of a strain as you continue with conversations and reaching out.
Link to the support groups:
A link to urgent mental support if ever needed in the future:
Thank you also for sharing. Feel free to have a look at the services links just shared on the thread. Hopefully there is something which also helps you feel more supported and less isolated in your struggles. Sharing your own experiences and hearing others’ can feel like a step forward sometimes.
Further to the last message and posts from others, here is a link in case you wanted to explore a change in provider. It’s recommended that you speak with your GP and current provider associated with the assessment for confirmation about what options you have based on your circumstances and locality.