• Replies 11 replies
  • Subscribers 84 subscribers
  • Views 185 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Attention problems (not ADHD)

Inah

Hi, I am newly as well as late diagnosed and since diagnosis I struggle from imposter syndrome. One the reasons is that I don’t have a special interest nor the ability to deep dive due to attention issues. I find it hard to stay focussed on one thing, and that’s even when I do something I like. I also switch routines and obsessions/ short-term interests. So I thought it could be ADHD/ AuDHD, but was found to definitely not have ADHD (went for an assessment). I feel a bit lost because when I google attention problems in autism, AuDHD comes up all the time which seemingly I don’t have, and in most forums people who say they have problems with attention, seem to be able to focus on things they have a special interest in. I am not sure what to do now? Any advice?

Parents

  • An assessment is not a given.  i had an ADHD assessment and realised I sold myself short on several questions.  Like I got asked how many energy drinks I had a day.  I force myself to have no more than half a can a day.  The reality is I could have 2-3 easily in a day.  I drink 10+ cups of coffee a day.  My friend is a shrink and he says I definitely am and should seek a second opinion.  My assessment doctor said it was my ASD, but that doesn't tally with how a can of monster gives me perfect concentration for maybe 2 hours and I can drink them back to back and don't get hyper or tremors. Ok not definitive, but I have zero concentration normally.  Redbull got me through University.

    One question to you is what happens if you drink a can of Monster?  Do you get hyper, shake all over, does it make your concentration worse or better?  People with ADHD tend to have the inverse reaction to stimulants, so less to none of the hyperactivity end of things, but superior concentration.  

    I also have some of the other traits, like boring tasks make me want to act out.  If I do a task, I will start something else, then something else, then go back to the first task and then everything goes to hell.  Then I generally give up.

    I am holding off on a second opinion / reassessment until I get back to work, then i will get it done privately.

  • in reply to __Pathfinder__

    Thanks   it’s tricky isn’t it, I struggled with the “that’s what I do” vs “that is what’s going on in my head to make that work”, the assessor asked something like “do you get things done?” and I tried to explain to her the effort and sidetracking etc and then she was like “ok but do you get this done?” so I said yes, and that was it. Felt a bit strange afterwards. 

    Re energy drinks: I don’t know, I stay away from ii because coffee can already make me feel on edge. I had a brief period as a teen when I drank energy drinks and I think I neither got crazy hyper nor calm from it. Now, I find them way too sweet and fear it makes me stay awake (I struggle with sleep so rather not risk it)

Reply
  • in reply to __Pathfinder__

    Thanks   it’s tricky isn’t it, I struggled with the “that’s what I do” vs “that is what’s going on in my head to make that work”, the assessor asked something like “do you get things done?” and I tried to explain to her the effort and sidetracking etc and then she was like “ok but do you get this done?” so I said yes, and that was it. Felt a bit strange afterwards. 

    Re energy drinks: I don’t know, I stay away from ii because coffee can already make me feel on edge. I had a brief period as a teen when I drank energy drinks and I think I neither got crazy hyper nor calm from it. Now, I find them way too sweet and fear it makes me stay awake (I struggle with sleep so rather not risk it)

Children
No Data