This is very fascinating and I definitely see myself in some of these things like ignoring lunch if I’m in the middle of some deep work on the computer.
Thank you for writing about this! I was diagnosed adhd as a child and medicated until adulthood. Until 2 months ago I ignored it thinking that it was all behind me, a childhood thing that I had somehow managed to manage as an adult.
Nope.
Turns out I had been self medicating with copious amounts of coffee for the last 24 years.
I only noticed that I still had adhd symptoms while watching enlightening videos on TikTok. I started digging and found Dr. Russell Barkley who does the best at explaining how it all works.
I’m currently listening to his book Taking Charge Adult ADHD, I can highly recommend it plus his lectures can be found all over YouTube.
I’m in the same boat in terms of managing my weight and having the mental burden of why I can’t stick to any plan longer than 2 weeks. I’m a certified health coach so it’s an extra mind f&ck for me considering the training and knowledge I have.
I wish you all the best especially living in the states. It’s so much harder to manage weight there. I’m American living in Switzerland and I gain weight ever single time I visit home.
I’m looking forward to reading more about your learning journey and what techniques and systems you put into place to support healthy eating and weight management.
With you here, Kerstin. I’ve known for decades that I was self-medicating with food, I just hadn’t been aware WHAT I was medicating. And in my family (close and extended) ADHD is so rife that my habits seemed “normal”. I now feel like this is “how my brain works”, I’m not that gripped by what the psych world (or any other) calls it, I’m just finding ways to help it work more efficiently (meaning: not getting stuck in the paralysis, and upping my dopamine using something other than food). The links between ADHD and the gut - source of most of our serotonin and dopamine (I think. Don’t quote me yet 🤣.) - is fascinating. Well done for finding your path. I know you’ll fund a way to thrive. X
Kerstin, there is so much here to digest as I feel so many similarities in your story. And so many thoughts about me family of origin is rising to the surface. I haven´t done any tests and I am pretty sure I do not have ADHD even if I can tick off quite many (read almost all...) of your five points.
The dopamine hits, the sugar cravings, very creative with a rabbit mind jumping from one idea to another... but no weight problems until I reached menopause while adding a lot of stress, sorrow and grief upon that.
I grew up with a big brother who was different. Well it turned out he has Asperger, and the diagnose turned out to be a relief for him and for all of us.
And then with two older sisters and a Dad with quite the temper I have often been wondering, is it really possible that there is only one neurodivergent in the family? How about the rest of us?
Makes total sense my friend. So many of us born in the 60’s & 70’s are finding out today why our brain works the way it works. (I’m getting tested as well , prompted by my daughter!) Also, something helpful in my older age: switch up my thinking on labels & meds. Both can offer freedom, just as you have talked about.
I’m in a very similar situation. Also at the point where I think I need to get the ball rolling for a diagnosis. But the NHS wait times here in the UK are years long.
...and I already have a bunch of chronic illness diagnoses (more than one of which is neurological) so part of me wonders why bother, because I really don’t want to add any other meds to the cocktail I’m already taking.
But - reading about some of Susannah Conway’s journey, and the relief others on similar paths have talked to me about... I’ll probably soon be writing yet another letter to my GP.
I was a special Ed primary teacher and until my therapist gently started to mention ADHD last year I’d never once recognised myself in any of the hundreds of children I’d developed personal learning plans for etc. I realised whilst discussing it with a friend recently that I’ve been masking so well for so long that I’d managed to hide it from myself too...
I resonate with so much of what you’ve written, though I don’t believe I have ADHD. I am amazed by how many mid life women I know are being diagnosed with ADHD, to the extent I’m thinking that there is o such thing as normal, everyone is neurodivergent in some way.
Interesting. I understand being wired differently. On the spectrum myself, I understand why I struggle with certain social skills that simply come easier to others. Perhaps it could be tied to my weight issues. I know age is a factor along with other medical issues. In my case it is hashimoto that contribute. I would like to overcome my weight issue but at 60 I don't know if I ever will.
Obesity and ADHD
Can’t wait to hear what you find out!
This is very fascinating and I definitely see myself in some of these things like ignoring lunch if I’m in the middle of some deep work on the computer.
Thank you for writing about this! I was diagnosed adhd as a child and medicated until adulthood. Until 2 months ago I ignored it thinking that it was all behind me, a childhood thing that I had somehow managed to manage as an adult.
Nope.
Turns out I had been self medicating with copious amounts of coffee for the last 24 years.
I only noticed that I still had adhd symptoms while watching enlightening videos on TikTok. I started digging and found Dr. Russell Barkley who does the best at explaining how it all works.
I’m currently listening to his book Taking Charge Adult ADHD, I can highly recommend it plus his lectures can be found all over YouTube.
I’m in the same boat in terms of managing my weight and having the mental burden of why I can’t stick to any plan longer than 2 weeks. I’m a certified health coach so it’s an extra mind f&ck for me considering the training and knowledge I have.
I wish you all the best especially living in the states. It’s so much harder to manage weight there. I’m American living in Switzerland and I gain weight ever single time I visit home.
I’m looking forward to reading more about your learning journey and what techniques and systems you put into place to support healthy eating and weight management.
Ich wünsche dir das Beste.
With you here, Kerstin. I’ve known for decades that I was self-medicating with food, I just hadn’t been aware WHAT I was medicating. And in my family (close and extended) ADHD is so rife that my habits seemed “normal”. I now feel like this is “how my brain works”, I’m not that gripped by what the psych world (or any other) calls it, I’m just finding ways to help it work more efficiently (meaning: not getting stuck in the paralysis, and upping my dopamine using something other than food). The links between ADHD and the gut - source of most of our serotonin and dopamine (I think. Don’t quote me yet 🤣.) - is fascinating. Well done for finding your path. I know you’ll fund a way to thrive. X
Kerstin, there is so much here to digest as I feel so many similarities in your story. And so many thoughts about me family of origin is rising to the surface. I haven´t done any tests and I am pretty sure I do not have ADHD even if I can tick off quite many (read almost all...) of your five points.
The dopamine hits, the sugar cravings, very creative with a rabbit mind jumping from one idea to another... but no weight problems until I reached menopause while adding a lot of stress, sorrow and grief upon that.
I grew up with a big brother who was different. Well it turned out he has Asperger, and the diagnose turned out to be a relief for him and for all of us.
And then with two older sisters and a Dad with quite the temper I have often been wondering, is it really possible that there is only one neurodivergent in the family? How about the rest of us?
Interject...
Makes total sense my friend. So many of us born in the 60’s & 70’s are finding out today why our brain works the way it works. (I’m getting tested as well , prompted by my daughter!) Also, something helpful in my older age: switch up my thinking on labels & meds. Both can offer freedom, just as you have talked about.
Im excited to learn what you find out!!!
I’m in a very similar situation. Also at the point where I think I need to get the ball rolling for a diagnosis. But the NHS wait times here in the UK are years long.
...and I already have a bunch of chronic illness diagnoses (more than one of which is neurological) so part of me wonders why bother, because I really don’t want to add any other meds to the cocktail I’m already taking.
But - reading about some of Susannah Conway’s journey, and the relief others on similar paths have talked to me about... I’ll probably soon be writing yet another letter to my GP.
I was a special Ed primary teacher and until my therapist gently started to mention ADHD last year I’d never once recognised myself in any of the hundreds of children I’d developed personal learning plans for etc. I realised whilst discussing it with a friend recently that I’ve been masking so well for so long that I’d managed to hide it from myself too...
And yes, I’m a child of the 60’s.
I resonate with so much of what you’ve written, though I don’t believe I have ADHD. I am amazed by how many mid life women I know are being diagnosed with ADHD, to the extent I’m thinking that there is o such thing as normal, everyone is neurodivergent in some way.
I'm so excited for you to be on this path of discovery! YES! ❤️
Interesting. I understand being wired differently. On the spectrum myself, I understand why I struggle with certain social skills that simply come easier to others. Perhaps it could be tied to my weight issues. I know age is a factor along with other medical issues. In my case it is hashimoto that contribute. I would like to overcome my weight issue but at 60 I don't know if I ever will.