Please note that the ADHD experiences shared in this blog post are my own reflections.
The insights show only my personal ADHD journey.
They are about navigating late-diagnosed ADD and perimenopause.
What I’ve described is specific to my individual circumstances, challenges, and coping mechanisms.
It’s important to recognize that ADHD and perimenopause can manifest differently in each person.
What has been helpful for me does not apply to others.
This post is not intended to give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
If you have concerns about your own health, please consult with qualified healthcare professionals for personalized guidance and support.
They can offer precise assessments and recommend appropriate strategies based on your specific needs.
My aim in sharing this is to offer a personal perspective and foster understanding around these topics.
Your own experiences vary, and seeking professional advice is always the most reliable way to tackle individual health concerns
What did I come here for ?
Ah, it’s like trying to find your keys when they’re already in your hand, isn’t it?
Yes, it has been a while. Life often throws a few curve balls. Some are glittery, while some are less so.
Today, let’s delve into a fascinating intersection. We explore late-diagnosed ADD and the hormonal roller coaster of peri-menopause. There is also the slow and sometimes jerky emergence from a self-imposed shell.
Buckle up, because this is a slightly scatterbrained but hopefully insightful ride.
My First Experiences and Challenges
For years, decades even, I navigated life feeling like I was perpetually juggling too many things with slightly slippery hands.
Deadlines loomed like menacing clouds.
Focus flitted away like a caffeinated butterfly.
The constant inner monologue often sounded like a chaotic marketplace.
“Where did I put that?” was practically my mantra.
(Seriously, I once spent a solid hour looking for my phone… while talking on it. We Don’t judge, we listen.)
Then came peri-menopause, stage left, with its own dazzling array of symptoms.
Hot flashes rival the Sahara.
Mood swings would make a pendulum jealous.
Brain fog is so thick you lose your house keys in it.
Oh wait, that was just Tuesday.
The hormonal shifts amplified the existing undercurrent of disorganization and emotional liability.
It was like turning up the volume on a radio station that was already playing static.
ADHD enlightenment.
Identifying the Interplay of Symptoms
The possibility of ADHD finally surfaced when depression, anxiety, and social phobias joined the party.
It was one of those “aha!” moments.
It felt less like enlightenment.
It was like finally discovering the instruction manual for a device.
You’d been attempting to run it with sheer willpower and crossed fingers for years.
Suddenly, so many seemingly disparate struggles clicked into place.
Sustaining attention was difficult not due to a lack of discipline.
More than just adhd sensitivity
Emotional dysregulation was more than just being “sensitive”.
Social awkwardness wasn’t simply shyness. It was all connected, a tangled web woven by undiagnosed ADD.
Coming out of my shell after this realization was a slow, tentative process.
Ŵhat felt like shedding layers of a costume I hadn’t even realized I was wearing.
A new chapter
I found a newfound understanding of myself.
A gentler inner voice said, “Hey, it’s okay that you forgot where you parked the car… again.
Your brain works a little differently.” I started to embrace my quirks. I saw my hyper-focus as a superpower when harnessed correctly.
I also began to forgive myself for the endless to-do lists that remained perpetually undone.
It was liberating, like finally exhaling after holding my breath for years.But then came the inevitable “three steps back.”
After the sun….
The first euphoria of understanding faded.
The reality of living with ADHD set in. Navigating its challenges, especially now intertwined with the hormonal fluctuations of peri-menopause, became clear.
There were days when the executive dysfunction felt insurmountable.
Tasks that should have been simple became Herculean efforts.
Appointments were missed. ADHD Paralysis is real.
Clarity
Thank goodness for digital calendars with multiple reminders, or I’d probably forget my own birthday.
Conversations sometimes felt like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands.
The shame I had unknowingly carried for so long threatened to creep back in, whispering insidious doubts about my capabilities.
The societal narrative around ADHD, often focused on hyperactive young boys, didn’t help.
As a woman diagnosed later in life, the internalised stigma felt even more profound.
It was like, “Shouldn’t I have figured this out by now?
Why am I still struggling with things that seem so easy for others?”
The “just try harder” mantra, so often directed at those with ADHD, felt particularly grating.
It’s like telling someone with a broken leg to just walk it off.
Helpful, right?
And then there’s the delightful dance of trying to explain this to others. “Oh, you have ADHD? But you seem so… normal.” (What exactly is “normal,” anyway?
Is there a guidebook I missed?)
It’s a constant process of education and self-advocacy, of trying to articulate the invisible battles being fought internally.
The guiding light
Now, let’s talk about the world of affiliate marketing. Beyondbeautyclub
It can be a demanding landscape. It requires self-discipline and organization.
You also need the ability to stay focused amidst a constant barrage of information and opportunities.
For someone with ADHD, this can feel like navigating a minefield while blindfolded
Tabs
The endless tabs open on my computer often mirror the chaotic pathways in my brain.
(I swear, sometimes I open a new tab and completely forget what I was originally searching for. It’s like my browser has its own form of digital amnesia.)
But, I’ve recently found a glimmer of hope in a company that approaches affiliate marketing with a refreshing perspective.
It’s not about relentless pressure and cutthroat competition; instead, it’s fostered a genuine sense of community.
This has been a game-changer. Knowing there’s a supportive network has alleviated so much of the anxiety.
These are people who understand the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey.
There’s no shaming for needing extra time.
It is also okay for occasionally dropping the ball (metaphorically).
I have been known to literally drop my phone often.(the last tiem was in a sink full of water)
This community-centric approach has created a space where I feel safe to be myself, quirks and all.
The lack of intense pressure allows me to work at a sustainable pace.
I can leverage my moments of hyperfocus without the constant fear of falling behind.
It’s like finally finding a rhythm that works with my internal metronome, even if that metronome occasionally goes off-beat.
Perimenopause@4.4
The journey of navigating late-diagnosed ADHD during perimenopause is far from linear.
There are days filled with clarity and productivity, where the stars seem to align and everything clicks into place.
And then there are days where I walk into a room and instantly forget why I’m there.
Usually, it’s to find the thing I just misplaced. Ironically, I’ve also forgotten that.
The key has been embracing self-compassion and understanding. It involves discovering uplifting environments that celebrate and nurture neurodiversity instead of penalising it. It’s a joyful journey of growth and acceptance!
The time is now
So, if you’re out there, juggling your own unique set of challenges, remember that you’re not alone.
Embrace your own rhythm. Celebrate your strengths (even if they’re interspersed with moments of utter forgetfulness )
– Did I mention I once put the milk in the cupboard?
Seek out communities that lift you up. Life is a winding road.
With a little self-awareness and a lot of grace, we can navigate it with more ease.
Maybe a few extra sticky notes will help, too. We can achieve a whole lot more understanding.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find my… oh, what was it again?
Without further ado, Like always I will wish you a prayer in a greeting.
Asalamalikum warahmahtulahi Wabaraktoe, May the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you all.
Appendix:
Resources and Support
This section provides a clear overview of the resources and support networks mentioned throughout this blog post.
It focuses on European and Amsterdam-based options.
* European Network Adult ADHD (ENAA): (https://www.eunetworkadultadhd.com/) A network of professionals dedicated to raising awareness and knowledge about adult ADHD across Europe.
* Kate Codrington Resources: (https://www.katecodrington.co.uk/resources-for-neurodivergence-and-perimenopause/)
A curated list of resources specifically addressing the intersection of neurodivergence (including ADHD) and perimenopause.Amsterdam-Based Resources:
* ADHD Specialist / Psychologist (Vondelstraat): Located at Vondelstraat 25, 1054 GH Amsterdam. Phone: +31 6 21919710. Website: www.katedanvers.nl. Offers ADHD assessment and support.
* Women’s Health Care Center (Van Boshuizenstraat): Located at Van Boshuizenstraat 687, 1082 AZ Amsterdam. Phone: +31 20 642 0229. Website: womenshealthcarecenter.nl. Provides care for women’s health, including perimenopause.
* Impuls & Woortblind: (https://www.impulswoortblind.nl/) National Dutch association for adults with ADHD and dyslexia, potentially offering local support or chapters in Amsterdam. (Website primarily in Dutch)
* PsyQ Amsterdam: (https://www.psyq.nl/locaties/psyq-amsterdam) Mental healthcare organization with services for adult ADHD in Amsterdam.
* Brain Balance Amsterdam: (https://www.brainbalanceamsterdam.nl/) Offers assessments and programs addressing ADHD symptoms.
* Gynaecologie Amsterdam: (https://www.gynaecologieamsterdam.nl/) Gynecological practice in Amsterdam offering care for menopausal complaints. (Website primarily in Dutch)
* Menopauze Vereniging: (https://www.menopauzevereniging.nl/) Dutch Menopause Society providing information and resources on menopause and perimenopause. (Website in Dutch)
* Vrouwenpoli Amsterdam: (https://www.vrouwenpoliamsterdam.nl/) Women’s health clinic in Amsterdam offering care for hormonal issues, including perimenopause. (Website primarily in Dutch)
General Support:
* Your General Practitioner (Huisarts): Your primary healthcare provider in the Netherlands, who can offer initial advice and referrals.
* Online Forums and Communities: Search for Dutch or European-based online support groups for women.
with late-diagnosed ADHD and those experiencing perimenopause for peer support and shared experiences.