Hi, I'm Anton. Not enough space here to describe my stuff!

Guest_33224418

Hi all, well I recognised in around 2000 that I had mental health issues which I was dealing with alcohol for self medication. At that time it was simply previously undiagnosed ADHD, given I was born in 1966 it hadn't been picked up in school for what it was.

Fast forward to now, I recognise AuDHD, anxiety and depression. Yes I do have GP and Psychiatrist support, and use a university psychology clinic. I still find I need to do my own research to understand my condition as this specific area of mental health is not well understood generally.

There is history of mental health issues in my family, and as a layman I suspect it shows up more on the female side for some reason. My sister suicided, my mother is all over the place and my niece is very troubled.

I'm currently taking an "attack from all sides" approach - psychiatrist prescribed medication, psychology clinic, GP and Salvos AoD course. It's working, but slowly and is not a magic bullet. My partner is frustrated with me and as a result she is unhelpful, adding to the problem rather than helping.

Antidepressants stop me from jumping off a cliff.

DesertSchmezert

Hey mate,

You’ve got a lot on your plate by the sounds of it, so credit where credit is due. Well done on the "attack from all sides" approach. Taking all of that on takes some serious grit, and I'm glad to hear you've got the ball rolling.

It's a shame we as a society didn't recognise ADHD properly back in the day, but taking the research into your own hands is a really proactive and respectable way to approach your health right now.

I'm very sorry to hear about what your family has been through. Dealing with all of that while managing friction with your partner must be tough. It's hard on both sides when health issues put pressure on a relationship, but hopefully in time you two can find some common ground.

Keep at it with the support team you've built. Step by step, the work you're putting in now will build a much stronger foundation for the future.

Bon Courage
C

therising

Hi Anton

I think one of the most empowering factors in life would have to be research, into who we naturally are and how we tick. I admire all the angles you're approaching your challenges from. Not just settling for one form of self understanding and support can be something that tends to promote an open mind, as opposed to a mind that is fixed around a single way of thinking or a single action.

I'm wondering whether you've managed to find others who can relate to some of your challenges, those with ADHD, autsim or AuDHD. It's amazing how when people start comparing notes what a relief it can be at times. When there's no one who can relate, it can not only feel so much harder to manage but also lonely in a lot of ways. It can also be about finding tips from those who've struggled yet who have managed to navigate the way ahead. Being a part of a group such as this also give you the chance to offer tips to others, based on what you've come across and the skills you've developed.

My heart goes out to you so much regarding how you've witnessed the struggles and sufferance of family members. When it comes to those who have the ability to sense/feel far more easily than others in so many different ways, I think it tends to be more accepted amongst girls/women. For boys/men, they're sadly conditioned to not feel so much and therefor are forced to suppress and/or find ways of managing their feelings or sensitivities. Neither one is led to master how they feel. I fully believe the ultimate goal comes down to better understanding how we sense or why we feel in the ways we do, no matter who we are in the way of age, gender etc. To think that while almost an entire family can suffer through the ways they sense/feel, society has a tendency to assume 'This family has problems', rather than 'This family is full of people with the ability to sense so easily and deeply at times'. Such an ability can definitely feel like a curse, until we find those who can relate.