r/adhdindia

New here. I am a 24M CA Final Student. I have been living with undiagnosed ADHD (Inattentive type) and Autism until it reached a breaking point pushing me into depression 2 months ago.

Below is my story – Skip to end if you would like to go directly to my questions:

I knew I always performed under pressure.

During my CA Articleship, I used to procrastinate for hours and then complete 8 hrs of work in maybe 2 or 3 hrs with extreme focus and because I took responsibility for my work I hardly landed in any trouble.

In my CA Foundation and CA Inter, there were classes which provided me with structure and a competitive environment (competing with classmates for unit tests etc. at regular intervals) which stimulated pressure for me and hence kept me going.

In my school life (ICSE board) I was great at maths and science but very poor in languages. I used to go for exams without studying throughout secondary school and clear with decent marks. My school reports have comments saying – I daydream a lot, quite kid and that I need to socialise more with classmates. So yes, a few signs in childhood, but went undiagnosed because I fared well academically.

During my first attempt for CA Final, it was mostly self-study without a structure of live classes where I was procrastinating a lot. Yet I used to create fake deadlines for tests (without knowing I have ADHD) and still I was functional. I did not clear the aggregate criteria in my first attempt (The passing criteria is that we need to score 40 minimum in all subjects and 50 overall) – so I got 40 in each and every subject but did not meet the 50 aggregate criteria.

While preparing for the second attempt, I used to create extremely detailed planners (autistic need I guess) but never execute (ADHD symptom) and those fake deadlines which I used to create earlier, they stopped working. I did start preparation for the second attempt with a lot of enthusiasm which fizzled out entirely and I ended up extremely depressed (to the point where I didn’t want to live). I took the failure very personally (probably due to RSD linked to ADHD).

I had initially reached out to a therapist for help. After a few sessions, she acknowledged therapy wasn’t working and recommended me to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist diagnosed me with Depression initially and put me on an anti-depressant. She also further diagnosed me with ADHD (Inattentive Type) and Autistic symptoms. I am extremely grateful and satisfied with her diagnosis because it made me realize why I was struggling all these years without knowing it.

My depression is slightly better due to both anti-depressants (on Week 4) and also the realization of the fact that the reason I've been struggling has been ADHD.

Now is the time after exams and before results and I’m focusing on getting my mental and physical health in order. (because both are quite bad)

Part after story: (read from here)

For ADHD, I know medication is an option which can be used if things get out of hand – what I am looking for is practical tips and guidance for how to manage my AuDHD without medication.

1. I have extreme decision paralysis. I can’t make any decisions for myself. I always keep thinking all options are good. Because of this, I have always let other people take decisions for me and then I am frustrated because I don’t like those decisions. From career path to selecting a movie I can’t do any. For ordering food, I would order the same thing for extended time, and my colleagues would always go like how can you eat daal khichdi every day for a month, but for me it was one decision lesser. I need to overcome this extreme decision paralysis in order to shape my life the way I want.
2. For the things I know I have to do – I make detailed planners, but I never execute them. How do I break that and get things done?
3. I take rejections very personally. CA Final was one that pushed me into depression. But even before that… a few years back I had proposed to someone whom I liked and she friend zoned me, which I didn’t take very well. (I cried intensely even though I barely knew her for a few weeks). I understand rejections are part of life but yet I don’t take them well.
4. I am hyper independent and extremely secretive. I haven’t shared my recent mental health diagnosis at home as well. Also, I have a bit over-controlling parents who are obsessed with being parents only and they are not great partners to each other (sort off dysfunctional marriage); I don’t have any friends or anybody I know in person who might have ADHD / Autism and is open about it. And I am not sure if I should tell my friends either. I don’t want to be hit by comments saying I’m lazy or everyone has a bit of ADHD. Hence reaching out to you here.
5. I used to mask socially before. But after this diagnosis I am facing some trouble in social interactions. Firstly, my social battery is dying incredibly fast and secondly is the masking. Like for example I used to fake laugh in group situations even without thinking to try to fit it, but now I’m finding it quite challenging to do those kinds of things.
6. I don't have an IQ test, but I do know I have an above average IQ. It is also one of the reasons why I've been masking all these years and getting away with it. So am I 2e (Twice exceptional) - I am not very sure.... what would be some parameters to judge that ?
7. Any other tips you have.

Thanks a lot!

I've been dealing with severe anxiety and depression for many decades and I've finally accepted I need proper psychiatric medication, not just supplements.

Looking for recommendations for a good online psychiatrist who:

• Actually listens rather than gives a 5 minute consultation
• Is comfortable prescribing for chronic anxiety and depression
• Available online/teleconsult (I'm in Pune but open to anyone pan-India)
• Reasonably affordable

If you've had a genuinely good experience with someone who took time to understand your case properly, please share.

I might've consulted 5-6 doctors at this point and more than that which straight up refused to even take me as a patient or some thats very condescending at you as if you're just making up things or a majority that push you into depression meds. I somehow managed to find one doctor that was willing to make me take a test and still even after taking a test they try to send me off giving me advice like set alarms and write down tasks after spending so much money on travel and fees. Like wow how mind-blowing why did i never thought of an alarm or make a to-do list before 🤯

I have had years of significant set backs in life because of this disorder and I'm at the edge of cliff tried of myself unable to do anything at all. And it feels bad for me to push doctors for meds for because i might just seem like a drug seeker but I'm literally watching my life fall apart in front of me I just want to do something about it.

Gng i just started my medication a month back i love the meds but the thing which is giving me trouble is thz dry mouth i am hydrated enough ig but if i dont drink water for even 30 mins my mouth starts smelling and tasting bad

Guys this is a genuine question in my head, everyday I see peers or people online talking about their daily routines, alot of times I come across these "wake up at 6, start at 7, work till 10pm with eating break" whether it be about students or employees, and like I'm GENUINELY baffled if a person can work that much, LIKE DOESNT YOUR BRAIN JUST SHUT OFF???? Especially these students preparing for a competitive exam, like do they even know how to live, are their souls alive? Are these people just lying for attention or are they just mixing burnout with hardwork? If I don't get daily dopamine I feel like killing myself and biting my hands off.

I was recently prescribed Inspiral but unable to find it at any pharmacy near me. Could someone help me with which pharmacy might have it in noida/noida extension?

I (M29) applied for HDFC Ergo Optima Secure+ for myself and my wife(28F). This was through ditto.

• I declared the following PEDs
  • Sinusitis - No Surgery, managed with medication.
  • ADHD - Managed with medication
• My wife declared
  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder - Managed with medication

We received a counter offer where:

• I was declined and was recommended Aarogya Sanjeevni
• Added loading for my wife for anxiety (effectively ~ 42k for 3 years for 25L coverage)

I'm thinking of letting my wife continue with the policy whereas I try to find another one for myself.

The core dilemma right now is who would even insure me with ADHD?
I've read accounts of proposals getting rejected for Care Supreme, ABHI Activ One Max.

Anyone who faced similar situation with respect to ADHD?

--
Sidenote: Feeling so bummed out as I was about to not declare it but then for some reason I did :(

Do you know any dr. Who prescribe methylphenidate?

It is really hard to find dr. or pharmacy to get methylphenidate. They only priscribe me atomoxetine or bupropion. If anyone knows please let me know.

I got caught cheating today in a class test and honestly it forced me to look at my whole life.

I’m at a top institute now but I constantly feel like I don’t belong there. I got in through reservation and because of that I always feel like everyone around me is smarter and more capable than me. I’ve had low grades almost my entire life, probably because of ADHD and being unable to focus consistently.

No matter how much I want to study, I end up distracted, procrastinating or avoiding work until panic hits. Then I make stupid decisions like cheating.

Socially things are not great either. I’ve never really been good at making friends. Most of school I was the kid people made fun of, and now even in college I feel like nobody would ever think “yeah this guy is my close friend.”

I’m not good at sports, academics or socializing and after years of failure it genuinely feels like there’s nothing I’m actually good at. I know this sounds self pitying but I’m being honest.

Has anyone else here felt completely behind everyone else in college and still managed to turn things around? Especially people with ADHD or imposter syndrome?

I’ve been unemployed for 7 months now. I quit my previous job to explore a passion, and now I need to get back into working because my savings are running out and there’s pressure at home to move out.

The worst part is: I KNOW what to do, BUT cant do it.

I know I need a job. I actually WANT a job. I want to work, socialize, dress up, go out, earn money, attend concerts, and finally stop being stuck inside my house. I’m already 3 months late. I was supposed to join a job by March. It’s mid-May and I haven’t even properly started applying.

And I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING.

I tried:

• Pomodoro timers
• Small chunks
• “Just do it for 2 minutes”
• Time blockers
• Calendars
• Daily rewards
• Emotional triggers
• Visualization
• Posters showing the life I want
• Healthy food
• ADHD-friendly systems
• Fresh air, walks, breaks
• No overstimulation
• Motivation videos
• Deadlines
• Planning systems from Reddit, YouTube, books, everywhere

Nothing works.

I can maybe force myself one day to do job searching for 2–3 hours with extreme effort. Then after that, I feel so mentally burned out that I avoid even LOOKING at my laptop for an entire week.

This cycle has been repeating for 4 months.

I have good experience. Everyone around me says if I seriously try, I could get a high-paying job within a month.

But I absolutely cannot make myself sit down and do it.

The moment I sit in front of my laptop, I feel exhausted. I want to run away. I feel miserable. I just want to cry, eat, sleep, avoid everything, and lay in bed.

I’ve also tried multivitamins and general supplements. People keep telling me ADHD medication helps, but my therapist told me learning ADHD-friendly systems and therapy was better than medication, so I focused on optimizing my systems instead.

Now my savings are almost gone, and ironically I can’t even afford proper ADHD treatment or medication anymore.

I don't know what to do, I want to run away

I am taking fluoxetine 40 mg 2 tablets per day for the past 4 months recommended by my psychiatrist , it reduced my day dreaming ,but I couldn't focus even after taking 40mg tablets 2 in a day

I genuinely love the idea of reading. I have a stack of books I'm excited about, good intentions, and then… nothing. The focus slips, the days blur together, and somehow weeks go by without me opening a single page.

ADHD makes it really hard for me to read consistently not because I don't want to, but because starting and staying on track feels like climbing a wall some days. Deep down though, I really do want to build this habit. Books matter to me.

So I'm looking for an accountability buddy (or a small group) who gets it.

The rules would be simple:

• We set gentle daily targets together nothing crazy
• We check in with each other
• Even reading for just one minute counts as a win.No judgment, no pressure.

If you're also sitting on a growing TBR pile and struggling to actually open it, DM me. Doesn't matter what genre you're into we're just here to show up for ourselves, one page (or paragraph) at a time.

Hi folks!

As the title says - I'm looking to connect with one or more reliable people (ideally a small group of 2-4) who are working from home and having trouble being productive and staying consistent - for body doubling on Google meet on weekdays, 10am - 3pm ish (IST).
 
For context, body doubling is basically simulating a workspace where you feel some pressure to actually work because the other person around you is also working. It's the best thing I've found for staying consistently productive despite my ADHD. There are already services like Focusmate on the internet for this, which I have used in the past as well. But I'm just trying to reduce all the friction and just log-in on a Google Meet link and start working in the simulated work-space.

I am based in Chennai, and in my mid 30s. I already have a startup founder (late 30s/early 40s, also has ADHD) from Bangalore I do this with regularly during the weekdays, but the problem with having just one person is that whenever they're not available, your whole day goes sideways. So looking to have a few more people to be accountable with so that we can all get our stuff done while on the Google Meet call, without interrupting or disturbing the other.

DM me if anyone's interested.

Thanks.

I am 27F. Have been diagnosed with ADHD last year. Tried meds but stopped because of the crash. I was unable to handle it.

I absolutely hate my job. Someone always has to ask me 5-6 times for a particular task. I used to be a good performer for the initial 2 years.

I literally cry everyday while going to office. Friday is the day I wait for through out the week. From Sunday evening my mood becomes worse.

Anybody knows if I can get therapy online in an affordable cost?

I can’t leave my current job at all.

Hello, M/27 need ADHD medicines without prescription in Hyderabad, Really don't wanna go through all the consultation bs.

I 31F am fucking sick of my doctor saying that despite my ADHD I’m smart enough and don’t need medication just yet for the condition.

He sees I’m high functioning, have performance at work and outwardly everything looks okay, so he says he just wants to treat my depression instead.

What he doesn’t see is the impulsive spending on my special interests, the constant behind the door crying before every work call, the constant burnout from the masking and working extra hard to do things people don’t even consider tasks!

He says that he understands it’s hard but since I have done so well so far without the medication the last two years, why not now?

I spoke to a new doctor on Practo and he said that I need addwize and half my burnout issues will be resolved and I didn’t even bring up ADHD to this new doctor.

I’ve known my doctor for a while and he’s a renowned doctor for ADHD and Autism in Bombay, and I want to trust his process but I am so so so tired of feeling the way I do when I know that I could have it easier like rest of the regular people do.

Do I trust my doctor and go along with his treatment plan or this month I start seeing a new one?

I am so so so exhausted and please understand that writing this I am very emotional and crying because of the exhaustion. So, if you have nothing kind to say, don’t say anything at all. That is always an option too!

I'm 30, been struggling for the past 3 years with focus and follow-through. Can't study for upskilling, keep delaying everything, procrastinate heavily on personal goals.

But weirdly I'm completely regular with gym and somehow manage to cover my work tasks before sprint deadlines. It's specifically self-directed goals where I completely fall apart.

Went to a Sr. Neuro-Psychiatrist today at a private clinic. He did a clinical interview, suspects Adult ADHD, and prescribed: Axepta 18mg (Atomoxetine) Flunil (Fluvoxamine) 10mg For 5 days trial first, then follow up. He's also asked me to get psychometric assessments done -:HAMA, HAMD, and ADHD Behavioural Questionnaire — which are costing ₹5k at his clinic.

My questions: 1)Does this presentation actually sound like Adult ADHD or could it be something else

2)Is the prescribed combination reasonable for a first timer? 3)Are the psychometric tests worth ₹5k ?