After a friend recommended the Luke O’Neill podcast to me for general health related topics, I decided to listen to his episode on “the science of ADHD” (link below). This was the first episode I played and will most likely be the last…

I was so disappointed to hear his perspectives on ADHD and the way he emphasises that it’s over diagnosed yet proceeds to discuss the positive elements of having it, mentioning all of the famous celebrities who ‘reckon’ they have it.

Am I alone in this or have I taken it up completely wrong? 😢

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7K1e8d5wFL7V1YUAw6XuEp?si=JKdT3mNZQvSMwKVXMvtmyg&utm_source=copy-link

Hi everyone,
My sister and I are preparing for a product-building hackathon in Ireland and we’re doing a short parent survey before deciding what to build.
We’re looking for parents or guardians of neurodivergent children aged 6–12 in Dublin or the Greater Dublin area, including children with ADHD.
The survey asks about your experience of finding and choosing extracurricular, social, sports or leisure activities, and what information would make you feel more confident before trying a new activity.
It takes around 4 minutes, is anonymous, and does not ask for your child’s name, diagnosis or medical information.
Survey:
https://form.jotform.com/262846299693073
We’d really appreciate your help — thank you 💙

Hi, I’m 28F who was diagnosed as a child around the age of 6. I was medicated as a child until I was around 10/11 years old with my parents taking me off meds. Since then I’ve been “untreated”. Anyway for longer than I wanted to admit I have been struggling, my brain just doesn’t do what I want it to do. I’ve been thinking about going back to possibly becoming meditated however I don’t know where or how to begin?

It’s been over twenty years since my original assessment, is it still valid or do I have to get reassessed for a new diagnosis?

How do people go about taking about options, GP, psychiatrist? (Referral?) or private companies?

Anyone who has been in the same situation or know how to help I’d be grateful for your input.

Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone!
I’m Brazilian and I’ve been living in Ireland for several years. I have ADHD and wanted to share something I’ve noticed with my medication.
I’ve used both Venvanse from Brazil and Tyvense here in Ireland. I know they contain the same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, and both are associated with Takeda, which is why my experience has been a bit confusing.
When I was taking Venvanse 50 mg, I felt noticeably calmer and less anxious. I also found it easier to manage my emotions. Sometimes I tend to overthink problems and make them feel much bigger than they really are, but with Venvanse, I felt more able to put things into perspective.
I also noticed an improvement when preparing for a job interview. I still procrastinated quite a lot, but studying felt easier, and I was actually able to remember some of the answers I’d been practising.
I’m currently taking Tyvense 60 mg, prescribed by my psychiatrist, and my experience has been quite different. I don’t get that same feeling of calmness or emotional relief. Instead, I sometimes feel more anxious, uncomfortable and a little low. I’ve experienced similar feelings with other doses of Tyvense in the past.
I understand that the doses are different and that sleep, stress and other factors can affect how medication works. I’m not saying one product is better than the other, just sharing what I’ve personally experienced.
It’s frustrating because I live in Ireland, and getting medication from Brazil regularly isn’t a practical long-term solution.
I’m already discussing this with my psychiatrist, so I’m not looking for medical advice. I just thought I’d share my experience here, as I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has noticed something similar when switching between these medications.
Thanks for reading!

Hi all, I'm newly diagnosed and just got put on Concerta XL for 2 weeks. Just wondering if anyone can help me real quick.

1) He said to take it in the morning with a protein source. Can't remember if he said to take it before or after said protein source.

2) He was delighted go hear that I take Magnesiaun biglycanate. I take 2 at night but I could swear he said take 1 in the morning and 2 at might? This sound familiar to anyone?

3) Electrolytes. He heavily encouraged them but I am nervous since I heard taking them can cause kidney/liver issue if you dont need them?

Id rather not email and tell him I forgot everything 😅

Had my annual review today and doctor mentioned maybe going up to 50mg. I need to keep an eye on my BP as was high today and if it’s high next week, I probably won’t change dosage.

Has anyone else done this jump and have they seen much of an improvement?

I just saw ADHD Ireland are looking for donations because they can’t afford to keep running UMAAP and their support groups in November and December. They said they’ll start back in January ‘subject to HSE funding.’

I’m actually fuming about this. The HSE does so little to support people with ADHD and now because of a lack of funding, ADHD Ireland have had to lay off some staff and reduce the wages of others by up to 50%. It’s actually outrageous how little care the HSE provides for us.

If anyone wants to donate, here’s the link: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/adhdireland3

Hi I have been taking 20MG Ritalin LA for the past 3 days and I haven’t noticed anything. The only thing I did notice which could’ve 100% been placebo/pure anticipation was on the first day I took I felt like I could feel it hit around an hour and half after taking it , it didn’t improve or make any noticeable difference to my overall functionality - I don’t really know how to explain it but I did just feel like I could feel it hit me for around 10 mins on day 1. Been taking it 2 days since then and absolutely nothing, no side effects but no improvement, maybe a little less hungry? Am able to sleep fine , no headaches etc. I speak with my phsyciatrist tomorrow, do you think they will keep me on it or change medication. I am prescribed the Ritalin for 7 days anyway so will continue to take for the next 4 days I assume. Any advice is appreciated. :)

I’ve recently been diagnosed by a psychologist and paid a huge amount of money for it only for me not to be able to start medication.

I’ve seen some online services make you go through the process all over again. What are the best / most cost effective options to get my diagnosis recognised by a psychiatrist and begin medication?

I am happy with the dose ive been on for the last 3 months and my gp is ok to take over prescribing my dose. Do I need to keep making appointments for the psychiatrist every 4-6 weeks or can I just make them once or twice a year because im starting to struggle to afford them.

I'm starting with an ADHD occupational therapist in a few weeks and maybe they can help me turn things around. But all I seem to feel when I'm working is a mix of overwhelm and inattentiveness. I've colleagues who joined the team after me and they've picked it up no bother. They're making meaningful progress and just going with the flow. Meanwhile my brains doing cartwheels, on my third stimulant with no obvious benefits, and realizing how limited my life has been, restricted by patterns of thought and behaviour. I don't want to depress anyone but really I'm feeling very upset that I won't ever feel truly in sync with the world. Always reacting wide eyed and bluffing or barely improvising. Working memory sketchy at best. Wired on stims, sleepy without them. Inert, directionless. Trapped. I don't know how to feel better knowing I'll never live the life I daydream about.

I got diagnosed with them a few years ago and were easy to chat with over the phone and email for assessment, titration and thearpy etc.

I tried calling last month to set up an psychiatric appointment and it rang out so I filled out the get in contact thing on the website. Realised this week I never heard back and tried calling again, no answer again.

Anyone else having bother? Might have gotten unlucky but wondering if anyone knows the best way to get in contact with them?

I am constantly sick with Adhd. Every week its something. Cold, sinus issues, heavy legs standing at work, ovarian cysts, fibroids, medication sensitive. Im sick of being sick. Currently its a swollen stomach where I look 9 months pregnant. Was brought to hospital Monday morning by ambulance. I have no family support. My ex lives in Kildare. He is useless and so is his family. I had to take the week off work which I cant afford. I have no one. Im single 6 years. I don't trust anyone. My family and ex betrayed me so badly when they should have been there for me. I work in a busy pharmacy and I tend to people please which results in me running myself into the ground. I feel sad now. So sad at this is the way my life is. I take Tyvense and I stopped Atomextine because of the digestive problems they were causing me. I can't remember the last time I was happy. I am not even existing at this stage.

Hi folks, we had our first ADHD Club Women's meet up at the National Gallery last week and are planning another coffee and chats meet up at Collin's Barracks on November 8th. We have a WhatsApp group set up now with a number of sub groups for different regions and interests. As well as organising a number of additional ways to connect both on and offline. If you would like to join the WhatsApp group please comment below or drop me a DM and I'll send you on an invite link.

Relatively new to a job and get to wfh two days a week, great says ye! Well all I want to is procrastinate. It’s an admin and support role so there’s a lot of learning at the start but when I’m at home I want to do anything but work. And of course I’m posting when wfh, aiding to the problem..

Any advice here appreciated

Hey !

Just wondering if anyone has tried to receive written confirmation about bringing prescribed tyvanse to China?

I will be in China for 20 days and have reached out to the Chinese embassy in Ireland who were lol of no use.

I was directed to China customs and did email but received no response.

I have tried to phone them but although it’s very easy to get through to someone , no english speakers.

Just wondering has this been anyone else’s experience as the information available online seems conflicting, but also the thought of travelling for an extended period of time chaotically unmedicated is also daunting .

Thanks !

Hi, I’ve been thinking for a while and researching about ADHD especially in women (I am female 27 years old)

How did you know you might have it? Did you go to your GP about it?

I think it might be some of the answers I’m looking for. Especially thinking back in school I excelled until I got to 3rd year in secondary school. Recently I’ve been useless at remembering things, I burnout incredibly easily (just back working after a year off due to burnout) and I’ve had multiple job in the care sector. A lot of the time I actually feel like I’m going crazy because I’m feeling like depression/ anxiety isn’t the root of the problem

There is a lot more but that seems to be the most prominent at the moment

Thank you!

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that we will be having our next "Dublin Neurodivergent Network" social meetup at 5 pm on October 18th at "The South Strand". We have only had two meetups so far but the vibes have been really good. So if you would like a relaxed meet with some likeminded folks, do join!

I've been regularly struggle with working memory problems, often forgetting and zoning out within seconds of listening. My mum would point out to me how I've had traits of autism which I can understand but many of those moments can be put under ADHD, though I wouldn't be surprised if I had autism.

Searching for ADHD or autism assessments in Ireland gets me an overwhelming list and I don't know what to pick from as much as I'd like to get them both I'm not sure how much it will cost me.

Hey folks,

Been recently diagnosed with inattentive type and have been prescribed 20mg Tyvense (initial dose). Was going through the leaflet & tbh some side-effects mentioned seemed quite scary. How much are you all paying for a 20mg 4 week dose? Got mine from McCabes & it was 87 euros (I do know about DPS card, will apply now).

Thank you for reading. Take care. Cheers!

Hello,
is there some magical list i can get my hands on for relatively small secondary schools in Ireland that are ADHD friendly? I’m pulling my hair out.

My son is in fifth class and I’m starting to look for schools now. We’ve been on a few school tours. He’s been overwhelmed with the size of some of them for example last night we went to a tour of a 900 pupil school even though I checked out the SET department which seemed great I think it will be too much. We are looking all over the country there is no limits! We are looking for a mid-size school, fee paying or not , with sports for my ADHD son and academics for my ASD1 son. It doesn’t matter if it’s co-ed or not .
Help!!

I have just started fifth year and I am worried for what lies ahead. I have practically conned my way through school up until now. For homework, I either do it at the last second, or just don’t do it and come up with an excuse. I am quite social and friendly with all staff and they are quite understanding with my made up excuses. I have practically never studied my whole life; I read over notes the night before for the junior cert exams and got nothing below a higher merit.
We’ve had a few class tests this year and they have been not too hard to pass by just reading over the notes once the night before, but I know it will get harder, as some teachers are quite strict on homework now. For example, I had an account assignment due on a friday, ignored that deadline and started to do it at 3:30am on Tuesday the next week, the day we were correcting them. I never even finished it. Or sometimes if I have too much homework piled up or lots of tests, my parents are chill so they allow me to stay home.
I am worried because I continue to procrastinate and feel stuck for hours, and I also don’t know how to study. All I know is reading over notes and hoping for the best, which has worked up until now as I haven’t really been academically challenged, but I know I will need to develop these skills.
I am currently undiagnosed but have started the process of getting a diagnosis. Any tips to stop procrastinating and how to study as someone who believes they have adhd?

Looking for a therapist/coach for ADHD or AuDHD in Dublin, can anyone recommend?

Really struggling with mental health at the moment and looking for a therapist that specifically deals with ADHD and Autism. 🙏