Student Blog | How an ADHD Diagnoses Changed My Life

October is ADHD Awareness month and out Student Ambassador Neil is sharing his story. The 2024 ADHD Awareness Month theme is "Awareness is Key!" Have you been affected by ADHD? Follow Neil’s inspiring story across the week and learn how he has managed his diagnosis and is now studying for his Degree in Scottish History & Archaeology.

“When I was at Primary School it as known by other names. Disruptive, dreamer, lazy, and on one occasion as a 7yr old in a small village, ‘you are backward’ that stung. That word haunted me for years. ADHD hadn’t been recognised as condition then and wouldn’t be for many more years.

At secondary school my O levels were ok, not what was predicted, I couldn’t focus or revise. 

For A levels it was known as ‘lazy & slapdash, due to my lack of revision, reading & being ‘just in time’.  I failed all 3 and went to work in the family butchers business (learnt much, became a master butcher, didn’t earn much or have much holiday leave). 

Fast forward though, I met my now wife, wanted 4-5 weeks holiday a year and a few good salary, so went into financial services with Prudential. Became a training consultant, traveled the UK & became a CIPD qualified trainer. In a regulated industry I passed my exams (or lose my job I guess) but at a high emotional cost, I often worked through the night to meet deadlines & be prepared to facilitate my programmes/ take CPD courses.

In 2003 I had cancer then a brain tumour, cue life re balance! In 2005 I set up own training company & worked for most of the big banks in the UK over the following 12 years, but also taking lots of time for me. Then in 2016 at 54.5 I retired. In 2020 we moved to the Isle of Lewis after an epiphany on Shetland. 

My wife looked into UHI and embarked on her 3rd degree in Fine Art and I thought maybe I could pick up after my teenage disappointment, now

I had more time. I was accepted directly into a BA Hons in Scottish History & Archaeology.

At first I loved it! 40 years on, finally going to Uni! UHI is right up my street & can be studied from home! Semester one in 2021 was going OK then I began to experience what we now know as ADHD symptoms, I couldn’t focus, do the reading, was hating myself, self loathing, very negative towards me (yet outwardly known as a fun guy who made things happen). I was struggling emotionally and ready to quit.”

First though Maggie my wife said why not speak with Student support & my PAT, I did so & UHI gave me counselling.  This has been life changing. My counselling first session saw the counsellor explore my past, my concerns and the Head Teachers comment. She said, I have a thought, let me come back to you next week, but know this. You are not stupid & this isn’t your fault. 

Picture: Neil with his Personal Academic Tutor Catriona

My counsellor me an ADHD questionnaire and we went through it. She told me that I would need to speak to my GP if I wanted to get a diagnosis. My remaining sessions were spent looking at study methods & CBT strategies.

I saw my GP who gave me a grilling, but then said right I believe you and asked me to complete a World Health Organisation questionnaire for ADHD. I did, he reviewed this and said he would refer me to a psychiatrist. I had heard on BBC Radio Scotland that this could take years! I don’t have that long.

Next, I was sent more questionnaires. From the mental health nursing team as it’s a nurse led service IN THE Outer Hebrides. I then waited a few months & was called for an interview lasting ninety minutes. There were very in depth and challenging questions but in them heard the words ‘you have ADHD traits, I will now refer you to the psychiatrist. (Had they not said that I gather that would mean i probably hadn’t) 

My diagnosis was an emotional moment, had I not had ADHD, was my old head teacher right? Was I lazy? (I had passed some open university courses in the previous 15 years, somehow, and been successful in my career, so knew I wasn’t backward). 

Picture: Neil with his Mental Health Nurse Mairi from NWH Western Isles

I met the psychiatrist who confirmed I did have ADHD. When I left the hospital I walked into town to meet my wife & sobbed. The stopper came off my emotions, years of hurt, feelings of failure were washed away - literally!  

Earlier this year I began medication, non stimulant meds at first. For me they didn’t work & left me feeling very low.  I then began stimulant meds, I take these once a day and Wow. The clarity, focus & energy they give me is remarkable. I felt them working inside an hour! I since had my dose increased ahead of the summer break and with their help completed the two outstanding assignments I needed to pass to progress into this academic year.

It wasn’t just the meds though, they need to be part of a process that included study techniques, goal setting & coaching. I knew this stuff as I have trained people, yet couldn’t apply it to myself. I have paid for my own coaching & the accountability has helped. Without the medication it wouldn’t have.

My student support have given me A PLSP (support plan) which is a safety net. My tutors know of my diagnosis & whist it’s early  days,  I’m already reading more & studying more effectively. I also use text reading apps to read academic texts, so that I can read, hear and notes take at the same time. This makes a massive difference, if keeps me reading when before I would get bogged down. I use NaturalReader a web based app that has voices I can listen too. I also plan my sessions in 40 minute blocks & listen to audio books where possible. 

The following are things that I find help me:

• Being kind to myself. (Picking up and challenging my negative inner voice)
• Meditation & breathing exercises – I can slow down my thought processes and calm a racing mind, enabling greater focus when I am thinking a 100 thoughts at once,
• Exercise – I’m running another half marathon in October then training for the Edinburgh Marathon next May. Disciplined training allows me ‘thinking time” & physical fitness is helping me feel better about me, lose weight and increase my enjoyment of so much more, in a structured way.
• Having my wife and close friends let me know if I’m, losing focus helps. I’d forgotten about meditation till my wife reminded me!

A diagnosis is a journey, not a destination. These all help. 

I’m 61 & want to say it’s never too late. Since this began, I have posted on social media and many people have reached out to say ‘that’s me, how do I knock on the door’. Some think they do have this but don’t want to go for diagnosis.”

Find out more about students services - https://www.nwh.uhi.ac.uk/en/student-experience/student-services

Find support and information about ADHD - https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/

Find out more about how you can be paid to create content as a Digital Student Ambassador - https://www.nwh.uhi.ac.uk/en/digital-student-ambassadors/