ADHD symptoms after having children

[eh+dub]

Hi,

Have any of you mothers noticed that ADHD affects you differently since you've had children?

What I've noticed is that in the years since I had my daughter that my symptoms have "switched course". Before having her I was way more hyperactive in terms of not needing sleep, coffee, or rest. I was very motivated and energetic. Now I seem more lazy, disorganized, I procrastinate, and lose interest easier.


I ask because I'm curious if these changes have anything to do with having a child/birth/pregnancy.

Thanks!

[spunkysmum]

How long since you had your daughter?

[eh+dub]

Almost 8 years ago. The "change" was almost instant, and many people have noticed it.

[crystal8080]

Haha...yeah I'd say so. I found it hard because children require constant attention, especially when they are little. Its taxing. Then I had two children, and I had to split my attention. That caused me a lot of anxiety. And its non stop work. Hard on the nerves, on patience, on memory and concentration...things we may be short on to begin with.

You may be feeling that way because you are burnt out?

[eh+dub]

That's probobaly it, which is the simplest answer, but off course I over-complicated it in my head!! There were a few life changing problems that arose around the time of her birth, so maybe exhaustion caught up with me.

I can't imagine having more than one, that must be very challenging. I sure hope all of my fellow ADD/ADHDers with children have some help and relief from the 24/7 struggle to cope! At first ativan was my bff, but I had to walk away from that relationship due to a possible addiction, I have yet to find anything to replace it. But I digress.

[crystal8080]

You just have to find a way to replenish yourself. I don't know what that is for you, be it extra sleep, meditation, exercise, a hobby....you just can't take care of kids all the time you will go crazy. You need some self care, so it would be good to think about what you want that to be.

[eh+dub]

I really should. I will start to take advantage of being medicated properly, and hopefully it won't be so "feast or famine" in terms of attention.

Anyways, I'm from BC, too!!

[crystal8080]

Best place in the world!

[nanners]

I am with you on this. I have three kiddos and I feel like my mantra is "I'm tired". It really is a bummer. I used to be artistic and active. I feel like all of my energy is always zapped and I haven't done anything creative in years. I hope you can find a way to get back your energy! (then tell me how you did it, so I can copy

[SquarePeg]

Yes I noticed big changes after having my first. I hadn´t been diagnosed adhd at that point. Some were due to the sheer 24/7 caring for a baby exhaustion, lack of sleep etc. But looking after kids is mentally extremely tiring (for me anyway) and I had do/wanted to get back to working full time after my first one, as it was easier, even though I had to get up at 6.30, travel to the childminder, then 1 and a half hours on the train, work a demanding job, travel back, take care of baby.

Another change was my forgetfulness, lack of concentration, I even forgot everyday words, really just like alzheimers. I couldn´t even do automatic things at times like making a cup of tea. I would put the tea bag next to a cup, pour water in the cup or on the counter and then through the cup of hot water in the bin. I would be in the car and not know where I was or where I was driving to.

Docs diagnosed an underactive thyroid gland even though I was borderline, because I had a lot of symptoms I was given medication. although it helped a little most problems remained but to a more manageable degree.

I now of 2 kids aged 14 and 17 so for 17 years I blamed all my symptoms on my thyroid gland.

I have not been diagnosed add.

I am 47 and I do feel there is a connection with ADHD, and hormone changes after giving birth, thyroid problems, and hormone changes before the menopause.

[Sapphire11]

Hello,
This is my first post Hello People x, Im 32 with two daughters, I have been diagnosed with Combined ADD diagnosed 8 months ago, although reading about ADHD is like reading my biography, WOW what a relief there is answers to why I am the way I am!!
I have had depression since I was 16 (most probly mis-diagnosed I certainly had ADHD as a child) but I can definately say that after I had my daughters is when my life spiralled out of control, something to do with homones and how they peak in all different ways for us ADHD ppl, It was my partner who realised I needed help, I thought I would and could get things under control and begged for everyone to believe me, eventually I gave in, I was out of control in all area's of my life, apparenly our hormones change with each and every child, and medication needs to be adjusted accordingly, but I can certainly say that after having my daughters everything became so crazy and too much, I was not coping looking back now it must have enhanced ADHD difficulties, I currently take
Pristique for Major Depression,
Strattera (which doesnt work) for ADHD
Also diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder
Im working with Therapists and a Psychiatrist on my diagnosis apparently with ADHD alot of other disorders run alongside so were figuring it all out
its such a relief and a little sad to realise finally why I have felt different to other people ...... I guess its because I am lol and also why my life has been so out of control, I couldnt organise a lunch box if I tried I guess strattera has helped with packing lunches but things are getting sloooooowly better as I educate myself more, Im hoping for a medication change in 2 weeks Strattera has given me zero relief they are thinking of Ritalin Im not coping right now I need some relief!!!!!!!!!

[SquarePeg]

For all you mums with young kids (not me anymore)

[sarahsweets]

Since having my kids my hyperactive and innattentive symptoms have gotten worse. This means that I run around my house throwing their stuff into book bags, get caught up online trying to google patenting tips on adhd, procrastinate packing their lunches and snacks, running things to the school that they leave at home. My inattentiveness makes it hard to pay attention ti all tree of them at once. Once their gone I'm then forced to weed through the list of stuff that I should be getting done while they are at school. This usually means more coffee and cigarettes which OF COURSE will help me organize

[LambyLottie]

Yes!
Suffered from depression since around 16/17, series of crap bf's who treated me badly due to my low self esteem. Finally met my hubby who is kind, lovely, but equally as dis-organised as myself! I fell pregnant due to forgetting to take the pill and him forgetting to get condoms! Our beautiful dd is now 5 and we also have a 2yr old girl. We are now married and I have completed a teaching degree with huge struggles!
DD1 has adhd and DD2 is not showing any signs yet!
Like you guys reading about adhd is like an autobiography of my life and everything I read I can relate to. Finally got a referral and am just waiting to see a clinic to get assessed but my symptoms have definitely worsened since having the children.
They are emotionally draining, particularly with one with adhd. She can't do anything for herself and it is like having two 2 yr olds rather than a 5 and 2 yr old! My hubby is so stressed out with work and works long hours so I have little support and on weekends he just sleeps from exhaustion.

What makes things worse is that I am a childminder and this is emotionally taxing also. I don't think I can carry on for much longer while my children are little as they find having to share me with other children hard and there is always lots of fighting between them!

My anxiety is getting worse and feel very low at the moment, just need a break!!

I have no idea what else I can do as all my qualifications are teaching and childcare related. I am thinking of going back to study but can't afford too as we are already in debt!

Sorry to rant on, don't really know what the answer is, just need a dx and some support.

[SquarePeg]

Lambylottie, hope you get an appointment soon. I have just started on meds and my anxiety has lessened considerably, I hope you get some treatment soon.

I am only a part-teacher of English but I find I can cope with the kids at school better than my own kids. It´s a job. Is there any sort of private tutoring you can do instead that could earn you more money with less hours.

I can´t do small kids, they completely do my head in. It must be hard being a childminder with your own kids, it´s hard for them to share and have kids in their house claiming your attention, but options are limited when you have small kids.