WELCOME

Paul's story

I got into mental health after many failed career choices and businesses ideas, not because I'd ran out of options, but because it felt like I'd finally found something that not only interested me, but also gave me a sense of pride.

From leaving school till I started my mental career journey, I've had more jobs or ventures than I could probably remember. Everything from machine operator, warehouseman to being a trainee as a joiner, plumber, plaster, ducter, I might have even tried my hand at brick laying, really wouldn't surprise me. 

I was never very academic and would struggle at school, I would always say I wanted to be a truck driver, knowing I couldn't till I was at least 21. By the way, I did become a truck driver and was one up until I started my mental health journey. 

I also became a personal trainer after losing weight and getting fit, eventually running 3 marathons, 3 years in a row. I enjoyed being able to help the ones that were struggling because I'd been there, and many eventually confessed they're history of mental health struggles and I felt great pride when I was informed how much I had helped them gain confidence, and helped with their own journey. This led me to start a role as a support worker, I left a £30k+ a year truck driving position for £17k a year support worker role because I knew it was what I was meant to do. While I was employed the managers encouraged me to do my nurse training, and although I was put off due to my time at school, I decided to go for it (At this point I'm still undiagnosed with ADHD). 

For a long time I felt something wasn't right with me, I went to the GP and was prescribed sertraline and for roughly 6 years I fluctuated doses, and even reaching maximum dose, but I still felt the same. I slowly weaned off the sertraline and still felt exactly the same as that first day I walked in the GP surgery. Many of the nurses I worked with recognised the ADHD, but I was blind to it, and thankfully encouraged me to go for an assessment. The rest is history. 

Now I am diagnosed with ADHD and medicated, my life has changed and for the better. 

Symptoms don't just go away, its about how you deal with them, the strategies and coping mechanisms, if I had more support then things could have been easier. Apart from being late for everything, that's just something I have to deal with. 🤣

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​​​​​​Lisa's story

As a 52 year old woman, last year I hit menopause and all the little tricks I had in place to manage my every day life stopped working. I had brothers with ADHD, and a son with Asperger's. But never thought about it for myself. I was never a naughty kid, I had a career, doing okay. Until I wasn't. My mood plummeted, I just couldn't cope any more.

My GP suggested an ADHD screen - well why not? Big shock, I scored really high. So, whilst waiting for that elusive diagnosis, I started reading, learning, I started coping better. But I found that there is a lot of information out there, like, a LOT.

I consumed everything I could find, but I didn't find what I needed. To not feel alone in this. To have a toolkit that worked for ME instead of the whole damn toolshed of chaos. This is why I jumped on board with Beyond Diagnosis. I want to help other people see the wood for the trees. To find your own toolkit that works for you.