Ange came to us recently to seek advice about CBD to help with ADHD symptoms. Her story is moving and inspired us to write this blog and share her experience with you.
“For a long time I have been told I have anxiety. I have always accepted it as I had a lot to be anxious about: losing family members at a very young age under tragic circumstances, losing both my parents to cancer 10 days after diagnosis, I got cancer at the age of 37 and then again when I was 40 this was very scary as I had a young family (I have now been clear for 22 years). So you can understand why the GP thought I was ‘anxious’. It’s only the last three years that things have come to light.”
Ange had a very common preconception about ADHD “I thought it was something I always thought was what a child was diagnosed with when they were hyperactive”. But many, like Ange, go undiagnosed until adulthood. It can manifest as difficulties in maintaining a job, managing time effectively, meeting deadlines, navigating social interactions, feelings of restlessness, forgetfulness, and a chronic sense of underachievement, which in turn can result in increased anxiety, low self-esteem, and frustration and mental health struggles, such as depression.
“Until someone mentioned to me that I could have it, did I start to look into it. I felt such relief from what I was reading on the subject. It was me they were describing! Not every symptom, but a lot of it made so much sense. It confirmed I was worn out because my brain was hyperactive all the time. Combine ADHD with perimenopause and the symptoms multiply.”
Being diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in later life can be both a revelation and a shock. On one hand, it offers an explanation for years of behaviour, struggles, and challenges that may have previously been dismissed as personal shortcomings.
“Being tired was an everyday occurrence for me. Not once did I think it was my brain that was exhausted, I always thought it was my body. I had a very high emotional stimuli to the point where I honestly couldn’t cope any longer, self-doubt, negative self-talk and task-avoidance were getting worse. Being in a social situation with multiple people talking was also difficult – why couldn’t I just have a night out without going home and it taking four hours to calm down? I didn’t even drink alcohol! I started to take codeine to stop my brain from working overtime. That was when I knew it was time to seek help.”
On the other hand, it brings to light the complexities of living with a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect every aspect of life – from work and relationships to self-esteem and daily functioning. For many, a professional diagnosis is a pivotal moment. It validates their experiences and offers pathways to managing the symptoms, including medical treatments, behavioural therapy, and lifestyle changes.
“I’m in the process of a diagnosis for ADHD. I don’t know what a diagnosis will gain, as I’ve been masking my symptoms for so long – let’s wait and see.
In the meantime, the thing that helps me the most is The Tonic’s CBD. It slows my thinking down since I have started taking it. My life has changed as it allows me to get a good night’s sleep which is so important to function the next day. I put a drop in my water bottle and drink it throughout the day to control anxiety and it gives me mental clarity too, making it easier to make decisions without playing several scenarios out first. I have now been taking it for two weeks and will continue as it helps me to lead a calm life and process my thoughts better. I still have the ifs and buts, but it is becoming far more bearable.”
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating a variety of physiological processes, including mood, sleep, and cognitive function. The ECS consists of receptors (CB1 and CB2) that are found throughout the body, including the brain. When CBD is consumed, it interacts with these receptors and promotes balance within the system. This can lead to a calming effect, easing anxiety, insomnia, and other ADHD-related symptoms.
If you’d like to know more about how CBD can help with your own symptoms, get in touch with our CBD expert, Kate, here.
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