Hi, I’m a recent university graduate, and I started my first full-time job not long ago.
I’ve struggled with connecting to people since childhood. I had “friends,” but the connections were always shallow. People usually stuck around because they saw me as academically gifted 🙄, but in reality, I just spent three to four times longer than others on tasks. I usually did very well, but it came at a cost. At first, I thought it was social anxiety, but I’m fine meeting different people. The problem comes after that, when it’s about exchanging information and keeping the flow going.
Since starting work, I’ve noticed a problem that I now realize has always been there. I genuinely cannot focus on verbal instructions or conversations. Everything turns into a blurry mess in my head. It is not like my head is noisy; it is more like being foggy. Even when I catch some words and try to respond, the conversation has already moved on, and I just stay silent like a fool. I also hyperfixate a lot. When I find a hobby or game, I stick with it for years, some over a decade, and rarely explore anything else. Fidgeting and staying focused on tasks are also issues.
Because of all this, I strongly suspect I might have ADHD, but I can’t afford a diagnosis right now, which makes me feel stuck.
I have work tomorrow, and I really like the people I work with. They are great, but I struggle to reciprocate socially and end up being very reserved, which seems to weird people out.
I am not asking for a diagnosis. For those who struggled with things similar to the above problems, were there any things that actually helped? Anything that made life feel less overwhelming?
Every day feels like a burden lately. I am exhausted and just looking for a small nudge in the right direction.
Thank you.
TLDR
23M, bad at processing verbal info, hyperfixates, trouble focusing, suspect ADHD, struggles socially at work. Looking for practical ways to cope and improve day-to-day interactions.