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When were you diagnosed with ADHD?

User Profile: tommy
tommy July 9th, 2023

If you have been diagnosed, when were you diagnosed and how did you feel when you heard the news?

Did it change anything or make anything easier? Tell us part of your story 💙

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User Profile: tommy
tommy OP July 9th, 2023

Tagging the taglist in case anyone is interested in this thread:

@Ahmedaraf @AloneGhost @azuladragon34 @Cullitrel @empathicPresence9091 @galfromaway @GwydionRowan @jetm0t0 @Kittibear @MangusFruit9796 @ThatChristLover @The1NOnlyVenus @theboymoana @UnconventionalToasterOven

User Profile: theboymoana
theboymoana July 10th, 2023

@tommy

i got diagnose when was little think was 6 it was same time they diagnose me intellectual disability to but I don’t think made me feel anything because couldn’t communicate or anything then so probably didn’t understand any it and idk change any thing my parents later said got evaluated because school I went to after did developmental preschool couldn’t handle me and my parents needed know what going on so knew how to help me

Just think didn’t help because school neglect and abuse me until parents take me from school in 4th grade just now still take adhd medicine

User Profile: galfromaway
galfromaway July 11th, 2023

@tommy

I haven't gone through a formal assessment yet, but it was suggested to me in March that ADHD may be the cause of some of my challenges -- inability to focus, overly sensitive, overwhelmed by mess and loud spaces, unable to keep on one task at a time, challenges with friendships. I'm working with my family doctor to find a medication that will help, and am getting back on track with mindfulness, less screen time (especially doom scrolling through social media), and eating better.

It is a gift in many ways, but I'm still struggling with this. It explains so much, but I still need to work on the tools to improve things. Part of me still feels "broken" and part of me is glad to have a better sense of what is going on with me so I can find ways to work with it.

It's hard. Especially at almost 52 years of age. And having other chronic health issues that have only come up in the last year and a half that I'm wrapping my head around.

But I've found my way through other challenging things, and I can get through this.

1 reply
User Profile: galfromaway
galfromaway January 18th, 2024

I can give an update on this now. 

I received my diagnosis in September 2023 and am still trying to navigate what that means. Working on finding new tools and techniques for this, and struggling that even though it gives me some answers, it doesn't mean I'm going to be different or do things differently. Much to the chagrin of my husband 😓

Working with an ADHD coach, and am waiting to start counselling to figure things out better.

An ongoing work in progress.... 😰

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User Profile: empathicPresence9091
empathicPresence9091 July 13th, 2023

Just got diagnosed today!! I started to suspect that I had ADHD in high school and now I'm in my 4th year of uni so it's definitely been a long journey haha

User Profile: uraverageteen
uraverageteen July 13th, 2023

I got diaagnosed with ADHD two years ago. its been a ruff journey

User Profile: SupportiveMitch
SupportiveMitch July 17th, 2023

I got diagnosed when I was about 21/22 so it wasn’t during childhood. I felt like I finally understood why I acted the way I do.


The best thing I ever experienced was when I got onto medication and started to improve my symptoms, absolutely LIFE CHANGING!!


Forever happy that I pursued a diagnosis.

User Profile: Bambi211
Bambi211 July 28th, 2023

I got diagnosed in March this year after seeing a psychiatrist for depression. I was shocked as I just always thought I had anxiety and depression.

Now I've started to accept that I have it and done some research and have for tips that help me with so much day to day. I probably have around a year wait for medication but hoping it will help

User Profile: SailingFox
SailingFox July 29th, 2023

I was always curious as a child, and I loved to read. One day when I was 10 or 11 years old, I came across a newspaper article about symptoms of ADHD in children and I thought, “Hey, that sounds like me!”


I wasn’t diagnosed until April last year when I insisted to be tested by my therapist; the symptoms couldn’t be ignored anymore especially because I had a hard time coping at my new workplace. I felt like my senses were assaulted everyday and I suffered a couple of panic attacks at work.


My therapist then recommended a book which has been absolutely healing for me, ‘Driven To Distraction’ by Edward Hallowell.

User Profile: sadcat13
sadcat13 January 27th, 2024

@tommy I'm currently in the process of seeking a diagnosis. It is scary and exciting at the same time.

User Profile: justahistorian
justahistorian January 28th, 2024

I got diagnosed last year, when I was 29 years old. I was struggling a lot living alone, and decided to seek help. When my doctor told me I had ADHD, I felt both relief and frustration. Relief because I could finally understand why I am the way I am, that I can and deserve to receive treatment that would improve my quality of life. But it was also frustrating, thinking about all the struggle throughout my life, and that it could have been much easier to live life had I been diagnosed earlier.


I started working on myself, I'm still learning a lot, but now I mostly feel grateful for being diagnosed and finding good professionals. My life has been improving quite a lot :)