Accepting ADHD after diagnosis?
Hey, I'm 18, and earlier this year I was diagnosed with ADHD. It was a relief because, without knowing it, ADHD was something I struggled with my whole life, especially in school (which I'm still in), and finally having an explanation for why I am the way I am is a relief. Especially because now I can find ways to work with my ADHD, like taking medication. I have had some problems with the medication because, according to my doctor, I am sensitive to it and its side effects. But apart from that, even though it's a relief to know that I have ADHD, it also feels kind of like a burden because, first of all, I keep wondering how my life would have turned out if I had been diagnosed earlier, and second, I find it hard to accept that I can only do certain things when I take my medication. Mostly in school, I was barely able to study the last few years, and I kept thinking that I was just too lazy, but now I know that is not true, and with medication, I could finally study and get better grades. But it kind of makes me sad that I'm not able to do these things on my own. Most of my classmates can achieve the same good grades without the help of medication. I know that having ADHD doesn't make me less smart or anything, but it still makes me feel sort of less "good" because I can't be a very good student without taking medication. Did anyone else struggle with these things when you got your diagnosis, and are there any tips on how to overcome those feelings?
@Lilachocolatecake
I can relate to what you have described. I have never been diagnosed, but have had the brain yapping away at me my whole life. Growing up, I was characterized as being lazy, careless, bad behavior, X's all the way across. As I got older, I found that I had to work twice as hard as everyone else in school. I realized that I had to have systems in order to learn. Like you, I felt slighted by the hand that I had been dealt. Then one day, I read an article whereas someone made the statement that ADHA was their Super Power. Well that gave me some food for thought. People who have ADHD learn differently, and they have to learn how to manage it. I am betting in the community chat rooms, you will find other people who you can further discuss this with. Start looking at this as your new ability. You've got this!
