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Considering ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult

SourLemons

396d

Hey all, I've never been diagnosed with ADHD, and for most of my life, it had never crossed my mind to even look into it as an adult. Recently, my parents told me that they both exhibit many of the signs for ADHD but that neither of them ever looked into testing for a diagnosis, either. Since I started looking into it, I noticed that my everyday normal characteristics might not be normal for most people. I hyperfocus on things I am interested in to the point of extreme exhaustion, easily and constantly lose focus on everything else, am incredibly spontaneous, quickly drain my mental energy, experience severe depression and anxiety, and other maybe-signs on top of that, too. Growing up, I had the misconception that the only type of ADHD out there is the one often portrayed in media—talking and thinking non-stop, fidgeting all the time, and the like. I was wrong, and now I'm wondering if much of my currently unexplainable pain and conditions could be linked to ADHD. Not that my life would really change much if I get diagnosed vs not, but... it'd be nice to know, you know? Do you have any post-childhood encounters with conditions you never thought you had? Did that bring some clarity into your life? Should I try to get tested?

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14

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Anxiety (Including GAD)

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Depression

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Top reply
    • 1bananahere

      319d

      Hello! Not sure if this helps as you've got a lot of responses, but I suffered from Depression and Anxiety for almost 10 years with a lot of meds not working, that is until I got diagnosed by a new psychiatrist I had ADHD. Took ADHD meds and it was absolutely life-changing such as regulating emotions and a lot of things finally made sense when I started researching ADHD more. I definitely recommend chasing a diagnosis because I'm definitely mentally in a better state.

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    • 1bananahere

      319d

      Hello! Not sure if this helps as you've got a lot of responses, but I suffered from Depression and Anxiety for almost 10 years with a lot of meds not working, that is until I got diagnosed by a new psychiatrist I had ADHD. Took ADHD meds and it was absolutely life-changing such as regulating emotions and a lot of things finally made sense when I started researching ADHD more. I definitely recommend chasing a diagnosis because I'm definitely mentally in a better state.

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    • Koalaluver05

      392d

      Adhd diagnosed at 33 years old.. The chemical difference helped me tremendously.. Because I have a dopamine issue not a serotonin issue so when diagnosed depression ocd I found those are often due to the ADHD. so I vote get diagnosed and go from there!

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    • shedidit

      393d

      Self realization of ADHD is what brought clarity for me. I was self diagnosed and then diagnosed. But the realization of what I thought was my personality and moral defects had a name. By the grace of God was able to realize I actually didn't like myself because of all the seemingly dumb mistakes I always made. Now, I am not as easily offended and I can receive the grace of God in areas of my life I couldn't before. It was just such a relief and I recommend self education and and a diagnosis.

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    • Onefortheroad23

      394d

      I really feel like I have ADHD and that is why none of my antidepressant medications are working. I just hope to get a diagnosis soon so I can actually make progress

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      • Atheris

        389d

        @Onefortheroad23 Anti-depressants can help but the only real "medical" help are the stim class of drugs. Unfortunately, in my experience doctors aren't as well versed as they should be on ADHD treatment. It can be very dose dependant. If too much makes you have side effects, multiple small doses through out the day may be the answer. Some people can't tolerate the come down and get irritable. A short acting dose at the end of the day can help you not fall off too fast.

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        • Onefortheroad23

          320d

          @Atheris yes I realized. I was prescribed Ritalin for like 10 days to see how it helped (5 mg twice a day) and there definitely was an improvement. Now because of this shortage I haven’t been able to get any medication for 1 1/2 months. It has been absolute hell. Worst part is when you call pharmacies or ask psychiatrists if they can send prescriptions and you can just tell they think you are trying to push drugs or something. Like no I just want something to not make my brain feel so clogged

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      • Ariel90

        394d

        @Onefortheroad23 yeah, I have felt the same way for a long time until I was put on my last antidepressant. But now I don't know if that's even working...

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        • Tii

          394d

          @Ariel90 my partner is currently going through ADHD diagnosis because when he was 7 he was diagnosed with ADD and they just forgot to keep up with it. He was put on antidepressants and it help take the edge off things but it doesn't solve the ADHD and needs medicine for that to help with depression and anxiety.

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    • Ariel90

      395d

      I have never actually been diagnosed with ADHD, but have had doctors and my therapist tell me that I have ADHD without an official diagnosis. There are a lot of traumas linked to my ADHD that sometimes I wish I could have gotten medicine and help with, but I am also thankful I wasn't put on medication as well. As an adult I feel my life works better without taking medications and using marijuana which helps a lot for me if you are in a state that allows medical cards.💚

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    • Atheris

      395d

      I absolutely know that there were things in my childhood linked to ADHD. But I was only diagnosed at 35. Looking back, alot of my "personality" can be attributed to these symptoms. It makes me sad to think about what might have been had I been diagnosed and gotten the help I needed. If your life works then getting a diagnosis is an unnecessary expense. However, to get meds you have to get tested. ADHD also explains a lot of the trauma I went through as a child. Not being able to remember things, being picked on by teachers for not living up to my potential, and just the vague feeling that something was wrong with me.

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      • SourLemons

        394d

        @Atheris I resonate with that last paragraph a lot. Sometimes I just feel... off? Different but not in a good way? I've come a long way thanks to the supportive people around me but it feels like my turn to look for answers and an internal support structure of my own, too.

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    • Tii

      396d

      I was diagnosed with ADHD yesterday 😂 and I honestly never ever thought I had it. I just knew life was more difficult. My brain just worked different and I always assumed it was from my hydrocephalus. I am not spontaneous at all but have impulse control issues for sure. If a diagnosis will give you any peace of mind then I encourage it.

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      • SourLemons

        394d

        @Tii thank you for sharing. I think it'd be nice to know for sure because for my whole life it's felt like I was just inadequate or incapable of focusing and operating the way most of my friends do. I think I'll look into getting a diagnosis sometime soon.

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☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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It's not uncommon for people to discover they have ADHD later in life, as some individuals mentioned in the shared stories. Getting a diagnosis can bring clarity and help you understand your experiences better. If you suspect you might have ADHD, it could be beneficial to consult with a healthcare professional and discuss your concerns. They can guide you through the process of getting tested and provide appropriate support if needed.

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