Navigating a Late ADHD Diagnosis at Age 23

I was diagnosed in my 40's 😥 I went through a few years of trying to wrap my head around it. I feel like my whole life up to that point could have been so much better if I would have known! I just thought I was a big failure! But I'm not. I just think differently that's all.

I got diagnosed with ADHD around the age of 5years old. I had to start my first ADHD medication around that time too.

i was diagnosed by a psych doctor who specialized in adhd

If I may ask, how did you get the diagnosis? My wife is struggling to get one because the doctors here aren't very good. Did you go to a general doctor or psych doctor?

I wasn’t diagnosed until 33 after many, many doctors dealing with post concussion syndrome. Because it was through Worker compensation it wasn’t officially diagnosed so I don’t have it on paper but we move forward like I have been diagnosed.

@MamaP ive delt with attention and focus issues for as long as i remember. i never rly felt like i fit in with the regular kids either in my classes, my teachers would note that i was a spacecase and i didn’t listen well but my parents never did anything about it. when highschool hit my teacher told me she had adhd and that i should get tested so i listened and here i am now:”) i was previously mis diagnosed with bipolar 2 due to my intense mood swings but turns out it was the emotional dysregulation aspect of the adhd😬but yeah i reached out to a doctor who specialized it adhd n i got my diagnosis from him after a lot of testing

Hey all! I think I may have it and am wondering- what led you to a diagnosis? How did you approach your doctor about it?

I was not diagnosed until 31. It’s weird with it being late but it explains so much of my life. My biggest advice is find things that work for you. So if it’s medication by the kitchen sink so you remember then do that. Don’t do the status quo because you think you have too.

hello!! i was diagnosed about a month or two ago, so i am also just recently diagnosed (i was 16), so if you ever need someone to walk the newer path with you there’s a lot of people in here to talk with (including me) :)

Hi! I was diagnosed later as well at 18 last year and it was definitely hard for me to process it. It’s been a year since then so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me:)