Newly Diagnosed with ADHD: Overwhelmed and Unsure

I was diagnosed at 4 so I don't know exactly how you feel. The only thing I suggest is focus on the things you know, don't focus on thing you don't know. Do you know your sensory issues? (I.E lights, colors, sounds, touches, etc.) Focus on those and how to control them. Do you know your safe foods? (I.E chicken nuggets, tacos, chips, chocolate, etc) Have them stocked up somewhere just in case you have a bad overstimulation episode. I also suggest trying to find groups that have more autistic people, maybe in your age. If you are in the USA, you can get SSI as autism is seen as a disability. I do not know about other countries so look up on those. Do not try and be more autistic. Ignore those "You can't be autistic because you don't shake your hands" as those are things you don't need. Remember, all autistic people are different. Autism can change over time. Some days you are high functioning (you can do things with no problem), some days you are low functioning (you get stressed about simple tasks like brushing teeth or doing laundry) You can always reach out to me too! I'll be glad to help in anyway I can.

I was diagnosed as an adult as well and I totally relate to this. It’s overwhelming because you don’t know how to help yourself but I was also a little relieved. Things that I’ve been feeling all my life finally kinda made sense. It can be refreshing to know that what your feeling is not crazy or weird but completely normal. I hope the new diagnosis allows you to care for yourself better and discover what you would like help with. Therapy has helped me with that.

I think some good advice is that you don't have to live up to others' expectations. I'm also a late diagnosed individual, and truly, it is very hard to go through life as an ASD without understanding that. (In my experience) It has been very painful, and my self-worth definitely has suffered because I always thought why can't I be like them or do what they can or why am I always messing up I just need to try harder and harder. I have realized that while it's good I want to try to do what they can do and try to meet their expectations at the end of the day I'm me and I do not javelin to meet theirs. (I the we ASD have our own expectations of NTs which they couldn't possibly begin to reach😁) Reach out if you need to talk about anything Here is a podcast that has been helpful for me https://open.spotify.com/show/40KiF6VJSdDUMxY0XtBBBn

Hi there🤗 I am so sorry you're feeling overwhelmed- the world is a super overwhelming, overestimating place, and adding being overwhelmed just with your own being makes it so much harder! I am always here to chat any time. In terms of "help [you] live up to [your] full potential"... The best place to start isn't trying to troubleshoot the stuff you don't know or understand, it's working on stuff you recognize. The symptoms you're aware of, if you will. I am ALWAYS happy to chat... I also know a thing or two about Autism.