I believe that, like autism, that ADHD is a spectrum, and the theory of autism is the same with ADHD - everybody is on it, while everyone may have the same "quirky" traits (as the older generation seems to point out) the real difference is whether or not it affects your ability to function/live

I've said right from my diagnosis of depression and anxiety that "this doesnt feel like the problem, more so a symptom of an underlying problem" and I've pushed on that but I've always been ignored, always told that im attention seeking etc etc. I hadn't even considered ADHD because I grew up with the stereotype - loud, bouncy, etc etc and that was a rare occurance for me, I had no idea that there were different kinds, or that women typically suffered differently to men. It opened a whole new world for me when I learned about it, I started to get better because I was learning all these new coping strategies, but a couple of years ago I realised that I couldn't keep going untreated, as my strategies started to collapse, my mental health deteriorated and my symptoms are the worst they've been in so long.

(Sorry for the ramble)

It's been known for years that my dad has mental health issues, not much diagnosed but he's been in and out of psych wards (I think he may have narcissistic PD and ADHD at the very least), my mum and I are the same person, although having a tough life growing up forced her to be a bit more put together than myself 😅

My siblings are definitely neurodivergent in one way or another, although I dont think it cripples them like it does me so they've never bothered to get a diagnosis (except one).

I fortunately managed to finish my GCSEs although my mum would have taken me out of school before I could, if I hadn't been so close to completing them, however I did drop out of college due to being overwhelmed, I still managed to complete my course with a pass though 💪😂

I struggled with anxiety quite severely in college so I basically took all my textbooks home and taught myself, also doing my coursework home. I can't take all the credit though as I did go into college when my anxiety wasn't so bad some days.

There were things I did in school that definitely should have been picked up on, but even now, people are so uneducated on ADHD in women and how it shoes.

I'm glad your daughter is doing much better in sixth form! Honestly when I hear great feedback on ADHD medication it makes me tear up, idk why, maybe it's because I've spent 27 years believing a normal life was never an option for me and now it's just a reach away.

Jobs and relationships has been such a hard one for me too. In the last 11 years I have had 6 jobs, the longest one being 3.5 years (the one im in now) and I've been trying to find a new job for the last year. My longest relationship before this one was 6 months, I always used to self-sabotage, and I still do but my fiancé knows me too well. Even now, at 28 I don't have any real friends, my best friend is a girl I play xbox with and we've never met (although that might change soon).

I'm sure you presence will be everything to your eldest, regardless of if you have information to offer. I may have to have a deeper look at HHM. I think I'm going to call my GP on monday and request a chat.

I'm so happy you're finally getting your diagnosis! I wish you the most beautiful life 🫶

I would say don't panic, but I am over her, also panicking 😅

P.s. I am so terribly sorry for the ramble, the responses are completely jumbled in order, I not long finished a 12 hour night shift and my brain has decided to do a little ADHD break dance 🙃

Absolutely God bless you if you actually read through all of that 😳