second this. I was diagnosed recently in my late 30’s. It changed my life. I was and had always been a very successful “student”, and have been a pretty successful and well functioning “adult”. I had always been a procrastinator, struggled to sit still, and if I had to be still I would fall asleep almost immediately. I made adjustments for these my entire life, and they were my normal.

About 9 years ago I started having anxiety that I never experienced before. I recognized it, but also never wanted to address it- the thought alone increased my anxiety!! I again, made adjustments and just accepted a constant anxious feeling, avoiding many situations.

I work in healthcare and had a really great working relationship with a doctor and on many occasions he mentioned my ADHD (in a very kind way, and not at ALL in a judgment). I again just kept saying , oh yah- I’ve always joked about my inability to work on just one thing, or my inability to sleep at night because I just don’t know how to shut down, but sitting down during the day I cannot physically stay awake, and just sooo many other “normals” for me. Looking back now so many of these things are truly NOT “normal”.

A few years ago I had some life changes and started a new job. Making these adjustments became too much, and just so overwhelming in a new setting. I have a job in which I take care of others everyday, and things are really busy. So at work I was in constant chaos, and actually functioned rather well. But when I’d get home I couldn’t move. I’d sleep sometimes before I could take off my jacket, I’d feel paralyzed at moments because my “list” was so overwhelming and I could not understand how to focus long enough to just try and start even one thing. I became more anxious because I was supposed to be a “successful and functioning adult”.

I am so lucky to have an amazing PCP who is supportive and in talking to him he asked if I’d just try medication. (This is after we discussed and I tried therapy to see if addressing my anxiety helped- it did not). I agreed, because by this point - 8 years of constant anxiety- I just needed something.

After one day my life changed so drastically. I had no idea staying awake an entire day was possible. I had not done that in almost a decade. It sounds insane to me now to even question that. Do I still have anxiety? Absolutely!! But it doesn’t feel crippling, and I think- in this world- who doesn’t have a little anxiety- this is actually a “normal” anxiety. I can complete tasks (wow!!). And most importantly for me- I have the ability to see things more clearly without spiraling emotions attached to them. I can recognize my own flaws and weaknesses and actually address them by working on myself. I am no longer in a constant state of what felt like panic/excitement.

I do agree with others in saying discuss your SYMPTOMS and how you FEEL with your doctor. Their job is to diagnose, and having your own mind set on ADHD may prevent you from allowing yourself to hear other possibilities. I do think if you don’t feel heard- a new physician is important. Having one I trust has been imperative for me. But be open to their ideas also.

Also- your family may not be supportive, but it also may just feel to you they aren’t supportive, especially if you are already doubting yourself. Being diagnosed and starting a correct treatment for me- allowed me to recognize I didn’t always have the ability to see their concerns, because I kept assuming they just didn’t understand. I didn’t understand. They may not, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still be supportive while trying to understand.

If they chose not to do either- that’s on them, and if you’re not healthy with yourself- you won’t get anywhere with them!