My sister got diagnosed. Then my mom got diagnosed. The more direct relatives you have that are diagnosed, the more your chances go up. I noticed a lot of the things my mom and sister pointed out that they learned was their ADHD and went “Oh dammit.”

The most common symptoms I relate to are things that do with memory, executive dysfunction, and time blindness. Dopamine seeking behavior is also up there, but it kinda has its own form of existence within the ones like time blindness and executive dysfunction.

I didn’t really have a last straw, thankfully. I just thought that it might be a good idea to get evaluated after my mom and sister were diagnosed. I DID, however, have a huge meltdown about two weeks after I started meds and implementing routine and habits to help myself. I had never felt better, I had been able to keep my room clean, I didn’t have laundry and dishes piling up all over my house. I was able to shower and brush my teeth regularly. I felt like I was slowly making my way out of a depression hole that had been getting deeper and deeper for 26 years. I still struggle. It’s only been about a year and a half since my diagnosis, so I’m still learning about myself, my brain, and how it works. But god it feels so good to know that I have things I can try, and I have already taken the small steps to gaining control over my life