To just ask for really lovely ADHD success stories

My mother worked as a private remedial teacher for years and had a lot of students with ADHD. One point that certainly used to get made about medication is that it allows children to get the education they need, learn skills and mature to the point that they may be able to manage better without medication when they are older.

I suspect that targetting medication to when it is "most needed" remains important. Of course, it may not be "needed" but may still be "helpful" for a much longer time.

I was diagnosed a few months ago at 38. Everything in my life finally made sense. It's wonderful that your dc has been diagnosed in childhood.
My life has been immeasurably better since I started medication. It's been life changing.

@Willyoujustbequiet can you share those studies please? Everything I have read, having a diagnosis only in my late 30s, suggests otherwise. I have a wide network of neurodiverse friends and colleagues (and online buddies) and I have not heard of this.

It is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, how does one grow out of that?! Does the brain somehow come to need less dopamine, do the dopamine receptors become more sensitive, does the masking just reinforce itself? I am curious…

That may be the case for you personally but significant numbers do indeed grow out of it.

Its estimated that it persists anywhere from 50-80% of cases, some studies quote two thirds. If those figures are correct then a minimum of 20 perhaps even upwards to 50% grow out of it which is a substantial number worldwide. (Harvard)

I have had several books published. Was chatting to my agent about my ADHD. She said she thinks half her authors have it. I suspect she's right.

Writing a book is actually a crazy thing to do and requires a ridiculous level of obsessive focus. But weirder is the way in which some people write- there are many quirks.

Talking to some of the other authors out there- one of the weird things I do is to write a book, be completely obsessed with it for about six months, and then pretty much forget I've written it. I don't get bothered by rejections because if they come in I sometimes forget what they're referring to. I don't seem to be alone in this.

In some ways I think writing books is a coping strategy for me. I was certainly 'inattentive' at school, and it was largely daydreaming. Reorganising my world.

I know one author with a diagnosis who sold 2, 000,000 books last year (that should narrow it down a bit).

Janina Ramirez has had a recent diagnosis which she has talked about. As well as her tv and book record, she's a lecturer at Oxford.

Its not outdated and has been shown by the most comprehensive and longest running studies. Including those considered conservative estimates.

Our own consultant is one of the leading authorities so I'm happy to be guided by him.

We will have to agree to differ.

Absolutely! Me at 40 and my 74 year old mother are both very much still exhibiting symptoms…. If anything they get worse with age!

This is an outdated view. ADHD can fluctuate but it’s now thought that most people do not grow out of it.

https://www.additudemag.com/can-children-really-outgrow-adhd/

There’s also quite a lot of attention being paid to the effect that hormonal changes have on ADHD in women, right through to menopause.

https://www.additudemag.com/women-hormones-and-adhd/

RSD is definitely what’s harmed me most. OP, do read up on that as it’s very common in people with RSD and often misdiagnosed.

DD has diagnosed ADHD and starting medication is the best thing we could do for her. It's a shame stigma surrounds medication as it's just a tool to help your child cope. Ours is far happier and comes home having enjoyed school now.

A lot of people (incl me) in my high profile professional firm are high flyers with ADHD (and AuDHd), many Oxbridge educated etc. It’s hard especially if undiagnosed but it isn’t a barrier to succeeding and we have many traits that are valued, like hyperfocus etc. The biggest limiting thing is RSD/self-esteem imho.

Our consultant told us a lot of kids grow out of it. I've mentioned that on here before and some people don't like to hear it but if you look at the research its true.

DC are in a much better place than they were a few years ago despite not being medicated. I wouldn't hesitate to use the meds though as Ive heard so many positive reports.

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago and am in my early 30s. Didn't do well at primary school where I was hugely overlooked by teachers but blossomed in secondary school where teachers noticed my interests and encouraged me in them. Turns out I didn't need much to help me along and was a high performing student by the time I reached my gcses. I'm now considering starting a PhD, but I also have a well paid corporate career.

Some things which I believe are key:

• Learning what motivates people with adhd. People with the condition are generally motivated differently to neurotypicals.

Ds1 diagnosed at 6 couldn't bring myself to start medication until 8. Medication was the best thing. He went from bottom of his class to near top. Actually starting enjoying being with him rather than managing his behaviour all the time. He made more friends. Life just got a bit simpler. He loves sports now in high school and is getting on well.
Medication journey can be scary with side effects but iv found after 6months things settle down more, you adapt eating pattern that fits around their Medication.

I have ADHD - diagnosed in my early 30s with textbook inattentive type. I was assessed for loads of things when I was a child and yet none of the assessments ever picked up ADHD. Pre-diagnosis I managed to get a 2:1 from Oxbridge and a 6 figure job, so it definitely didn't hold me back too much.

If anything, I think it's been a net positive in my life. I'm not afraid of taking risks or disrupting the status quo. I thrive on new experiences and change, which just means that naturally I've had a really interesting life so far. ADHD has been called "the explorer gene" and that's absolutely accurate for me.

I'm medicated now (although not right now because I'm pregnant) and I found it makes my mind so much clearer - I'm more efficient and get things done so much faster. It also helps me get systems in place so I don't have to take my medication every day.

I’m in my 40s, late diagnosis of inattentive type ADHD - wish I had known earlier as would have done a lot differently. Namely accepting part time working may be my limit to do things well in short bursts.

I'm undiagnosed but now understand myself more. Wish I'd known was I was 12.. DD diagnosed at 12. She chose meds. Grades & sets improved within weeks

late dx at 50 and absolutley heartbroken and racked with guilt as I just missed the opportunity to tell my late father

Its now my super power with the hyper focus and stability that the meds have given me
Tell myself that today is going to be amazing on the way to work every day now

My DS was diagnosed as a student. He was really struggling. He took a year out, got his act together, got on medication and graduated with a 2:1 in engineering. I am really proud of him. Don't lose hope.

I'm in my 40s. Friend with ADHD has a degree, a masters, is working for a PhD and works in scientific research.

@CallMeMousie

As you can see lots of children, young people and adults with ADHD do very well.
The thing about medication- maybe think of it like this.
We give babies and young children Calpol, if your child was asthmatic you would get the inhaler, if they had diabetes you would want the insulin etc etc.

If we have no issues about medicine for all of this, why would we not want it for ADHD

Another late diagnosis here with an Oxbridge degree and a professional career. I wish I’d known earlier as it has been hell at times but I’m here to tell the tale. I could have made a lot more of my job if I’d known and avoided a lot of prolonged spells of what I now know to be burnout.

Son was undiagnosed until 17. Medication had an immediate effect. Had struggled all through school with concentration and delivery - never got into big trouble but was always always the one who hadn’t done homework. Went from predicted poor grades at A Level to A stars, and is on course for a first class degree now.