To ask why you sought an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood?

What did you gain from it?
Not so much what I gained, but that suspecting and not knowing was consuming every bit of peace.
I had masked and got away with it for life up to the point when I had a 2 year old and was trying to work as I had always done. A lot of life prior to that depended on workarounds, hyper focus, self medicating sometimes, and having a lot of time to rest when things were almost coming off the rails. That's not a sustainable thing to do with a 2 year old. Then add a pandemic and the WFH imperative.
Things are not perfect but it does make you work at regulating yourself.
What do you do to help life? You are aware of what will make things better and worse, especially in terms of work habits.
How does the piece of paper help? Can it? As well as helping, it can have an effect like a grenade and a shock wave to work with as well. There is nowhere to hide, not in whatever year of your age you are, nor lots and lots of hindsight. You notice what pushes your buttons and the memories of how, as well. If there are some who might see it as a validation, then good on them, but for most it's a bit gruelling to read your report and see the results of your tests pinned down. Your 'scores' are more than just a nice report of a quirky but charming subject. Some of the things I was assessed on - this took in other developmental assessments - put me impressively high up in some abilities, but in the bottom 2 percent of the population for others. Two Per Cent. I tell you, that takes some swallowing. You wonder things like whether you're a danger to yourself and others. You realise things aren't as hard for most, as you thought they were for everyone.

I recently visited my doctors to see whether the 'symptoms' I have picked up in myself are what he deems worthy of an assessment. He decided so, for both ADHD and autism. Much as you've described, self diagnosis via social media.

I went through right to choose as the NHS waiting list in my area was 3 years, from them receiving the referall to my first appointment next week, it has been 3 weeks. I am first being assessed for Autism.

I have always struggled and wondered why I am different, since having two children, things got worse. I just thought 'it's just who I am and everyone is different' I didn't realise it would be something of a medical diagnosis until lately. Maybe I am wrong, but I am hoping that a diagnosis, and the medication that will follow, will help my brain relax, thus making life all round more bearable.

Had an autism diagnosis at 55 by the nhs on the back of my DD’s diagnosis after it was suggested .One of the outcomes of my autism diagnosis was that I should have an adhd diagnosis too. Having both has been life changing. Finally I have answers and can be kinder to myself! I’m also now getting treatment for the adhd.

It was suggested to me 20-ish years ago that I be assessed for ADHD by the CPN I was seeing, but I ignored it at the time. I just thought I was 'mental'.
After having my twins in 2018, a lot of my symptoms became worse and, eventually, I decided I owed it to my children to do whatever it took to sort myself out.
Fast forward to October '22, I had saved enough for assessment and was diagnosed with severe, combined ADHD.
I trialled the medication route and, honestly, it's the best decision I ever made, both for myself AND my daughters.
Also had the Autism assessment that was suggested to me many moons ago. And, was diagnosed.
Mine has been a fairly positive story, and it has helped me understand myself AND my daughters better. Twin 1 has had her Autism assessment and Twin 2 has had her ADHD assessment. Both diagnosed. Twin 1 is awaiting ADHD assessment and Twin 2 needs an Autism assessment.
It's not like diagnosis and medication alone have helped me to start to turn my around: I have worked my butt off on myself.

I got an autism diagnosis in my 50s. Massive relief. I understand myself better and others understand me better. i I am now able to explain to people that when they think my behaviour is off, that it is not me being deliberately awkward, it is in fact my autism.

Following with interest for the difference it's made to peoples lives. On a personal note, I have just recently started the process of an assessment for ADHD. It's important to me because I have spent my entire life feeling somehow "different" and like a failure and have developed a lot of negative thought patterns and view of myself. A diagnosis I hope will be the first step in unpicking this and learning to accept myself. I hope to see some positive posts from women who are a bit further down the diagnosis route and how this has positively affected them.

I went for an assessment as 2 of our 3 children have been diagnosed with ADHD. I was assessed via right to choose around a year ago and am still on the waitlist for medication.

I am very similar to my eldest DC and I thought it would help my DC to know that I also have ADHD. Since my diagnosis I am less critical of myself. I have told my manager at work (she was not surprised) but I haven't told HR as I manage my workload well (I hyper focus and struggle to switch off). I haven't told friends or anyone outside of my immediate family but I am generally a private person.