I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult - AMA

[WhereAmITho]

I'm a woman diagnosed with ADHD at 32. I spent many years thinking I had autism spectrum disorder but it didn't quite fit my experiences.

Doing this to see if I can help any others who think they might have ADHD, and/or answer any questions anyone may have about it : )

How was your school experience?
My son is undiagnosed ...on the pathway for diagnosis for ASD or ADHD or both. School is horrendous for him.

How were you diagnosed? NHS or private? Seems almost impossible to get NHS assessments as adults even ore covid

Do you have a child/children who have ADHD?

Are you taking any medication?

Sorry went off to do lunch.

@Fairytalefancies school was awful. I was constantly in detention for not doing my work, and everyone thought I was an absolute dimwit, I was polite but absolutely could not take any instructions. I was always daydreaming, zero brain to mouth filter, constantly messy/untidy/covered in pen ink. I NEVER took the right books to class and I was the butt of jokes, quite often from teachers in front of the class. I understand that boys and girls can differ quite a lot in the way their symptoms present. So sorry your son is struggling, what is he experiencing?

@rosiepaul I was diagnosed privately thanks to my dad lending me the money (it was £500) - however I was then also diagnosed by an NHS psychiatrist after a 3 week wait as I was under the adult mental health team. I am in the South East.

@YouBoughtMeAWall My daughter is only 2 so I won't know for a while. I am quite sure my mum and brother both have it.

@Cactusowl Yes I am on Elvanse and I take 20mg a day

My daughter is only 2 so I won't know for a while. I am quite sure my mum and brother both have it.

Thank you, my son has been diagnosed, I’ve thought I have ADHD for years and suspect my father might too.

Has medication made a big difference? Thanks

Wow...your experience sounds like my son actually. He is constants getting reprimanded for bad behaviour...not a week goes by without emails or phone calls of things he has done. He spends a lot of time in detention or isolation and has even self harmed at school very recently. Things are better but he is still in trouble for being rude, defiant and class clown.
Do you take things literally?

@YouBoughtMeAWall

Have you spoken to your dad about it at all? What is it that you personally struggle with the most?

@Onecattwocats

It has helped, and I realise quite how much when I don't take it for a few days. I feel like I'm trying to walk through a fog if I miss my dose now. However there are side effects, I can feel quite nervous on it sometimes, and I am prone to panic attacks so have to be a bit careful. Diet has a huge impact on how the meds work for you as well.

@Fairytalefancies

I feel so much for you and for your son. Everything in out society was built for neurotypicals, and being even slightly out of the range of 'normal' can be very painful. I would say I was the class clown, but mainly down to my terrible lack of filter, I was also quite loud without meaning to be because I struggled to hold my thoughts in. Well, that was unless I wasn't completely sucked into a daydream. I can struggle with judging if somethings sarcasm sometimes and often clarify things that I don't need to. It can be very embarrassing. Does your son have any support at school or anyone he can talk to?