Just been diagnosed with ADHD at 42

[GoldenGlobes]

So…. I got a diagnosis today through psychiatry UK (via right to choose) Anyone else been through similar? Do meds make much of a difference? I struggle at work (teaching) and hoping I guess that meds might help with that. If anyone has been through similar, it would be great to hear stories.

I have been recently diagnosed and am 48. Today was day one of my meds and I was told by my Psychologist and the dispensing Pharmacist that I could feel the difference from day one (I was sceptical) and I certainly have.

I haven't had any side effects (yet) other that my head feeling a bit fuzzy (to be safe, I'm not driving until I'm sure how I'll be). My head is definitely quieter though. My boss and my husband have commented that I'm quieter (in a good way I hope). I have focussed at work all day and realised at the end of the day that I haven't snacked (unheard of!).

I've used alcohol as a crutch in the past to help calm me in the evenings but again I'm staying off alcohol (and caffeine) for now and I didn't feel like a wanted or needed a drink when I got in from work, which is also unusual.

It's early days, but it's a positive start

I was 48. Also a teacher (but ELT, and absolutely not not mainstream ed anymore)

Unmedicated because there were no approved adult ADHD drugs back then. The only one approved now is Strattera (sp?) and that doesn’t look like a good mix with my antidepressant.

I’m 55 now and things look very different to the way they were.

I had an unfortunate honeymoon period right after diagnosis when I was so happy to find out that I had an official thing wrong with me (rather than just being a crappier at life version of human) that I went a bit …. over enthusiastically letting myself off the hook for everything.

Things got a bit better once I really dug into strategies. Better still when I took a step back and worked on in a more “whole self” approach. I’m not sure how to explain it but while I was working on the adhd like it was a wart that happened to be attached to me I got less “sticky” results.

Even better when I accepted that maybe taking antidepressants wasn’t going to be the end of the word. Cherry on the cake when I added HRT a few months ago. So I suppose I am medicated, just not with ADHD specific drugs.

How are you feeling since you’ve been diagnosed ? It can be quite a lot to take in.

Thank you so much for your responses. Right now, I’m feeling huge relief. I was putting a lot of pressure on myself for not doing as well as my colleagues on the ‘extra’ stuff. The actual teaching hasn’t been an issue but so much more is expected of me because I’ve been doing it for years. I know exactly what you mean about using alcohol as medication. I’ve been doing this for a few years now. It could be 6 months until I am medicated but I am looking forward to a healthier lifestyle!

DH was diagnosed last year at 47.

The medication made such an enormous difference. It has been like night and day.

We had actually separated (after 20 years) and are now back together and working through everything.

Without the medication, I would not even have considered it, as it was just all too much for me and his children.

It's not a magic pill, and it can take a while to get the medication just right, but from my experience, I would advise you to give it a go.

Thank you for sharing your story, I am so glad the diagnosis and medication has given you the opportunity to reassess your marriage. Wishing you all the best with that journey.

It is reassuring for me to read these stories saying how much of a difference medication has made. I’ve been so fixated on the actual diagnostic process, I hadn’t really thought about what to do afterwards!