Is there any benefit to an ADHD diagnosis as an adult?

[Shewas]

I've started to wonder about myself and since I started doing some research, loads of those sound bite reels about ADHD in older women keep popping up in FB. Many of them are uncanny in the way they describe me, especially my reaction to rejection, and the procrastination followed by god mode to never miss a deadline.

But, at 56, is there any point making the effort/spending the money to have it formally diagnosed?

You have lasted this long without a diagnosis. What would it achieve? I think we all have certain traits that could be linked to ADHD or Autism.

Yes, that's my question!

Yes. I got a late autism diagnosis and it's made a huge difference to how I see myself and the world around me.

What would be the purpose of it? Seems like everyone has or is pursuing a diagnosis of some description lately. Maybe some of these things are just your personality. Does it need labelling?

It helped me immensely in my 60’s to get the diagnosis because now I have medication for it. It’s been life changing.

I have recently been through the assessment process and been diagnosed combined type ADHD aged 49.

Although I knew, really, it has helped me to process aspects of my life experience.

I am giving medication a try - too early to say for sure but it seems to be helping with task initiation and completion which was causing issues for me at work.

It's always a good idea to understand yourself better.

Late diagnosis here. I was about 51. The meds are life changing.

Yea it will help you get a better understanding of yourself and you'll know for sure that you are in adhd. Not everyone has these traits. Its a wide septrum but not everyone is on it

I don't know, that's my question. If there's treatment or support it could have purpose.

I agree, unless you want to go down the route of exploring medication, or need reasonable adjustments at work, then there is little point in a formal diagnosis. I also think I may well have ADHD (both my kids have been diagnosed with it) but also I'm high functioning and have good coping strategies, so it doesn't really impact too much on my life.

This isn't true, when we refer to a 'spectrum' it's referring to the spectrum of people who are diagnosed and how they experience it differently. It is factually incorrect to say we are all a bit autistic/ADHD.

It's up to you OP, but I found a late diagnosis massively life changing. Just having a reason to explain why I am the way I am and not all the labels I've received over the year - too much/messy/lazy etc..
In addition, medication can quite literally be life changing, especially for inattentive ADHD.

I've been wondering this too, and I've decided no.

It depends. I got diagnosed in early 40s. I take adhd medication it helps me a lot to focus, get things done more efficiently.
Ultimately it’s up to you.
Medication isn’t for everyone.
I am less critical of myself know I now what I have but I still work on being on time etc.

The ADHDers in my life all take medication to help manage their lives, and its been a huge improvement for them. But if you don't want to try medication, is there a need? It can give you a label and permission to accept yourself (which my family members also appreciates) if that would be helpful for you emotionally?

I was diagnosed at 56 after my kids were and it’s hugely beneficial. I chose not to medicate.The NHS in our area do a psychotherapy course after diagnosis which gives you coping skills. Just getting answers and reasons has been fanatastic for my mental health and confidence.

Many people with undiagnosed ADHD self medicate and have risky behaviours. Medication is hugely helpful with this.

“It is factually incorrect to say we are all a bit autistic/ADHD”

But I didn’t say that!

I said many of us have traits that could present as such.

There is a threshold,the bar is high and there are particular traits that need to be present from early childhood and have a significant impact on life so no many don’t present as having autism and ADHD. Also looking like you have traits is nowhere like having the conditions and having to live with them.

Agree with this.

it’s not ok to say we’re all a bit autistic/ADHD.

ND can impact someone’s live immensely and it’s when this impact affects their quality of life that it can be useful to have a diagnosis to support reasonable adjustments, extra support, or to receive medication.

Medication for a lot of people diagnosed with ADHD can be life changing. But again, if you can manage then it may not be for you. For others it can be debilitating and can mean they can’t work, struggle with relationships and has impact on their personal lives in many ways.

for some it’s validation and gives them an explanation that they’re not just naughty, lazy, can’t keep a job down etc.

so it really does depend OP.

You could get a blue badge and park closer to the shops

Yes there’s treatment. Medication.

Bit different as I suspected autism (two dc have it and their assessor suggested I get tested). At first I didn't get tested because there didn't seem a need (it's wasn't going to change anything/I accepted that was probably the case therefore I could look at adapting my life to make things easier).
What changed was I became physically disabled and during my pip assessment I mentioned it was a probability and how it was affecting me since my disability. The asseor wrote in my report 'thinks she has autism, I do not believe so'. I got assessed in order to show proof for my next pip assessment.
Has it changed anything no. I have sent the report to pip with my renewal so at least it will be taken into consideration and they won't basically say I'm lieing in the report. It has hindered me once at the gp whereby the gp was questioning if I had the insight to make a specific medical decision (I have a degree in a medical field) and secondly when I updated my travel insurance I got a phone call questioning the diagnosis and what effects it would have on me in stressful situations (I answered about 10 questions and then they sent it to an under writer who added £15.36 to my policy).
The only reason I'd get a diagnosis is if you want to try medication because currently its hindering your activities of daily living or if you need adjustments at work. If not I'd probably not bother. Also make sure you consider the long nhs waiting list and my gp told me if I went private they would not accept the diagnosis (I've heard of people being refused prescribing for adhd medication because diagnosis was private).

And therapy in some areas. Our area does a group skills type therapy and individual. Both my daughter and I have done the skills therapy. It’s fantastic. My daughter did individual too and it has been hugely helpful as her ADHD lead to serious mental health struggles and self harm. She medicates her ADHD as does my son. Both find medication massively helpful. It has helped them access education and work.

What a horrible post. Reported. You've clearly no idea how debilitating adhd can be if not treated. No one is thinking about getting a diagnosis to get a blue badge fgs.

GPS are starting to stop shared care with all ADHD diagnoses even NHS. All that means is you have to get your meds from where you were diagnosed which is fine if it was NHS as it will still be free, not so if it was private. It’s madness as nhs consultants having to waste time prescribing and monitoring NHs patients that GPs could means they have less time to diagnose and so it goes on in a vicious circle.The recent NHS ADHD taskforce report has highlighted the insane nhs waitlists and the need to cut them so things might change .

Diagnosis have hugely benefitted me. But I’d be careful about those Facebook reels. Have a look at the online screening questionnaires instead as they’ll give a better indication.