Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as adults, are you pleased you got the diagnosis?

[SpaghettiAndMeatballsAllCoveredInCheese]

Pretty much as the title says, I’m trying to get opinions on if it’s worth trying to get myself assessed/diagnosed for ADHD. For a bit of background, my child has recently been diagnosed which has resulted in me doing a lot of research/reading and some courses. Through this, I’ve realised that I probably have ADHD too. At the moment, I work around it. So things like I have a shopping list on my phone so I don’t forget to buy stuff, have the kids schedules stuck to the fridge so I can check what they need and what they need to wear each day. If any of us need medication, I keep it infront of the kettle so I don’t forget to take it. But realising that I might have it, my life suddenly makes more sense. I’m not messy, I literally don’t see the mess. I’m not obsessed with things, I just hyper fixate on them. Im not forgetful, I just have too much in my brain.

so now the question is- should I try and get assessed? I don’t think I want/need meds, it’s more of a confirmation that I’m right? But will it affect jobs, insurance etc? So, for adults that have decided to get assessed, or didn’t, why did you make that decision and do you think it was the right one? Thank you!

can’t work out how to change the voting options so
YANBU- get assessed and see what happens
YABU- it’s not necessary and you’re managing fine

I'm glad I got mine gahave been questioning for the best part of a decade l, finally paid out for private in January

It was a huge relief to have the answer in black and white and having gone over my report now I can see just how much wffort I put into life and that was quite comforting.

My lack of diagnosis has cost me dearly; my mental health. My career, my family.

But I am now working with myself instead of against my self to move forward

I perused a diagnosis at the recommendation of my mental health nurse, who suggested I might have it. I hadn’t considered it before then.

I wanted a formal assessment so I could get medicated, so may not be coming at it from the same perspective as you, but for me- the diagnosis has made things make a lot more sense, and made it easier to accept and understand why I am the way I am. As PP said I now work with myself rather than against.

It has also come with challenges- I found the assessment process quite traumatic as you essentially have to rake over your mental health throughout your entire life since childhood with a fine tooth comb. I was euphoric when I first got diagnosed, but that quickly turned to an almost grief feeling as I realise all the ways my life could have been less difficult had I known and understood this about myself from childhood.

It took me 18 months to get my assessment (right to choose, psychiatry UK), and I’m on the waiting list of approx another 10 months for medication.

It won't affect jobs because your medical information is private.

Assessment and diagnosis is a faff and takes ages so if there's no need to do it, I wouldn't.

I did because I couldn't function and stumbled across an adult ADHD forum so immediately wanted to be assessed and get medication.

That is the only support I get due to being diagnosed so if you're sure you wouldn't want that, I wouldn't see the point

Yes i needed the diagnosis but I'm also autistic and part of that means i need things to be absolutely exact, in writing, black and white otherwise i feel like an imposter. I’m constantly explaining myself so as to not be misunderstood as my communication can be poor.

I had it privately through my university. I don't think it'll make a huge practical difference (I don't want meds) but it has made a huge difference to me mentally for many reasons. It's helped me develop confidence and forgive myself for 'failings' that have turned out to be well known ADHD traits

I'm having an ADHD assessment next week!

I had an autism diagnosis about 2 years ago. It was very validating and reassuring- I'm not crazy after all!

@sweetpickle2 I found the diagnosis so liberating and it was great then i got the reportt, which put me into shutdown/burnout for a couple of weeks

10 months after diagnosis to get meds? This is nuts. Isn’t there a prescriber like prescribing nurses or physician associates who can do the titration process with peoplr once there is a formal diagnosis in place?

There is a nationwide shortage of meds, is my understanding.

Turns out undiagnosed untreated ADHD was reeeeeeaaaaalllllly bad for me! Have struggled with mental & physical health for decades & now starting to improve. I don’t know how old you are now, but all the clever stuff you’re doing to hold stuff together now, may fail you during perimenopause. That’s partly my experience anyway.

meds have made many aspects of my existence a lot easier. As has acceptance of myself, feeling less broken & more attuned to my reactions & emotions.

Waiting lists for diagnosis & treatment can be really long, so I’d get on the list & see where you get with it.

I paid private recently. But for treatment it's going to cost a fortune! So I'm now awaiting a phone chat to see if I have the potential (as far as government can recognise) for a NHS assessment. Nightmare if I'm honest.