Late diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. Did it change things/help?

[Newdawnfreedom]

Hi all,

Name changed to post this.

I'm looking for perspectives from people who had a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD in middle age.
I have done an online test which suggests a strong indication.

I was always classed as a 'daydreamer' as a kid
Scatty and struggle with organisation but work very hard at it
Find it difficult to stay focused at work, easily overwhelmed
Dyspraxic and took years for me to learn to drive
Socially awkward especially in large groups or formal situations
Experience extreme highs and lows
Life feels chaotic no matter how many coping skills I use (meditation, yoga etc)

I've been through a difficult period with losing a parent and relationship breakdown in last year. I'm working really hard to navigate in a positive way but struggling with anxiety, depression, feeling of chaos.

Wondering if there are similar experiences and if a diagnosis helped? If so in what way and what are the best options to deal with it.

Thanks 😊

Hi I am on xaggitin slow release, 54 mg a day. I haven't really made any lifestyle adaptations except for being exceptionally aware now what wears down my internal resources.

I have a job that is very 'social' and I now know that I get very overwhelmed doing too much social stuff outside of work. I know to build in rest days now rather than taking on loads of social interaction and then getting overstimulated.

I already did loads of exercise and that helps a lot. Also, I forgave myself for not having the patience to sit and read and started using audible which has been a complete gamechanger. I 'read' when I'm out running or on my commute to work and I love it.

It's inspiring to hear all of this. It's making me feel hopeful. What a lightbulb moment. I always thought I was just lazy and a bit crap. The notion that it's not all down to a moral failure on my part is a comfort. I hope it will help me to forgive myself for some really poor choices.

I agree that adhders make the best friends! Now I know why I have such a close bond - because we experience the world in a similar way.

Has anyone read the Russell Barkley or Gabor Mate books?

I love Gabor Mate, although he attributes a lot to trauma, which I think is correct for the population he works with, but not for ADHD in general.

I had a diagnosis in the last 12 months, and it's life changing. I'm a lot more compassionate toward myself. My expectations of myself are more sensible. I have a lot of coping strategies, but taking dex means that I can actually use the coping strategies. Previously I would make plans and not be able to act on them.

It's also made me realise that most of my friends are neurodiverse - ADHD, ASD, or strong traits. It's interesting to watch what happens when a neuro typical person joins a ND group - they kind of "come adrift" socially, the way ND people do in NT groups.