Adult ADHD diagnosis

[ImDone89]

I have recently been diagnosed as having combined type ADHD at the age of 34 (female). I'm having very mixed feelings about it because on one hand I finally have a name for why I'm so different and I know there's help out there for me, but on the other hand I've missed out on all the support I could have had growing up. The closest I got was in secondary school and the teacher said I couldn't have it because I'm "not a hyperactive little boy".

Please let me know if you have been in this situation and how do I make this easier?

I've no advice but I'm undergoing an assessment at 37 and what you've explained above is exactly how I feel if I was to be diagnosed. There will be a sense of relief but also alot of sadness that I went my entire life up to that point without support that could have meant a different outcome for me

Can I ask what symptoms you display

I was diagnosed last August in my mid-40s. The paediatrician that diagnosed my then-12 year old strongly suggested I undergo assessment.

Felt as you do. Sense of calm for understanding that I am
different but grief for the me I could have been had I had support at DD’s age.

I’m managing it without meds at the moment, using coaching, exercise and nutrition, plus things that give me good dopamine hits when I need to focus on something important.

Yeah sure, so I'll list as many as I can remember.

Inattentive:
Daydreamer, forget why I walk into rooms, forget my point halfway through talking, forgetful in general (eg can't find the spoon that I literally just got out the drawer), making careless mistakes when writing, unable to stick to a task/project for a long time, easily distracted, forgetting to eat, forgetting to go the bathroom and are then confused as to why I'm bursting lol, really bad organisational skills.

Hyperactive:
Struggle to sit perfectly still, have the urge to get up and go even if I've only been sat for a short time, different hobbies (sports and instruments), bad with money, impulsive, interrupt conversations because if I don't get my idea out I'll forget it, I work with little children aged 3-5yrs and it's good for me because I am free to go to different activities when I need to move about.

That's all I can think of right now, but if I think of anything else I'll message again.