Inside ADHD: More adult women are being diagnosed

ABC News' Diane Macedo speaks with other women and doctors about rising numbers of women being diagnosed with ADHD as adults, and details her own recent diagnosis.
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[@Klutzo366]

“My coping skills were working for me until I became a mom.” I felt that so hard. ❤

[@AdrianeErin]

Literally about to write the same thing.

[@icequeenspits]

Same

[@magicianmana4]

Is it hard being a mom with adhd? I’m scared to have kids because I know my adhd will make it extremely challenging.

[@AdrianeErin]

@magicianmana4 there are certain things that make it harder like trying to keep my emotions in check and keep the daily schedule moving but there are other aspect that I excel in like I'm calm in a crises and I love being a kid with her and being silly. Parenting is hard for everyone. Just realize that your strengths and weaknesses will look a bit different than other people's, and that's ok.

[@UmmPoopie]

@@magicianmana4I find it to be the hardest time in my life so far 😁 I love my baby but I can’t stop myself from sometimes daydreaming about the times I was all alone in my apartment with just my cat lol

[@nicolesaintdenis]

Please start doing more studies on women at ADHD because we are so impacted by our hormonal changes too.

[@adw6894]

Before, they think women are just machines, birth machines, not humans.

[@dianecastellon6227]

Yeeeees!!!!

[@dawnmango5022]

Yeah I thought I had Alzheimer's

[@lilitudeamnocte248]

Adhd ruined my life bc no one caught it in girls in the 90s.

[@dawnmango5022]

Same

[@Marcydalmatian]

Sad to say, there was a similar case with autistic girls too. But I don't blame autism for anything. I am however angry that two of my old doctors didn't think I fit the criteria so they wouldn't refer me to a specialist to get diagnosed. It hurts because I could've gotten disability benefits and other assistance.

[@JonBrase]

​@@MarcydalmatianEven among low-masking boys, the diagnosis rate for autism was quite low in the 90s. ADHD was starting to be diagnosed at a decently high rate in boys, but when my kindergarten teacher suggested it, my (almost certainly ADHD) dad grumped about pathologizing normal behavior and refused to get me tested. Guess what pair of conditions I turned up with 30 years later?

[@Light6ify]

ADHD was the reason of my depression in part. Diagnosed at 42 .

[@Leigh-tr7yo]

Me too! Nice to see you 🤗

[@lizmandelaine6863]

Ditto…diagnosed at 35

[@siloe9910]

🖐🏼43

[@christinemalaka8636]

In parent teacher interviews I was always hearing how my daughter didn't finish this or that. By the time she was 16 and had all the good intentions of doing better, in a new school year everything quickly began going the same usual way. Finally it occurred to me maybe theres something we missed all along. Took her to a Dr and even he was surprised. Her assessment came up w adhd. Up until then, all the teachers wanted to talk about was "her attitude". Boys get diagnosed, girls get told it's their attitude. Similar to the medical establishment that dismisses women's physical concerns as over-emotional.

[@itsicandy]

Same thing with women and autism, I got diagnosed as having low needs autism at 41, after becoming aware of adhd and neurodivergent minds because of my 10 year old son who was diagnosed with adhd. I love how more awareness is coming out for adults on these issues, just knowing and then having the tools to get by makes all the difference.

[@nicolesaintdenis]

The toxic shame that comes with years of undiagnosis is horrible. Therapy and self compassion

[@nanasabia]

Yes the shame is very difficult to deal with as it’s underneath all the masking and lies. 😢 and you want to de-shame but with whom? If you are open about your adhd oftentimes people react weirdly and not really helpful while unmasking and trying to deal with the shame.

[@nicolesaintdenis]

@@nanasabia extreme self compassion and authenticity, that's what it takes. Exposure therapy too

[@suzinball6189]

It's also hard to get diagnosed when no doctor believes you that you have it even though you explain everything that's going on and you have to struggle with doctors to get the diagnosis

[@janthescrub]

yep they don’t believe me

[@zoejones3931]

Had a male psych tell me after a “focus test” that I clearly didn’t have it because I was “too smart” and I need to “rise above my issues and think my way out of it”. A woman diagnosed me in one appointment and the medication changed my life.

[@annak6537]

Nearly 10% of the population has ADHD. We are your doctor, your lawyer, your pharmacist, your teacher, your distant cousin who cannot seem to finish college, your friend who always runs late, your co-worker who accidentally interrupts you. We have the best intentions but ADHD gets in the way sometimes. It’s hard to wrap my head around why it is not more normalized.

[@williamshaw5388]

ADHD is fake. It’s a marketing tool for pills.

[@shellysolomonart]

Looking at the stats in the us its probably more like 40%.

[@Icarus47249fd]

It's heavily frowned upon. They look at you like drug junkies. The manufacture smirks at them, because they're vulnerable people dependent on this drug. They underestimate the amount of help it actually does, you're just motivated, it's unexplainable, only those who have taken it could relate. If you're against using medication, I recommend supplements like Fish Oil and L-Tyrosine. It would help relieve many of the symptoms.

[@kryptoniteKJ]

In my community, it is normalized, but the queer community is more understanding than the patriarchy when it comes to occasional lack of productivity followed by catching up on the work or difficultly following directions the first time

[@williamshaw5388]

@@annak6537 it’s a fake condition concocted to sell more pills. Mediate, go for a walk, get some mental discipline. There’s no ADHA in Buddhist nations.

[@CookieBear187]

I was diagnosed in college. Was a straight A, honor’s society kid in high school. And then in college, everything went downhill. No matter how hard I tried to focus and start and complete assignments, create new organizational methods, I just couldn’t. And I failed assignments and classes left and right. Once I got diagnosed and received medical treatment, I was finally able to succeed! However, I regret my symptoms being overlooked my whole life because I could have done much better in college and in my personal life if I had gotten the diagnosis sooner. There are too many women with the same story. I hope things change for the better in the future

[@magicianmana4]

Same here! Went from straight A’s in high school to nearly flunking courses in university. I was so upset with myself that I became depressed. I did eventually overcome that depression, but it wasn’t until years later (into my working life) that I got a diagnosis.

[@JonBrase]

I was a brilliant underachiever, A's on tests, C's, D's, and F's on half-done homework. Maintained a B-ish average throughout my academic career without much energy burn. College was just more of the same, and after college I discovered adulting was 99% homework and 1% exams.

[@amongoaksandowls]

Love how much they included the news anchor’s perspective on dealing with adhd. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@susanhunter9196]

I wasn't diagnosed till 59. Libby and other adhd/autistic creators helped me figure it out. Menopause causes an exacerbation of symptoms so, be prepared!! Read up on it, tell your ob/gyn you have adhd and discuss options for hrt or other medications to help you. Because I didn't get diagnosed until 59 so, it was too late for me. I'm 62 now and, I'm still struggling. Please, prepare now so hopefully you won't suffer as I have.

[@BrownyBird]

Same thing happened to me, while trying to find out what exactly my son has. HE told me hr believe he suffers from ADHD while reading about it in an old book he found at the school library. I asked him to bring the book home and we read it together. It was there that i understood it came down from my mother that acted in the same way, etc. The problem we got is that we have a very hight IQ. We get tired straight away from an explanation that we understood within the first 30 seconds. We get bored easily and we need more it is very difficult to stay focused. And as I said, I discovered all of this thanks to my 10 years old son.

[@KileyOhl]

Wonderful story! I was diagnosed at 30, started treatment and literally started teaching myself how to code the same year. SO GRATEFUL for the way my life turned around at that point. ❤

[@kasa9884]

I suspected I had ADHD when I was 16-17 years old, but back in the earliest 00s, the prevailing thought was gifted students like me couldn't be ADHD. So, I was dismissed regarding wanting an evaluation. Eventually, I was diagnosed after a comprehensive assessment around 30-31. Unfortunately, I'm contraindicated for ADHD medication, but the diagnosis answered a lot of my questions about my struggles and idiosyncrasies.

[@punkofmudd]

My story too! I’m on non stimulant medication and still need to learn helpful tricks

[@JonBrase]

My kindergarten teacher (early 90s) definitely knew I was gifted and definitely recommended that I get tested. ADHDad wasn't keen on the educational community trying to medicate away "normal behavior", so that went nowhere.

[@4thorder]

So I am going to put out there that Diane is one of my favorite news anchors. It's the small stuff, like an obvious compassion she has during a news story for those that may be hurt in some way, or excitement when she recognizes something in a story that excites her. This shines through almost every story. And here she is being brave on a next level for her audience and herself. There is a purity to it that makes me trust that her opinion is thought out and that she is vested in what she is doing. On a second note, I have 3 daughters, two of which have ADHD and I watch them struggle with it. But just knowing that this is the case helps them direct their efforts to adjust to life.

[@deluxe97]

It's amazing what a huge difference it made to have one of the reporters (with ADHD) be involved. This report was superior to others I've seen on this topic. (I'm also late diagnosed)

[@JenniferKastelic]

As a 55 year old woman with CPTSD (also a neurodivergency) with a diagnosis of AUD. It explains every single of the hundred or so quirks Ive been aware of my whole life. A relief combined with grief.

[@flipperfly8001]

AUD is autism+adhd?

[@mizsasi]

@JenniferKastelic I have CPTSD as well

[@sharoncollier2750]

diagnosed at 40. It is WILD to think of all the shame I am trying to unravel.

[@loveobviously]

Yes, because most people don’t even get diagnosed when they’re kids. Their parents at that age think other things are wrong with them. When really it’s ADHD. I was diagnosed when I was 33 that was only 2 years ago. As well as severe dyslexia and dysgraphia. I use work around now such as talk to text to write for me

[@kristinamartinez623]

Hearing other women, other moms, speak about having the same struggles I do made me cry. It is so difficult to manage not only my life but my two children's lives as well. For a long time I thought I was lazy, dumb, and maybe that I didn't care enough, but really my brain is different. I work ten times as hard at anything that involves having to be organized and attentive, meds have helped though.

[@GiddyGarlos]

Thank you so much - this took so much vulnerability and honesty to share this story. As a fellow late diagnosis ADHD woman, welcome to the family ❤

[@GrrliinaK]

I am 57 and spent most of my life being told I was different. I have always felt like everyone around me was operating in slow motion. I couldn’t understand why coworkers would spend an hour talking about something and not just get it done right then. I couldn’t understand why others were useless rather than hyper focused and proactive in emergencies. Now I know that being Uber organized was a coping mechanism for not losing total control of my environment. The most eye-opening thing I learned, however, was that my struggles with weight were a result of ADHD and not laziness, lack of will power or gluttony. I wish I had known sooner. 😢

[@chiloveisintheair]

This is amazing. I was just recently diagnosed and it’s been life changing. For both me and for my journey in motherhood

[@LoganGraceHope]

Yet soooo many doctors think adult ADHD is not real. I have had to stand up for myself with two GP's and take in a note from a psychiatrist that diagnosed me. GP's need better continued education!!!!

[@therealmishkin]

Yeah like at 18 your brain just magically heals its dopamine misregulation

[@ricoham7263]

I study psychology going to graduate school this year. This will be the first of many videos showing the change in society as we begin to better understand and support ALL those who are neurodivergent.

[@ottosworld8708]

For anyone considering meds, find a psychiatric nurse or doctor. They are much more familiar with all the nuances. For instance, generic Vyvance is much more comfortable on the system than Adderall

[@SoliRhymesWithJulie]

This very month is my 30th anniversary of my diagnosis at age 19, after flunking out of college. Any schooling which did not strike my interests was a Herculean struggle for me. It infuriates me that ADHD (and so many other conditions) aren't taken seriously or even thought of as "real."

[@MaineCoonMama18]

I was diagnosed with Inattentive Type ADHD a year ago at 31. It's been an incredibly difficult year.

[@down-to-earth-mystery-school]

Good interview, I honor that many older women find out because they are seeking a diagnosis for their children, but keep in mind that 87% of GenZ, 38% of Millennials are childless and 20% of GenX are childless. We need to understand how this impacts us without the pressure of children, and with the pressure of children.

[@dsergioczm]

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and speaking about this topic. Many people incorrectly assume that adhd is something that all people grow out of, but that was not the case for me. My diagnosis greatly increased my quality of life. I am so excited to watch the “Inside ADHD” special segment on the topic!!

[@creativenative5175]

This is so me! I'll look forward to the series.

[@chicanapunkLA]

I'm 40 and I know I have it. I was even given an assessment for it but the professional at the time was very dismissive, rude, and unempathetic and decided never to discuss the results of the test with me. She mumbled quickly and low about me being on the border of it then changed the subject. I never followed up because I had such high anxiety that it was hard for me to speak up at that time.

[@cowsonzambonis6]

Diagnosed ADD (now just called ADHD) at 20 as I floundered in my college experience. To anyone complaining about social media videos on things like ADHD- well-informed videos really do help people find their diagnosis.

[@victoria9535]

diagnosed at 24, last year. throughout my life I've always been questioned if I have ADHD , from elementary , middle , high school and early 20s at work.

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites]

This is me!!! ADHD no meds, but am able to work many hours 2 full time jobs at 100 hours a week for many years, while I built our house with cash, and almost done building our Beach Hotel called Ohana Beach Suites, opening next year! Dreams come true!

[@lilitudeamnocte248]

Yours probably isn't that severe, then. It's a spectrum just like autism.

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites]

@@lilitudeamnocte248 True! I just stay obsessed with finishing my dream, I love the chase! Have a great week! 🙏

[@myhumansuit]

I was diagnosed 28 years ago But nobody would tell me what it was for and said that it didn't affect my life... But i masked and ended up on medication for it over 10 years ago and then I was diagnosed autistic. NOW my life makes sense. But it's too late. The abuse is already taking its toll. There's no resources out there for us. At least not in my area. There's several of us that have not been able to find any support.

[@emalienoel7891]

Self-diagnosed at 29, officially diagnosed at 30. It was the same as described here… watched videos on social media and went “dang that would suck to have it and not know… wait, I do those things…”

[@kneves808]

Thank you, none of you are alone

[@Jadexies]

I was diagnosed at 27. It’s been good because I’m getting care and have a better understanding of myself.

[@ImmortalAmbitions]

PLEASE MAKE A "INSIDE ADHD" PLAYLIST ON YOUR KZbin FOR THIS

[@divydumdrophello]

Thanks for this amazing news segment! I discovered ADHD on a webcomic online at 18, and it changed my life. I researched about it and advocated for myself until I finally got a diagnosis of primarily Inattentive ADHD. It has changed my life. My diagnosis has helped me understand myself and even how to support neurodivergent children I teach. If you think you have ADHD and can get a diagnosis, I encourage you to take that brave step! If you can't afford to or don't have access to a diagnosis, learning coping mechanisms online or reading helpful books can help you thrive. Good luck to my fellow Adhders! We got this :)

[@Poemi10304]

I was asking to be evaluated last year, after looking into it for my daughter. Have a history of depression and anxiety. But my mental health provider refuses to evaluate until my depression is under control (my insurance limits me to its own providers). I can really relate to stories like this and have been struggling since before I started mental health treatment 20 yrs ago already! I don't feel like anything I've tried has made a significant difference. Perhaps this is the reason why.

[@alanamonique84]

Thank for this. I am 39 and was diagnosed at 31. I always thought I had it under control until I had my second child. Having a 16 year old and a 10 month old is no joke and ADHD makes it really challenging.

[@birdie9240]

Was diagnosed when I was 34, finally gave me answers!

[@Eowyn3Pride]

Thanks! This is extremely informative. I also wonder how late diagnosis coincides with Perimenopause?🤔

[@marylynnacee4062]

I'm a retired Social Worker, went to a 1 day conference on executive functioning some yrs ago when my son was in high school as when I read the brochure. I thought of my son. It wasn't too long into the conference when I realized I had executive brain dysfunction & had learned to compensate my whole life while being hyper- critical of my "faults".

[@AlohaLowah]

It's me. This is me.

[@MorriganWarrioress]

I'm lucky, my mom & pediatrician both noticed, and I was officially diagnosed pretty darn young. And, thanks to my mom's profession (not to mention, her being the most organized, determined woman you will ever meet), I had every opportunity, coping methods, etc. K-3rd grade, she made little papers for the corner of my desk to remind me to Raise Your Hand/Be Quiet In Line/etc. with cute cartoons on them cause my teachers didn't believe ADHD was something girls had ("she's lazy, she isn't hyper"), 4th-8th my mom had me make a checkmark when I broke a rule for the class (i.e. talking out of turn) and if I had less than a certain number at the end of the week- I could get a treat of some sort (a small toy, a new book, ice cream, whathaveyou). In college, I had a binder that was my Tues/Thurs schedule with a colour coded section for each class I took- to help me stay organized, then I had a Mon/Wed/Fri binder set up the same way, plus I had a dry erase board where I wrote down Due Dates/Tests and I would put an X across a day at the end before I went to bed- because otherwise I can completely lose track of what day it is in a month. But watching this, it is almost freaky. I'm grown, years out of college, and I recognize myself in these stories. I have lost shoes that I had in my hand as I was heading for the suitcase before a trip, I've lost dozens of keys to the house/car/locker/gates, I programmed monthly reminders on my phone to remind me to give the dog her flea/tick/heartguard (plus a reminder an hour later to make sure I did it and another at bedtime asking -DID YOU GIVE DOG MEDS), my hobbies are mostly creative, I can spend hours glued to a good book or working on a photography project but struggle to listen to a five minute news segment, my feet are constantly tapping/I play with pens/I play with my rings/I mess with my hair, I forget birthdays but I will randomly see a recipe for a food you mentioned 10 years ago- so I'll send it to you with a "look good" message, etc. It's kind of insane to me (yet, having been there, I get it) how women are getting upwards of 30 before people realized they had ADHD rather than having some moral failing/personality trait that was behind the issue.

[@jetsetter08]

Packing is also one of my manny triggers. Battling my brain!!

[@DiN0x33]

Where’s the full episode for this

[@chrisk2734]

I was diagnosed at age 38, but had for at least 5 years before.

[@BurnaBwoi]

Both boys and girls get inattentive adhd. I was diagnosed until my 30s because I wasn't the over-hyperactive boy in class. I'm glad this conversation is happening regardless though 🙏🏾

[@JaxNoodle]

Great report. Dr. Joseph is right. Getting a diagnosis is empowering to women. Wonderful of other women to share their diagnosis journey, particularly as they enter the motherhood stages of their lives. Sucks that resources for women have been overlooked for so long.

[@Ms1Peeps]

Also low cortisol or hormone issues can appear like adhd, but can have a hormonal imbalance root. So check that out too

[@JEM1989]

I always knew I had ADHD since I was a very young child. I believed the lie that as you get older it just "goes away" but what actually happens is you get depressed and/or anxious as in my case. So now you are a high functioning ADHDer and that's how burn out happens. That is also some thing that we NEED TO TALK ABOUT in all people. This is not some thing that can be cured, or go away. It's life long and there should be so much mor support for the adults that have it.

[@SJL07]

My symptoms were depression, emotional disregulation and sensitivity, emotional highs, disorganization, extreme frustration, shame, low self esteem, etc. For me it wasn’t about not being able to keep the house clean, but my husband was diagnosed with OCD so he picked up the slack on that end, literally. I was diagnosed at 59 after my adult daughter’s diagnosis.

[@patriciajump9511]

This is a very good news piece. Too often ADHD is described very very poorly.

[@jetblack9861]

I was diagnosed at age 50.

[@ERESHKIGA]

My kid has it she did not like the medicine made her feel different not herself. She is still struggling feels like she'll never be happy. Hate seeing you cry Diane🎉💋

[@stephmartin1148]

Two of my kiddos have been diagnosed with ADHD The dr asked if my husband or I have it and I told him I am pretty sure I have it I have sisters who think they have it and we are pretty sure our dad has it. It’s very hereditary. Both my boys did not do well on medication. One was very emotional and the other was very upset and angry on it. They are both on NOW supplements and it helps a lot!! I am so sorry your daughter has it. It can be a lot to deal with for the parents and the child. ❤

[@hollyvong4086]

I got diagnosed with adult ADHD yesterday. This video explains everything about me.

[@llTorentll]

I was diagnosed at age 9 - but the meds didn’t agree w me so we stopped trying. I also grew up believing that I was dumb, lazy, etc., only to find out at age 40 that I scored a 128 on the IQ test at age 9. 40 year old man here saying - be nice/ fair please

[@APTTMHYforever]

I was diagnosed at 39… it answered a lot of things but also makes me kind of wish I didn’t know because I don’t want it to be a crutch. I am very high functioning and did a lot of “tricks” to overcome things… even my parents had no idea of my struggles as a child.

[@SoliRhymesWithJulie]

Please don't think of your condition as a crutch. It's understanding how you function and how to navigate in a world not designed for you.

[@chiloveisintheair]

The thinking that ADHD or any other mental health issue to a crutch is ableist. It’s awful. And it doesn’t help us move forward in being inclusive of people (including ourselves) who are in the neurodivergent spectrum

[@G3n3vaL3st3r]

I wasn’t diagnosed until a meltdown after my kids. I just couldn’t keep it up.

[@bunaynayslay]

Get on your meds!! It literally saved my life. Everyday was a struggle. I promise it is worth it I actually can function and not become over emotional about small things

[@xEPICxNESS]

I was diagnosed at 24 and didn’t even know what it was! Now I’m writing my LSAT and applying for law schools! School is so easy now!

[@DoodleWrite]

Was diagnosed with inattentive ADD in 2016. Showed the signs of constantly playing with my hair (“petting” or a self-soothing tick). Things didn’t turn around until I met a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and she said how it presents differently in women. And previously I was always diagnosed as depressed or with borderline… and that never felt to be the case. Glad I had a therapist that listened to me and pushed for testing. The first time I had Adderall it was a moment of “this is how normal people feel???”

[@courtneyf2850]

Diagnosed at age 8. Almost 20 years ago.

[@caracoates4834]

I do not think it is just women that being diagnosed later in life. While getting my son diagnosed, his doctor who met my husband once said well your husband has adhd. While doing all the surveys, my husband said that he struggled with that same stuff too. I think if you grew up in 80s and 90s, you were just on your own. He had learn over time to build systems to help, but he took years.

[@zenmeetshygge2322]

I fortunately was diagnosed with ADD as a child but unfortunately the medicine I was prescribed (Ritalin) made me develop severe facial and body tics 😣 After that no other medicine was tried and had success and struggle over the years managing it on my own. After the birth of my daughter two years ago I realized just how bad my ADD had become. I couldn’t balance work and raising her without feeling like I was going to go crazy from being overwhelmed 😣 I ended up resigning from my job to be a stay at home mom but even in my home my ADD causes chaos (I can’t organize or i forget to do things). I also suffer with digestive issues (celiac) that makes my time management even worse as I am often held up by that in addition to running naturally slower 😣 What meds are prescribed nowadays for ADD/ADHD? I really want to try something else and see if I have any success 😅

[@caitlinh6182]

I was diagnosed last month at almost 36years old. My sister was diagnosed 3 years ago at 30

[@meganann3876]

I cried watching this and I cried when I was diagnosed. When she talked about her shoes were literally in her hand but had to wear sneakers. I literally laughed out loud. When I misplace something, some people don’t understand that it could be ANYWHERE. Mail in freezer? Yup. Don’t ask me why the toothpaste is in the living room. 😂 It doesn’t make sense to me either. I have these little bins in my rooms to return items where they belong.

[@therealmishkin]

I was diagnosed in my late 30’s after COVID completely destroyed my executive function. I wish I was diagnosed earlier, my life changed so much - I got healthier, I am much better at work, I sleep better, I lost weight, I made new lasting friendships, I drink a lot less alcohol, and I have a lot less anxiety. I am writing this as I am twirling my hair and shaking my leg 😂

[@handlesshouldntdefaulttonames]

I got diagnosed as an adult but can't get my medication reliably because of shortages.

[@VNV67]

WAIT, I have all these symptoms and I am a 75 YO man. I think I have had this for years. When I got out of the Military in 1969 is when I really started to see this. Because there was no such thing as ADHD. Everything she said I have experienced at one time or the other. And at my age of 75 it is really showing it ugly butt like never before. But I assume that it is too late for me. So I don't think it is a female thing. Any other men out there want to step over this line.?

[@sarahb1001]

It is not a female thing. It is most frequently diagnosed in boys in grade school because of their behavior. You were likely out of school before diagnosis was common. It is not too late for you to learn coping skills.

[@VNV67]

@@sarahb1001 I after all these years have learned enough about be to know when it has or about to come forward. But I still have a tough time staying on any project or job very long. After a while on a job I get bored and just quit. Over 60 years U have had many jobs but never been fired from one. Thank you but at my age and retired I only have to worry about things I do around the farm. Thanks anyway though.

[@manuelbello5806]

Saw this on television

[@alyssam8550]

I was diagnosed at 25! At 14 a doctor told me I didn't have it. Then, at 24, I mentioned it again to the same doctor, and he said he didn't believe in it 🙄 So I went to a psychiatrist and was diagnosed! My Qb test put me in the 99th percentile for inattention and hyperactivity lol. but now I'm being treated and it has drastically changed my life!!

[@b.c.9358]

Every single member of our family has adhd. My sisters got diagnosed in their 20s, my brother got diagnosed at 8.

[@cobalt1754]

My brother was diagnosed as a child, my younger sisters in their 20s, and I was diagnosed with ADHD three years after finishing college. It's grossly overlooked in women. We're told we're just not trying hard enough. It explains a lot, but I wish I'd known sooner.

[@Viking_Rabbit]

My ADHD and my OCD are constantly fighting.

[@xx1983xx]

I strongly suspect I'm one. Due to my current job, I have to wait to get properly diagnosed. I don't have the time-blindness issue, but mostly all other symptoms apply to me. Can't wait to find a real health professional to diagnose me

[@megancarroll]

Same girl

[@ph43draaa]

Diagnosed at 24 after it was too late to salvage college smh

[@debbiej.2168]

Sorry.

[@AnnStephens196]

@@ph43draaa you can always go back.

[@juicysmith38235]

You can go back. If you were kicked out of school you can use your diagnosis as a justification to why you'll do better now that you know your disability

[@MattHanr]

@@ph43draaa I graduated college at 29, best decision of my life. But if you were going to get a silly degree anyway this might be a blessing in disguise.

[@zoejones3931]

Let’s give TikTok an honorable mention! So many young women like me found this new information about ADHD thanks to creators on that app sharing their stories, if it weren’t for that I don’t know how much longer I would have gone undiagnosed!

[@user-mb8zl4hq4p]

interesting information but what about men like me and other young males and older men?

[@LaydeeLyrix]

I had an adult diagnosis and then my daughter tested gifted, the spectrum never black and white.

[@valeriefromoregon]

I’ve had it since I was 2 . I am 55 . Both my daughters have it . One is ADD the other ADHD. Mind is severe I can Barely function. It’s very rough and people call you retarded. I’m very slow to understand I just don’t understand anything I read or am being told it takes me forever.

[@e4m7g6]

"I try to focus my attention. But I feel so A.D.D." -- Natasha Bedingfield

[@aftermathinstrumentals6867]

Finally, you're all paying it for this time, and for those that make fun of it, you already have it even when you didn't know you did

[@Erin____]

Idk if I really have ADHD, all I know is that the meds work reeeeally good

[@ph43draaa]

Really well*

[@Erin____]

@@ph43draaa Thanks for the correction! 👍

[@AnnStephens196]

@@ph43draaa she didn’t need you to correct her.

[@tam5065]

What no one is talking about is the factors that cause ADHD. Let try to prevent this instead of just assigning unnatural narcotics to the affected persons.

[@janthescrub]

i feel like mines getting worse

[@user-yp9su1uq7l]

It makes you wonder what they’re putting in to process and preserve our food.

[@theresistance0012]

My doctor refused to diagnose me with autism or adhd bc in his words "girls dont get autism and youre too quiet to have adhd" 😐 my untreated ass then proceeded to ruin my life for the next ten years and i barely got diagnosed with adhd last month

[@waikintang8246]

No drug, no alcohol, promise ?

[@lynnes11]

Coping mechanisms worked until I was a mom. Yep. I had completed my BA and JD by the age of 23, traveled extensively, had friends, dated, I have been a high functioning person. Wasn't diagnosed until my late 30s. In my late teens and early twenties I was diagnosed as bipolar, which I now know is a common misdiagnosis of ADHD in women. I remember the psychiatrist who diagnosed bipolar thinking out loud, "You don't really fit into type 1 or type 2 bipolar... Hm...." But somehow he stuck with that diagnosis anyways. I think about all the mental health providers that I interacted with over the years, nobody ever once mentioned ADHD. My diagnosis didn't happen until I was having my son evaluated. During the intake I kept thinking, "I do that too though. Are we talking about him, or me?" 😂

[@nicolesaintdenis]

Closest amplifier because everybody had to sit still can't have a person with ADHD sit still so we went a little crazy and found out we had ADHD

[@ClellBiggs]

Welcome to the club! I promise it's not all bad.

[@SRose-vp6ew]

My female friend got diagnosed with ADHD after 2020 and was put on adrenal meds that she believed, made her more functional and happy, however, she just became a cold zombie that was less pleasant and far less interesting to be around. Eventually the happy chemicals in the adrenal meds (that she claimed made her happy, but all I saw was that zombie) wore off and she chased the next medication high for the depression she insisted had nothing to do with the Adderall killing all her interests, joy, and relationships. Why do we act like it’s a big deal when street drugs do this to a person, but we act like it’s perfectly fine if a doctor is the dealer and keeps them doped up and dependent as a zoned out worker trying to stay high as side effects hurt them?

[@760mom]

Britney Spears in her " baby one more time" video. Tapping pencil playing with hair.