Like an increasing number of women, I had a late diagnosis of (combined type) ADHD and, in fact, it never occurred to me that it was even a possibility. It wasn’t until I was researching screening questionnaires online for my daughter, that I began to relate to some of the symptoms...
Despite my years of work in academic support with neurodivergent students, I did not see that I, myself, could have ADHD. Growing up, I didn’t receive reports of inattention in class at school, nor was I ‘always physically on the go’, the perhaps common preconceptions of ADHD. I also progressed with relative ease through University and through early employment.
Looking back, I’ve always been busy, working multiple jobs at the same time, preferring several part-time jobs with variety. This, in turn, resulted in the logistical nightmare of scheduling my time within my limitations (the time limitations which I found it difficult to recognise).
After receiving my diagnosis, however, I have been able to make sense of a number of my previous experiences:
- Why I continually had ideas, which to me were great, but to others were crazy and unattainable
- Why I struggled to sustain hobbies and lifestyle changes
- My impulsive nature
- My overthinking of situations and immediate fear of the worst (rejection sensitivity dysphoria)
- My inability to relax and just do nothing
- My failure to keep a tidy desk or home
- Why I would have times when I felt euphoric and my brain was so stimulated, it felt like it might explode
- Why I always had to be nervously doing something with my hands
- My interruptions of colleague conversations as I had something to say and had to say it before I forgot what it was
- The challenges I experience when faced with a lot of incoming stimuli at the same time
This understanding has helped me put measures in place to help alleviate, and indeed take advantage of, my symptoms, but also to challenge my thoughts. With the support of my colleagues and family, I ensure I do not over-commit myself and use task and time management tools to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
I have learned a lot from Dani Donovan (she has a website and an active Instagram account) and adhdadult.uk (they have an amazing podcast series which helped me immensely learning about ADHD and how it affects me). I would encourage anyone reading this to have a look at these resources, however I do have to give prior warning, as both resources contain language which may be offensive!
Finally, I have previously brushed off my ‘quirkiness’ by describing myself as ‘unique’ – we are all unique and quite rightly should be celebrating this fact. I love the work I do: I meet so many different people who think and flourish in different ways and I am motivated by being able to support them to discover the particular strategies which work for them.
