Amanda, diagnosed with ADHD at 23 in Sweden

1. What made you decide to have your diagnosis?

It was my boyfriend who started to think that I might have ADHD because I get distracted so easily and hard for me to remove sounds happening in the background. After research I decided to check it out.

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2. What do you do for a living?

University student

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4. How were your school years?

Studying got harder and harder when school got harder and more responsibilities. I have hard time focusing, get easily distracted and hard to sit still for long. Many times I faked studying at school and did it all at home plus homework.

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5. Looking back, what was an obvious ADHD trait in your childhood?

I was a very wild kid. My mom always say I was a monkey

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6. Was it difficult to get a diagnosis?

I think the not knowing if I have it or not was the hardest part. Like inside it felt like I had it but what if the things I say isn't ADHD.

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7. How did you prepare yourself for your diagnosis?

I just said to myself, no matter what it was worth it. If I don't have ADHD then I know and can try to get other help and if I do have ADHD then I know and can get help for my ADHD and also finally know what's "wrong with me"

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8. How did you feel right after getting your diagnosis?

I felt relieved like I now I finally know why I had and have all these problems and difficulties. They explained really well and also gave me alternatives how to move forward

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9. How do you feel about it now?

It depends. Some days I'm still relieved and happy and other days I'm just very frustrated, angry and sad that I have it

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10. Do you think you "look like" the ADHD stereotype?

No, I don't. Well I don't think so.

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11. What are you struggling with because of your ADHD brain?

A lot of overthrowing, so many thoughts, forgetful, hyperfocus, procrastinating, frustration, mood swings, hard to concentrate, easily distracted etc. I also get extreme anxiety.

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12. What are your ADHD strengths ?

I believe hyperfocus when I need it and want to, creative, lots of ideas, learn new things etc.

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13. Did your ADHD diagnosis help you?

Yes it did.

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14. Do you feel your life could have gone the other way if you'd been diagnosed earlier?

Maybe, maybe not. It depends but I think it would've helped

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15. What was your family/friends' reaction to your diagnosis?

Well my mom didn't think I had ADHD but all my family and friends was very supportive and still are.

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16. Do you have any comorbid disorders or neurological conditions?

I gave anxiety (GAD) and during some periods I have depression. I also have social phobia.

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17. Do you deal with anxiety?

I try to but it's hard. I can't really deal with my anxiety alone but I take medicine for my anxiety. I usually want someone to help me when I have anxiety

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18. Did people around you make you doubt yourself during your diagnosis journey?

Only my mom who didn't think I had it

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19. Do you ever doubt your diagnosis now?

No I don't. It's very accurate

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20. How has the diagnosis changed the way you live?

Not much, more than now I know and can think differently rather than just guessing

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21. How do you feel about medication?

Medication is fine by my. I don't have any problem with it

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22. What was the thing that helped you most in your daily life? 

Having reminders that gives me notifications on the phone and also planning everything. Routine is important to me

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23. What advice would you give someone who is wondering if they have ADHD?

I would say search and read about it or watch videos. That helped me a lot when I was wondering and also talk with someone who knows about ADHD

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