Catie, diagnosed with ADHD at 25 in the United States

1. What made you decide to have your diagnosis?

My friends were making comments on how much I talk, and don’t focus on things for long periods of time

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2. What do you do for a living?

Social worker

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4. How were your school years?

I struggled throughout all my schooling, never could sit down and study/complete homework. I struggled comprehending simple things. I would have to take my tests in college in my professors office to help me focus. All this time I thought I just had “test anxiety”

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

Hyperactivity, starting multiple things and not finishing them. I was always in a sport to keep my mind occupied

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6. Was it difficult to get a diagnosis?

At first yes, my doctor thought it was my brain fog after having COVID-19 for two months. After a few weeks I went back with a list of traits I was seeing and that is when I was finally diagnosed

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7. How did you prepare yourself for your diagnosis?

Googled common symptoms in women and wrote down everything that I saw in myself or that friends/family noticed

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

I felt relieved, like I could finally understand myself. Part of me though was sad for me as a child, I grew up thinking something was wrong with me and I beat myself up for not being like everyone else. I just had my first therapy session back after my diagnosis so I still have a lot to learn.

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9. How do you feel about it now?

Still learning new things everyday. Little things I do go with my diagnosis

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

Not really, I tend to be very quite and prefer to be alone now. Sometimes I’ll get the burst of energy and hyper fixation but not daily

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

Definitely focusing on self care and taking time for myself. I HATE not having anything to do and when I have nothing to do I really do not know how to cope

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12. What are your ADHD strengths ?

Time management, organization and productivity

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13. Did your ADHD diagnosis help you?

It helped me in the aspect of now having medication that allows me to get my work done in a timely fashion

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

I feel like my school career would have gone so much better than it did. Knowing I had ADHD would have allowed for more resources in school and college

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

Pretty much validated it and stated it’s about time, not in a bad way just more in the fact that I am now medicated and more relaxed

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

Anxiety and seasonal depression play a role in my ADHD

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17. Do you deal with anxiety?

Yes, I try to tell myself that not everything needs to be done or constantly reminding myself that it is okay to not be like others

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

Not one bit

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19. Do you ever doubt your diagnosis now?

Nope

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

I am now able to be more productive at work and home and not day dream or hyper focus of something

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21. How do you feel about medication?

Personally I’m glad I am on it

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

My medication and getting in a routine

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

Talk to your doctor, be prepared with reasons to support your conversation

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