Katho, diagnosed with ADHD after struggling with depression and shopping addiction

1. What made you decide to have your diagnosis?

I was at the edge of a depression and had a severe shopping addiction, my parents forced me to see a professional (I’m very glad they did)

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2. What do you do for a living?

I’m still studying

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4. How were your school years?

Studying never really hard (I alvast had the feeling it was not that difficult) but I do remember I was distracted all the time, everything took me ages to complete

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

Lack of focus, lost of interest, searching for dopamine

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6. Was it difficult to get a diagnosis?

Getting the diagnosis was really hard. I did not felt right with the therapist who took my tests so it often felt like something was wrong with me. When i first got to know the results (adhd and ass) i thought this could not be right, i did not fit into the stereotype i had in my head. Afterwards i started reseaching about adhd and slowly everything became clear. Now it feels like a relieve.

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7. How did you prepare yourself for your diagnosis?

I did not

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✨ If you are wondering too if you have ADHD, check out my ADHD Self Assessment Workbook ✨

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

The more explanation i got, the more happy i got. So much became clear to me.

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9. How do you feel about it now?

I’m not where i want to be But i’m on my way. I do feel more peaceful with it but I also realize I still need to follow a long road.

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

I hate it!!!! For me this makes it so hard to talk about my diagnosis. I still feel insecure about it so when I finally open up about it and people are like “oh but you don’t look adhd” it is the worst feeling ever.

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

Sensory processing is my biggest struggle, at this moment I cannot function whithout relatin because it helps so much with the processing. I had migraine, stomach and muscle tension issues for years due to sensory overstimulation, I still have to work on adjusting my habits to this

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12. What are your ADHD strengths ?

Creativity! Out of the box thinking

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13. Did your ADHD diagnosis help you?

Oh yes!!! I feel already so much better now. I’m not a big fan of labels but in this case it is so good to know how your brain functions and to know you are not weird or sick but you just have to learn to work together with your special brain instead of working against it. (As I did for years)

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

Yes, I do think a lot of problems could have been avoided. (The depression, shopping addiction, school could have been easier,…)

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

They accepted it but it was difficult. I did not understand myself in the beginning so there was no chance they could… But I needed them to understand and support me so I felt quite lonely in the beginning.

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

ASS and I’m recovering from a depression (going wel!!)

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17. Do you deal with anxiety?

I’m not sure if i can call it real anxiety. I used to have small panic attacks before the diagnosis but I have the feeling my medication keeps this under control

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

Yes, but I also did doubt myself too. I lived my live a specific way for years and then suddenly they tell you things about yourself you never thought you would hear. I had no idea who I was right after the diagnosis. So I did not took those people for granted

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19. Do you ever doubt your diagnosis now?

No, I’m very sure it’s the right diagnosis for me.

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

In every possible way!! Im finally feeling like everything is falling into pieces and it the greatest feeling ever. I had somatic issues for years, saw so many doctors who told me I was asking for attention, I felt terrible. Everything came into place with my diagnosis, the somatic issues, the addiction, the depression, …  I’m still learning how to adjust my habbits to my own needs but it’s a world of difference. I might feel like myself for the first time ever

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21. How do you feel about medication?

Not a big fan of medication but at this point i cannot function without

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

Knowing that my energy levels fluctuate a lot more than NT people. Knowing that it is okay to wake up and have no energy to do something. Knowing it is okay that some tasks take ages to finish some days but also knowing there are better days where everything goes great

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

See a professional and have them test you!

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