Neurodiversity Celebration Week: My ADHD Journey as a Newly Diagnosed Adult
For years, I felt like I was navigating life with a faulty GPS—one that constantly rerouted me, sent me off course, or just decided to shut down entirely. It wasn’t until my recent diagnosis of Combined ADHD that I finally understood why I had spent my entire life feeling like I was playing on hard mode.
A Trip Down Memory Lane: The Struggles of an Undiagnosed ADHD Child
As a child, school felt like an endurance test. Sitting still? Impossible. Focusing on subjects I had no interest in? Forget it. But ask me about WWF wrestling, and I could give you a full history of every championship title and wrestler, down to their finishing moves. My dad found it infuriating that I could recall all this information yet struggled with my schoolwork—especially maths.
My teachers would often joke that I did things “arse over tit,” but somehow, I always got the task done. I lived in my Rollerblades, running around, building dens, and generally being a hyperactive whirlwind. But underneath it all, I battled waves of anxiety and overwhelm, particularly at school. I knew I was intelligent, yet I constantly felt like I was underachieving.
The Dark Side of ADHD: Struggles Beyond the Classroom
ADHD isn’t just about being easily distracted or hyperactive. It comes with its fair share of challenges:
Emotional Dysregulation: Small inconveniences can feel like the end of the world.
Anxiety & Depression: A common side effect of years spent feeling “not good enough.”
Impulsivity: Buying things on a whim for a fleeting dopamine hit.
Addiction Proneness: Many ADHD individuals self-medicate, whether through alcohol, drugs, or even social media.
Rejection Sensitivity: A passing comment can feel like a personal attack, making criticism hard to handle.
Relationship Struggles: Poor communication, inattentiveness, and forgetfulness can strain relationships.
In my 20s I found myself leaning on alcohol in social settings to mask my anxiety. I also became obsessed with hobbies—music production, guitar playing—only to drop them at the snap of a finger and not engage for months. And yes, my wife finds me incredibly irritating (her words, not mine), especially when I serenade her and the dogs at 6:00 AM with my latest musical masterpiece.
The Superpowers of ADHD: It’s Not All Doom and Gloom
For all the struggles, ADHD comes with some pretty fantastic perks:
Hyperfocus: When an ADHD brain locks onto something it enjoys, there’s no stopping it.
Creativity: Our brains work differently, which leads to innovative thinking.
Resilience: Years of struggling force us to develop grit and determination.
Empathy: We feel deeply and often understand others' emotions intuitively.
Spontaneity & Humour: We can be the life of the party—whether people like it or not!
The Diagnosis: A Label or a Lifeline?
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult is a game-changer. Instead of viewing myself as someone who just “couldn’t get it together,” I finally had an explanation for why my brain worked the way it did. It allowed me to be kinder to myself, to understand why I struggled with organisation, focus, and rejection sensitivity.
I was fortunate to be able to access a private assessment and attend psychoeducation classes. I even opted for medication—a decision I was hesitant about due to the cost and potential side effects. But after three weeks on Elvanse, my life has transformed. The constant mental chatter has quietened, I can focus for 12 hours straight, and my confidence has skyrocketed. Even my wife has noticed the difference (though she still complains about my moonwalking in the living room).
The downside? The medication is £115 per month because most NHS GP surgeries refuse shared care. I half-hoped it wouldn’t work, just so I wouldn’t have to fork out the money. But I wouldn’t change a thing—it has drastically improved my productivity, self-esteem, and even my ability to listen without interrupting.
ADHD as a Strength in Psychotherapy
As a psychotherapist, my ADHD has actually given me a unique set of strengths. My enhanced empathy allows me to deeply connect with clients, often understanding their emotions before they even verbalise them. Because I have spent my life battling self-doubt, anxiety, and overwhelm, I can genuinely relate to those who struggle with mental health challenges.
My humour and down-to-earth approach also helps put people at ease. ADHD has gifted me with the ability to think outside the box, making sessions engaging and dynamic rather than rigid and clinical. Clients often appreciate my honesty and authenticity—I don’t sugarcoat things, but I do make sure they feel heard and validated. The spontaneity and creativity that come with ADHD also mean I can adapt easily, tailoring therapeutic approaches to suit the individual rather than sticking to a script.
Of course, actively listening without interrupting has been a work in progress, but the newfound clarity from my diagnosis and treatment has made a world of difference in my professional and personal life.
Moving Forward: Living with ADHD as a Strength, Not a Weakness
ADHD isn’t a curse, nor is it an excuse. It’s a different way of experiencing the world. Since my diagnosis, I’ve stopped being my own worst critic and have started embracing my strengths. The journey hasn’t been easy, but knowing why I function the way I do has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.
For anyone out there wondering if they, too, have ADHD—trust me when I say that understanding your brain is one of the most powerful things you can do. A diagnosis isn’t just a label; it’s the first step towards self-acceptance and growth.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a wife and two dogs to serenade before work. 🎶