Reply To: PLEASE share your story/journey after diagnosis, I feel so alone/confused at 28

[kbmc]

Hi! I hate that you’re feeling so lost with your adhd diagnosis. Im 27 years old, female A back story of mine- I was diagnosed at 10/11 years old. My teacher told my parents and they had me tested. I remember hours of testing and having a neuropsychiatric eeg done. Because this was years ago, not much information was out on how to handle adhd. I was on Ritalin a few years and then for some reason my doctor switched my medicine to concerta, which did absolutely nothing at all for me. I was on and off through high school, and beginning of college. I always felt like I wasn’t normal, word vomit of just stupid stuff, super hyper active, binge eating, never felt like I had control over my body. I could never express who I really was. This also led to anxiety and depression.
I always knew I had adhd, but again didn’t know much about it. It wasn’t until I took a psychology course that it hit me. IT IS REAL AND THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION OUT THERE NOW! It was the wake up call I was looking for. I remember going to a book store and sat there for hours reading about adhd with anxiety and depression. I booked an appointment with my doctor for my medication. I told her concerta was not working, I was angry, still struggled, and I just wanted to feel like a normal human. She put me on adderall and it changed everything for me. I finally had control over my life and everyone around me soon realized how much it was helping. My husband didn’t believe adhd was a real thing until he met me. I finished college and actually ended up double majoring, one major in psychology. I was also working during college.
I still struggle with some things, which I feel is just part of adhd. I feel like I can do everything and get overwhelmed when I can’t. I’ve learned it’s ok to ask for help. My medication has also helped a lot with my anxiety and depression. I also started exercising regularly. Since people with adhd lack serotonin, being more active really helps. I don’t let adhd stop me even though makes things more challenging at times. It’s a learning curve at first. Getting on the right medication for you is definitely difficult, but extremely crucial. If you don’t feel like it’s working, speak up. No one knows your body better than you. With many medications you’ll get the jitters at first, but they eventually go away. I wouldn’t recommend drinking any caffeine with medicine though. I’ve heard a lot of people starting out on vyvanse say good things. They don’t feel zoned out or zombie like. My thinking on it though is “ok adhd is part of who I am. Now how can I make my self better?”
I’m sorry for the novel! I hope this gives you a little encouragement!
-K

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