Re: I was just diagnose with ADHD

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with Alden, knowlege is power! The more you learn about your diagnosis and your behaviors, what ADHD means to YOU specifically as well as the diagnosis in general, the better off you are and the less scary it all becomes. I became borderline obsessed with learning everything I could about my diagnosis precisely because it’s so ‘big’, especially when you get diagnosed later in life. I was diagnosed with ADHD 3 years ago and the mixture of emotions from elation that my problem had a name to downright sadness frustration and regret at the things I ‘failed’ at because I just didn’t know. It’s a lot to wrap your head around.

This site has been a godsend to me in the most important ways. I have a great support system with my family, my sisters in particular, and my friends, even my boss and employer are awesome, which I am finding out is rare, but truly “you don’t know til you know” and hearing other people’s stories, successes and stuggles helps get me through. I had a challenging time a couple of weeks ago and this site, and the forum, helped me tremendously to get through the issue with my sanity mostly intact. There’s a comfort in knowing that I’m not alone, not just as someone who has ADHD, but someone who got diagnosed as an adult.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem ‘silly’. Every time I meet with my doc, I have some new ‘sensation’ I want to ask him about or some question about past behavior that may have been ADHD, You are your own best advocate and you are the only one who can guarantee that you get top notch care for your ADHD. If something doesn’t seem like it’s working, let your doc know. I was started on a low dose of Vyvanse, which worked well until it didn’t. I was afraid to mention to my doc that it didn’t seem like it was working because I was afraid that I would look like I was a pill seeker and wanted to abuse the meds. My doc assured me that most people who are started on my dose move up and that if it’s not working, why would I want to waste my copay on it? I felt a little dumb, but again, you don’t know til you know.

I hope to hear about your progress! Good luck!

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