New here and newly diagnosed in middle age!

[choklityum]

Hey, ya'll! I'm just starting my official ADHD journey, although I believe it's an issue I've been living with for many years. I was diagnosed at the beginning of November and was prescribed Strattera. So far, the medication effects aren't overwhelming, but I do notice some difference. I've been doing a lot of online reading, found a YouTube channel I like, and am trying to figure out strategies to manage my "runaway brain". I'm looking forward to chatting with others and learning more about ADHD and strategies for getting myself together. Please say hi and let me know what's going on with you and how you're dealing with your ADHD!

[Meowybeans]

I was diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type a few months ago at 42. My psychiatrist made the referral for me to have a an evaluation with a psychologist. I have been fortunate in that I have had the same job for 9 years. With this my job has evolved over those past 9 years. I have a lot to keep track of and deadlines that have to be met. I started failing I am an organized person but still found myself being not able to follow a simple tracking sheet. My work went from working in a cubical and being in the community for appointments to being a remote employee in 2018. I was left to working at home , working in the community or using shared work spaces. I had developed anxiety and depression. I was uprooted from my comfort level and my routine. After being treated for anxiety by my PMD it was to a point where it was out of his scope and referred me to a psychiatrist. With the psychiatrist we tried different medication and counseling regimens but was never at a stable level. This is when the suggestion of ADHD came about. I scheduled my evaluation over 4 sessions. At the first session where he reviewed my social summary and after consult he had determined that it was highly likely that I did have an executive functioning disorder. I completed two more sessions with a visual and audio evaluation and completed a self evaluation and a close friend completed an evaluation on me. I received my results and I did very poorly on the visual evaluation. I was diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type in the visual spectrum. I felt validated but also angered. When I returned to my psychiatrist she had the finalized report suggesting medication therapy, counseling and group counseling . After a few adjustments of dosage it was such a strange feeling my work day fly’s by I sometimes don’t even get up from my seat. After much research I found a counselor who specializes in adhd anxiety and depression. I can’t start until January do to his schedule but have my first three consults scheduled. I am looking forward to counseling as now their is a reason for how I am and can work on coping strategies and my executive functioning skills. I am in a state of not anger maybe confusion or grief that why was this not recognized when I was younger? After all my brother was diagnosed with ADHD. I asked my mom directly and she reported that after having three boys then me she had just assumed I was just how girls behaved. I really can’t fault her with my reasoning. I am currently experiencing the mind battle of what ifs abs going over all of the red flags throughout my child and adulthood. I always knew I was different and peculiar and this is now validates with the diagnosis . I just think of the what if from the past and looking forward to learning how to be me.

[truthseeker7]

Welcome! What other resources or places are you connected with? I'm looking to expand my areas of learning and connecting with others as well.

[SteelQueen]

HI. I could relate to your situation. I too was recently diagnosed (i just turned 60 this week). Figured it out myself and then had the diagnosis confirmed. Im still trying to figure it out. i will recommend ADDitude. I have found their webinars and newsletter helpful. Trying to research it with ADHD is Hilarious. i am now on my fourth medication. i would say roughly i figured it out in the spring of 2021 after quitting my job of 16 years and learning that i CANNOT successfully work remotely. i realized that the job was my anchor, my structure.

Still figuring it out.... Good luck. would love to stay in contact. Denise

[Zenfa]

I am 35, dispite having managed to get 2 masters. I struggle with reading emails. It got pretty problamatic. When to a doctor specialist in brain, and got referred to phychaitrist. I told him i think i may have ADHD, did a visual test and evaluation and confirm with severe ADHD combined. 4th day of mediation with Ratalin. I feel good so far. Wish I had this earlier. I just started reading ADHD2.0, and it has been amazimg understand what is going on with my brain. I look forward to my new life. I had a very heated dispute with my family yesterday after 10hours of medication (i had the 8 hours Ratalin). Do this mediation wear off as the day pass?