ADHD has affected my life/health greatly and I never knew what it was!

[Creed22]

I’ve had major issues all my life, I mirrored issues my dad had and then my daughter was a struggling mess but no one could ever help any of us.

I retired in 2021 and we then moved from FL to NC within the year. The job loss, change, new life, new area, Many challenges arose. I started spiraling out of control and even ended up with a frontal brain bleed April 2023.

I saw a therapist right before the bleed and she diagnosed me with Undiagnosed Women Combined type ADHD. I didn't even know it was genetic!

I fit into all ten categories in each section! My world completely changed as I began to relive past patterns from childhood all the way to age 59…I saw it all in my dad and now in my daughter. I have so many stimming (coping) mechanisms and a lot of it negative. This has affected my health, my life, eating issues, sleep issues, emotional issues, anxiety, I'm the energized bunny that never stops! Thank GOD I have a strong spiritual outlook that has helped but my daugther and I need more help.

This can get long, so lets just say my eyes have been opened and I’m doing my best to learn about this “new brain wiring” as best I can. We all have this AD and we need to start trying to live manageable lives again.

[Mamamichl]

I like how yo described it energizer bunny. I always say “buzzing bee”. It definitely is a learning curve, and yes it is genetic. I’m glad you are so accepting of it. My parents wouldn’t even acknowledge it (they are about your age), and their beliefs are that there’s a problem with people who need counselors or who have mental health conditions.

[Creed22 in reply to Mamamichl]

I Love Buzzing Bee! People told me all my life: it's all in your head, you are psycho, get over it, you are just too sensitive, too emotional, too weird, you know the drill. Low Self-Esteem, you think you are crazy. It's just been very enlightening that there were reasons to all my stuff, causes and all coming from this ADHD. It all makes sense now and that has been life changing for me.

[Mamamichl in reply to Creed22]

Indeed. My ex and my partner also have ADHD. My ex hated my buzzing bee. My current partner is able to love that part at times and other times calm me down. There are people that will accept it and love it, because it does have a good use (finding things for example)

[Creed22 in reply to Mamamichl]

My first 20 yr marriage, ended in divorce.... he never understood. My 2nd one (almost 20 yrs) gets me and support me all the way! God is Good!

[Formula1fan]

I completely understand, I was diagnosed with ADD at 57, now 58. Reading about ADD so many things that have happened during my life started to make sense. I was a premature baby by over 6 weeks...a link to a cause of ADD. Some of my friends learned about this diagnoses and I heard "Oh my god, that makes perfect sense, about alot of things, no offense"..."None taken, we are all aware I have a long list of issues..."

[Lilwonder]

I love the buzzing bee metaphor. Describes me and many of my family members so well. (And they “DO NOT” have ADHD, if you ask them.) It’s ok of course that they will not open their eyes to the truth. It is painful at times to do so. I’m early in my late diagnosis, 1 year in and I’m 56. I soooo wish I had known earlier. But I am hoping that my husband and children will benefit, if no one else. Still looking for new ways to live, but now at least I have a community (largely here) and hope. I will discover new/ more helpful ways of being so that I may be new and more helpful in my world. And if nothing else, more comfortable in my own skin.

[Creed22]

Lilwonder, you have a wonderful outlook and I'm trying to do the same. Knowledge is Power so that's what I'm trying to do. This has messed my life/health, my family, my daughter and I need answers! Keep me posted, I'm new to this too!