The struggle is Real

[Spazomtherazom]

I was diagnosed early on with ADHD. My father was an avid denier of the medicine and it's benefits. So after taking Adderall for 6 years I moved in with him and stopped treatment. Roughly 23 years later I'm finally taking off the mask and trying to turn my ADHD into a gift instead of a crutch. I'm looking for advice from people who have been able to successfully navigate the traumas and hardships and over come the feeling of wasted potential. I don't know if my IQ is still equivocal to my younger years but I feel like I need to find the right direction and routine to become the best version of myself. I want to learn how to make my ADHD a super power instead of feeling like it's my worst enemy

[Misstea]

I don't have any suggestions. I'm still recovering from burnout and I'm approaching year six. You're fortunate for an earlier diagnosis.

[Colls47 in reply to Misstea]

I kinda feel this , but as no one has told me ITS BURNOUT , I keep pushing . Feeling like my mind is 🤯 and trying to navigate my kids and wife who all are without a doubt neuro divergent . Feel broken and like I just don’t want to go on . Diagnosed at 47, now 50.

[daverussell]

I can definitely relate to your story, but from a different perspective. I haven’t been officially diagnosed with ADHD, though I’ve suspected it for years. My so-called "superpowers"—which I prefer to call learned strategies—have likely been what’s kept me from actively seeking a diagnosis. Recently, after going through burnout from a new job, bought on entirely by myself, a locum doctor mentioned that I might want to consider pursuing a diagnosis.

While I’m not entirely sure what that journey would look like for me, I do think there’s value in recognizing the ways I’ve learned to navigate challenges and figuring out how I've leveraged those skills rather than looking for the negatives.

You will have learnt strategies that will have served you well, so don't doubt yourself. Instead of looking at what may have held you back, maybe it’s about recognizing who you are is a strength you've developed. Figuring out how to use them to your advantage moving forward, rather than trying to change.

Everyone’s journey is different, but my point is that perhaps for both of us it’s more useful to focus on growth and resilience rather than creating more obstacles. It's too late for what could have been.

I'm hoping I've answered your question, even if somewhat cryptically.

EDITED: so even if I do decide to go for a diagnosis or just an initial appointment (at £125 should I go private), I don't intend to expect some magic pill, as this [post](healthunlocked.com/adult-ad... has unfortunately found.

[Mamamichl]

I would read a few books and watch those groups. One is the holder was family (book called ADHD is awesome). Another is how to ADHD (both channel and book), and the other is ADHD_love couple with their books small talk and dirty laundry.