@Ali Hall - This is such an honest piece and it captures the emotional terrain of diagnosis, not just the relief and validation, but the grief, the rage and the long history of masking that so many neurodivergent people know all too well. I found myself especially struck by your insight that a diagnosis isn’t always necessary for self-understanding but sometimes it’s essential for self-trust. This distinction holds a lot wisdom. Thank you for naming the harm that comes from being misread or dismissed for traits that were simply never understood or assumed by others. And thank you for showing us how reclaiming those parts of ourselves can be a form of liberation.
Thank you for sharing and for your insightful and eloquent comment. :-) It’s certainly been a whirlwind of emotions and untangling it all has been a process in itself. But the relief I feel now is enormous.
This felt quite vulnerable, Ali. Thank you for sharing your experience. I strongly suspect I have ADHD though I don’t intend on getting a diagnosis… for now at least. But I hear you in a lot of this. Personally, having read so many experiences of people with ADHD who struggle endlessly with everyday tasks, or feeling overwhelmed and paralysed when starting something new in the same way I do, and have always done, is already validating. ADHD or not, knowing I am not alone in the slightest really helps.
Yes absolutely and knowing not to give yourself a hard time about it is key. We all have our quirks, learning to accept them instead of berating ourselves for them is where the peace comes.
Thank you Ali this for such an honest account of your life experience with ADHD and lack of understanding from those who needed to be there for you. I have noticed that there is more recognition and understanding of adult ADHD in Ireland now. It's interesting what you say about it's prevalence in women at certain hormonal stages. If a diagnosis gives someone certainty and self trust as you say it has given you, this is so important. But I believe it can be expensive as there is limited access to free diagnosis in the Irish public health services and this may account for under-diagnosis. I am glad that you have found sports activities helpful to manage your ADHD. Wishing you well.
You are absolutely spot on, it can be expensive which will definitely price some people out. And perhaps those who most need the diagnosis to get access to medication won't be able to get it. SIGH.
Thank you for this post and sharing your experience. It will resonate with so many. I’ve been doing ADHD assessments over the last 3 years and as a British Psychiatrist I can tell you the stories are similar especially for late diagnosed women. Fitting in to be normal is rarely the answer, standing out could very well be the way forward. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Thank you deeply for commenting, that's so interesting to hear of your experiences with diagnosing ADHD. It is EXHAUSTING trying to fit in. Since I've just learned to lean into who I am, I feel much freer.
@Ali Hall - This is such an honest piece and it captures the emotional terrain of diagnosis, not just the relief and validation, but the grief, the rage and the long history of masking that so many neurodivergent people know all too well. I found myself especially struck by your insight that a diagnosis isn’t always necessary for self-understanding but sometimes it’s essential for self-trust. This distinction holds a lot wisdom. Thank you for naming the harm that comes from being misread or dismissed for traits that were simply never understood or assumed by others. And thank you for showing us how reclaiming those parts of ourselves can be a form of liberation.
Thank you for sharing and for your insightful and eloquent comment. :-) It’s certainly been a whirlwind of emotions and untangling it all has been a process in itself. But the relief I feel now is enormous.
This felt quite vulnerable, Ali. Thank you for sharing your experience. I strongly suspect I have ADHD though I don’t intend on getting a diagnosis… for now at least. But I hear you in a lot of this. Personally, having read so many experiences of people with ADHD who struggle endlessly with everyday tasks, or feeling overwhelmed and paralysed when starting something new in the same way I do, and have always done, is already validating. ADHD or not, knowing I am not alone in the slightest really helps.
Yes absolutely and knowing not to give yourself a hard time about it is key. We all have our quirks, learning to accept them instead of berating ourselves for them is where the peace comes.
Thank you Ali this for such an honest account of your life experience with ADHD and lack of understanding from those who needed to be there for you. I have noticed that there is more recognition and understanding of adult ADHD in Ireland now. It's interesting what you say about it's prevalence in women at certain hormonal stages. If a diagnosis gives someone certainty and self trust as you say it has given you, this is so important. But I believe it can be expensive as there is limited access to free diagnosis in the Irish public health services and this may account for under-diagnosis. I am glad that you have found sports activities helpful to manage your ADHD. Wishing you well.
You are absolutely spot on, it can be expensive which will definitely price some people out. And perhaps those who most need the diagnosis to get access to medication won't be able to get it. SIGH.
I worked as an adult career counselor for years and came up close to this issue.
Ahhhhh yes I imagine so. It’s tough! I bet that was interesting work!
Yes it was. Pretty challenging at times.
Thank you for this post and sharing your experience. It will resonate with so many. I’ve been doing ADHD assessments over the last 3 years and as a British Psychiatrist I can tell you the stories are similar especially for late diagnosed women. Fitting in to be normal is rarely the answer, standing out could very well be the way forward. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Thank you deeply for commenting, that's so interesting to hear of your experiences with diagnosing ADHD. It is EXHAUSTING trying to fit in. Since I've just learned to lean into who I am, I feel much freer.