Not discovering I had ADHD until 40s, which leads me to
Realising ADHD's part in wrecking a great relationship years ago.
Not launching my last startup 1 year earlier (We'd have probably survived the recession). Also having to let people go - I found that as tough as losing a job!
I spent a lot of my younger years thinking I was forgetful, etc. Ended up with not bad systems to manage - but by chance.
By chance saw a tv programme 9 or 10 years back about kids with ADHD and suddenly understood exactly. I also realised just how crap the media and popular view of it is. Found out that there were an awful lot of other habits and symptoms that can be a part of it and could mentally check off quite a few. Suddenly I wasn't confused about why I did a lot of the things I did, all the way back to early years.
Internet research would probably have had me give up if I hadn't seen the documentary. Half of what I found was "ADHD doesn't exist" or made up junk to sell a book, or a diet or "amphetamines are terrible" as it was the height of the media theme of too many diagnosed or conspiracy to sell Ritalin. Got past that to medical and quality resourses and discover the different degrees of ADHD or even that there's several forms and you don't even have to be hyperactive and bouncing off walls.
Started to understand where my habits failed and why. Started to understand why I couldn't fix a few things most people find laughably easy.
Pushed for diagnosis (took a while), got medication, realised they're not a miracle reprogramming cure. They fix many of the faults in the brain, but don't cure all the bad habits you developed. Been working on better habits since.
Wish I'd had medication and awareness through education, though I got OK results by the luck of being bright. My 20s would have been easier before I started to figure out decent systems to work around my weird. :)
Thanks for all you wrote! I suspect I'm in a similar place to where you were prior to getting treatment. I've resisted pursuing a diagnosis because it's hard to see what an alternative "normal" would be like. Whether creativity would suffer.
I'd be interested in talking further; If you wouldn't mind answering a few more questions through email, please send me a message at the address in my profile. Thanks again.
Same. There's definitely been some advantages, and I've learned to manage it better. No one knew about it when I was in school. If I'd known from early I'm sure some things could have been easier!
Realising ADHD's part in wrecking a great relationship years ago.
Not launching my last startup 1 year earlier (We'd have probably survived the recession). Also having to let people go - I found that as tough as losing a job!