VIDEO: An Interview with an ADHD Coach, “What it’s Like to be Diagnosed with ADHD.”

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 10% of children worldwide. However, as you know, ADHD does not just affect children.

Many adults also experience the symptoms of ADHD, but their condition may go unnoticed or undiagnosed for years. In this article, we will explore the experience of getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult through an interview by How to ADHD’s Jessica McCabe with ADHD coach Brett Thornhill.

Getting Diagnosed with ADHD

Thornhill shared his experience of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult at 43 years old. He explains that he has always experienced feelings associated with ADHD, such as imposter syndrome and academic difficulty. However, the breaking point for him was when he received a management promotion and was responsible for a team. Despite things going well outwardly, Brett was experiencing tremendous anxiety, mild depression, and dissatisfaction inwardly. This led him to see a counselor, resulting in his ADHD diagnosis.

When Brett arrived at the psychiatrist's office, the diagnostic process was mainly just a Q&A. The psychiatrist asked him a lot of questions and took a lot of notes. Brett states that the diagnosis fit like a glove, and there was no doubt in the psychiatrist's mind after a few visits.

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be an emotional process. For Brett, it was a relief to finally have an explanation for the struggles he had experienced throughout his life. However, he also felt regret for not getting diagnosed earlier. He believes that if he had been diagnosed earlier, he could have had a different trajectory in life.

Adults with ADHD have unique strengths that they can leverage to their advantage.

Brett explains to Jessica that one of the biggest challenges for adults with ADHD is that they often have developed coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms. For example, they may have developed a system of Post-it notes and reminders that allow them to function relatively well in their daily lives. However, their coping mechanisms may no longer work when they encounter a new or unexpected situation, and their symptoms become more apparent.

As an ADHD coach, Brett works with adults recently diagnosed with ADHD. He helps them to understand their condition and develop new coping mechanisms that are more effective. Brett emphasizes that ADHD is not a failed version of normal but a different way of being. He believes that adults with ADHD have unique strengths that they can leverage to their advantage.

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be a challenging but ultimately liberating experience. The diagnostic process may be relatively straightforward, but the emotional process can be more complex. However, with the right support, adults with ADHD can learn to manage their symptoms effectively and leverage their unique strengths to achieve their goals.