Thank you for writing this and sharing it! We're on similar journeys. Just diagnosed in August at the age of 40. So wild. Our communities may enjoy each other :) https://jennysmith.substack.com. Keep writing!
It took the psych only 15 minutes or so, so then I asked, "Is that it?"
And replied, "Yes, that's it. You definitely have it. Sometimes I see people have it when they walk in the room."
So when I asked what happens next, the psych said he'll prescribe medication and I need to experiment with doses until I get the right balance.
I asked him how long does it take for the meds to take effect and he replied, "Oh about 10 or 15 minutes."
Mind blown.
After struggling for years, pushing through the molasses, masking, feeling shame, having success despite myself, to think that once I walk down the street and have the prescription filled, I'll then be on the path to normality, just like that. Just. Like. That.
Mind blown.
So then I said all the things that everyone says once they know:
"If only I'd done this years ago"
"I can't believe it was so simple"
"I feel such relief"
Two months prior, while I was waiting for my appointment day to arrive (it took nearly three months to get in to see the psychiatrist), I listened to an audio book that is also available as a print edition "ADHD 2.0" by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell and Dr. John J. Ratey.
As I listened to the first couple of chapters, it was listening t a timeline of my life. I loved the section where they list good traits of ADHD and follow it with a negative of that same trait that we find challenging. I could relate to them all.
Then I skipped to the last chapter which started with something like, "If you have ADHD you probably just skipped to this last chapter..." and there I was riding my bike laughing my head off.
Post-diagnosis I'm still finding my feet because I have six decades of habits and negative behaviours to change. I'm keeping all the good ones, though.
The great thing is that being on medication I don't get the fear and "The Black Dreads" that would stop me for days and weeks from getting stuff done. And the medication allows me to be me and I still have my Superpowers.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to further reading your insights.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. I can certainly relate to the rollercoaster you describe and I suspect we'll be on it for a while eh! Love hearing you say 'I'm keeping all the good ones though'! And sending love and solidarity as you work on things you'd like to change. Thanks again for stopping by :)
Thank you for writing this and sharing it! We're on similar journeys. Just diagnosed in August at the age of 40. So wild. Our communities may enjoy each other :) https://jennysmith.substack.com. Keep writing!
Yay! ADHD buddies! Thank you so much for your encouragement, and for the words of wisdom in your own newsletter. Eagerly subscribed :)
I'm 62 and was recently diagnosed with ADHD.
It took the psych only 15 minutes or so, so then I asked, "Is that it?"
And replied, "Yes, that's it. You definitely have it. Sometimes I see people have it when they walk in the room."
So when I asked what happens next, the psych said he'll prescribe medication and I need to experiment with doses until I get the right balance.
I asked him how long does it take for the meds to take effect and he replied, "Oh about 10 or 15 minutes."
Mind blown.
After struggling for years, pushing through the molasses, masking, feeling shame, having success despite myself, to think that once I walk down the street and have the prescription filled, I'll then be on the path to normality, just like that. Just. Like. That.
Mind blown.
So then I said all the things that everyone says once they know:
"If only I'd done this years ago"
"I can't believe it was so simple"
"I feel such relief"
Two months prior, while I was waiting for my appointment day to arrive (it took nearly three months to get in to see the psychiatrist), I listened to an audio book that is also available as a print edition "ADHD 2.0" by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell and Dr. John J. Ratey.
As I listened to the first couple of chapters, it was listening t a timeline of my life. I loved the section where they list good traits of ADHD and follow it with a negative of that same trait that we find challenging. I could relate to them all.
Then I skipped to the last chapter which started with something like, "If you have ADHD you probably just skipped to this last chapter..." and there I was riding my bike laughing my head off.
Post-diagnosis I'm still finding my feet because I have six decades of habits and negative behaviours to change. I'm keeping all the good ones, though.
The great thing is that being on medication I don't get the fear and "The Black Dreads" that would stop me for days and weeks from getting stuff done. And the medication allows me to be me and I still have my Superpowers.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to further reading your insights.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. I can certainly relate to the rollercoaster you describe and I suspect we'll be on it for a while eh! Love hearing you say 'I'm keeping all the good ones though'! And sending love and solidarity as you work on things you'd like to change. Thanks again for stopping by :)