I was diagnosed with ADHD earlier this year, and it came like a bolt of
lightning. Totally unexpected, but very grateful to finally at this
stage of my life understand a major influencer of my life. It should not
have been unexpected, as both my sons...
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I was diagnosed with ADHD earlier this year, and it came like a bolt of
lightning. Totally unexpected, but very grateful to finally at this
stage of my life understand a major influencer of my life. It should not
have been unexpected, as both my sons to different mothers have been
diagnosed. The condition is 80% inherited. There are lots of online
resources about ADHD. Researching I discovered I am typical ADHD. Why
did it take to this time of my life to be diagnosed? It has impacted all
aspects of my life including social, emotional, cognitive and
behavioural functioning. 15 years ago I saw a clinical psychiatrist, for
depression and anxiety. He analysed me for two years and diagnosed me
with a cluster B personality disorder. ADHD was not on his radar, nor my
GP of over 20years. I was prescribed SSRI's, but they did not help. I
then discovered stimulants and went on to self medicate. In my early
20's I learnt mindfulness and practiced yoga with a mantra, which I
still practice. I travelled independently to every corner of the word
for up to 4 months a year, from my early 20's to present. I had my own
successful business in the adventure tour market, which enabled me to
afford it. I also scuba dived to multiple locations around the world and
within Australia logging over 1000 dives. Online, I have discovered
clinicians need to take care diagnosing as several Personality Disorders
share similar looking symptoms with ADHD, and can be easily confused.
ADHD'ers have advised these personality and mood disorders melt away
when properly treated with Psychostimulant medication, the first line of
treatment. My personal experience has shown ADHD and its treatment is
highly stigmatized and misunderstood by many clinicians. Be careful who
you consult with. A good resource for ADHD'ers is the Comorbidity
Guidelines from NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and
Substance Use at Sydney University. It provides a discussion of current
best practice and evidence in Australia regarding the management and
treatment of the more common comorbid mental health disorders. It is
intended for clinicians but easily understood "ADHD and AOD use
frequently co-occur, and there is evidence to suggest that the presence
of ADHD is a primary risk factor for the development of AOD use
disorders" I have been sober for 2 years now and going strong, with a
loving and supportive wife.