Newly diagnosed woman with ADHD - after life of depression and anxiety

[MusiKat]

Hi everyone,

When I turned 40 I had a breakdown and was hospitalized. Whilst in there, my doctor diagnosed me with ADHD and said that it was most likely the reason for my memory loss, mood extremes and ups and downs. I have had depression and anxiety since my teens and she put it down to undiagnosed ADHD. Also pop in some life events that caused upheavals etc.

So I am trying now to use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help myself. I think it is more helpful than CBT alone. But am currently in a very hard place at the moment and just wanted to say that to some people who I know will understand. If there are any other women out there who have been diagnosed with ADHD later in life (i.e., not in childhood) I would love to hear from you.

Thanks,

Kat

[Doolhof]

Hi Kat,

ADHD is one thing I have not been diagnosed with. I certainly have plenty of other mental health issue titles to my name.

For me, it is not having the title, but trying to understand the diagnosis, read up about it and see how I can make my life work with what I have.

I've been hospitalised about 5 times now with my mental health issues. I do wonder if there is something else going on that has not been diagnosed. Who knows. Does it matter? I am me, flaws and all.

If you don't mind me asking, do you feel different in any way since this diagnosis? If you don't want to answer that question, that is okay.

Hopefully you can take one day at a time, work out what this all means to you and find ways to make your life work.

From Dools

[JerryKeat]

Not a woman here (;p) but definitely relate to your diagnosis. In fact I was diagnosed at 40 as well (four years ago). Prior to that I have always had high anxiety and occasional panic attacks. Also a constantly racing mind , restless, edgy, always on a 'search' for something. Have always considered myself switched on and intelligent yet definitely have focus and concentration problems. Past addiction issues as well. When I hit 40 i observed the same patterns in all my immediate family members & thought to myself: 'This is not just anxiety, there has to be something genetic & neurologically wrong here.' So I went to a psychiatrist for a FULL mental health evaluation and he diagnosed me with adult ADHD. The ADHD brain = poor executive functioning due to a deficiency in a very important neurotransmitter called 'dopamine'. Undiagnosed & untreated this can cause many problems. The stimulant medication helps a lot. Good luck on your journey. =]