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ADHD and the Newly Diagnosed Adult

By HERWriter
 
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Zoë Kessler knows the answer to a long-standing mystery. She found out she's one of the many who grew up with ADHD and without a diagnosis. Till now.

She shares her personal feelings ... talking to others who are also learning the ropes of this new relationship between themselves and ADHD ... and spelling it out for the rest of us, giving us a glimpse of what this has been like.

To be repeatedly misunderstood and misconstrued. To be continually puzzled and bewildered by her own internal --and external -- chaos. To live with a steady diet of disappointment and frustration from family, friends and co-workers.

To finally know WHY.

One question remained: What will she do about it?

Zoë has that one covered. "My diagnosis let me see that I was still trying to live up to someone else’s idea of what was right for me. I was finally liberated! Now I’m focusing on my strengths of creativity, joy and infinite curiosity about the world."

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/adhd-zoe/2010/04/zoes-pet-peeves-late-diagnosis-of-adhd

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Diane Porter

I know how Zoe feels.

I was diagnosed with ADD at age 43. Over the next few years, I went back and forth between being grateful for the diagnosis -- finally, an explanation for so many things!! -- and wishing I didn't have the diagnosis, because on many days it seemed simpler to do what I'd always done, to just assume that all I had to do was work harder or try more and I'd be fine.

The stages Zoe writes about are right on target. Thanks so much for pointing me toward her blog. I'm definitely a new fan!

April 27, 2010 - 8:49am

This Comment

Zoë Kessler
(reply to Diane Porter)

Hi Jody and Diane.
Jody, thanks so much for reviewing my blog, and Diane, I'm so glad you're finding it of value. I sure can relate to wishing you'd never been diagnosed, I felt that way for a while too. Now, I realize that I'd been spinning my wheels for so many years, I just want to catch up as fast as I can. ...but don't worry, I'm making sure I don't get burned out in the process! Hope to see you at psych central, feel free to drop us a line or make a comment there if the spirit moves you.
Take care,
Zoë

June 18, 2010 - 6:55am

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Jody Smith
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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