Australian ADHD Life: "How My Diagnosis Changed My Life!"
This is the personal story of life before and after ADHD. It resonated with us and will with you. It also shows how important it is to get a professional disgnosis if you think that things are not right and/or that you might have ADHD.
LIVED-EXPERIENCE SERIES
I Wanted to Share This With Others
Written by Mary* (not her real name, identity withheld for privacy reasons) from Queensland, Australia.
"For the past 6 years, I had massive anxiety. There was this constant uneasy feeling in my stomach and my brain was my worst enemy. Even though I was doing wonderfully in my career, I felt deeply flawed and kept failing when I tried to change things about myself.
In 2018, my partner and I had relocated. I was now unemployed too (for 7 months)! I had reached a point where I was too anxious to even leave my house. I cried a couple of times, daily, for no reason at all. I had to handle this situation. I needed a win!
So, I started researching and discovered a condition named “ADHD”. It was weird because I could relate to a lot of the things, but I did not completely fit the profile. I am never late to meetings, I did pretty well at university, and I have always been one of the elite employees wherever I have worked. This made no sense!
I finally forced myself to seek professional advice … and BAM! The psychiatrist confirmed my worst fear! I had ADHD. I was 29 years old and I DID NOT want to have a mental condition!"
After My Diagnosis
"After my denial phase, I eventually started piecing my life together. It's like a giant puzzle you see. Everything I could not understand. Everything I tried to change about myself. It just made sense!
For example, at work we received tons of training on active listening and not interrupting customers. Despite all the reminders on my computer screen, sticky notes etc… I just kept interrupting people. I thought I was so impolite.
All the meltdowns, not being able to think before I talk … losing 7 mobile phones (and 12 bank cards).
I now know this is just a condition! My dad has it too. He was in tears when I told him about ADHD … cause like me, he had no clue it even existed."
What Have I Learned?
"People with ADHD don’t always run late or get fired or whatever stereotypes are out there.
Do not let anyone tell you how to behave. You do you!
I scored 7 A’s and 1 B for my master’s degree. I am now 30 and juggling between 3 management roles and just founded my business. ADHD is my superpower! It’s the reason why I excel at my job. It helps me be different! It’s refreshing!
Embrace it!"
If you are looking for information about ADHD, at any age, for any reason, from anywhere in Australia contact the ADHD Helpline on 02 9889 5977. We have a 'Healthcare Professionals Referral List' i.e. ADHD experienced psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatricians, ADHD coaches, counselors etc. It is free, confidential and staffed by knowledgeable people.
The ADHD Helpline is open Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10.30am and 4.30 pm. If the line is busy or a volunteer is not in attendance you can leave a message, your name and contact number and someone will contact you at the next opportunity. Or email them at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
