Embracing Neurodiversity: My ADHD Diagnosis

At the end of 2022, at the age of 34, I received an ADHD diagnosis. Like many adults, my path began unexpectedly – on TikTok. Videos about lesser-known ADHD symptoms, particularly in women, sparked my curiosity. The algorithm took over, feeding me more content. Soon, I found myself showing my husband over 20 videos, asking, "Does this sound like me?" His answer: a resounding yes.

While some might dismiss the prevalence of ADHD, it's likely under diagnosed. Gender bias plays a role, as boys often exhibit hyperactivity, while girls like myself may show inattentiveness and disorganisation. Additionally, adult ADHD can manifest differently, with challenges in focus, organisation and emotional regulation. 

Looking back, there were early signs of ADHD. Despite academic success in secondary school, I never developed strong study habits (a skill that continues to elude me). Cramming the night before exams was my default. After my Leaving Cert, I embarked on an Arts degree but found the commute brutal and dropped out. After a year off, I returned to college, this time to study journalism. However, the workload and the pressure of academic writing proved overwhelming, resulting in another dropout near the end of year one. Full-time work felt like a more manageable option, and the fast-paced environment of recruitment fit my energy well.

My diagnosis is "combined type" ADHD, meaning I experience both hyperactivity and inattention. Imagine a squirrel with a jetpack, easily sidetracked by shiny objects. I have a hyperactive, restless mind but find things I'm not interested in almost impossible to concentrate on.

Beyond the common perception of ADHD as a mild focus issue, the reality is more complex. Like autism, ADHD exists on a spectrum. For me, this includes sensory overload, significant impatience, and chronic overwhelm – lesser-known symptoms that significantly impact my life. Working remotely adds another layer. Video meetings, while important, drain my energy. While I love generating ideas, completing tasks can be difficult. Yet, when truly engaged, I can become hyper-focused, working for hours without a break.

Being diagnosed was bittersweet; it felt like an aha moment where a lot of things made sense but I also felt sad that it wasn't spotted sooner. People with ADHD often label themselves as lazy and struggle with guilt and shame for not doing enough or being more productive. This is especially difficult to navigate in the tech industry. 

People with autism will often talk about the process of ‘unmasking’ following a diagnosis and I find myself going through that process now. Over the years I've developed systems to stay on top of my work, which is pretty typical for ADHDers. It's only since I've begun researching ADHD in detail that I've found a name for one of my systems; body doubling. If I have a particularly monotonous task to complete, I ask my husband to sit nearby while I do it and for some reason, it helps.

Now, I'm actively exploring accommodations to support my neurodiversity in both personal and professional settings. I'd love to connect with others with ADHD to share strategies for focus, managing overwhelm, and (perhaps most importantly) curbing my urge to constantly interrupt!

If you or someone you love thinks they might have ADHD, you can find a ton of resources here: ADHD in Adults.