Hi everyone,

I have to keep this brief because I'm at work.

My girlfriend, who is a nurse, has expressed that she thinks there is a possibility that I have ADHD. I've always sort of toyed with the idea without giving it too much thought, but now that I've had a chance to do some research it would definately explain a lot of things in my 26 years of life.

In retrospect, as a child the symptoms seemed moderate, but in the past few years it seems to be affecting my life more and more. However, I think it could just be an overall lack of concentration due to years of inconsistent sleeping patterns. And I work a graveyard shift now which would only make it worse.

In the end though, whether or not I am afflicted by ADHD will be determined by a specialist. I find myself on the fence about this whole matter. On the one hand, I want ADHD because it would explain so many things and it would mean that I do have the potential that I've always felt I have but have been unable to fulfill. On the other hand, I just don't want to have ADHD.

A question for those who were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and significant others of these people? What sort of effect did it have on you when you found out?

And if you happen to be from the Victoria, BC area, can you reccommend any specialist to me?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Junho

The short answer: "it gave me hope".

The longer answer: when i found out last spring I was totally blown away. Everything seemed to fall into place. What made the most impression on me were not even the lists with symptoms, but the overally recognition that I felt when reading other people's stories: it was .. well, is .. almost uncanny. As if a large part of what I previously thought was "just me" was all of a sudden attributable to ADD. This is, at the same time, a bit frightening, but also hilarious.

The good thing about "finding out" is that you find an explanation for all those things that you could never put a finger on: feeling "different" than others since as long as you can remember; the idea that you're always missing out on some important part of life; not being able to study despite being quite smart; returning relationship issues (not involved, forgetful, dreamy, absent minded); trouble with certain things like organising your life; severe concentration problems; anxiety; problems at work i.e. being totally inconsistent, not being able to sit out any meeting; being somehow 'immature' .. etcetera. Well, that is the list for me .. since I have the inattentive variety, your list may be different.
But all these things were suddenly understandable under a common denominator, and, what's more, there was suddenly the realisation that there might a way to improve on them. I had almost given up that that would be possible.

As for the specialist question .. see my answer to your other post in this forum.

Embrace it! Take full advantage of it; arrange your life to fit the "gift". Never say no to urges (legal anyway) live your dreams.
I found out (self diagnosed) at 56 and it was like having a humungous weight lifted of my shoulders