What Comes After Your ADHD Diagnosis?

Written by Cynthia Hammer, MSW


—Realize that nothing has changed with an ADHD diagnosis. You have a name for what has always been there.

—Expect to be relieved and sad after your diagnosis. Relieved to know something is the matter; and sad to learn something is the matter and it wasn't recognized earlier.

—Learn about ADHD—what it is and what it isn't—resources include books, ADHD magazines, reputable internet sites, conferences, and support groups.

—Have people in your immediate circle learn about ADHD along with you.

—Have faith that you will improve.  Getting your ADHD diagnosis is a positive, helpful step in building a better life for yourself.

—Forgive yourself for your past failings.

—Focus on learning and taking steps to make your future better.

—Acquiring new habits and changing behaviors takes time.

—Accept that improvements come slowly. Go easy on yourself.  Rome wasn't built in a day.

—Celebrate each new habit or improved behavior.  They are milestones.

—Share ideas and concerns with others who have ADHD, in person or online in Facebook groups, and at r/adhd.

—Make one or two friends with ADHD to talk to about your experiences.

—Become comfortable telling people, in a simple, non-aggressive, way that you have ADHD. When it is no big deal to you, it will be no big deal to them.

—Find ways to describe, in simple terms, how ADHD negatively and positively impacts your life.

—Learn to laugh at your ADHD-moments

—If unable to accomplish these "To Do" items, seek the assistance of an ADHD therapist or coach.

Cynthia Hammer, MSW

Cynthia Hammer, MSW, was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD in 1992 when she was 49 years old. The following year she created the non-profit organization, ADD Resources, with a mission to educate adults and helping professionals about ADHD in adults. She ran the organization for 15 years before retiring.

During the Covid isolation she wrote a book about her life with inattentive ADHD which should be published by the end of this year. In writing the book, she was dismayed to learn that children with inattentive ADHD continue to be under-diagnosed and adults with inattentive ADHD often are incorrectly diagnosed with depression or anxiety.

She created a new non-profit in 2021, the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org), to create more awareness about inattentive ADHD and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.

https://www.iadhd.org
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