Diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult: Now what?

You may have received a diagnosis from a doctor, psychologist, or therapist. Or maybe your friends and family are nudging you to seek a diagnosis. Or maybe you just have a feeling that something about you is a little ADHD. Either way getting information about ADHD can be affirming and validating. And yet what do you do once you know you have ADHD?

1. Learn to Play to Your Strengths

Arriving at an ADHD diagnosis can sometimes come only after some painful moments of frustration and missed opportunities. The lack of attention to detail and the inability to maintain focus can leave people with ADHD feeling inept. However, ADHD individuals are typically more skilled than their non-ADHD peers in areas such as gross motor skills, creativity, and intuition. Let the ADHD diagnosis be the start of a journey of discovery of your strengths.

2. Process the emotions that come with living with ADHD.

Looking at a childhood where your ADHD went unnoticed can be painful and there can be conflicting feelings. Often people feel grateful for the diagnosis but at the same time find the process of integrating their past experiences brings up grief and can be painful and confusing.

3. Find the skills that you want to further develop.

Being diagnosed with ADHD doesn’t mean you are broken or that everything is wrong with you. Find areas of growth that feel important to you and to enhance the life you have. You may want to improve your organization techniques or increase your awareness of time; you can choose what you want to work on based on your life and your own goals.

4. Build up your support network.

ADHD isn’t always obvious, and people can be left feeling confused or uncertain about what to make of your actions. You have choices in who you tell and how you share your ADHD story. Often friends and family want to be helpful and learn about ways they can support you in your journey.

Sorting through your emotions, your past, and your diagnosis can be both overwhelming and liberating. Making use of a therapist is a great way to find support for learning more about yourself and guide you to further self-awareness.

Life can be complicated, messy, and rarely progresses in a straight line. At PeoplePsych, a Chicago-based psychotherapy group, we specialize in helping adults who seek profound change in their lives. We offer services that affirm the dignity, worth, and value of each individual, and we are committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore the challenges they face, whether related to mental health, emotional struggles, or life transitions.

To start your journey toward change, please contact our Clinical Coordinator at (312) 252-5252 or intake@peoplepsych.com.