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“So you’ve finally been diagnosed with ADHD! Congratulations!”

I wasn’t offended, but I was a bit taken aback—I didn’t expect to be congratulated on my diagnosis. My friend picked up on my confusion based on my unusual several seconds of silence.

After a few moments that probably felt longer to her than they did to me, she followed up: “My diagnosis was the first step in me regaining control of my life. I’m excited for you that you have clarity and an answer, and I hope that this can be a positive step forward for you, too.”

If you’ve stumbled upon this article, then you more than likely just received your diagnosis…

And now it’s my turn to congratulate you. Living with undiagnosed ADHD is like navigating a tangled garden without the proper tools – challenging and often leaving you feeling lost. But receiving a diagnosis is like being handed a map and a set of shears; you now have the clarity and means to start sculpting the life you deserve to live. I am so proud of you for pursuing help!

You might be like me – late-in-life diagnosed, frustrated by years of struggling in silence. But here is why a diagnosis is worth celebrating: A diagnosis empowers you to seek and claim accommodations that will (hopefully) make completing tasks and living life much simpler.

Here’s what you might expect and what you can do after receiving your ADHD diagnosis:

“The wings of transformation are born of patience and struggle"

Work with your doctor to find the right medication — if that’s your thing

If your doctor has recommended you get started on medication, be patient. Don’t get discouraged if it takes some trial and error to find the right medication for you, your body, and your brain.

I found keeping a journal of my symptoms, both pre and post-diagnosis, helpful in accurately sharing my struggles with my doctor. It was also invaluable in helping me figure out what medication works best for me. I tried several, but my detailed notes about side effects and my day-to-day habits really helped my doctor tailor my treatment plan to find what will work best for me long term.

Talk with your manager and coworkers about your diagnosis — if you feel comfortablE

If you’re like me and have ADHD and anxiety, then this might be one of the most difficult parts of your journey. But in my experience, it has been the most rewarding.

Why has this been the most rewarding for me? My ADHD caused me to struggle with almost every area of my life, but it was most apparent when it came to my work. I have always prided myself on being good at my job, but I always found myself struggling with deadlines, staying focused, and being organized. I felt an immense sense of relief being able to articulate where these struggles stem from and an even stronger sense of relief when my coworkers and my manager showed just how much they support me on my journey, not just because they care about how my ADHD manifests in our interactions, but because they sincerely want me to feel like the best version of myself every day when I show up at work. They want me to be comfortable and feel good about what I am doing and how I am doing it, and that inherently makes me feel better.

You’ll also need their support and flexibility to attend any upcoming doctor’s appointments and their patience if you’re adjusting to different medications. My manager now regularly sends me messages of support or checks in to ensure I don’t need any additional accommodations. I’ve learned this isn’t anything to be ashamed of but something to be immensely grateful for.

Continue to practice self-care or develop a routine — if you don’t already have one

After receiving a diagnosis, you must continue to be patient with yourself. By seeking help for what you’re experiencing, you're already doing something right.

I used to think “self-care” meant bubble baths or eating takeout in bed. Sometimes, this is still what it means, but my diagnosis has helped me broaden my view – self-care is also budgeting, meal prepping, getting plenty of sleep, or anything else that sets me up for success and helps me feel like the best version of myself in the coming days.

Work on developing a routine that works for you, and don’t get caught up in what’s considered “normal” or “typical.”

There’s no such thing. Remember, 99% of the time, those “My Routine” vlogs and videos posted all over social media are heavily edited. Even those that aren’t don’t necessarily represent the creator’s actual day-to-day life. You need to do what feels best for you.

So congratulations, friend, on your ADHD diagnosis. I am thrilled that you have clarity and an answer as to why you’ve been feeling the way you have for so long, and I hope that for you, too, it is a positive step forward. For most, it’s their first step in reclaiming their life. You deserve that, and I am already so incredibly proud of you. You should be too!

So You’ve Finally Been Diagnosed with ADHD!

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