ADHDifference - POST DIAGNOSIS

ADHDifference

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss life following their adult ADHD diagnoses – taking ownership of their ADHD and how it has impacted their past, and will impact their future too.

They candidly chat about unpacking decades of past choices made and emotions felt prior to their ADHD diagnosis, and now with a better understanding of ADHD how it may affect their future journey. They discuss soft tactics they use as a couple to keep them on track and happy, talk about friendship groups and acquaintances, careers, and many other adult ADHD related topics.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Common reactions to an ADHD diagnosis.
• Reflections on decades of undiagnosed actions, choices, and perceptions.
• Mismanagement of ADHD traits when undiagnosed vs soft tactics used to keep on track post-diagnosis.
• Whether to tell friends, family, and work colleagues about an ADHD diagnosis
• Friendships, acquaintances and relationships.
• ADHD stimulant medication.

Key takeaways:

• There is no right or wrong way of feeling following an adult ADHD diagnosis. Feelings can range from relief and validation, to anger and grief for not knowing sooner.
• Understanding your ADHD brain is important. Don’t expect others to understand you if you don't understand how your ADHD impacts you.
• We are the same people before and after an ADHD diagnoses – so ‘life-changing’ means we have a different view of ourselves and our world, rather than a personality change.
• Own your differences. There will be positive and negative sides to every ADHD trait. Be sure to reflect on them with balance and kindness.
• Be with people who love you, who enable you, and encourage you to be the best version of yourself.
• ADHD stimulant medication will not ‘fix you’ as you are not broken! It will however, help to smooth off some rough or sharp edges and provide the dopamine levels required to assist in staying focused, managing emotions and time management, for example.

Links:

Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024)

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