You Got an ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult. Now What?
Getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult in Chicago, or anywhere, comes with a lot of feelings. I've received this question so many times and have even asked myself this. When people think of ADHD they typically picture a young boy running around the classroom not being able to sit still. Not a lot of people realize that more and more adults are getting diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be both super validating and scary at the same time. On the one hand it can feel like years of questioning "Why do I do this" are answered. On the other hand, it can leave you questioning where to go now. I'm hoping to give some tips to answer this.
Give yourself some time to process your diagnosis- whether it felt like a giant bomb drop or an “I knew it!, you still need some time to process what this diagnosis means for you and where you are at in your life. I recommend journaling about your initial reactions, emotions, etc. to truly connect with how you are feeling.
Research- There is a growing community out there of people who are diagnosed with ADHD later in life. More and more research is also coming out about ADHD and how it impacts adults, as opposed to just children. A great source of information is hearing from individuals themselves through social media. A lot more people are speaking out about their own experiences with ADHD and how it impacts them, which can be super validating to see. A great resource that I use is ADDitude magazine, which has free webinars and articles about ADHD and its various impacts.
Don’t see this diagnosis as a label, but a roadmap- Yes a diagnosis is a label in a sense, but I truly view it more as a roadmap into the next steps. It can help guide you to where you are going, but also be a roadmap for the past as well. I have heard many clients say “wow now that makes so much more sense” when talking about past experiences with ADHD symptoms.
Seek out counseling with an ADHD certified provider- it is important to find someone that is knowledgeable on ADHD and can give you concrete steps to help with symptoms such as executive functioning, emotional regulation, working memory, etc. Finding a provider that is certified can give you more peace of mind that the therapist you are working with has experience with ADHD and can help guide you through its various parts.
Show yourself some grace!!- It is okay to not have all the answers. It’s okay to have mixed emotions and feel unsure on where to go from here. Show yourself some grace in the unknown and practice kindness and self care during a potentially confusing time.
I hope this quick overview was helpful, my biggest piece of advice is remembering ADHD is a spectrum and your presentation does not need to fit the cookie cutter mold of what society views ADHD to be. This is your own discovery and experience, take it with a grain of salt and move at your own pace as you discover more about yourself.
Thanks for reading and best of luck on your new journey! :)
Written by Lexi Caliendo, MEd, LCPC, NCC | Therapist at Rewrite Therapy Co.
Lexi specializes in ADHD, autism, and trauma, with a particular passion for supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and other marginalized communities. As a queer and neurodivergent therapist herself, she brings both clinical expertise and lived understanding to her work. She integrates creativity, mindfulness, and music into her practice and sees clients virtually throughout Illinois.