Navigating an ADHD Diagnosis in Adulthood

ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood, but as awareness and understanding has increased, more adults are being diagnosed later in life. For many, this diagnosis can feel affirming, like you’re coming into an understanding about something you’ve always known about yourself somehow. However, just because something makes sense, doesn’t make it easy. 

The Challenges of Diagnosing ADHD as an Adult

For one, the process of diagnosing ADHD can be somewhat difficult. Symptoms of ADHD start before the age of 12 and typically have an impact on class or schoolwork. These symptoms carry through adulthood. While they can be managed with coping mechanisms and masking, they have a relative impact on your daily functioning at work and at home. Due to the history of symptoms and early onset with ADHD, the assessment for ADHD can seem longer than one might expect.  

Undiagnosed ADHD can also cause further mental health issues such as anxiety due to performance concerns or depression due to self-esteem. These comorbidities can lead to an uncertainty in diagnosis of ADHD due to an overlap of symptoms. 

Additionally, due to varied types of ADHD (hyperactive, inattentive, and combined), it can be difficult to pin down. It can be hard to say whether symptoms are related to ADHD or another diagnosis, which is important for practitioners to understand prior to diagnosis. 

Each of these barriers to diagnosis occur once an appointment is made and an assessment is completed. There are other obvious systemic barriers due to cost and time, as well as potential barriers due to missed appointments, difficulty scheduling, and diagnosis related issues. However, diagnosis can be life changing for some and well worth the effort. 

The Positive Side of an ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult

In some individuals, diagnosis is all positive. Understanding how ADHD has influenced one’s past and present can prompt a newfound sense of self and understanding. It can lead to finally taking the next step to managing symptoms, whether through coping skills or medication, it can open new doors. Even causing an increase in self-esteem, improving relationships, or even changing the way you approach the world for the better. 

However, any negative emotions that may arise when dealing with any new identity later in life can still apply with a late ADHD diagnosis. It is completely understandable if one feels a sense of grief surrounding who they thought they were, or loss around opportunities that may have been more available had they been diagnosed earlier. A wide range of emotions is understandable and natural in these circumstances.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy can aid in understanding this new identity. You can gain insight into past challenges and work with a therapist to address the feelings that may surround understanding how ADHD may have shaped previous situations. Additionally, as you enter this new chapter of understanding, therapy may help you achieve a level of acceptance around your diagnosis.

It can also help you consider various coping skills moving forward and develop a better understanding of your relationship patterns as shaped by ADHD. Therapy can be hugely beneficial in helping grapple with the change, but it can also help you carve a path forward. 

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with ADHD and want help understanding your diagnosis, collaborating on coping mechanisms, or navigating the whirlwind of emotions that comes with a new identity at this stage in your life then therapy may be the best option for you. It can be overwhelming to get diagnosed as an adult and many of our therapists are more than equipped to help guide and support you with any of your concerns or struggles. 

How We Can Help

An ADHD diagnosis in adulthood can bring both clarity and complexity into your life. If you’re looking for a space to process your emotions and understand what your diagnosis means for your life moving forward, our ADHD therapists at Catalyss Counseling are here for you.

We also have an ADHD Support Group where you can connect with other adults who may be struggling with the same issues you are. Schedule a free 20-minute consultation today to learn more about how we can support you!

Author Biography

Chryssiana McGilvrey is an intern therapist and a provider for the Affordable Counseling Program at Catalyss Counseling. She works with adults experiencing anxiety, ADHD, as well as grief, LGBTQIA+, and autism. Chryssiana is very passionate about counseling and holding space for others in moments of vulnerability. Follow Catalyss Counseling on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Here at Catalyss Counseling, we want to meet all of your counseling needs in the Denver area. Our supportive therapists provide depression counseling, therapy for caregiver stress, grief and loss therapy, stress management counseling and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression or anxiety, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and birth trauma. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.