Getting Diagnosed with ADHD as an Adult
How I Realized I Might Have ADHD
I always suspected I had ADHD. But when 2020 hit, the world shut down, and my habits spiraled.
My focus? Gone.
My productivity? Nonexistent.
My ability to function like a normal human being? LOL.
Then came college in 2021—and wow, trying to focus in class felt like I had chugged a pot of coffee while watching a laser show. I knew something was off. So, I went to my doctor.
Step One: “You Might Have ADHD” 🧠
I filled out a basic ADHD screening form, and my doctor prescribed Biphentin.
📌 No official diagnosis. Just “Here, try this.”
For three months, it was amazing. My brain felt quiet. I could focus. I could function.
But then… the internalized stigma hit.
💭 “Do I really need ADHD meds?”
💭 “What if I’m just lazy?”
💭 “Maybe I’m fine now.”
So I stopped taking them.
And for the next three years, I just pushed through—until I couldn’t anymore.
The ADHD Diagnosis Struggle 🏥
By 2024, my symptoms were louder than ever. Back to the doctor I went.
But this time? No quick prescription.
🩺 “You need an official ADHD diagnosis first.”
Fine. No problem. My doctor said he’d refer me to a psychiatrist and an ADHD clinic.
…And then? Nothing.
📞 No call. No email. No updates.
I followed up for a month before they finally gave me a number—to a children’s ADHD clinic.
Super helpful. Not.
Taking Matters Into My Own Hands (and My Wallet) 💸
At this point, I was done waiting.
I researched online ADHD clinics for adults. I found one! 🚀
But there was a catch…
💰 It cost $300.
I was broke and unemployed, but I knew my health was worth it. So, I bit the bullet and booked the assessment.
⏳ 48 hours later, I had a video call with a specialist.
The verdict?
🚨 I had ADHD. 🚨
One month later, after the longest wait of my life, I got my official report. That meant I could finally get on ADHD medication again.
Trying Vyvanse for the First Time 🚀
This time, I switched to Vyvanse. And let me tell you…
🤯 Mind. Blown. 🤯
✅ The noise in my brain finally quieted down.
✅ I could get things done without fighting my own brain.
✅ I felt free.
But here’s the plot twist…
Just two months later, I stopped taking my meds again.
(That’s a story for another post—how I learned to manage ADHD without medication.)
Final Thoughts: How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult was a rollercoaster of frustration, self-doubt, and waiting.
But once I finally took control, it changed everything.
If you suspect you have ADHD:
✔ Talk to your doctor ASAP.
✔ Advocate for yourself—you might have to push for answers.
✔ Do your research—online clinics can be an option.
✔ Be patient—the process takes time, but it’s worth it.
📢 Do you have a wild ADHD diagnosis story? Share it in the comments below!