Unseen Struggles: Late ADHD Diagnosis and Its Unseen Struggles and Its Impact

Late diagnosis of ADHD is less about the diagnosis and more about making sense of the lost time, trauma, and consequences due to a lack of support and resources.

Being late diagnosed with ADHD isn’t just about not having a diagnosis. It’s about spending most of your life trying to meet the expectations of those around you, yet it takes so much more energy. It's about still not feeling accepted, never feeling like you are enough or can ever do enough without failing in some other aspect of your life. It’s about questioning yourself constantly, losing out on promotions, and struggling with day-to-day tasks that seem effortless for everyone else.

In a nutshell, being late diagnosed with ADHD can lead to a life filled with emotional and mental trauma, where you believe yourself to be a failure and a fake, even if you've mastered masking.

There is also living with the stigma associated with ADHD and if it is a legitimate disability or hearing those who are of the philosophy of just suck it up making statements like “ You survived this long doing what you are doing, what difference does having the diagnosis make now”.

It makes a big difference.? Almost every late-diagnosed person has expressed how suddenly everything in their life made sense.? It alleviated the sense of shame, blame and guilt around “not measuring up”.? Granted this comes after they address the immense grief, anger, and bitterness of not having been diagnosed sooner.? Many of these late diagnosed are between the ages of 30 - 60.? Meaning they have spent the majority of their lives struggling, fighting to stay afloat, fighting depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and setbacks after setbacks due to their unique limitations that seemingly should have been “no problem” according to all those around them.

To increase the struggle, often these late diagnosed were misdiagnosed or incomplete diagnosed as their ADHD was paired with a co-morbid condition, such as Depression, Anxiety, Bi-polar, Autism, or personality disorders? The secondary conditions were worsened by the ADHD, yet the ADHD was never recognized until much later in life when the co-morbid condition had been treated well enough for the ADHD symptoms to become apparent. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? D

The impact of late diagnosis of ADHD can be profound. According to a study published in the Front Psychology (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4659921/ )? individuals with undiagnosed ADHD are at a higher risk for developing socializing issues, learnign disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse problems. They also tend to have lower self-esteem, increased financial or occupational difficulties,? and higher rates of relationship difficulties.

One of the most challenging aspects of being late diagnosed with ADHD is the constant feeling of not measuring up. Many individuals with ADHD are highly intelligent and creative, but their struggles with executive function can make it difficult for them to achieve their full potential. They may have trouble keeping track of time, staying organized, and completing tasks on time, which can lead to feelings of frustration and inadequacy.

For example, imagine a highly intelligent and creative individual who has always struggled with time management and organization. Despite their best efforts, they are consistently late for appointments and deadlines, which leads to strained relationships and missed opportunities. They may be passed over for promotions at work because their colleagues perceive them as unreliable, even though they are capable of producing high-quality work when given the chance.

The impact of late diagnosis of ADHD can also extend to personal relationships. Many individuals with ADHD have difficulty maintaining friendships and romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and inattention. They may forget important dates and events, interrupt others during conversations, and have difficulty focusing during intimate moments.

In addition to the emotional and mental toll, the financial cost of late diagnosis of ADHD can also be significant. With a diagnosis, individuals with ADHD are more likely to have lower incomes and higher levels of debt compared to their neurotypical peers due to late charges, impulse buying, shame, and time management. Multiply this for those who have been late diagnosed by a lack of occupational support resulting in fewer job promotions which would pay more and difficulty with additional skill learning that could result in higher pay or promotions. Also, studies have shown that those with undiagnosed ADHD tend to lose more days at work due to increased illnesses, which also incur more medical bills.

Despite these challenges, there is hope for individuals who are late diagnosed with ADHD. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many people with ADHD can learn coping strategies and achieve success in their personal and professional lives. Therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can all play a role in managing the symptoms of ADHD and improving overall quality of life.? Additionally, now more and more people who have been late diagnosed are being vocal about it and this helps to not only spread awareness but also community and support.

In conclusion, being late diagnosed with ADHD can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person’s life. From struggling with day-to-day tasks to experiencing emotional and mental trauma, the effects of late diagnosis can be far-reaching. However, with the right support and treatment, individuals with ADHD can learn to manage their symptoms and thrive. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have ADHD, it’s important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.