At the age of 24, Nicolas received a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although it was a surprise to him, the young man was able to articulate his differences and gain a deeper understanding of his behavior and childhood.
Nicolas has always recognized himself as a unique child, slightly different from his peers, but it was only three years ago that he was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Now, at 27 years old, this diagnosis came rather late, as it typically occurs in childhood or adolescence.
“I never faced any academic difficulties. However, socially, during my childhood, I was constantly compensating to bridge the gap I felt between myself and my classmates. In a way, I concealed my disorder without even realizing I had one,” the young man recalls. “I behaved differently, but it felt normal to me. For instance, I often interrupted conversations because my ideas were racing around in my mind.”
I was shocked. I didn’t fit the profile. And the symptoms that were described to me weren’t mine.
Late Diagnosis
When Nicolas turned 18, he began experiencing his first challenges. His boyfriend, with whom he had been for two years, encouraged him to consider seeking professional help to understand what was wrong.
Initially, they suspected it was an anxiety disorder. “I underwent treatment for two or three years for that. While it resolved my anxiety, it did not address the underlying issue. Then my doctor suggested ADHD. I was taken aback, as I thought only children were affected by this disorder,” he says. “To me, a kid with ADHD was someone who ran around everywhere and didn’t pay attention in school. That wasn’t me at all. I believed I didn’t fit the profile, and the symptoms described to me weren’t mine,” Nicolas explains. “In my view, the acronym doesn’t represent the disorder and what people actually experience. For instance, I don’t have physical hyperactivity, but rather mental hyperactivity.”
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Upon receiving his ADHD diagnosis, those around him had mixed reactions: some were incredulous, while others thought it was obvious. “As if I were the only one who hadn’t noticed,” he says. His parents, both educators, never suspected Nicolas had a disorder. “They told me I displayed surprising behaviors that sometimes caused conflicts,” he remembers. “I wasn’t an unbearable child, but for instance, when we went out, I almost always rearranged furniture and objects to make things easier for myself. They never considered having me diagnosed, but that was likely due to the fact that I hid my disorder very well.”
A diagnosis is never mandatory, but I believe it is a very important step toward achieving happiness.
Understanding Yourself Better and Finding Happiness
Following the diagnosis, the young man began targeted treatment for ADHD, which included psychological care (therapy and psychological follow-up) as well as medication. Although the latter is not mandatory, it has been beneficial for him. “I truly felt the difference compared to the treatment for anxiety disorder.” The upside, if we can call it that, is that ADHD treatment, while not directly regulating the disorder, still helps combat anxiety because “I manage my life better.”
This late diagnosis allowed Nicolas to find stability, recognize that he wasn’t strange, redefine himself, clarify his life experiences up to that point, and understand certain behaviors from his younger years. “But it also helped me live better, and most importantly, it allowed me to be happier,” he emphasizes. “A diagnosis is never mandatory in the context of attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, but in my opinion, it is a crucial step toward achieving happiness,” Nicolas concludes.
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When he was 24, Nicolas was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While it was a shock for him, the young man was able to put words to his differences and better understand his behavior and his childhood.
Nicolas always knew he was a special child, a little different from his peers, but it was only three years ago that he was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Today, Nicolas is 27 years old. This is therefore a rather late diagnosis, since it generally occurs in childhood, or even adolescence.
“I never had any problems at school. On the other hand, socially, when I was little, I was constantly compensating to fill a gap that I felt between me and my classmates. In a way, I hid my disorder, even though I wasn’t aware of having one,” the young man recalls. “I behaved differently, but it seemed normal to me. For example, I tended to interrupt conversations because my ideas were flying around.”
I was shocked. I didn’t fit the profile. And the symptoms that were described to me weren’t mine.
Late Diagnosis of ADHD
Then at the age of 18, Nicolas began to feel the first difficulties. His boyfriend, with whom he had already been for two years, also helped him realize that it was perhaps necessary for him to seek professional advice to understand what was wrong.
At first, they thought it was an anxiety disorder. “I was treated for two or three years for that. It certainly resolved my anxiety, but not the underlying problem. Then my doctor mentioned ADHD. I was shocked; I thought that only children were affected by this disorder,” he says. “For me, a boy with ADHD was one who runs everywhere and doesn’t listen to anything at school. Which wasn’t the case for me at all. I thought I didn’t fit the profile. And the symptoms that were described to me weren’t mine,” Nicolas continues. “In my opinion, the acronym is not representative of the disorder and what people feel. For example, I don’t have physical hyperactivity, but mental hyperactivity.”
When he was diagnosed with ADHD, those around him had two different reactions: on one side, those who couldn’t believe it, and on the other, those who thought it was obvious. “As if I was the only one who hadn’t noticed,” he says. His parents, who both work in education, never suspected Nicolas’ disorder. “They explained to me that I had surprising behaviors that sometimes created conflicts,” he recalls. “I wasn’t an unbearable child, but, for example, when they went somewhere, I almost always moved the furniture and objects to make things easier for me. They never thought to have me diagnosed, but it was certainly linked to the fact that I hid my disorder very well.”
Diagnosis is never mandatory, but in my opinion, it is a very important step to be happier.
Understanding Yourself Better and Being Happier
After the diagnosis, the young man began specific treatment for ADHD. This consists of psychological care, including psychological follow-up and therapy, as well as medication. The latter is not mandatory, but it does him good. “I really felt the difference compared to the treatment for anxiety disorder.” The advantage, if we can call it that, is that the treatment for ADHD does not allow it to be regulated directly but still helps combat anxiety, “because I manage my life better.”
This late diagnosis allowed Nicolas to settle down, to understand that he was not weird, to redefine himself, to better explain his life path up to now, and to understand certain behaviors he exhibited when he was younger. “But also to live better, and above all, it allowed me to be happier,” he emphasizes. “A diagnosis is never mandatory in the context of attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, but in my opinion, it is a very important step to being happier,” Nicolas concludes.
Benefits of a Late ADHD Diagnosis
- Self-Awareness: A late diagnosis can provide clarity, allowing individuals to understand their behaviors and thought processes better.
- Relief from Misunderstandings: Understanding that one has ADHD can alleviate the stress of not knowing why one behaves differently.
- Informed Treatment Options: Knowing one has ADHD opens doors to targeted therapies and appropriate medication to manage symptoms more effectively.
- Improved Relationships: Understanding ADHD can lead to better communication with friends, family, and partners, ultimately enhancing relationships.
- Personal Growth: A diagnosis can motivate individuals to seek personal development opportunities tailored to their unique experiences.
Tips for Managing ADHD in Adulthood
- Seek Professional Support: Consulting mental health professionals who specialize in ADHD can provide tailored strategies for managing symptoms.
- Implement Structure: Creating a structured environment can help in organizing tasks and responsibilities.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating meditation or yoga can help manage anxiety and promote mental clarity.
- Stay Active: Regular physical activity can boost mood and improve overall brain function.
- Connect with Support Groups: Engaging with others who have ADHD can provide a sense of community and shared understanding.
Case Studies of Late ADHD Diagnosis
| Name | Age at Diagnosis | Impacted Areas | Treatment | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sara | 28 | Career and Relationships | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication | Improved job performance and relationships |
| Mike | 30 | Social Life | Group therapy, mindfulness practices | Better social connections and confidence |
| Emma | 35 | Daily Functioning | Coaching, organizational tools | Increased productivity and happiness |
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