Annie’s ADHD Diagnosis Story

Experiencing ADHD and Anxiety as a Child

My whole life, I've had the hardest time focusing.

In school, I could never pay attention; I was always daydreaming.

When reading, I would have to reread lines over and over again, paragraphs over and over again. Sometimes, I would read a whole page or more and realize that I didn't take any of that information. That was the ADHD side of me.

I remember being called on in class because I couldn't pay attention. I would be caught off guard by my teachers, and they would ask me a question.

Instantly, I would get bright red in the face, get this huge knot in my stomach, not be able to speak, and it just felt horrible. This is where my anxiety comes in.

I Just Couldn't Focus

My whole life growing up, my room was always a mess. I'm not even joking, my entire life.

There was rarely a path to walk on my floor; people thought I was just lazy, everyone including my teachers and parents.

I want to point out, that's not the case. I'm a people pleaser, and I don't like letting people down. I wasn't trying to be rebellious or seem like I just didn't care. I just could not focus.

Should I Get Checked Out?

Although I was displaying ADHD traits, my mom didn't even believe that ADHD was a real thing. Therefore, she didn't think they needed to take me to the doctor.

I didn't even realize that that was the issue at the point, I just felt like what's wrong with me?

It wasn't until I had roommates.

They suggested that I should go to the doctor and see if I had ADHD or something related to ADHD because I was always doing things like leaving things lying around, leaving cupboard doors open, and leaving the fridge door opened all the time.

They saw all these signs, and they're like, "Hey, you should go get checked out to see if you have ADHD." I was doing these things that annoyed people, but I didn't mean to do it, and I don't like annoying people.

I was doing stuff that annoyed people. I didn't mean to do it because I don't like annoying people.

Why Was I Having a Hard Time Getting My Thoughts Straight?

Another major issue I've always had is trying to get my thoughts out clearly.

I had a hard time telling stories or just explaining things because my mind was just so scattered and all over the place. I will get lost mid-sentence and forget what I'm saying, and that's something that my roommates noticed as well.

I just didn't know what was going on.

The Moment I Got Diagnosed

At age 23, I went to the mental health department at my doctor's office.

I talked to them and told them all of my issues that I've been experiencing with focusing, not getting work done, how I was always messy, always felt stressed out, and I had a hard time talking to people.

The doctor came to the conclusion that I had ADHD and anxiety and they put me on medication from there, and it was that simple.

I'm Doing Better Now

Once I got on my prescribed medications, my roommate told me, "Hey, you're doing a lot better, this seems to be helping actually." It felt great to hear that.

So I'm here to tell you that I have ADHD and anxiety, and after I went to the doctor and it was easy, and life has become a lot better for me.

It took 23 years for me to take that step, but it was well worth it.

I highly recommend that if you have anything that might be bothering you, go to the doctor, talk to them. They can hopefully help you out and figure out steps to take for you to get on the right track.