A theme that is coming up a lot for me with messages that I’ve received since starting HYPERFOCUSED! up is around how people are handling the new diagnosis.

For many, they had strong suspicions that they had ADHD and the diagnosis was more of a formality, for others it’s more of a surprise or at least partly suspected. Whichever way it seems to stir strong emotions in people whatever their situation.

Talk in the last week in the UK about potentially over diagnosing of ADHD and autism from politicians has not helped but it shouldn’t detract from what for many is a very real and needed diagnosis.

Many people report feeling overwhelmed and almost lost – like, what next?

Others are annoyed and upset that it’s taken so long to get a diagnosis and wondering how many years they have suffered necessarily.

I think that the good thing is that people are talking about it and sharing their experiences, there are many Facebook groups dedicated to this, we have a group and page too. Peer support can be incredibly helpful and powerful.

Bottom line is that whatever you’re feeling post-diagnosis is fine, it’s understandable and natural. A

For me there is a feeling of being a bit lost but also I assumed that everyone was similar to me although I always felt a bit ‘odd’ but doesn’t everyone?! So the ‘masking’ that I’ve done for so many years wasn’t deliberate, it was coping with feeling low on energy, using up all brainpower on keeping a job, hyper focusing like a demon and creating stuff here there and everywhere. Apparently not everyone does that!

Please, if you have a new diagnosis be patient with yourself. It can be hell of a shock to the system even if you suspected it and if it comes along with depression/burnout it’s an awful lot to contend with.

I’ve taken time out of work due to burnout, depression and the ADHD diagnosis and will probably try to spend at least the next week calming down on my hyperfocused state just to take a breath. Stop doing and start just being.

Be kind to yourself, you’ve had tough times before and come through them. But get any help and support that you can such as meeting with friends, getting help through talking therapies, Samaritans, ADHD coaching etc.

Don’t be alone with this, even if you do find it hard to ask for help!