I have ADHD and I've decided that it's part of my identity.
I was diagnosed late at 28. When I got diagnosed, my psychologist told me that I had to reassess my life. Many behaviors that people had misinterpreted as laziness, carelessness, or lack of commitment were actually manifestations of my ADHD.
Friends who thought I didn't care when I forgot plans, teachers who believed I wasn't trying hard enough, and colleagues who saw me as disorganized - they were all seeing untreated ADHD symptoms, not character flaws.
Understanding this was liberating because it meant I wasn't fundamentally flawed as a person. I had to rebuild myself, my confidence - it was a new start in life.
It's a process to relearn and teach yourself that you can do it now. Labeling publicly, saying to your friends and family that you are ADHD makes it so that you OWN your change, you OWN your disability.
tldr, ADHD as an IDENTIY is for me :
Reclaim control over your narrative instead of letting others define your behaviors
Create accountability for yourself and set realistic expectations with others
Remove shame from the equation by openly acknowledging your challenges
Enable yourself to access appropriate accommodations and support systems
I was diagnosed late at 28. When I got diagnosed, my psychologist told me that I had to reassess my life. Many behaviors that people had misinterpreted as laziness, carelessness, or lack of commitment were actually manifestations of my ADHD.
Friends who thought I didn't care when I forgot plans, teachers who believed I wasn't trying hard enough, and colleagues who saw me as disorganized - they were all seeing untreated ADHD symptoms, not character flaws.
Understanding this was liberating because it meant I wasn't fundamentally flawed as a person. I had to rebuild myself, my confidence - it was a new start in life.
It's a process to relearn and teach yourself that you can do it now. Labeling publicly, saying to your friends and family that you are ADHD makes it so that you OWN your change, you OWN your disability.
tldr, ADHD as an IDENTIY is for me : Reclaim control over your narrative instead of letting others define your behaviors
Create accountability for yourself and set realistic expectations with others
Remove shame from the equation by openly acknowledging your challenges
Enable yourself to access appropriate accommodations and support systems