I wanted to post something personal, partly triggered by the conversation I had with Anne-Mieke Bovelett at CloudFest 2025 about this subject.
As a 49-year-old, I spent the last year and a half on how ADHD has shaped my life. Over the years, I've struggled with focus, organization and impulsivity, but only recently, triggered by experiences of my children, have I started to truly understand the depth of its impact.
Both of my children have been diagnosed, and I've witnessed firsthand how medication has helped them make steps toward managing their symptoms. We talk about it openly at home, and it's been both enlightening and emotional to see their progress. Their journey has prompted me to seek my own diagnosis and explore potential treatments.
A recent theater performance by Dutch Comedian/Actor/Presenter Thomas van Luyn further fueled my desire to understand ADHD better. It opened my eyes to new perspectives and encouraged me to read Driven to Distraction, which has been a game-changer in terms of how I view the condition. Note: reading a book has been a challenge all my life, I need to read two more chapters and then I'm done with this one.
I'm now in the process of seeking a formal diagnosis and considering medication. It's a personal journey, and I'm sharing it here as a way to connect with others who may be going through similar experiences and learn from each other.
ADHD doesn't look the same for everyone, but the more we talk about it, the more we can break down the stigma and support one another. If you've had a similar experience, or have insights to share, I'd love to hear from you.
Update March 30th, 2025
Small update on this post, since I have gotten a few replies/messages from people on Linkedin.
Yesterday, I was staring at my screen, looking at my unfinished tasks, jumping from one thing to another, feeling completely scattered and not knowing where to start. Then I thought of my sons ADHD medication. I wondered if it would help me focus. Would it stop the noise in my head and let me work like I thought I should?
I didn’t take it. But that moment forced me to ask myself some tough questions. Why was I so hard on myself for the way my brain works? That day, instead of reaching for a pill that wasn't mine, I started reaching for solutions that actually suited me. I stopped thinking my brain had to be fixed at that exact moment and made a list, on paper, of my tasks. At the end of the day, all task were checked off.
Help is on the way, and I just have to be patient for the specialists to help me.
Update May 22nd, 2025
Big News: I finally have an appointment!
Today, I'm feeling a mix of relief, hope, and excitement, because I finally have an appointment set for a full day of ADHD research and assessment. The date is July 29th, 2025, and I honestly can't wait!
It's taken a lot to get to this point. Months (or even years) of wondering, questioning, and trying to understand my own brain. There have been moments of doubt and frustration, but also a growing sense of self-awareness. And now, there's a real step forward, a day dedicated to figuring things out, to possibly putting a name to what I've been experiencing.
This isn't just about getting a label. It’s about understanding myself better, learning how my mind works, and maybe finding tools or support that can actually help. I know the journey doesn't end on July 29th, it's the start of a something new, something really important for me.
So yes, I'm happy. Genuinely, deeply happy.
I'll keep you updated after the appointment. For now, I'm just letting myself breathe a little easier knowing that the process is finally moving forward.
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I will update this post as I have new things to share.
