50+ Years of Undiagnosed ADHD - Mistakes + Lessons Learned (the hard way)

It's ADHD awareness month, so I thought I'd honor it by sharing the 5 ADHD realities I wish I knew when I was younger, and some life lessons I've learned from being really ADHD my entire life, but having NO idea!!

Whether you're 21 or 51 - I think you're going to be able to relate to these stories and challenges, and learn from the mistakes I've made along the way.

Also, in the spirit of raising awareness about ADHD, I'd love to hear your experiences about growing up with this neurological difference, and how you've learned to cope, living in a world designed for neurotypicals.

PERSONAL FINANCE YOUTUBERS I LOVE
@StackingBenjamins
@OurRichJourney
@thebudgetmom
@RootFP

Personal Finance Podcasts/Bloggers

Books I recommend
The Simple Path to Wealth
Quit Like a Millionaire

Thanks for watching!
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

♡ G E T CO A C H E D !

👋 C O M E S A Y H I !

♡ R E S O U R C E S

ADHD-Friendly Approved Amazon Shop

♡ CONTACT:

#ADHDCoach #ADHDwomen #ADHDtips #adhdadvice #ADHDlife

[lagomorphia]

Appreciate what you said about not having kids. I was undiagnosed til 50 and raising kids was so incredibly hard with all my personal chaos and emotional dysregulation. Rather than enjoy it, I cried every day in the early years because ADHD also comes with depression for me. Then the insane amount of time management required for older kids and teens had me at the end of my rope daily. I was responsible but missed out the joy part due to my ADHD, because I didnt know I had it I was always falling behind on normal. As soon as I was diagnosed, a big part of my growth was accepting who I was, as is.

[Minris]

I was diagnosed at 51 (last year). Everytime I read or listen to adhd stories I’m blown away at how I survived this long. And how different things would have been if id understood as a young adult.

[krama]

"a million ideas a day and wants to do all the things"
100%

[sandrainontario]

Just recently I am learning that I may have ADHD at the age of 74. I was very moved by you saying that you knew at a very early age that you did not want children as I did the same thing and people look at me very questioningly when I tell them that I never had children by choice. I also believe it's one of the best decisions I ever made.

[tracybrown]

As a teacher I have found that ADHD can be an amazing strength. A large majority of the students I have had that were diagnosed with ADHD ended up in the gifted program in our district.

[WilliamsWickedWiners]

I feel like too many parents in this world shouldn't have been parents. Making that decision is fantastic and gives more than just freedom.

[BagasKJ]

The fact that I can't focus on the video because it's too long clearly depicts my ADHD 😭

[cw]

This video helped me ACCEPT that my ADHD teen MEANS it when she says she doesn’t want kids. This helped me decide to an official diagnosis for myself. I’m a people manager and the teams often report it hard to work with me because it feels chaotic and it’s hard to know what is important.

[kcneese]

Newly diagnosed at 52. Just wanted to say that having kids while stressful grounded me in a way that nothing else did before or has since! They keep you very much in the present moment and in your body at least mine did for me in my life. I know everyone is different. Just wanted to throw that out there Especially to anyone thinking about having kids or not having kids because of this diagnosis. There's nothing more meaningful in my life! They ground me, they inspire me to cope with the world in creative ways. I'm sure there are other motivations but for me they have been the most precious gift.

[Vapourwear]

Thirty seven years I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. Turns out I was coping (as the “kids”used to say) like a boss and basically Superman compared to the “normal” folks abusing adderall and still getting 2.8 GPA’s.

Point is, you’re probably doing better than you think, and a lot of your trouble is the massive amounts of negative reinforcement you receive from “normal” people, who are actually being huge dicks to YOU when they do that, and you get to cope even more.

[harrietcraig]

THANK YOU for this.
I can’t tell you how comforting it is to know that we “misfits” aren’t alone.
The 50+ club also has the initial hurdle of coming from a generation where family and friends just thought “that’s just her (weird, childish and offensive) personality.”
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Instant sub.

[JohnGeorge-pwxo]

I started smoking cannabis 18 years ago as a teenage, later switched to cigarettes. Spent my whole life fighting Cigarettes addiction. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Got diagnosed with ADHD. Cigarettes addiction actually destroyed my life. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 6 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[jimbicknell]

I was diagnosed at 50. I'm 52, divorced for a second time, and have zero to negative bank account between checks, no retirement to speak of. I'm a hot mess wrapped in a dumpster fire. I make the most money I've ever made, but now half my check goes to support, which I have no problem with. I created my children, it's my responsibility to support them. I didn't quite expect to have everything taken away and live in poverty though. There's never been a day of my adult life where I didn't need money and felt like shit because of it. I'm not even sure where I was going with this....I workout, then quit when I start looking good. Self sabotage is a HUGE thing for me.

[elleb]

I too am 52 and was misdiagnosed early on… Today’s talk was spot on and made me realize why I HAVE to exercise and more recently started deep diving into learning how to invest. Another note, I am the creative type but was so entrenched into being a successful business woman but I failed time after time. I married at 40, my husband is younger but is the most balanced person I’ve ever had in my life. Thanks girl! You’re like my new BFF

[kellyhazen]

I guess I am lucky I was diagnosed as a child. As a teacher, I cannot tell you how many children I have helped understand themselves and give them resources to live a healthy somewhat normal life. My go to is to work in my garden.This grounds me and helps me focus. I use 2 planners, One for work one for Home. I have been married for over 30 years to a very patient husband. And Siri has become my best friend.

[PeppermintPatties]

I'm late-diagnosed autistic, menopausal, and suspect I'm also ADHD. Everything you said applies to me!
It's all fabulous advice.
Well done on working on your wellbeing. 🏆

One extra thing that helps: discover your spiritual life. When there's nothing left in the tank, it will centre and ground you, and help you to keep going. 🙏

🥰

[jenniferkogure]

My grounding technique might seem strange, but it's shoveling snow in the winter, and any type of yard work for the rest of the year. I find it very relaxing, and it allows me to be in the moment.

[ayanisss]

i loved this video a lot!! and i especially appreciate you acknowledging the privilege you have that others may not, knowing that doing that doesn't diminish your story.
i'm from the philippines and neurodivergence barely means anything here, so i have to default to american resources and content creators to learn about my adhd. that's why it's so important to me when i find content like yours that speaks to me even though we're worlds apart.
anyway, i just wanted to send love and i'm glad the algorithm brought you to my feed.

[alexmule]

I was diagnosed on 9/9/23 for the first at 45. The retrospective of my life with ADHD in mind is wild

[lisagenerette]

I was also diagnosed at age 50 (a few months ago). I can't believe how much I struggled my whole life! 😢 Main regret was not pursuing something I was passionate about for a career.