What I wish I’d known sooner about ADHD diagnosis

Understood Explains

This bonus episode of Understood Explains shares personal stories about getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. For example, hear from a woman who waited years to see a specialist after her main doctor brushed off her concerns that she might have ADHD.

You’ll also hear host Dr. Roberto Olivardia describe what led him to get diagnosed with ADHD at 35.

Listen to these personal stories and what each person wishes they’d known sooner about ADHD.

For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:41) Michelle on feeling big emotions

(02:35) Kenny on struggling at work

(04:23) Ange on seeing the “ADHD iceberg”

(08:18) Jeannie on nearly failing out of college

(09:59) Advice they’d give their younger selves

(11:37) Roberto on getting diagnosed at 35

(14:12) Credits

Related resources:

• ADHD Aha!
• ADHD runs in the family (Michelle’s story)
• ADHD and creativity (Kenny’s story)
• ADHD, loving intensely, and impulsivity (Ange’s story)
• ADHD and messiness (Jeannie’s story)

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give