You Didn’t Suddenly Become ADHD: Why Diagnosis Is About Understanding, Not Change
By Robert Rackley, MSc | MIACP | Neurodivergent Psychotherapist
For many adults, especially those diagnosed later in life, the day they receive an ADHD diagnosis can feel like a turning point. But let’s be clear:
You didn’t suddenly become ADHD the day you got diagnosed.
You’ve always been this way — now you just have a name for it.
And from a mental health perspective, that shift in understanding is powerful.
Why Diagnosis Doesn’t “Cause” ADHD – It Reveals It
One of the most common misconceptions I hear in therapy rooms is:
“I didn’t struggle this much before. Has getting diagnosed made it worse?”
The answer is no — but the awareness that comes with diagnosis can shine a light on struggles that were always there but went unnamed. And that can feel overwhelming at first.
Without the right lens, many neurodivergent adults spend years carrying invisible shame and confusion. They blame themselves for being:
Lazy
Disorganised
Too sensitive
Inconsistent
Always behind
What’s really happening? A different cognitive profile — one that was never recognised or supported.
ADHD Diagnosis Is Often the Start of Self-Compassion
When ADHD (or any neurodivergent identity) is finally diagnosed, it doesn’t create a problem — it explains it.
And for many of the clients I work with, that explanation opens the door to:
Relief: “It’s not just me.”
Self-compassion: “Maybe I’m not broken — just different.”
Therapeutic alignment: “Now I can find support that actually fits how I think.”
From a trauma-informed therapy perspective, that clarity can reduce anxiety, shame, and low self-esteem — not overnight, but gradually, through a process of reframing, unmasking, and healing.
Why Late Diagnosis Can Be Both Liberating and Grieving
A late diagnosis often brings mixed emotions:
“Why didn’t anyone see this sooner?”
“How would life have looked if I’d known this at 10, 15, 25?”
“What do I do now?”
This grief is real — and valid. But so is the empowerment that comes from finally understanding your brain on your own terms.
If you’re post-diagnosis and trying to navigate this new chapter, know that the journey doesn’t end with the label. It starts with self-awareness, affirming support, and giving yourself permission to unlearn old stories.
Final Thoughts: ADHD Was Always There — Now You Understand It
Diagnosis doesn’t change who you are. It gives language to your experience — and in doing so, it opens up space for self-understanding, better mental health, and more aligned care.
Looking for ADHD-affirming therapy or post-diagnosis support?
I offer online and in-person sessions for autistic and ADHD adults across Ireland and beyond.
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