Why do adults discover they have ADHD (when it was probably there all along)? How long, if at all, was there a struggle? What is it that finally cements the fact that something more than laziness, for example, is the culprit?
The short answer:
Lack of structure.
Speaking (or writing) for myself here… I was always forced into structure. And I most certainly needed it. Sure, while I didn’t do great in school, at least I knew what to do and when — because of the structure built in.
But as adults, we are on our own. Especially entrepreneurs! All of a sudden it’s like,
“Holy cow! Now, I don’t have these pending deadlines! And if I do, there’s no one to help keep me accountable!”
External structure is huge.
So many people don’t truly discover they have ADHD until they’re adults because structure is rarely part of the everyday equation. They start spiraling, feeling badly about themselves. Thinking,
- What’s wrong with me?
- Why can’t I get my act together like these people?
- I was busy all day, but I didn’t do any of the things I was supposed to do!
- Why is it that I keep forgetting to do stuff?
To gain more clarity as to why adults discover they’re flailing — without built-in structure — and find their confidence has taken a major hit, ultimately resulting in anxiety and (sometimes) depression…
I invited ADHD Coach, Gloria Joy Sherrod, on The Chalene Show! She had this to say about the topic/issue,
I’ve seen that [lack of structure] a ton during the pandemic. ADHD coaching has been in high demand in the last few months, for sure, at least, because of the removal of structure. People are now working from home. They don’t have the structure of being at their job, so now they get to decide,
‘When do I throw a load of laundry in my day? When I’m usually at work, I don’t have that distraction as an option at all!’
And yeah, it definitely takes a toll on your self-esteem… So, not only does the biology of ADHD create the propensity for depression, but then there’s the depression of the low self-esteem because you’re not able to do what you know you should be doing, and the anxiety of knowing that you can’t always hold it together.
For the full in-depth game-changing interview, hit play below:
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