Being diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an adult can be such a relief…I know, because I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until I was 32! I was so excited that I called all my family and friends to let them know. Their reaction was, well…less than surprised! It seems I was the absolute last one to learn that I have ADHD.

I used to think I wasn’t that smart—even though tests showed I was way above average intelligence, and teachers always talked about my “potential”—I never did well in school.

Can you relate?

After my diagnosis, beyond the initial sense of relief, I felt a lot of hope—maybe there would be something that I could do about it and feel better about my life. All I had to do was figure out how to work with the brain I have and to no longer expect that I would learn the same way as everybody else!

So as an adult receiving a diagnosis of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, you can stop beating yourself up for all those perceived failings. However, you do now have to learn to manage the condition. And believe me, if I can, you can, too!

As adults with ADHD we have a lifetime of practice believing that we are always spinning in circles, not following through with various projects, taking forever to accomplish anything meaningful. And the longer it is before we are diagnosed or get help, the deeper the pit we dig ourselves into. Once we figure out that help is available, we can start to climb out of that pit and see both our personal and professional lives improve.

As a new mom, one of the important aspects of tackling my ADHD is that I know I will be a better parent. Not only have I been moving my life in the direction I want, which is an awesome example to provide for my daughter, but if it turns out that she has ADHD, too, then I will be able to help her—so she doesn’t have to go through the years of suffering that I did!

Your kids don’t have to suffer, either, once you figure out you have the problem and learn how to cope. Then, passing along tips and tricks that have helped can help them to navigate attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. They won’t have to wait until adulthood to figure things out. If you find a great ADHD coach, you’ll be able to help yourself and your kids at the same time.

Author's Bio: 

Shanna Tator-Pearson has learned to utilize her own ADHD to master the specific skills necessary for "slightly scattered" adults to achieve personal, professional, and financial success. Through her company "One Focus Total Success Inc." Shanna has been making a difference in the lives of thousands of slightly scattered adults.