Identity after an ADHD diagnosis | Tips from an ADHD Coach

After getting an adult ADHD diagnosis, a lot of emotions can come up. And questions about who you are as a person, and what to do next — like, have I been masking my whole life? Will people close to me still like me if I change?

ADHD coach Jaye Lin reacts to a quote on questioning who we are after finding out we have ADHD. Listen for some of Jaye’s own story about navigating her identity, and some reassurance that we are all of our layers. 

Related resources

• “I thought I was just quirky.” Plus, ADHD accommodations at work (Mananya’s story)
• How do I emotionally prepare for ADHD diagnosis?

Timestamps

(00:26) Mananya’s quote

(02:13) Jaye’s reaction  

(02:33) The grief that can come after an adult ADHD diagnosis

(03:30) Questioning who we are

(05:55) Who are we now that we know we have ADHD?

(09:50) How do we move forward?

(13:03) Outro  

To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the MissUnderstood podcast page at Understood.org.

Have a challenge you’d like Jaye to talk about in an episode? Email or send a voice memo to us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org.

Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.

Understood.org 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

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