I Was Diagnosed With ADHD At 33, And It Changed My Life

More Stories like:

“I never thought at the age of 33, I’d be diagnosed with ADHD.

But it’s not like I didn’t know I had it.

I knew.

Even Google told me.

Advertisement

But I thought, could it be that easy?

There can’t be something that labels it and can fix me?

I spent so many years trying to tone down who I was.

I had to work so hard to get results in anything: tricks and mind games and timers and everything to keep me on track.

Advertisement

I’d always fall short and do everything last minute.

I’d sweat every time I’d tell a story because I just knew people would roll their eyes when I couldn’t stay focused trying to finish it.

I’d procrastinate on important tasks and think I was just so lazy, so why should I try?

Actually, many people with ADHD feel like this.

Advertisement

They never believe their hard work is because they put in hard work; they think it’s a fluke or good luck.

They can’t celebrate successes because there’s always something else they have to do or something they haven’t done.

I had Imposter Syndrome with everything I did, even getting a diagnosis.

Telling people I’m on medication, I felt like they look at me like I’m just trying to get a cheap high or that I’m childish.

Advertisement

Again, an imposter.

Then I met a psychiatrist who told me, ‘You know Imposter Syndrome is a symptom of ADHD?’

It took me so long to believe that I have ADHD and for friends and family to acknowledge I have it too.

And you know what?

Advertisement

I don’t even need them to believe me.

I know my truth, and the proof is in the pudding.

Left is me off medication; right is me on medication.”

laundry piling up and then being done with ADHD
Courtesy of Laura Mazza

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Laura Mazza, where it originally appeared. Follow Laura on Instagram here. Submit your own story here. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Advertisement

Read more stories from Laura here: 

‘The entire school pick-up line saw me. I was 10 minutes late and blocked a bunch of cars and was told NEVER to park there.’: Mom declares she has ‘had enough’

‘No one is cleaning their house every day. No one is having sex every day. We are ALL losing our crap.’: Mom insists ‘you’re amazing’ at motherhood even when it doesn’t feel like it, ‘To them, you are everything’

‘The day a woman stops asking for your affection is the day that means she doesn’t want to fight anymore. Put your phone down, look at her and listen.’: Woman advocates for healthy relationships

Advertisement

I Thought I’d Be Married Forever, But People Change

Provide beauty and strength for others. SHARE this story on Facebook with your friends and family.

Subscribe to our Living Better newsletter.

Your ultimate guide for actionable insights, evidence-backed advice, and captivating personal stories propelling you towards a more fulfilling life.

    Join our newsletter.

    Captivating stories. Actionable insights. Evidence-backed advice.

      Unsubscribe at any time.

      Copyright © 2025 Love What Matters. All Rights Reserved.
       Share  Tweet
      Logo

      Looks like your ad blocker is on.

      ×

      We rely on ads to keep creating quality content for you to enjoy for free.

      Please support our site by disabling your ad blocker.

      Continue without supporting us

      Choose your Ad Blocker

      • Adblock Plus
      • Adblock
      • Adguard
      • Ad Remover
      • Brave
      • Ghostery
      • uBlock Origin
      • uBlock
      • UltraBlock
      • Other
      1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock Plus icon
      2. Click the large blue toggle for this website
      3. Click refresh
      1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock icon
      2. Under "Pause on this site" click "Always"
      1. In the extension bar, click on the Adguard icon
      2. Click on the large green toggle for this website
      1. In the extension bar, click on the Ad Remover icon
      2. Click "Disable on This Website"
      1. In the extension bar, click on the orange lion icon
      2. Click the toggle on the top right, shifting from "Up" to "Down"
      1. In the extension bar, click on the Ghostery icon
      2. Click the "Anti-Tracking" shield so it says "Off"
      3. Click the "Ad-Blocking" stop sign so it says "Off"
      4. Refresh the page
      1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock Origin icon
      2. Click on the big, blue power button
      3. Refresh the page
      1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock icon
      2. Click on the big, blue power button
      3. Refresh the page
      1. In the extension bar, click on the UltraBlock icon
      2. Check the "Disable UltraBlock" checkbox
      1. Please disable your Ad Blocker
      2. Disable any DNS blocking tools such as AdGuardDNS or NextDNS

      If the prompt is still appearing, please disable any tools or services you are using that block internet ads (e.g. DNS Servers).