I don't know if my opinion counts because, while I have been diagnosed with AD, I also have a few other dx's too. Still, I can refer to coping in general. I think one good thing is that you can actually recognize when you are doing a poor job of coping (knowing that you should eat/clean/work, even if you choose not to do those things). I think that counseling can help you find the motivation to do things that are beneficial for you because, though lifes challenges will continue to hit you hard - you'll have a sort of better armor to shield you from falling into that deep place that happens sometimes.

I have been seeing T for about 16 months now, and I can say that I probably noticed changes around the middle of this year. So, 10-12 months in?? I think I started feeling better immediately, because I could get things out - but I think it was latter in when I was able to recognize how I feel in certain moments, learn to process why, and somewhat manage how I react to them. T has, especially lately, commented on the amount of progress I've made from when I first started in that I am able to express things I wouldn't have, recognize behavior patterns and (somewhat) confront something that should be addressed. We're not perfect, but it's a process. And while I am continually learning ways to cope better, there was a point when I didn't know how to cope and then a point where I didn't want to cope and now i'm to the point where I can try different ways of coping to see what works at what moment. (Mindfulness techniques tend to be the most effective for me at this point; perhaps because it helps me focus less on the negative and "whats wrong" and more to calm me so that I can react and make decisions with more purpose.)

I do too; one of my other dx's is Dependent PD - so there could very well be a tie into that and the ability to adjust to changes in a healthy manner.

I say give it a try as I truly think it could be beneficial. Don't rush it, but also, be sure to be open to different ideas because those things that seem weird or pointless or "not for you" possibly could be the most beneficial! Good luck! Hope you get some answers soon and don't have to wait much longer.