[LucidCrunch]

So at 35 you get diagnosed with ADD. You're pretty successful despite your until now misunderstood difficulties and made you've made a pretty good life for yourself, but it's nearly killed your relationship with your spouse as she's tried to suggest politely you need help, nagged you, pushed you, become like a parent figure to you and after years of this you finally get help. What on earth do you say to your parents?

Surprise I have ADD! Did it ever cross your mind? Maybe you have got some issues with inattentiveness as well (my neurologist says it's almost certainly genetic)??

I know I need to share this with both of my parents (they were divorced when I was a young kid and I was pretty much raised by my mother) but it's really my Mom I think that will be hardest to discuss this with. I guess I'll be holding this news until I speak with my psych this week, but meantime I'm curious how this went with any of you guys who were diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as adults. Any stories you'd care to share?

[Bookworm89]

I was dx with ADHD at age 49 and I did NOT tell my mother. There'd be no point. She doesn't even remember now that I have leukemia. If dad were still alive I would've talked to him though - I think it runs in his family. I did talk to my brother hoping that he'd talk to his dr but he hasn't.

[LucidCrunch]

Originally Posted by Bookworm89

I was dx with ADHD at age 49 and I did NOT tell my mother. There'd be no point. She doesn't even remember now that I have leukemia. If dad were still alive I would've talked to him though - I think it runs in his family. I did talk to my brother hoping that he'd talk to his dr but he hasn't.

Yes I wonder this a bit: What on earth is the point?

So late in the game it is almost hard not to sound like I'd be blaming my mother for her own inattention or denial of my challenges. In all honestly, I kind of do feel like it is a shame. I could've been a freaking scholar (not that I did so awful, but still). Anyway, more reason for us all to do the right thing by our own kids, friends, relatives etc.

[Lizzie77]

I was diagnosed yesterday with ADD, I am 35 too. I spoke to my Mum after the 3 hour assessment and asked her about being labelled when I was younger (within the family) - idle, lazy, laid-back and chatty - she said, "you've always been like it, and that's you", and that "we love you just the way you are". I didn't tell her I am confirmed yet though.

I feel a little disappointed at the diagnosis, since I have always been considered super smart, yet never achieved much. But it's not my parent's fault for not seeing it, they did their best.