<aside> <img src="/icons/heart_blue.svg" alt="/icons/heart_blue.svg" width="40px" /> [You can also find our story here & subscribe for early access to our limited hoodie drop](https://theaddyclub.beehiiv.com/p/welcome-addy-club?_gl=1*fr8m4v*_ga*MTk3OTA3MjUxMi4xNzEyNzA5NzE0*_ga_E6Y4WLQ2EC*MTcxNTYwNTIzNC4xNi4xLjE3MTU2MDY3MzguNDUuMC4yMDk2NTAyMzE1*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MTUzNjExMTUuQ2p3S0NBandpX2V4QmhBOEVpd0Ffa1UxTWxDbmtYcTRYZkY5dUtzVk50UVd3V0NOSURibHNySjJQb05rTC1MZk1HZTJWX0kybzExQzVSb0NESVFRQXZEX0J3RQ.._gcl_auNTE5Mjk4MDMzLjE3MTI3MDk3MTQ.)
</aside>
I was diagnosed with ADHD 8ish years ago, and it felt like a revelation. Learning this made me feel seen, and many of my previous life experiences started to make a LOT more sense.
After receiving my ADHD diagnosis, I was able to start learning and researching the topic, this transformed how I functioned daily. I know that sounds dramatic but this gave me the mental space to function, plan and prioritize things in my life. It helped me feel free from the internal chaos I had unknowingly been living in.
In the years that followed, I became fascinated (borderline obsessed) with exploring all things ADHD. Keep in mind this is PRE-Tiktok where information — and misinformation — about ADHD has since blown up!!
As I scoured studies and websites, I was most surprised to find out the number of women who, like me, are diagnosed late (or not diagnosed at all) with ADHD. Diagnosis really matters because ADHD can be debilitating when undiagnosed.
ADHD is more than the chronic primary symptoms because when untreated, they result in secondary emotional effects that go misdiagnosed as anxiety and depression (more on this another day!!). ADHD affects all facets of life: school and career, relationships, and self-esteem and self-image.
This project has been 4 years in the making so I have a lot more to say… here’s my story in four parts including how it lead to creation of The Addy Club:
Late-diagnosed girlies stand up🙋🏻♀️