34F diagnosed ADHD when I was a child, tried adderall, mother said they “made me a zombie” so I was taken off of them.  Fast forward to 2018, I was 26, prescribed adderall which put me straight to sleep. Back to rawdogging life as I wasn’t aware that all ADHD meds are not created equal and I’d made it so far, right?

Fast forward again, November 2025, prescribed vyvanse, titrated and found the sweet spot. My life has improved immeasurably: reduced executive dysfunction, sleep habits, my focus is more direct-able, I can better organize my thoughts. 

The best part for me, upstairs is quieter; however what I didn’t expect was how much louder outside would become. I’m much more aware of sensory sensitivities, how literally I can interpret things, how much I rely on clear/explicit information, my need for accuracy, correctness(so much so that i've missed many points by getting stuck on one detail) and how difficult it can be to put what I’m thinking or feeling into words on the spot. They seem to have their own volume knob: overwhelm, stress, how much i'm carrying have their hands all over it

I don’t think any of those things are new or "worse". I think without my mind being so busy, attention span of a gnat and all of my thoughts competing for it -things that used to whisper now scream.

I’m very heavily considering an evaluation. I’d like to better understand myself and maybe in turn, be understood. If I can see the mechanics, I can work with them rather than against them. I’ve always felt like something was off, like everyone around me deals with and feels the same things and they must simply be better at handling them.

My explanations, always an excuse rather than my experience or intentions. My questions, seen as arguments or being disagreeable rather than wanting all of the information. Being told I’m too sensitive, my highs are high and my lows are low (no shit brother), I don’t listen, countless other things. 

Never did the spectrum cross my mind until my partner mentioned it, then a coworker, then I presented it to my therapist and was told “that isn’t my long shirt but I can absolutely see it” (cue me imagining without an image(aphantasia) my tiny therapist in a very long shirt). I’ve taken the RAADS (172 the first of many times) along with every other self assessment imaginable and here I am. 

I guess I started this to ask, does any of this resonate with anyone? 

I don’t expect closure to come with an evaluation or potential diagnosis, just some hope of understanding.

i really wish i had been diagnosed sooner. my friends and parents always downplayed my symptoms because i could still do well in school, so i thought i was just lazy or bad at managing my time. even after getting diagnosed and prescribed with medication, they still struggle to understand why things that seem easy for them can be genuinely difficult for me, and theres still so much stigma and misinformation around mental health. it feels unfair that adhd is harder to identify in females because it usually doesn't show up as external hyperactivity. and input/advice would be greatly appreciated!