#CountMeIN Blog - A personal reflection by Sarah Cann

"As far as I was concerned, ADHD was for naughty and boisterous boys or men who couldn't sit still. It wasn't for someone like me, who did well in school, would sit quietly in class and completed a degree in History.

It wasn't until my husband was diagnosed with ASD a few years ago that things started to seem a bit ‘odd’. As he started to share more about autism and his symptoms, it became apparent that I wasn't as 'normal' as I once thought. Amongst other things, he described his sensory issues and they made perfect sense to me. In fact, I started to realise I could understand quite a few of his symptoms but I knew I didn’t have ASD. My husband is logical, routine-orientated and calm. I am complete chaos and disorder.

I had absolutely no clue where to start so I downloaded TikTok - yes I know how ridiculous that sounds! I started sharing videos about ASD with my husband and the algorithm immediately picked up the topic of neurodivergence. Then it showed me a short clip of a woman explaining how ADHD presents in her and of the ten symptoms she talked about, I could relate to nine. I naturally laughed it off, all the while thinking how silly I was nearly diagnosing myself on TikTok.

I just couldn't get ADHD and those symptoms out of my mind though. So I tirelessly researched ADHD, how it presents in women and the diagnosis criteria. I filled just about every spare minute watching clips on other people’s experience of ADHD and even started listening to a podcast - I usually hate podcasts! The more I learned, the more I understood that my experience of life wasn’t normal at all. In fact, many other women who had been diagnosed ADHD had a similar school and life experience to me.

After a year of internally debating whether I should pursue a diagnosis, I finally went to my GP to seek a referral. After a few questions, they referred me immediately. After patiently waiting several months on the NHS, I went through my private medical health insurance with work. I was assessed in a matter of weeks and immediately diagnosed with combined type ADHD. What an absolute relief.

It's been a journey. One of doubt, self-discovery and forgiveness but I'm so glad I started. I can finally begin to understand who I am, instead of blaming myself for all the things I have struggled with my entire life.

So to anyone who has a 'noisy' head, struggles to complete tasks and absolutely cannot do that one thing no matter how much they WANT to do it…. why not check out ADHD symptoms on the NHS website....just in case...."

The GAIN team are thankful to Sarah for taking the time to share with us.