[rubicon33]

"Don’t let an ADHD diagnosis define your personality."

"... but don’t let the diagnosis become a convenient excuse to let yourself off the hook or explain away concerns that would be better served by some personal growth"

I totally understand this perspective and I do think it's a healthy one, but, where do you draw the line?

I've been diagnosed with ADHD but personally hate the diagnosis. I don't want to be viewed through that lens, nor do I want to view myself that way.

That said, there's just no denying that I'm a different (better) person when I'm treating the condition. I get more work done. I fight less with my wife. I'm way less frustrated angry on a daily basis, etc. Small tasks that normally seem like mountains, become mole hills.

I've done counseling and I've done exercise, diet, sleep. I've seen the most dramatic results when I've just accepted I have ADHD and taken medication. Yet comments like yours re-ignite my desire quit taking the medications, and return to what feels normal ... even if feeling normal was so bad for me.

What I'm trying to say is ... I think some people DO need to lean into the diagnosis. Accept that it's part of their life. If treatment improves your life, don't shy away from it.

I don't know. I'm still just trying to figure it all out myself. I hate the idea of being "ADHD" but I'm starting to form the belief that I need to do what's right for my future, and my family, even if it means accepting I have a condition that requires something as dramatic as taking medication.

[throwawaydhd]

> I've been diagnosed with ADHD but personally hate the diagnosis. I don't want to be viewed through that lens, nor do I want to view myself that way.

Totally with you on this. And I think I understand why some people make it their entire personality, but that just feels all wrong to me. To be honest, I regret telling anyone at all about it (outside of anonymised discussions such as this).

The way I see it, it's okay to feel really bad about being afflicted with this condition, and coy about acknowledging it publicly, while still quietly continuing to take the medication to mitigate it somewhat.

But it's difficult to come to terms with even so. I sincerely hope you find peace of mind.