[fredrikholm]

It is real. I was diagnosed late (30s), and have been on medication for about a month now and the difference is staggering:

* My mind is silent without stimulus. I no longer desperately crave to cram every living second with input, I am OK with sitting down and doing nothing for a while.

* I now live up to my own standards: if I think that I should do something, I am way more likely to do it (tidying, running errands, making phone calls etc).

* Sloppiness and "I'll do that later"-isms are severely reduced, I tend to finish what I start.

* I no longer interject or interrupt people with tangential trivia when an idea pops into my head.

* I can listen to other people for longer, even if I find the subject boring.

For the first time in my life, I am able to function like other people without having to rely on innate ability and motivation to do basic tasks.

[depressionalt]

How did you get through the earlier parts of life un treated? Did you do well in school? If you don't mind me asking, what made you get the diagnosis in your late 30s?

[fredrikholm]

No worries, cheers.

Small correction: I got my diagnosis when I was 31, late in my life (in context). Phrased that a bit poorly.

> How did you get through the earlier parts of life un treated?

In a lot of ways I didn't. Spent most of my time gaming, programming and doing (combat) sports, as they were the only activities that stimulated me enough to where I could focus.

> Did you do well in school?

The few times I made an effort, yes. In the large, no. Most of my teachers realized that I was capable, and sympathized with my position (poor family, ill parents), which via social engineering gave me good enough grades to get into (the equivalent of) college, which I later dropped out of.

> If you don't mind me asking, what made you get the diagnosis in your late 30s?

Approaching seniority at work, where my skills aren't just outputting code, but attending (and contributing in) meetings. Combined with the birth of my son, I realized that I could no longer lean on strengths and humor to get me forward in life.

People, including off-the-clock-psycho(logists/therapists) have suggested that I have some variant of ADD/ADHD for as long as I can remember. I never did anything with it, as there wasn't enough pressure to justify me making the slightest effort at improving the quality of my every day experience.

It's a strange feeling to now be (effectively) "normal", and to realize that I was never (just) lazy. In a sense, my life started a few weeks ago; for once I am in control, and it feels wonderful.