I live in the UK. I started reading more and more and suspecting I had ADHD but the wait list to get assessed is up to two years long on the NHS (our free health service). So I paid to go to a private psychiatrist who specialises in ADHD assessments for adults. Basically the options in this country are... go for the free health service (which is amazing and I'm not knocking our wonderful NHS workers but it's very neglected by the government at the moment and waiting times and services can be very slow)... Or pay a lot of money to go to a private company, but get seen to straight away and you don't need any kind of referral. And now I'm hoping I can take my diagnosis back to my regular NHS doctor and get treated.

Yes. Self compassion is so important. The way I'd put it I've spent my whole life swimming against the current of my own river. Now I'm finally aware of it, I can start swimming in the right direction, without the constant battle with myself to do things the 'correct' or neurotypical way. Hopefully things will get easier, anyway. I wish the best of luck to you as well :)

It's bizarre isn't it? My whole life up until this point suddenly makes sense, but the future is incredibly daunting. I need therapy but I don't even know where to start.

Thank you. I was just diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 36, and I needed to hear this. Now I just need to believe it. :/