John: Being diagnosed with ADHD at 59
Written by John (name changed to protect his identity), Oct 27, 2026
John* works as a clinical lead in children and young people's mental health services. He was diagnosed with ADHD in December 2025, just after his 59th birthday. This is his story, in his own words.
*We’ve changed John’s name and image to protect his identity.
I've spent most of my career working with children and young people with ADHD. They were clever, articulate and running rings around adults. But they couldn't always engage with learning or focus for long enough for it to matter. It sat heavy on my heart, to be honest.
Then, after years of working with ADHD children, I started to notice similar traits in myself. Learning has always been harder for me than it seemed to be for other people. I kept thinking, “you're 59, does getting a diagnosis matter now?”. I decided it did.
The only person who didn’t know
My colleague has ADHD, so she pushed me to get an assessment with Noodle. After having an online assessment, I ended up getting a positive diagnosis. When I told other people at work, most of them just rolled their eyes. The only person who didn't know I had ADHD was me!
Since getting my diagnosis, one of the things that's stayed with me is realising how often people got it wrong about me. People used to think I was thoughtless, that I didn't consider what I said or did.
But that's not really it. After I’d said something in the moment, all I could do was think about it afterwards. I'd replay it for hours. I just wasn't able to stop and think at the time. It's an odd thing to sit with, knowing you're not thoughtless at all, while everyone (including yourself) has spent years assuming you are.
Getting a diagnosis this late felt like grief – but also a relief
Getting a diagnosis this late in life felt like grief, in a strange way. Something was lost, or at least it felt that way for a while. But it was also a relief. There was suddenly a reason for things I’d struggled with – and now that I knew what was going on, I could do something about it. Once you get answers, you can move forward. It doesn't have to blight the rest of your life.
Taking medication has calmed things down
For me, ADHD can cause sensory overwhelm. It feels like there's too much going on, and I can't switch off from any of it. Some people can tune things out, but I notice everything.
Taking medication has calmed things down. It gives me time to think. In the past, I'd reacted to everything, all the time. And if somebody wanted something done in a hurry at work, that was me. I wasn't built for stopping and contemplating.
Not long after I started taking medication, I went for an interview for a more senior post. For the first time in a long time, I actually paid attention – to the room, to what other people were doing, rather than just thinking of it as my moment to shine. I got the job. I don't think that's a coincidence.
None of it’s been easy, but I know what’s going on now
I'm a bit kinder to myself these days. I know what my capabilities are, and I don't waste as much energy pretending I don't have limits. I'm still not the most naturally positive person, and I don't think you have to be. I don't mind being messy. I'd rather engage with the mess than pretend it isn't there.
None of this has been easy, and it isn't finished. But I know what's going on now, and that’s changed everything for me.
