ADHD: My life began at 40 when I got diagnosed
Tracey Rangdale from Weymouth says her life begun when she was diagnosed at 40.
Last updated 3rd Nov 2020
Tracey Rangdale from Weymouth's life began when she finally got a diagnosis from her doctor for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
When her son was diagnosed, she says she was researching the condition and began to recognise a lot of the symptoms in herself.
Greatest Hits Radio are running #ADHD104 - a campaign raising awareness for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It takes 104 weeks (2 years) to get a diagnosis for ADHD. We've lodged a petition to change that: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/552719
Tracey wants to tell her story as part of the campaign, to show why getting a diagnosis can mean a world of difference. She's among 1.5 million adults thought to have the condition in the UK.
"It really felt like life was beginning at 40, and everything running up to it had been me working things out for myself and suddenly, that was it, I had an answer.
"I knew that I could continue, in a different way, but I could be more successful."
"There is no cure for ADHD but if you can understand it and get it recognised you can work with it, you can find ways around it, you can find the shortcuts that work for you."
She says without that, it's easy for people to feel as though they're 'bad' or 'lazy'.
Instead, Tracey says she's now able to see that her strengths, without feeling bad about herself:
"It's the age-old question; would you take a pill to cure it if you could?
"No, probably not, because I am incredibly creative, resourceful, I can think around a problem and find solutions that perhaps other people haven't seen.
"It's like an orchestra in your brain; you can have the most talented musicians and the most quality instruments but if your conductor isn't there then you're not using them.
"So having a diagnosis helps you to understand how to make use of those parts of your brain and summon them at will and actually be functional with them, rather than just this unpredictable force."
A report by the ADHD Foundation states:
"Failing to quickly and efficiently diagnose ADHD can have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life. By not prioritising the needs of people with ADHD we are committing them to a life where they may not be able to fulfil their potential in the workplace, in relationships and in society."
Tracey was joined by one of our reporters on a walk to Westminster this weekend. George Sharpe is taking a petition to MP's to get them to reduce the diagnosis time for ADHD.
You can read more about their journey here.