The power of an ADHD diagnosis later in life

ADHD has long been thought of as a childhood condition, one that you “grow out of.” We now know this isn’t true. ADHD can affect people across their entire lives, but it often looks different in adults.

In older generations, knowledge and awareness of ADHD were limited, and many people, particularly women and quieter children, slipped through the cracks. Traits like forgetfulness, emotional sensitivity, restlessness, or social anxiety may have been put down to personality quirks rather than symptoms of a neurodevelopmental condition.

As adults, people may have found coping strategies or careers that suited their brains but others struggled silently, blaming themselves for underachieving or feeling overwhelmed. Read our blog ‘What exactly is adult ADHD” HERE

Even if you’ve spent a lifetime feeling different, it’s never too late to understand why. A formal diagnosis of ADHD can:

• Give you answers: It helps explain longstanding struggles and validates your experiences. You’re not lazy, chaotic, or incapable; you have ADHD.
• Improve self-esteem: Understanding your brain reduces self-blame and encourages self-compassion.
• Open up support: You can access evidence-based treatments, including medication, coaching, therapy, or workplace accommodations.
• Strengthen relationships: By understanding how ADHD affects communication, emotion regulation, and behaviour, people often find improvements in how they connect with others.
• Create new possibilities: With better understanding and support, you can learn tools to help with organisation, focus, and emotional regulation, even if those habits are decades old.

A personal account from one of our clients at The ADHD Centre
Name: Josefina Beltran
Age at diagnosis: 70
Current age: 74

“I think the diagnosis has allowed me to make sense of my life and given peace to my spirit. I can explain my life to myself. I am not stupid. I couldn’t have done better - I had ADHD.”

I was born in Barcelona (Spain) on Christmas Day 1950. I was the first baby in the family, and later I had two brothers.

At the time, my father was a professor of Economics at Barcelona University. In 1953, we moved to Madrid because of his job. A year later, my brother and I went to live in the countryside with our grandparents, as my father had TB. We stayed there for two years and didn’t attend school during that time.

When we returned to Madrid in 1956, I started school and did very well, but I struggled socially. I was very shy and had no friends. At home, my parents believed it was a language issue; we spoke Catalan, and they thought that might have affected my social communication.

When I started secondary education, not much changed, I went to a very prestigious religious school. I did very well academically at first, but continued to struggle socially. Teachers complained that I was distracted in class, even though I passed all my exams. They said I was immature and suggested I repeat a year, but I refused, and my parents agreed with me.

My academic results were average during those years. I remember my father saying, “If you could concentrate a bit!” I didn’t spend much time studying. I did ballet for 10 years, until I was 16. I wasn’t very good at it, but it helped me manage my energy and kept me busy after school.

I started studying law because that’s what my father had done, but not because I felt strongly about it. I didn’t know what else to do; I was completely disoriented about the world around me.

I passed all my exams over five years at Madrid University, though not brilliantly. I didn’t work particularly hard. I wasn’t very interested, but it wasn’t difficult for me either. I could study just for a few days and still pass the exams, but I would forget the content very soon afterwards.

After graduating, I was completely lost. I didn’t know what to do and couldn’t make a decision about my future. I continued living with my parents, unable to move forward.

Eventually, I decided to take the civil service exams. I failed several times but finally passed. I worked as a civil servant for 37 years, in Spain, Chicago (USA), and London. My last role was at the Spanish Embassy in London, where I retired in 2017. After that, I decided to stay and continue living in London.

In 2020, after spending a few months in Spain because of COVID, I decided to take the ADHD test at The ADHD Centre. I was diagnosed in the first weeks of 2021, just as I turned 70.

I started medication almost immediately. It worked well at first, but after about 18 months, things became difficult again, so I switched to a different medication. I’ve been very stable since then, around two years now.

I’ve had coaching with Alexandra Loewe since the beginning of my diagnosis, and that has been incredibly valuable. It’s made me feel supported and not alone.

A year ago, I moved to Wimbledon from Central London. I joined the local golf club, which means I can exercise more, enjoy a better social life, and walk in the park.

The support of The ADHD Centre has been very important in my progress. I attend the mindfulness sessions on Wednesdays and find them very helpful.

That said, I still struggle in many ways, especially with prioritising and maintaining concentration.

I believe the diagnosis has allowed me to make sense of my life and given peace to my spirit. I can explain my life to myself. I’m not stupid. I couldn’t have done better, I had ADHD. I think my IQ is quite high, which has helped me get through many difficult situations. I’ve always been able to stay calm in a crisis.

I strongly advise people my age who suspect they have ADHD to get a diagnosis. In my case, it helped me understand myself and forgive myself.

It’s also helped me to manage my life better. I now understand more about what’s happening inside my brain and how to respond to certain situations.

In my case, it also helped me better understand people around me who show signs of ADHD. My brother, two of his children, and one of his grandchildren show many symptoms. I suspect both of my parents had them, too. Now I can understand certain childhood memories and let go of them.

I would encourage older people diagnosed with ADHD not to be afraid of taking medication if their doctor recommends it. It’s never too late to improve your life. If your mind is okay, your life gets better.

Coaching is also very important. It gives you a sense of control over your life, which I think is especially important when you have ADHD. Understanding how ADHD affects my brain and my life, and learning how to manage it, has been a powerful boost to my self-esteem.

I also recognise the importance of physical exercise and strongly recommend it to others in my situation. Taking long walks was essential to me during the pandemic. In recent months, I’ve started playing golf again, and my mood has improved considerably. Outdoor exercise is best in my opinion, even a walk in the park, but going to the gym, doing Pilates, or swimming are also great options.

Getting a diagnosis as an adult begins with a clinical assessment, which involves reviewing your childhood history, current symptoms, and how they affect your daily life.

At The ADHD Centre, we offer private ADHD assessments with qualified psychiatrists, which can be done at one of our clinics, in Manchester or London, or via video call. Download our free guide to evidence-based treatments for adults HERE.

Treatment may involve:

• Medication: Stimulant or non-stimulant medication can improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and support executive functioning.
• ADHD Coaching: A structured way to learn new habits and coping strategies.
• Mindfulness and therapy: These can help reduce anxiety, improve attention, and increase self-awareness.

If you’re thinking about seeking a diagnosis in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, here are some helpful starting points:

1. Reflect on your history: Think about your experiences at school, work, and in relationships. Have you always felt “different”? Have others commented on your forgetfulness or lack of focus?
2. Track your symptoms: Jot down when and where you struggle most. This can help during an assessment.
3. Speak to a specialist: General GPs often have limited knowledge of adult ADHD. Seeing a clinician who understands ADHD in adults is key. Contact us to speak to a specialist.
4. Talk to others: Join a support group, attend a webinar, or follow ADHD professionals on social media. It can be reassuring to see how others manage.
5. Be open to support: Medication isn’t the only answer, but for many people, it helps. Coaching, exercise, and education are equally important.

It’s common for adults with ADHD to feel grief over lost time. But getting a diagnosis isn’t about regret, it’s about recognition, resolution, and renewal.

Knowing why you’ve faced particular challenges can be a turning point. It allows you to move forward with purpose. As Josefina said, “It gave peace to my spirit.”

Whether you’re 30 or 70, it’s never too late to understand yourself and life with ADHD doesn’t end with diagnosis. For many, it’s where the real growth begins.