I was recently diagnosed with ADHD (I’m 38) and it took forever to find a proper medical professional who could provide the diagnosis. I’m still waiting on my insurance to approve the medication, and I have good insurance.

For me, the signs were severe procrastination, being overwhelmed by tasks, mental restlessness, getting bored quickly even with things I’m interested in, unable to complete tasks even when I wanted to work on them, and unable to maintain focus in social and professional situations. All of these symptoms have been present from childhood, but like you mentioned, I developed coping strategies, learned behaviors to compensate, and smoked way too much weed.

The hyperactive part of the disorder was not readily recognizable in my case. I’m a generally laid back and calm individual. I can sit still for about an hour, but then I have to get up and smoke a cig (hey, wait a minute… learned addictive behavior to cover up internal restlessness?).

It took me 5 and a half years to complete my bachelors degree because I skirted academic suspension the entire time because I would always “let one class go” so I could focus on the others. Run-on sentence with two “because” clauses, another sign… I did the same thing in grade school, but obviously it was far more forgiving and I was able to make easy A’s.

I really could go on and on. That’s another symptom. Because essentially I’m talking to myself in this response. However, put me in a social situation with more than three people, multiple conversations simultaneously, a tv turned on, and music blaring? Doesn’t that sound like pretty much any modern social setting? Well, I shut down. People just think I’m “quiet”. But as you can see, I’m quite capable of saying way too much.

Took me 30’ish years to figure out I have ADHD. Ain’t that some shit?