I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until my 30s

"Suddenly, many aspects of my life started to make sense. Looking back, numerous indicators from my childhood and idiosyncrasies only started making sense upon reflection."

In recent years, a growing number of mums have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Contrary to common misconceptions painting ADHD as a disadvantage, a lot of these mums are finding relief and understanding of how their minds work.

One such woman is mum-of-four and event stylist Natalie Jarvis, who shared her story of diagnosis with Kidspot.

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At the age of 38, I discovered I have ADHD, and suddenly, many aspects of my life started to make sense. Looking back, numerous indicators from my childhood and idiosyncrasies only started making sense upon reflection.

Several signs point to my ADHD. I often hyper-fixate on tasks, frequently initiating multiple household chores or projects simultaneously. For instance, I have a sink full of water with dishes while randomly deciding to re-pot a new plant, all while supervising the kids' bath time. I constantly fidget with objects in my hands. 

This can be anything from the hem of my clothes to my necklace, or the dinnerware. I exhibit a peculiar approach to tidiness; I can be extremely relaxed about the state of the house but, when I do decide to clean, it must be immaculate, not merely tidy.

I get so engrossed in creative tasks that I forget to attend to basic needs like eating, drinking, or using the restroom. I can focus on something like this for 8-10 hours if needed. The inability to quiet my racing thoughts often leads to insomnia.

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Natalie Jarvis with her husband and four children. Picture: Supplied

The constant feeling of being in a fight-or-flight mode and the relentless, rapid pace of my thoughts are exhausting.

Sleep becomes a challenge, as my mind does not stop racing even when trying to sleep, necessitating the use of sleep aids.

But ADHD also brings about positive aspects. It endows me with remarkable creativity and the ability to conjure something out of nothing.

I excel in finding solutions, even in desperate situations, making the best use of available resources. My children also benefit from my creativity and are encouraged to explore their own. The resilience I develop despite setbacks and the capacity for hyper-fixation leave me with a wealth of random knowledge.

RELATED: ADHD is my super power and kryptonite all rolled into one

Natalie owns and operates Electric Confetti, a neon signage business in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

ADHD acts as a superpower in my career, particularly in launching and maintaining a highly creative and successful business. I can work on my own terms, often staying up into the late hours of the night and working from home when necessary.

Visualising and executing a client's vision is second nature to me, even if they struggle to see it themselves. This ability extends to optimising spaces for in-store or hotel room activations, making me an asset in design and event planning.

I believe that ADHD makes me a better parent. I can help my four children understand and harness their own creativity as a means of self-expression.

I can be spontaneous and fun in various aspects of life, from meal preparation to engaging in sports. My unwavering belief that I can excel in almost anything I set my mind to is a mindset I actively pass down to them. Witnessing me live this out instils in them a valuable life skill – the belief in their own potential.

Originally published as I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until my 30s