These are stories shared with us directly, or found online. All stories are de-identified. Please feel free to share your story if you would like to contribute to this picture of your community.
** This information reflects only stories collected through voluntary contributions** It should not be considered a statistically robust representation of any adult ADHD populations.
August 2024
I spent my formative years in remote areas of the Northern Territory in the 1980’s and child psychologist and psychiatrists were rare. I struggled controlling my emotions and at school academically. Throughout my life I have had trouble making interpersonal connections, having a stable relationship, and holding down a job.
I was living on a remote cattle property in Central Queensland when I decided to enrol in a law degree because I could not afford a lawyer. Law takes a great deal of reading and concentration and I found myself unable to sit down and concentrate for any period. Stressful situations like exams and assignment deadlines exacerbate my symptoms and I often completely shut down. Going to the doctor because I was having trouble sleeping and coping with stress, I came away with a recommendation to tap my fingers and breath. Exams and assignment deadlines occur after the date to withdraw without academic or financial penalty, so I accumulated a considerable HECS-HELP debt due to failing subjects between 2010 -2013. Eventually the university unenrolled me due to my poor grade point average.
I moved to Adelaide due to another failed relationship, I was homeless, and I was frustrated and depressed because I could not succeed in life. I was prescribed antidepressants by a GP which I found unbearable and so I was then referred to psychologist who referred me to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist listened intently and documented my life story. She referred me for neuropsychological testing, a sleep study, blood tests, investigated all my education reports and transcripts and interviewed people close to me. All this in the public mental health system with long waiting lists. In 2018 when my psychiatrist died my case was taken up by a college who was a specialist in ADHD. He read all the reports and explained that I expressed all the traits, symptoms and unfortunately the repercussions of undiagnosed adult ADHD in females. I was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Aspen Dexamfetamine.
Medication was life changing. I enrolled back into university and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 2020 and then admitted into the Supreme court. I was then accepted into a graduate program with a government department that supports neurodivergent employees. Today I have a good job, saving money and contributing to my super. I am happily married with stable, secure accommodation. All new accomplishments for me at the age of 47.
What I am not happy about is my large HECS-HELP dept. So, I applied to the university to remit my debt. My legal argument is if I was suffering from undiagnosed ADHD how could I possibly put in an application for remission back when I failed the subjects. It was only until now I had a diagnosis, a report from my psychiatrist and the contemporaneous evidence, being my before and after medication, academic transcripts, that I was able to put in an application. I was not successful, so I appealed to the university. I was again denied relief. I decided to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and I was also unsuccessful, and not surprising considering the many other students that suffered from ADHD before me.
I grappled with the decision to take the next step and appeal to the Federal Court because of two reasons. Firstly, going to the Federal court, I would lose my animality and the stigma could affect me professionally. Secondly, its expensive, if I lose, I must pay the legal fees of the Department of Education. I decided that I had to stick up for myself and everyone struggling with ADHD in the higher education realm. So, I represented myself in the Federal Court against a barrister for the Department of Education in November 2023. To this date the judgement has not been handed down. This decision will set a precedent for people with ADHD if I am successful.
I hope my story gives hope to those struggling with undiagnosed ADHD and empowers those with a diagnosis to follow your dreams.