u/baddiewclass

Diagnosed last year at 27 with autism, ADHD, and CPTSD. Later, the ADHD diagnosis was removed after neuro testing because they felt it was “just autism,” but I still strongly suspect ADHD and both my psychiatrist and therapist do too. Both of my parents have ADHD and both of my siblings do as well, which makes it even harder for me to fully let go of the possibility.

I’m honestly struggling right now. A lot of burnout, executive dysfunction, anxiety, masking fatigue, hypervigilance, social exhaustion, etc. I feel like I’ve spent most of my life surviving and compensating instead of actually living.

For those of you further along in healing/recovery/self-understanding:

• Are you genuinely happy now?
• Does life feel easier or less heavy?
• Does the constant anxiety/internal tension calm down?
• Do social interactions become less draining and effortful?
• Did burnout improve?
• Do you actually enjoy life and feel connected to yourself?
• Or does it always feel like managing symptoms and compensating?
• And what has genuinely helped you improve or heal outside of medication? I’m not really looking for more med suggestions right now because I’ve tried a lot already and still feel like I’m struggling. I’m more interested in what actually changed your quality of life, nervous system, burnout, anxiety, relationships, or ability to function day to day.

I think I just need some hope and honesty from people who get it.