For 55 years, Flic Everett believed she suffered from crippling anxiety, experiencing racing thoughts, panic attacks, and a persistent sense of dread. However, a recent diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at age 55 has transformed her life, offering an explanation for the lifelong struggles that she previously attributed to personal failings.
Everett's symptoms began in childhood, with early signs of fearfulness, tearfulness, and difficulty fitting in. By secondary school, she was frequently late, forgetful, and untidy, experiencing severe panic attacks at 15. Her struggles continued into adulthood, leading her to leave university and contributing to difficulties in her career, personal relationships, and financial management. She often found herself worrying excessively about hypothetical disasters and felt overwhelmed by everyday tasks.
Historically, ADHD was less recognized in girls, and Everett's high IQ led medical professionals to dismiss the possibility of a disorder, instead diagnosing her with anxiety. She spent decades trying to overcome her symptoms through sheer willpower, assuming she was not trying hard enough.
A New Perspective on Anxiety
The turning point came when her husband, son, and friends encouraged her to seek a psychiatric assessment. During the evaluation, her psychiatrist suggested that her pervasive worrying might be a symptom of her nervous system attempting to self-regulate. The psychiatrist explained that for individuals with ADHD, particularly women, the 'hyperactivity' can be internal. A constant stream of worries can provide the brain with a sense of purpose, even if it's unproductive, as it seeks stimulation due to a lack of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter for mood and executive function.
This revelation offered Everett a new understanding: her anxiety was not a specific fear but a generalized, free-floating unease that stemmed from an underlying neurological condition. After a full assessment, she received her ADHD diagnosis.
Treatment and Transformation
Following her diagnosis, Everett began a low dose of Lisdexamphetamine, a stimulant medication. While initially hesitant about a stimulant potentially increasing her heart rate, she was astonished by its effect. Within an hour of her first dose, she experienced a significant lifting of tension and scattered focus, replaced by a sense of calm motivation. This felt like a miracle compared to her lifelong state of overwhelm.
While she attempted a slightly higher dose, it caused anxiety and irritability. She reverted to the lower dose, which has proven effective. The process of finding the right medication and dosage, known as titration, is crucial and can take months, requiring monitoring by an experienced psychiatrist. Everett notes that what works for one individual may not work for another.
Impact of Diagnosis
Six weeks into her treatment, Everett reports a significant reduction in anxiety, improved ability to focus on her work, and a newfound capacity to tackle long-standing clutter. She describes the experience for others with ADHD on similar medication as 'polishing a lens,' with brain fog dispersing, memory sharpening, and the feeling of overwhelm dissipating.
She expressed gratitude for being able to afford the diagnostic process, emphasizing how knowledge has fundamentally changed her life. Everett also reflected on the grief associated with realizing how different her life might have been had she received a diagnosis sooner. While acknowledging that the diagnosis doesn't excuse past mistakes, it provides a framework for understanding many of her past decisions and allows her to extend herself forgiveness.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates that 4% of UK adults have ADHD, but a significant portion, around 80%, remain undiagnosed, often due to the misconception that ADHD primarily affects hyperactive young boys. Everett's experience highlights the internal manifestations of ADHD in adults, particularly women, and the potential for misdiagnosis as anxiety disorders.