The Shame Of Labels: My Diagnosis Of Adult ADHD

This post is all about Michelle Arbeauโ€™s experience and journey with adult ADHD. So, what is adult ADHD, and what really happens when youโ€™re diagnosed with it? Letโ€™s find out!

I remember being a painfully shy child throughout school. Yet, I always excelled. So much so that I was placed in enriched math in middle school and my mother was approached by the school board with the offer to bump me ahead a school year but she declined.ย 

In my early twenties, I began a career in corporate banking HR and excelled there, too. However, it wasnโ€™t long before the monotony of office life set in and I got the itch to jump ship. I went to see a psychologist because I thought I had depression. Turns out, I did, but it was what she called โ€œsituational depression.โ€ Basically, fix what I didnโ€™t like about my life and my depression would go away. I didnโ€™t have a chemical imbalance, just a life imbalance.

At that time, I remember mentioning to her that loud noises often bothered me. She referenced something about โ€œSensory Integrationโ€ but didnโ€™t really elaborate and I didnโ€™t probe further. In hindsight, it was a clue of what was to come.

Related: What Does Autism Look Like in Adults? Common Adult Autistic Traits

At the tender age of twenty-four, I quit my high-paid corporate position and set off on a quest to be my own boss. Twenty-five years and counting, Iโ€™ve been a successful, thriving entrepreneur who moved from a small town on the East Coast of Canada to Tinseltown, Los Angeles, California.

Fast forward to 2015 and one of my close friends had mentioned she went to get tested for ADHD and discovered she in fact had it. Considering my nickname for years was โ€œhummingbirdโ€ a lightbulb went off and I felt compelled by curiosity to go get tested myself.

I went for the testing and everything seemed fine until the nurse came back in and asked me if I had fifteen or twenty minutes. I said sure so she proceeded to tell me that she had been able to secure an immediate appointment with a psychiatrist. The normal procedure was to go through the testing and you were booked with a shrink a couple of weeks later.

I walked into the psychiatristโ€™s office and sat down. I wasnโ€™t prepared for what he was about to tell me but it all made sense. He told me I had severe ADHD and would need to be placed on medication. He kept talking but at that point, I zoned out. I was in shock. Never did I dream Iโ€™d be diagnosed with what was not only classified as a mental illness but a disability.ย 

I prided myself on earning my way into the United States on the coveted 0-1 Visa for Extraordinary Individuals, a professionally assessed IQ of 138, and a crazy successful career as an author, speaker, and number one Numerologist in the World. How could I possibly have a mental illness and a disability? Everything felt surreal. Like time had stopped. I saw the doctorโ€™s mouth moving in slow motion as I blankly stared forward. My thoughts running a mile a minute.ย 

adult adhd

I left that day with a prescription for Ritalin. I didnโ€™t fill it for two weeks. During that time, I went through a spectrum of emotions โ€“ from sad to angry and everything in between. I was devastated, to say the least. I told no one. Not a soul. Not even the friend who had been tested first. I was ashamed. Utterly ashamed.ย 

How would anyone take me seriously knowing I had severe ADHD? My career would be over. Iโ€™d be the laughing stock. From my diagnosis in November of 2015, I kept my secret close until just after the Covid Pandemic began. I began to see so many people struggling as mental illness skyrocketed to astronomical levels.

Depression and anxiety took hold and suddenly I didnโ€™t feel so different or alone. In fact, for the first time, I was relieved that I had ADHD and not something more dire.

As a person who has always been deliberately transparent, I felt I couldnโ€™t keep this a secret any longer. People needed to hear that mental illness isnโ€™t just mostly among the homeless population (approximately 75% of the homeless suffer from mental illness in Los Angeles).

Iโ€™m above all, a true inspirationalist. I live and breathe inspiring others in any way, shape, or form. I knew I had to come clean and tell my story, so I did, and it felt AMAZING. Iโ€™ve been berated before for sharing โ€œtoo personalโ€ stuff on social media but if even one person can resonate and be helped by my story, Iโ€™m game.ย 

Related: 22 Symptoms and Signs of High-Functioning Autism In Adults

I received an enormous influx of responses โ€“ both in comments and private messages and emails. My fans and followers were proud of me for having the courage to reveal such a personal piece of my story and journey. It wasnโ€™t devastation as Iโ€™d imagined. Rather, it was being set free again, to be me. Totally and unapologetically me.ย 

I believe my โ€œmental illness and disabilityโ€ has been a huge factor in my lifeโ€™s success story. I can multi-task like nobodyโ€™s business and Iโ€™m always asked how Iโ€™ve accomplished so much success in such a short amount of time. Iโ€™ve also had endless people over the years say they envy me for having the guts to take the leap and make my dreams come true (of course I always tell them they can do it, too โ€“ step-by-step!)

My name is Michelle Arbeau and I have ADHD. If you Google my name, youโ€™ll also see I have hundreds of thousands of pages with posts, articles, new stories, books, interviews, reviews โ€“ you name it. I did it all myself. Started from scratch and built my empire through sheer determination and will power. I may have ADHD but it doesnโ€™t define me. Itโ€™s actually my Super-Power ?

About the Author

Top Numerologist & Life Strategist, Michelle Arbeau, is considered the #1 leading expert in the World, Four-Time Bestselling Author, Motivational Speaker, Syndicated Columnist, Business Expert, CEO of Eleven Eleven Productions and Truth Tribe Productions. Arbeau frequently works with brand names and well-known clients such as Chanel/Karl Lagerfeld, J.J. Abrams, Michael Kors, Twilight Vampires, Big Bang Theory Actress, and many more.ย 

A media favorite and a leading expert in her field, Michelle is frequently a repeat guest on national outlets such as CitiTV, CBC Radio, Kool 101.5, CTV Morning Live, Breakfast Television. FOX11, CLTV, and the History Channel.ย 

Arbeau is the host of her own radio show and podcast at the Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood called Life By The Numbers covering topics of spiritual growth, current affairs, celebrity news, and more through the lens of numbers.ย 

In 2018, she launched her own jewelry and products line called Soul Numbers Jewelry & Gifts. Number-based, real gemstone sterling silver jewelry and all-natural ingredients in the healing/manifestation bath oils and sprays.

Her bestselling books, The Energy of Words: Use the Vibration of Language to Manifest the Life You Desire and Soul Numbers: Decipher the Message from Your Inner Self to Successfully Navigate Life are the product of combining her love of numbers with her passion for helping others to find purpose, meaning and joy in life.

Michelleโ€™s next book and documentary The God Frequency & The 54 Patterns of Creation is in the publication process.

www.MichelleArbeau.com


Written By Michelle Arbeau
My Diagnosis Of Adult ADHD pin

— Share —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Unsocial Media: The Real Effects Of Screen Time

Unsocial Media The Real Effects Of More Screen Time

Is social media making us less social in real life? Discover the true effects of screen time on face-to-face connections and overall well-being.

Loss of real-life interaction hampers social development.

Key points

A significant amount of real-life social interaction seems essential for the development of emotional and personal skills.

Research suggests that today’s youth has about half the exposure to critical real-life social interaction that pre-internet generations did.

Trends in poor social development among young people suggest the need for urgent attention and specific strategies to enhanc

Up Next

When Grandparentsโ€™ Love Goes Sour: 8 Signs Of Toxic Grandparents And How To Survive Them

Signs Of Toxic Grandparents

Have you ever noticed certain behaviors that make you wonder if your grandparentsโ€™ love might be a littleโ€ฆ off? Spotting the signs of toxic grandparents can be tough, especially when society paints them as the ultimate source of unconditional love and support.

But sometimes, grandparents might cross boundaries, show favoritism, or create a stressful environment that doesnโ€™t quite feel right. If youโ€™ve ever felt uneasy about their behavior, youโ€™re not alone.

In this article, weโ€™ll dive into the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of toxic grandparents and give you some strategies regarding how to deal with toxic grandparents, without causing family drama.

First, let us try to understand what are toxic grandparents.

Up Next

How a Person with Bipolar Disorder Thinks: 10 Things That Cross Their Mind

How a Person with Bipolar Disorder Thinks

Ever wondered how a person with bipolar disorder thinks? Living with bipolar disorder is often a constant ride of highs and lows, not just in mood but also in thoughts.

One moment, someone might feel invincible, brimming with ideas and energy; the next, they may feel crushed by sadness or anxiety, weighed down by self-doubt and exhaustion.

Understanding how a person with bipolar disorder thinks can help you understand better what they might be going through. Today, we’ll dive into what is bipolar disorder, followed by 10 thoughts that often cross the minds of those who live with it.

Let’s start with what is bipolar disorder.

Related:

Up Next

9 Unusual Signs of Low Intelligence That Will Surprise You

Indicators of Low Intelligence That Will Surprise You

When we talk about intelligence, most of us picture sharp-witted people solving puzzles or doing complex math. But the signs of low intelligence can be just as telling, and they show up in ways you might not expect.

A low IQ person often exhibit certain behaviors or attitudes that make them stand out. Whether itโ€™s their inability to adapt or their rigid thinking, these subtle low IQ symptoms say a lot.

Today, we are going to do a deep dive into the 9 unusual signs of low intelligence that might surprise youโ€”because intelligence isnโ€™t just about getting straight Aโ€™s.

Related:

Up Next

How Sleep affects Your Mental Health

The quality and amount of sleep play a huge role in the mental health and mood of an individual.

Even just one night of inadequate sleep can heighten oneโ€™s stress level. Constant lack of sleep and chronic sleep deprivation can alter a personโ€™s disposition and may even lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. In fact, a lot of research is now establishing links between insomnia and depression and how the two can interchangeably affect each other.

Sleep and mental health are broad and complex topics that still need further research to be able to fully grasp and comprehend well about them. All the same, the more we dig deeper w

Up Next

A Letter For Those Who Donโ€™t Understand Chronic Illness

A Letter for those who donโ€™t understand chronic illness.

Dear people who donโ€™t understand autoimmune disease or Chronic Illness:

I know people that have an autoimmune disease and chronic illness. They seem fine on the outside, but thatโ€™s what they want you to see because they have a fear of being judged and misunderstood.

However, in reality, people that deal with these issues may be people who are dealing with diet restrictions. Perhaps they have to go to many doctors to deal with managing pain. They may not be able to do the things that we take for granted.

I personally believe if you have an autoimmune disease, or any other chronic ill

Up Next

Unlocking The Pain Of The Past: 10 Signs Of Repressed Childhood Trauma In Adults

Ever find yourself reacting strongly to situations and not quite sure why? Either you hear echoes of your past, or itโ€™s probably because you listen to your inner child. In this article, weโ€™re delving into the signs of repressed childhood trauma in adults โ€“ those subtle whispers from your younger self that can shape your present.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});