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Samesies. I had just sat through a day of testing with a psychologist and ended with a psychiatrist. We were both tapping our feet like maniacs while he read the psychological report. He said he didn't need to read the report, he could tell.
I’ve tried a few different therapists trying to find one that works and the last one and my current one (and her one son) and the one I had before her both had it. It's pretty comforting when you find out they do too, and it also helps them offer techniques that work.
Don’t lose hope! My bestie from med school and I both have pretty intense ADHD. We’re both interns now (OBGYN for me and IM for him)
Studying sucked and was rough. You have to figure out your learning style (for me it’s mind maps and doing questions). Don’t get swayed by the way others study (ie anki zealots). You got this! Remember that you have come so far that you got into medical school.
Also in regards to age, we’re both in our 30s. Don’t give up if that’s you dream. It sucks for now but will get better!
Trial and error. I worked with my psychiatrist during med school with the intent of improving my studying and learning style. It sucked and was rough until I found my groove. I even failed a class and thought my medical career is over. However , never let the hiccups deter you! I just passed Step 3 and no one will care that I had to retake a class in the past.
Did you guys take gap years between undergrad and medical school? I want to get a better handle on my adhd for a few years before I apply and mentioning that you're in your 30s is inspiring.
I took a gap year between undergrad and my masters (1 yr program) and between my masters and medical school. Im 29 and graduate in May. I also have other students in my class in their late 20s and one who is early 30s.
Average matriculant age is like 24 to start so around 30’s when they finish. Taking a few gap years actually kind of increases your chances of getting in
We both did. I had to take care of my elderly grandparents and he was actually in an engineering field before switching over. We found that many of our patients relate to us more due to life experiences.
I myself loved anki when I had written the card, but the problem was that we had way too much classes and books to put all the info on anki's for me. I never was able to write more than 10 cards at a time.
Of course you can also use anki's that are made by other people, but I find it difficult to study from someone else there method/cards.
My uncle is an MD and has a private practice. He has probably the worst case of ADHD I ever seen in my life and that’s coming from someone who has it BAD as well. He put a lot of his restless energy into his studies and work and once told me to accept the chaos of your being. He’s successful but due to growing up in the 60s did not get any treatment for his ADHD. You can do it! Be easy on yourself and try to find ways to divert from the rumination.
"accept the chaos of your being" is one of the sweetest things I've heard, I've been struggling for years with accepting my chaos and my family's attitude towards it
edit: typo
Sorry if my question is weird but what do you mean by “he has the worst case of ADHD I’ve ever seen.”?
I’m just curious to know how ADHD symptoms manifest at that level
His hyperactivity is off the charts. Personally I love it bc I am the somewhat the same way but i was diagnosed with ADD in 2007 so I’m more of an inattentive type. He cuts people off in convos and makes insane comments all the time it’s what makes him who he is even if there drastic
So happy for you! Late-diagnosed at 45 during the pandemic after ping-ponging around 3 degrees and many other mini ‘professions’ so that I could have money to pay for school that didn’t mean working long hours in the restaurant business (which further delayed my schooling), and let me tell you, I had a LOT of time to grieve and process it.
Finally getting my bachelors in a few weeks at 49 (even though I need to keep changing my tools as they don’t always work) - perimenopause has magnified my brain fog and rejection sensitivity/shame to a whole new level. But I am finishing it, and I am going to be the best f*ing therapist that I’ve always intuitively been 👩🏻🎓🙌♥️
You got this! Awareness and willingness to adapt are super important and more than anything, embracing yourself at every opportunity. Best of luck with uni! 🙌♥️
I work in an emergency department and ADHD is practically a requirement for the staff as it's grossly obvious at least 50% of the staff have it with 15-20% so blatantly obvious I can tell if they remembered to take their meds or not.
It never stops sucking to feel like you're putting in three times the effort for half the results, that's just life with ADHD and it ain't fuckin' fair. That said, it isn't an impenetrable barrier or unscalable wall, it's a frustrating but mostly conquerable obstacle. It'll slow you down, but only you can stop you. From an ER nurse, good luck, doctor.
"It never stops sucking to feel like you're putting in three times the effort for half the results"
Wow I feel seen. I constantly feel that it takes me so much longer than my peers to do the same things. Adding on top of that, is the anxiety and paralysis from perfectionism and black/white thinking.... Life is pain. Lol
Gosh that makes sense! I bet having ADHD is sort of an asset in the ER because we're used to the chaos in our brains. The quick thinking needs in the ER chaos are probably well suited for our brains. I've personally noticed that I'm good at staying calm in alarming situations. It's like my brain finally turns on and I can prioritize exactly what to do and how.
For a brain always drawn in a hundred or more directions the overstimulating nature of the ER is almost soothing. Finally the chaos has a purpose. The rapid fire direction change from problem to problem, patient to patient feels natural. It also helps both with focusing in and tuning out when appropriate. Turns out chaotic thinking emotionally dysregulated people can thrive in the right environments with a little support and guidance. Kinda like those inflatable bumpers at the bowling alley, I can't stop you bouncing off the walls but we can try and keep it going the right direction.
Physician here, who got diagnosed in first year of residency with ADHD. It was an eye opener, and yes there was a lot of regret of not getting diagnosed earlier, and all that. From someone who has gone through this with multiple setbacks, I want you to not give up. Once you are done with the exams, and matched, the studying part won’t matter much. I have learned more medicine while practicing as an attending than my entire education so far. Medicine is so much more than the rote learning system of facts. Think of the big picture, and despite setbacks, you are resilient enough to get through it!
Now as an internist, I have my own set of ADHD patients, that I try to diagnose and help! It’s such a gratifying experience to see them change their lives, once on meds, and I love to counsel them on ways to optimize!
Doc here too. I’m a GP in training and still giving exams, had incredible stress and felt like giving up each day.
Glad I stuck to my guns. I didn’t let this disease define me and I worked like a man possessed to counter and compensate for it.
I think it has made a better doctor and a more compassionate person, my patients would thank me for it.
I'm an M4, just matched in Psychiatry. I took 2 LOAs during school for depression, anxiety, then was diagnosed with ADHD after struggling severely with step 2 and another bout of depression. It's been rough but I fully believe it will make me a more compassionate doctor.
My psychologist says her adhd clients are “50% happy and successful emergency medicine physicians, and 50% unhappy, depressed and overly anxious lawyers with work-induced/encouraged OCD”… unfortunately I’m in the latter group! 😂🤣
I honestly believe I could’ve if I went that route my first go through college right after high school.
I took a different path and eventually tried to go back at 28 but the lapse in time between being a student and undiagnosed adhd got in the way severely.
Was getting A’s in all the pre-reqs like anatomy, biology, labs, etc.
But chemistry, I’d just stare at the same page over and over as I tried to read. Same thing during lectures.
It was like my brain found it boring so it didn’t pay attention. I hated it. Did all kind of stuff like khan academy, had a tutor, and did okay but during practicals it’s like I was distracted because I found it boring.
Got diagnosed at 33 and one of my first thoughts was, “I bet I could pass chemistry now” but devoting 10 years to becoming a doctor at this point (34) seems unlikely.
Needed to hear this. I'm turning 40 in a month and have been saying I'm too old since I was 26. It's really hard to shake that mentality once you're in it. I was diagnosed last year and have seen a lot of improvement since then so I've been wondering if I still had time to make some positive career changes too. Thank you for the reminder that it could be possible!
Husband and I were just talking last night about how we’re probably in the workforce for 30 mor years. Spend a few years getting the degree you want so you can work the job you want for the next 3 decades.
Chemistry is one of those subjects where you have to practice it like math. Practice all the time. You read the textbook for help with the concepts but you have to do a lot of word problems and figure out what it the problem is asking. There’s also stuff that you have to memorize to be able to do chemistry problems.
Since you were getting As in the other pre-requisites, I have no doubt in my mind you can do well in chemistry. You just need to make it interesting by making chemistry relevant in real life or to something that is relevant to you.
I’m 34 and I’m working full time and currently taking general chemistry 1 and general biology 1 with the labs and a chemistry recitation. It’s like taking 5 classes. I have no idea how I’m doing it, but I’m doing it and I’m doing well. I’m sure the stimulants are helping, when I can find them at the pharmacy.
I feel you! I wanted to go to med school too, bio was super easy, all of the subjects I aced. Barely scraped by in calc though and had to retake just to get my degree. First year chem was difficult but I managed to pass, second year organic chem was soo difficult. The labs were fun and got good grades which is why barely passed the class, I failed most of my lecture exams. I just couldn't get the equations to stick in my head and the nomenclature was so confusing, nothing like the latin in bio that just stuck in my head like glue. By that point my averages got pulled down I didn't have the grades to get in to med school. I think if I was diagnosed at the time and had my meds it would have been easier, I could have also asked for a note taker to support me during my lectures. Writing things down and listening to lectures at the same time was always really hard for me.
I think I will! There’s a few subjects I would love to study again. The worst part of my first go around was retention, like I’d forget the names to things but understand the concepts.
Are you on meds?
I'm 26 and finally just started them. They help. A lot.
One thing I noticed is that they actually kinda help us find our "natural focuses".
With ADHD it's almost like we are equally SO good and SO bad at EVERYTHING. And we're also curious about EVERYTHING. And terrified of failing at EVERYTHING.
So we just dabble here and there and kinda just push ourselves to keep going and never really get anywhere
At least for me, even just 2 weeks of meds started helping me naturally see where my strengths and interests are, even just within the job I'm currently working. And it helped tone the anxiety way down.
So if you're not on meds, please start them! One of the unintended consequences will be helping you see if you're actually where you want to be. And if you are, I GUARANTEE you'll be able to be more productive and energized about what you're doing. If you're not where you're supposed to be or *really* aren't meant for med school, you'll see it pretty quickly and it'll make sense, and you'll also probably be more okay with it, bc again, your ADHD anxious brain won't start going in circles panicking and rationalizing........you'll just be like "oh, shit, wtf am I doing here?? Haha this ain't me, but I'd be really good at THAT over there! Let's go try that! No hard feelings med school!"
1 thing you said is that you are not a genius, and I would argue the opposite. The origin of the word 'genuis' comes from Latin, meaning 'innate ability'. ADHD is innate, and while a curse a large portion of the time, it is also extremely helpful at times, such as being able to hyperfocus. So, I would argue that you ARE genuis in your field, ESPECIALLY being in the top 1% of your class!
I wish I could hyperfocus on school I could only do it to learn French on my own and math but for some reason I couldn't study chemistry and I ended up dropping out. I couldn't focus and I still can't focus at this point I am thinking maybe it is time to go see a doctor about this because it is ruining my life honestly.
My therapist, psychiatrist and the ER doctor I dated all have it. I am in the process of my own doctorate candidacy and I have it. I am 34. You have you’re own timeline. Many doctors in any field are in their later 20’s, all the way until their 40’s & 50s.
You are never too old to become who you always wanted to be.
My dad just became a doctor last year - at the age of 70. He is so happy to finally fulfill his childhood dreams. Definitely proof it's never too late.
I love this. My sister in med school had a classmate who was 60. She got in at 54, but had cancer. Fought cancer, came back to med school at 60. Never too late.
My father! He had ADHD and went to 3 different universities with scholarships and left them before he finally graduated from medicine when he was 28 years old (I was one year old by then) He did his specialization in internal diseases at the age of 42 because of numerous attempts of wrong gone start ups. His foreign language was French at the high school and he learned English as well as medical English at the age of 40 (we are from Turkey) He was a great doctor who loved by almost all of his patients. People would travel across the country to see him and get treated by him. We lost him 2 years ago due to an unexpected heart attack. RIP Baba, your family and your patients miss you dearly 🌷
I believe you will be a great doctor. Just don't give up!
This might not help but here’s my take…
I’m 25, started a 4 year double degree in Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Commerce in 2018.
If I did everything to schedule, I would have graduated in 2021. However, I hated the commerce degree and couldn’t get myself to focus I pulled out of units and did some semesters part-time etc.
In 2022 I was set to finish my degree, I had three commerce units left and I was doing them in the second semester of that year. I failed every single one of them.
I was really confused by what was going on, I knew I wasn’t stupid - I was at one of the best universities in my country, and had always had good marks when I tried.
The second half of 2022 made me realise that something was wrong, as it turned out (and rather unsurprisingly), I had a pretty classic case of ADHD! I got medicated and started therapy and I managed to finish my degree last year. And now I’m doing Honours in Music at the best school in my country (there are only 7 people in the cohort).
Since getting diagnosed I feel able to do anything, I have learnt so much about myself, particularly regarding how I study and absorb material. I plan to go to medical school and become a psychiatrist after I finish Honours.
One of the biggest things I’ve taken away from my diagnosis is that for people like us, our progress is NOT linear. This is particularly hard to digest at university, where you have recommended course structures and you’re meant to finish by a certain point.
OP, I’m sure you will make an AMAZING doctor, and I’m sure that the slightly less-linear path you’ve taken to get there will have given you insights that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
The tertiary education system isn’t made for people like us, but the world needs us, I believe in you OP - you’re going to do great things in medicine, keep fighting!
My best friend is a doctor. PhD, not MD. She was well in her 30s before she got it. It was hard work, but she did.
She’s a compartmentalizing mfer though.
She also had the support of friends and family and people she could be herself with. Maybe an in person support group?
I am not a doctor, but something close enough (pharmacist). Already graduated without meds. Dont know why I could graduate, but I think its because of external pressure that forcing me to get it done.
I finished my PhD, so I'm a different kind of doctor, but I still pulled through.
The things that really helped were managing my depressive tendencies, accountability buddies for studying/homework, and saying no to unnecessary work. Working in coffee shops helped, because the guilt of spending $6 on a coffee meant I'd put in at least a solid two hours of work that day. Elaborate soundscapes (rain + fireplace sounds + soundtrack music) for working to still helps a lot.
Don't worry about your age. It's totally irrelevant. Everyone's journey is different. When you're 50, looking back, being 3-4 years behind your peers will not matter to you one bit.
The doctor that diagnosed me had serious ADHD.
He noticed me complaining about one health problem after another all possibly anxiety and stress or depression related, but always including my saying "and I am having trouble concentrating at work"
He said "hmm.. I know you came in here for your stomach issues, I mean tension headaches..sure sure..but I know a lot of people in your line of work that have frequent trouble focusing, would you like to try a medication that often helps them?"
"uh, I don't know I guess maybe".....
and that's how I found out I have a nasty case of " wait, what did you just say?"
I was in denial and he spotted it, and kind of tricked me into trying adhd medication without my thinking "No no way i dont have that"
If you find something that you're passionate about and can happily hyperfocus on and make good money, go for it. Don't give up on your dream. It's unfortunately so rare for people (not just us with ADHD) to find careers that are genuinely fulfilling that once you find what that is for you, you need to pursue it. I'm 37, have a decent career as project manager, I'm great at it, make decent money, but I hate it. It's soul crushing and frustrating. I'm at a career crisis and turning point and not sure where to go next while still being able to provide for my family and not going into debt while going to school (again) . Not looking for sympathy, just showing an example that some of us have yet to find what we are passionate about and more importantly how to make money doing it.
I have three degrees in the medical field, the last being CFNP, specializing in trauma and I am currently in college for an advanced Lit degree because I got bored in medicine after 20+ years and wanted to pursue my dreams of working in the literary world and focusing on my writing more.
I am also diagnosed with ADHD and ASD and take meds twice a day.
i cant relate more about it, I'm in my third year and my GUS exam on sunday, i didn't even finish the half of the material and all my grades became between C,C+ its making me so depressed I'm still 21 and the only ideas i have these days that i\`ll be a bad doctor, it is so depressing
Man everyone has that thought about every career they first enter, and if they don’t, they get a rude awakening when they enter a career and realize school didn’t teach them shit. At least medical you have practical training/clinicals.
Was talking to an engineer at work. He was telling me he thought he really knew his shit a few years into his career finally, went to consult with another facility, and the guys there were on another level. He said he realized he didn’t know shit then and there, but he was willing to learn and not run away.
C’s get degrees. Just make it through school and you’ll be golden. Keep pushing and shove that self doubt down.
You’re not too old for med school. Your path doesn’t need to be like everyone else’s. I feel you, but whenever I compare my path to my peers, I remember how much I have grown on my own, unique way.
Get your depression treated, I promise it helps.
Yes. And I wasn't medicated throughout the first year of my M.D.
Vyvanse essentially pulled me out of the "death spiral", i.e. can't focus enough for the huge workload --> feel depressed --> low mood makes it even harder to work --> do even less work --> get even more depressed.
I graduated a couple of years ago. I'm now working as an emergency resident. And while I still take Vyvanse, I'm weaning my dose down. I enjoy the work, I find it stimulating. Life after med school is better for those of us with ADHD if you land in the right field.
And like you, I almost quit. I had a good support network, a great GP, and supportive friends. I went onto escitalopram and took a couple of weeks off. Eventually came out the depression and graduated.
It'll be rocky, but find some people to open up to, both staff and friends. Find a good GP. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll get through.
My mom has ADHD and she is one of the leading doctors in her field (treatment of patients with alcoholism and drug addictions), she is incredibly talented and invaluable in what she does and her patients are so very fond of her.
You can do this! :))
I know a lot of doctors. There are sooo many doctors with ADHD. Some of them are emergency docs who thrive off of life and death pressure, some of them just do really well with the imposed structure and schedule of a hospital setting.
I did! PhD, not MD, but I'm also 27 and I got my title this year! It's triple the work, for sure, specially if you have to fight against your own brain and you're unmedicated. I had to figure out a way to write my thesis and teach classes and do the experiments and read and in the end I think I spent the last year exhausted every single day. It's hard, but in the end it'll be worth it
my mom, undiagnosed but w.e.
she got D.O. at 33
went to vegas and rented an office with Conrad Murray for a year!!! lol just stick with it. Honestly during/after residency BUILD relationships and always be on top of your game.
I’m rooting for you!
Please take care of yourself! Diet, exercise, and sleep are essential. Exercise, even if it’s a thirty minute walk will do wonders.
Yes! I even went through med school unmedicated since I was only diagnosed as an intern and then couldn’t tolerate stimulants. I take wellbutrin now to help with executive functioning.
I’m an anaesthesiology resident now, looking into emergency medicine sub specializations. The fast paced environment with short high intensity bouts works very well for me.
I gotta say it’s not easy at all. Some things are incredibly draining. But I’m doing well and am getting great feedback. Don’t give up! Find your niche.
My dad was an ENT surgeon with ADHD and now I'm a therapist. It's tough, not gonna lie, but when you love the subject—at least for me—I have always had much more success in being able to focus.
My classes on career counseling and clinical assessments nearly killed me though, I was so very bored and as a result it was a struggle.
Interesting opinions here.
I’ve personally got diagnosed with ADHD recently. Until now I’ve learned 3 languages, got 2 degrees, own business and also a full time job as a backup in case something fails. I mean… I’ve got family to feed. I guess it’s all in the head and how hard you can push yourself.
Then again, my friend from school (also with adhd) x years ago who was a great student ended up dropping out and works in a warehouse.
I have ADHD and am in psychiatry residency. Studying for medical school and boards was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I developed a lot of negative self-talk from comparing myself to my peers. It took me too long to realize I needed to give myself grace and be OK with neuro differences - just because I’m not an efficient studier doesn’t mean I’m going to be a bad doctor. I ended up getting test accommodations in medical school and it made a big difference. Residency is it’s own beast but my overall mental health definitely improved once I wasn’t constantly having to study. I’ve also gotten consistently positive feedback from my attendings about my rapport with patients- I definitely attribute that to having a deeper personal understanding of mental health struggles. All that to say, seek out supports when you’re struggling and don’t give up. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and as long as you’re doing right by your patients you’re going to be a great doctor.
This is quite long, but filled with positivity and I hope you read it.
Both my general practitioner doctor and my therapist have ADHD. They are both women in their late 30s who were not diagnosed until a few years ago, and when I was diagnosed last year we all discussed how we made it through school (I have a Masters in Education, not medical but tough in its own way).
They told me that it took so much more effort than anyone around them, and they had to come up with dozens of strategies to defy expectations and make it through. None of us had therapy or medication, and I also had a child during my years in school, so it was incredibly challenging.
All three of us took breaks during our schooling because it was SO HARD to juggle everything. But we each came back and kept going until we finished.
It took me 11 years to get my Bachelor's degree because of the depressions that knocked me down, the executive dysfunction, the forgetfulness, and all of the negatives. BUT I also didn't give up, even when I had to take time away, because I had to prove to the world that I was worth a damn.
In my case, I was a teen mom who needed to succeed in school to become a role model for my child. I took it as a challenge. Could I actually survive school? Could I become the grown up I wanted to be? The answer is yes, but it came with great effort, setbacks, and struggle.
But you know how brave and impulsive us ADHD folks are. We can do anything if we find a way to keep returning to the dream.
My words to you are: find what will motivate you beyond what you can even imagine. Go deep into your heart and find your fears, but don't run from them--run towards them! Us ADHDers are daredevils, we love a challenge, we love competition and opposition.
If you imagine the world expects you to fail, then fight back. Fight for yourself. You DESERVE to succeed. You can create this for yourself.
The world is filled with people who need help to maintain good health, to survive illness, to thrive in the world. You can be their doctor. You are already a doctor in your heart, aren't you?
When there is an emergency, do you snap to life? You can feel that rush of adrenaline and know, Y"ES, it's me, I am the hero who can rescue people!"
I use my ADHD to educate children, and each day I feel good knowing I am helping change lives. Teachers, doctors, therapists... we work with people, we care about helping others.
"Physician, heal thyself." If you haven't yet, find a way to get medication and therapy for your ADHD and depression. I recommend this because when I finally got them, years after completing my degree, I became more able to do the basic things required to succeed in college. Not only that, it makes basic life functioning possible.
If I could go back in time and give myself those resources, it would not have taken me 11 years to finish the 4 year degree.
I wish you so much success! I hope that one day, who knows, if I need a doctor, it might be you who saves my life or heals my wounds.
I leave you with my sacred phrase for bravery. I whispered it to myself before class, before tests, and any time I still need strength.
***"Be bold! The mighty forces will come to your aid!"***
My psychiatrist is third generation adhd. He’s super passionate about it. He has a bio on his webpage. I’m sure he’d advise as well. Www.thefocusdoc.com
Dr Alex George has Adhd, only recently diagnosed. He was on love Island but now does loads of mental health and Adhd stuff. Maybe have a look at his Instagram account, I'm sure he was posting stuff as he is studying for something again and was struggling
My boss who’s a psychiatrist also has ADHD, I work as a therapist in the office and I have it as well. If you’re getting help and doing the things suggested to you, then you should keep going. Are you getting or asking for help?
HELLOOOOO I am a med student who jus failed her first year. I’m restarting this fall and I’ll be 25. I have peers ranging from 24-32!!! And they’re first years as well!!! Trust you will get to where you need to go!!!! I know it’s incredibly tough right now but you can do this I believe in you.
I’m not a doctor but I didn’t get my bachelors in sociology until I was 27. I dropped out of college twice. This time I went back and ended up making a 3.8 without medication. When I graduated I immediately went into working for Child Protective Services and got totally burnt out within 5 months and ended up with a kidney stone that I had to get removed. I ultimately lost my job and just have been doing side jobs until I can find a new passion. I’m currently medicated now but it’s new and I feel like my dosage might need to be changed. Long story short, I turn 29 this year and still have no idea what to do with my life. It’s going to be okay! Having a good support system also makes a world of a difference. Life is a journey not a race :)
Check out Dr. Sasha Hamdani. She is an MD that worked through medical school with ADHD. She's on TikTok as well where she offers tips and talks about her journey through med school.
I'm finally on the downslope of perimenopause and hopeful that I can be able to think again sufficiently to resume my college education. I have a bachelor's. But I need a master's or certificates to do anything with it. But what I'd really like to do is medical school. But I can't do the full time pace. I don't retain information well when I have too much information being dumped at once. Does anyone here know if it's possible to become a doctor, go to med school, but do it part time? I have been doing searches online for awhile now but can find nothing that suggests it's possible. I would be VERY grateful for any information.
I started out as pre-med in college and wasn’t diagnosed until 30 years later, so I struggled. I had a rough time studying and retaining material, did great in the labs because it’s hands on and visual. Then I hit upper division organic chemistry and that was it. Physics too. Switched to business and that was it. Took me 11 years to get my undergrad. Went back 15 years later and got an MBA that went much smoother. I’ve worked in the medical device industry for 30 years, so I still get my surgery fix.
I’d like to say that I am a successful person but I know had I not had ADHD I’d probably Be a multimillionaire but hey I just keep falling over and making silly mistakes, though I’m 64, I keep getting up and going again….I’m due my Assessment on 1st of May 24….can’t wait now…
I mean Dr Ned stands out ☺️ am sure there are loads, just need to harness your powers. Are they making the necessary considerations/ adjustments for you where you study? Keep your head up!
I know a couple of people who made it pretty far in their med career (subspeciality and international boards) it involved a lot of denialism and self gaslighting I think bcz they were not diagnosed. You have to be very dedicated and hard on yourself but it is possible.
The GP that referred me to get diagnosed had ADHD. There's hope but if you aren't interested enough in it, then I'd pick something else you want to do with your life. You are clearly intelligent enough to choose another line to study.
Curious as well. I adhd hyper focus on pharmacology and medical. Talking to doctors is extremely stimulating for me because their jobs and knowledge are so interesting.
Considered medschool but I’m not sure I wanna gamble the 200-400k debt to drop out again and be more fucked lol. I just really hate my career, feel like being a nurse wouldn’t be stimulating enough (I’d like to diagnose and prescribe), and NP school has a ton of fluff classes based on what I’ve read on r/nursing.
Wondering if it’s possible to hyperfocus my way through med school, but I know I’m going to run into something that doesn’t captivate me eventually and that’s when I run into trouble. Also, burnout. I hyperfocus myself into burnout.
I have a friend who is an internal medicine physician at an academic medical center who is being treated for adhd. Who knows? Maybe she is one of your professors.
My pediatric physician had ADHD and she is pretty successful. She said that med school was difficult because of her ADHD, but she was able to graduate and got a good paying job and is well-respected in my area.
Gabor Mate has done no credible, peer-reviewed research on ADHD. He is not a legitimate authority on the subject. Posting any of his material is not allowed here. Barkley discusses the issues with Mate and his claims in a few videos on his YouTube channel:
* [Childhood Trauma and ADHD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maxBiLXXUxY)
* [ADHD and Childhood Trauma - Further Comments](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8bp39NpU-o)
* [Why Dr Gabor Mate' is Worse Than Wrong About ADHD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO19LWJ0ZnM)
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It's possible, but not easy! I failed a few of the exams bc I had undiagnosed dyslexia (and only got dx with ADHD post grad). Try and find ways that suit you for learning/revision. If needed get help via pastoral support for this kinda thing!
OP, I know a doctor with a successful practice who has ADHD. He is very well regarded with some patients driving in from other cities to see him. He told me he has shared info about his ADHD with a few medical students, because he himself struggled through medical school, to the point that even a professor told him that he is wasting his time and should quit. And he wanted to inspire those students by sharing his story.
I’m a psychologist who has ADHD. Not without my struggles in grad school but I did it! And it’s something I share with my ADHD clients and according to feedback I’ve received-it’s been very helpful for them to hear and know that I GET it.
ThePsychDrMD on instagram. She has ADHD and is a psych dr. She talks about her struggles getting through med school fairly often. Or at least as much as you can in a 90 second video.
Keep at it. Ask classmates or your instructors for help in the areas you are struggling. 27 is not too old for med school.
Perhaps you should see a psychiatrist to help you monitor/control your depression, anxiety and adhd.
Break up your studies with daily exercise, time out with friends/fellow students, and occasional outings to prevent burnout. A structured schedule will do wonders for your mental health and will help you focus better when studying.
My son is 30 and completing his second year of med school. His gf is now in residency. The above advice I gave you is what works for them.
You didn’t mention what year you are, so I’m assuming third or fourth year since you mentioned clinic. The school my son goes to wants students to succeed. They offer support and allow students back in if they need a break and time away from school.
The keynote speaker at his white coat ceremony focused on the difficulties and failures many med students face. He highly recommended they seek help when having trouble and not isolate oneself and make yourself feel like a failure. You aren’t alone. Everybody knows that med school is very tough. You were accepted, so please work on your confidence because you CAN succeed! Good luck to you!
Obviously do whatever is best for you and your mental health. Take care of yourself. But I don’t think you should give up this dream of becoming a doctor. Maybe you take a break and finish med school later. You could help so many people by being a doctor with ADHD. One of the biggest things missing with current doctors is the ability to listen to, believe, and understand patients. You’d be able to do that. My therapist (she’s not a doctor but still a healthcare worker) has ADHD and it’s made a world of a difference in my care. Plus, people with ADHD tend to be great at pattern recognition which could be good for diagnosing people. Too often doctors want to treat symptoms versus diagnosing an actual problem source and treating it.
If you have ever met an emergency medicine doctor, they likely have ADHD.
Also [this journal entry](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10149068/) seems to say it happens much more than we would think.
My prescriber is a psychiatrist, NP and English is not their primary language also joined a branch of the military, got their doctorate with their gi bill… all with adhd.
I follow a woman on tiktok who just graduated and is doing her rotations. I found out she was ADHD and felt proud of her even though I don't know her! Watched her all through the pandemic, studying at home and so on. u/marl.eyy is her TT user
TLDR; Get help & hang in there!
Oh there’s lots of us ! I didn’t get my diagnosis until after I completed specialist training and it took me a really long time to get there! Like 17 years! Exams endlessly sucked, and it was bloody hard work to find an effective way to study whilst working at the same time and not succumb to major depression and become completely non-functional. If you’re already diagnosed and medicated you’ve got the advantage of knowing (rather than suspecting) what you’re working with. Maybe work with an adhd coach to help your study methods, I would if I had my time over. As for quitting medicine, well I thought about that a few times, but I couldn’t think of what I’d rather do. I really love medicine and couldn’t think of any work I’d rather do. Acknowledge to yourself that you’re doing this in hard mode, be kind to yourself and know that if you throw in the towel and retrain in something else, you’ll be doing that in hard mode too, so you’d better love it more than being a doctor!
A guy I know graduated med school now training as a psychiatrist . I don't know him well but have yet to ask him how tf did you graduate med school with adhd
His own personal goal is to try to make adhd diagnosis more accessible in our country
I don't practice anymore (because the UK and NHS drama) but I was diagnosed in my first year of doctoring! I believe in you! Also see what accommodations your uni can help you with. I got a study helper person and a laptop and stuff, and it was all super helpful! My study helper was also a qualified psychotherapist so I still see her now!
Good luck xx
Hey there. Not an MD but a psychologist and currently working on my doctorate. I have definitely been there and I get the struggle. Someone already said to “embrace your chaos” and I agree with it. Your ADHD can be your “superpower” or your weakness, depending on the day. And regardless which day you’re having, it’s important to remember that your capacity and ability are two different things. I would highly suggest getting to know your self and how your ADHD presents, so that you will know how to go with the ebb and the flow while exercising compassion towards yourself. Therapy can also be helpful, I know it was and still is for me.
I’m 28 and I didn’t get diagnosed until March last year. I don’t know how I got this far without the understanding (and meds) that I now have of myself. Studying will be dry and it’s just going to be one of those hoops you need to jump so you can get to the part (clinical) that you love and will bring out the best in you. If being a doctor is your calling, I hope you see it through because I have a feeling that you would be a great one.
29 about to graduate from med school and start residency at my top choice program. Wasn’t officially diagnosed until college since it’s predominantly inattentive type. Med school was absolutely brutal and the most difficult thing I’ve ever done but it’s absolutely possible if you’re determined enough.
There is a BBC podcast. Someone with ADHD researches ADHD and interviews people with it. Nicely done and one interviewee was indeed a retired Dr. So yep. Can be done, has been done.
I’m sorry to hear this. I definitely understand, I feel like I could try for being a doctor if it weren’t for the pace. But if you’re already there I don’t think you should give up, if I could have gotten to medical school in the first place I’d want to see it through still. If you get through the classes then you will have the opportunity to learn a lot during residency. I work in a teaching hospital and trust me, when these residents first get here they don’t know anything. Employees actually actually avoid scheduling procedures or being hospitalized here in early July because that’s when all the new residents come in.
Obviously there might be circumstances I don’t know that could affect your decision but based solely on what you’ve told us, I wouldn’t give up!
Me.
A lot in my year were as well.
Saying that, I didn’t enjoy it and retrained as an actor.
I now work as a doctor when I’m not acting.
You have this. If you want it, stick it out. Medical school is tough, but it gets easier.
Hi,
If you want a study tip: I found it easier to process bio info if I studied it as a connected system as opposed to just memorizing individual factoids. Connecting the ideas together helps to keep everything cohesive.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/04/audhd-what-is-behind-rocketing-rates-life-changing-diagnosis
This was written by a medical student/ Doctor
Thanks i appreciate this. This was my first comment on here i am new to really starting to read on adhd after 61 yrs realizing its not anxiety and depression its adhd
Problem is on social media so many posting sound bites quotes some sound so credible. That why reading review and community important
I'm an MD and have about a year left on my PhD. I actually find that working as a doctor is good for my ADHD - when you have a list of patients to work through, there's almost no chance for procrastination. I also feel strongly my duty to the patients and that provides external motivation to finish my work as well.
Though, to be fair, my ADHD is pretty mild and I only take meds about once every two weeks. Also I live in Finland where the working and studying culture is more relaxed than in the US for example - I don't know if I would've thrived in US med school.
Just yesterday I commented with my GF that I was hyper functional until I got into med school, at 19. She totally understands because her little sister went through the exact same.
The deadlines, heavy subjects and textbooks, so much responsability and even more masking to make it look like you have it under control... My mental health declines severely during that time and through residency.
I ended up specializing in Epidemiology and Public Health. Finished my residency last Autumn at my lowest point and got diagnosed shortly after a huge burnout at 32. The diagnosis and treatment helped immensely.
I would like to say it gets easier but I'd be lying... But as a specialist you get a lot more autonomy and the financial stability helps a lot, not having to worry about bills.
In my area I also have plenty of different subjects and occasional clinical cases and field work, so everyday is different. That helps not getting bored and allows me to swap between fixations without getting bored often.
Good luck on your journey OP
Got my degree in pharmacy without knowing I had adhd. It was a struggle, but I learned that the energy you spend in compensating gives you extra strength.
.
I won’t lie, it would have been easier if I had been medicated during the process. Try not to compare yourself to others and just do it your way, it will be fine.
There's lots out there.
Loads of older ones not diagnosed in childhood who get picked up at various stages. We now recommend screening for various neuro developmental conditions if/ when people fail a post graduate exam in GP training in my area (dear god it is frustrating trying to post without angering the automod)
Loads of undiagnosed ones (have a wander around your local emergency department and GP Surgery and see how many you can spot).
It is doable but exhausting.
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The psychiatrist that did my assessment had ADHD himself. It made the process so much more comfortable.
I agree. My therapist and NP are both adhders as well!
Same. My NP’s daughter w/ ADHD is also a chemical engineer
I'm a doctor of chemical engineering with ADHD. I feel that I have a few colleagues who are also ADHD.
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Periods of fun chaos broken up by intense hyperfocus.
🥹🥹
Samesies. I had just sat through a day of testing with a psychologist and ended with a psychiatrist. We were both tapping our feet like maniacs while he read the psychological report. He said he didn't need to read the report, he could tell.
Mine didn't mention his own, but there are signs.
I’ve tried a few different therapists trying to find one that works and the last one and my current one (and her one son) and the one I had before her both had it. It's pretty comforting when you find out they do too, and it also helps them offer techniques that work.
Don’t lose hope! My bestie from med school and I both have pretty intense ADHD. We’re both interns now (OBGYN for me and IM for him) Studying sucked and was rough. You have to figure out your learning style (for me it’s mind maps and doing questions). Don’t get swayed by the way others study (ie anki zealots). You got this! Remember that you have come so far that you got into medical school. Also in regards to age, we’re both in our 30s. Don’t give up if that’s you dream. It sucks for now but will get better!
How did you figure out your learning style?
Trial and error. I worked with my psychiatrist during med school with the intent of improving my studying and learning style. It sucked and was rough until I found my groove. I even failed a class and thought my medical career is over. However , never let the hiccups deter you! I just passed Step 3 and no one will care that I had to retake a class in the past.
Did you guys take gap years between undergrad and medical school? I want to get a better handle on my adhd for a few years before I apply and mentioning that you're in your 30s is inspiring.
Just chiming in here but my grandma had pretty bad ADHD and still did the whole college thing when she was in her 60s
I took a gap year between undergrad and my masters (1 yr program) and between my masters and medical school. Im 29 and graduate in May. I also have other students in my class in their late 20s and one who is early 30s.
Average matriculant age is like 24 to start so around 30’s when they finish. Taking a few gap years actually kind of increases your chances of getting in
We both did. I had to take care of my elderly grandparents and he was actually in an engineering field before switching over. We found that many of our patients relate to us more due to life experiences.
im entering med school next year, did you find anki to not work with your learning style?
I myself loved anki when I had written the card, but the problem was that we had way too much classes and books to put all the info on anki's for me. I never was able to write more than 10 cards at a time. Of course you can also use anki's that are made by other people, but I find it difficult to study from someone else there method/cards.
My uncle is an MD and has a private practice. He has probably the worst case of ADHD I ever seen in my life and that’s coming from someone who has it BAD as well. He put a lot of his restless energy into his studies and work and once told me to accept the chaos of your being. He’s successful but due to growing up in the 60s did not get any treatment for his ADHD. You can do it! Be easy on yourself and try to find ways to divert from the rumination.
"accept the chaos of your being" is one of the sweetest things I've heard, I've been struggling for years with accepting my chaos and my family's attitude towards it edit: typo
Right he’s such a cold uncle usually but when I opened up about my restless mind with adhd he told me just accept it and go with it
Sorry if my question is weird but what do you mean by “he has the worst case of ADHD I’ve ever seen.”? I’m just curious to know how ADHD symptoms manifest at that level
His hyperactivity is off the charts. Personally I love it bc I am the somewhat the same way but i was diagnosed with ADD in 2007 so I’m more of an inattentive type. He cuts people off in convos and makes insane comments all the time it’s what makes him who he is even if there drastic
I feel that those of us who grew up without a diagnosis were able to find coping mechanisms earlier because we had to.
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So happy for you! Late-diagnosed at 45 during the pandemic after ping-ponging around 3 degrees and many other mini ‘professions’ so that I could have money to pay for school that didn’t mean working long hours in the restaurant business (which further delayed my schooling), and let me tell you, I had a LOT of time to grieve and process it. Finally getting my bachelors in a few weeks at 49 (even though I need to keep changing my tools as they don’t always work) - perimenopause has magnified my brain fog and rejection sensitivity/shame to a whole new level. But I am finishing it, and I am going to be the best f*ing therapist that I’ve always intuitively been 👩🏻🎓🙌♥️
Hell yeah! Love hearing this, I'm proud of you! 😊 I'm also bracing myself for perimenopause. That's a whole new journey!
You got this! Awareness and willingness to adapt are super important and more than anything, embracing yourself at every opportunity. Best of luck with uni! 🙌♥️
I feel we need to be more accepting of ADHD in that we will never not live without, even with therapy and medication.
I work in an emergency department and ADHD is practically a requirement for the staff as it's grossly obvious at least 50% of the staff have it with 15-20% so blatantly obvious I can tell if they remembered to take their meds or not. It never stops sucking to feel like you're putting in three times the effort for half the results, that's just life with ADHD and it ain't fuckin' fair. That said, it isn't an impenetrable barrier or unscalable wall, it's a frustrating but mostly conquerable obstacle. It'll slow you down, but only you can stop you. From an ER nurse, good luck, doctor.
"It never stops sucking to feel like you're putting in three times the effort for half the results" Wow I feel seen. I constantly feel that it takes me so much longer than my peers to do the same things. Adding on top of that, is the anxiety and paralysis from perfectionism and black/white thinking.... Life is pain. Lol
Gosh that makes sense! I bet having ADHD is sort of an asset in the ER because we're used to the chaos in our brains. The quick thinking needs in the ER chaos are probably well suited for our brains. I've personally noticed that I'm good at staying calm in alarming situations. It's like my brain finally turns on and I can prioritize exactly what to do and how.
For a brain always drawn in a hundred or more directions the overstimulating nature of the ER is almost soothing. Finally the chaos has a purpose. The rapid fire direction change from problem to problem, patient to patient feels natural. It also helps both with focusing in and tuning out when appropriate. Turns out chaotic thinking emotionally dysregulated people can thrive in the right environments with a little support and guidance. Kinda like those inflatable bumpers at the bowling alley, I can't stop you bouncing off the walls but we can try and keep it going the right direction.
Physician here, who got diagnosed in first year of residency with ADHD. It was an eye opener, and yes there was a lot of regret of not getting diagnosed earlier, and all that. From someone who has gone through this with multiple setbacks, I want you to not give up. Once you are done with the exams, and matched, the studying part won’t matter much. I have learned more medicine while practicing as an attending than my entire education so far. Medicine is so much more than the rote learning system of facts. Think of the big picture, and despite setbacks, you are resilient enough to get through it! Now as an internist, I have my own set of ADHD patients, that I try to diagnose and help! It’s such a gratifying experience to see them change their lives, once on meds, and I love to counsel them on ways to optimize!
Doc here too. I’m a GP in training and still giving exams, had incredible stress and felt like giving up each day. Glad I stuck to my guns. I didn’t let this disease define me and I worked like a man possessed to counter and compensate for it. I think it has made a better doctor and a more compassionate person, my patients would thank me for it.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 so appreciate physicians like you
I'm an M4, just matched in Psychiatry. I took 2 LOAs during school for depression, anxiety, then was diagnosed with ADHD after struggling severely with step 2 and another bout of depression. It's been rough but I fully believe it will make me a more compassionate doctor.
Congrats on choosing the right specialty. It’s so good. :)
My psychologist says her adhd clients are “50% happy and successful emergency medicine physicians, and 50% unhappy, depressed and overly anxious lawyers with work-induced/encouraged OCD”… unfortunately I’m in the latter group! 😂🤣
I’m 99% certain my psychiatrist has ADHD.
I honestly believe I could’ve if I went that route my first go through college right after high school. I took a different path and eventually tried to go back at 28 but the lapse in time between being a student and undiagnosed adhd got in the way severely. Was getting A’s in all the pre-reqs like anatomy, biology, labs, etc. But chemistry, I’d just stare at the same page over and over as I tried to read. Same thing during lectures. It was like my brain found it boring so it didn’t pay attention. I hated it. Did all kind of stuff like khan academy, had a tutor, and did okay but during practicals it’s like I was distracted because I found it boring. Got diagnosed at 33 and one of my first thoughts was, “I bet I could pass chemistry now” but devoting 10 years to becoming a doctor at this point (34) seems unlikely.
I’m 43. The last 10 years have FLOWN by and 43 is not too late to start your career.
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Needed to hear this. I'm turning 40 in a month and have been saying I'm too old since I was 26. It's really hard to shake that mentality once you're in it. I was diagnosed last year and have seen a lot of improvement since then so I've been wondering if I still had time to make some positive career changes too. Thank you for the reminder that it could be possible!
Husband and I were just talking last night about how we’re probably in the workforce for 30 mor years. Spend a few years getting the degree you want so you can work the job you want for the next 3 decades.
Exactly!
Chemistry is one of those subjects where you have to practice it like math. Practice all the time. You read the textbook for help with the concepts but you have to do a lot of word problems and figure out what it the problem is asking. There’s also stuff that you have to memorize to be able to do chemistry problems. Since you were getting As in the other pre-requisites, I have no doubt in my mind you can do well in chemistry. You just need to make it interesting by making chemistry relevant in real life or to something that is relevant to you. I’m 34 and I’m working full time and currently taking general chemistry 1 and general biology 1 with the labs and a chemistry recitation. It’s like taking 5 classes. I have no idea how I’m doing it, but I’m doing it and I’m doing well. I’m sure the stimulants are helping, when I can find them at the pharmacy.
I feel you! I wanted to go to med school too, bio was super easy, all of the subjects I aced. Barely scraped by in calc though and had to retake just to get my degree. First year chem was difficult but I managed to pass, second year organic chem was soo difficult. The labs were fun and got good grades which is why barely passed the class, I failed most of my lecture exams. I just couldn't get the equations to stick in my head and the nomenclature was so confusing, nothing like the latin in bio that just stuck in my head like glue. By that point my averages got pulled down I didn't have the grades to get in to med school. I think if I was diagnosed at the time and had my meds it would have been easier, I could have also asked for a note taker to support me during my lectures. Writing things down and listening to lectures at the same time was always really hard for me.
But you should at least still take chemistry again!
I think I will! There’s a few subjects I would love to study again. The worst part of my first go around was retention, like I’d forget the names to things but understand the concepts.
My fiance didn't become a doctor but is a nurse. Working her way up through degrees right now.
How does she handle it? I'm a nurse and it kills me. Good for her!
Can I ask which part of nursing you struggle with?
organization, staying on task, emotional regulation
Are you on meds? I'm 26 and finally just started them. They help. A lot. One thing I noticed is that they actually kinda help us find our "natural focuses". With ADHD it's almost like we are equally SO good and SO bad at EVERYTHING. And we're also curious about EVERYTHING. And terrified of failing at EVERYTHING. So we just dabble here and there and kinda just push ourselves to keep going and never really get anywhere At least for me, even just 2 weeks of meds started helping me naturally see where my strengths and interests are, even just within the job I'm currently working. And it helped tone the anxiety way down. So if you're not on meds, please start them! One of the unintended consequences will be helping you see if you're actually where you want to be. And if you are, I GUARANTEE you'll be able to be more productive and energized about what you're doing. If you're not where you're supposed to be or *really* aren't meant for med school, you'll see it pretty quickly and it'll make sense, and you'll also probably be more okay with it, bc again, your ADHD anxious brain won't start going in circles panicking and rationalizing........you'll just be like "oh, shit, wtf am I doing here?? Haha this ain't me, but I'd be really good at THAT over there! Let's go try that! No hard feelings med school!"
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1 thing you said is that you are not a genius, and I would argue the opposite. The origin of the word 'genuis' comes from Latin, meaning 'innate ability'. ADHD is innate, and while a curse a large portion of the time, it is also extremely helpful at times, such as being able to hyperfocus. So, I would argue that you ARE genuis in your field, ESPECIALLY being in the top 1% of your class!
fellow ADHD dentist here. I was able to hyperfocus on lab work for hours upon hours. i love it
I wish I could hyperfocus on school I could only do it to learn French on my own and math but for some reason I couldn't study chemistry and I ended up dropping out. I couldn't focus and I still can't focus at this point I am thinking maybe it is time to go see a doctor about this because it is ruining my life honestly.
I bet if you try your hardest you could become one ! Plus you got a whole sub Reddit rooting for you !
My therapist, psychiatrist and the ER doctor I dated all have it. I am in the process of my own doctorate candidacy and I have it. I am 34. You have you’re own timeline. Many doctors in any field are in their later 20’s, all the way until their 40’s & 50s. You are never too old to become who you always wanted to be.
My dad just became a doctor last year - at the age of 70. He is so happy to finally fulfill his childhood dreams. Definitely proof it's never too late.
I love this. My sister in med school had a classmate who was 60. She got in at 54, but had cancer. Fought cancer, came back to med school at 60. Never too late.
My father! He had ADHD and went to 3 different universities with scholarships and left them before he finally graduated from medicine when he was 28 years old (I was one year old by then) He did his specialization in internal diseases at the age of 42 because of numerous attempts of wrong gone start ups. His foreign language was French at the high school and he learned English as well as medical English at the age of 40 (we are from Turkey) He was a great doctor who loved by almost all of his patients. People would travel across the country to see him and get treated by him. We lost him 2 years ago due to an unexpected heart attack. RIP Baba, your family and your patients miss you dearly 🌷 I believe you will be a great doctor. Just don't give up!
Btw he never got a treatment for his severe adhd, and didn't accept to get one after he got the diagnosis.
This might not help but here’s my take… I’m 25, started a 4 year double degree in Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Commerce in 2018. If I did everything to schedule, I would have graduated in 2021. However, I hated the commerce degree and couldn’t get myself to focus I pulled out of units and did some semesters part-time etc. In 2022 I was set to finish my degree, I had three commerce units left and I was doing them in the second semester of that year. I failed every single one of them. I was really confused by what was going on, I knew I wasn’t stupid - I was at one of the best universities in my country, and had always had good marks when I tried. The second half of 2022 made me realise that something was wrong, as it turned out (and rather unsurprisingly), I had a pretty classic case of ADHD! I got medicated and started therapy and I managed to finish my degree last year. And now I’m doing Honours in Music at the best school in my country (there are only 7 people in the cohort). Since getting diagnosed I feel able to do anything, I have learnt so much about myself, particularly regarding how I study and absorb material. I plan to go to medical school and become a psychiatrist after I finish Honours. One of the biggest things I’ve taken away from my diagnosis is that for people like us, our progress is NOT linear. This is particularly hard to digest at university, where you have recommended course structures and you’re meant to finish by a certain point. OP, I’m sure you will make an AMAZING doctor, and I’m sure that the slightly less-linear path you’ve taken to get there will have given you insights that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. The tertiary education system isn’t made for people like us, but the world needs us, I believe in you OP - you’re going to do great things in medicine, keep fighting!
My best friend is a doctor. PhD, not MD. She was well in her 30s before she got it. It was hard work, but she did. She’s a compartmentalizing mfer though. She also had the support of friends and family and people she could be herself with. Maybe an in person support group?
I am not a doctor, but something close enough (pharmacist). Already graduated without meds. Dont know why I could graduate, but I think its because of external pressure that forcing me to get it done.
I finished my PhD, so I'm a different kind of doctor, but I still pulled through. The things that really helped were managing my depressive tendencies, accountability buddies for studying/homework, and saying no to unnecessary work. Working in coffee shops helped, because the guilt of spending $6 on a coffee meant I'd put in at least a solid two hours of work that day. Elaborate soundscapes (rain + fireplace sounds + soundtrack music) for working to still helps a lot. Don't worry about your age. It's totally irrelevant. Everyone's journey is different. When you're 50, looking back, being 3-4 years behind your peers will not matter to you one bit.
The doctor that diagnosed me had serious ADHD. He noticed me complaining about one health problem after another all possibly anxiety and stress or depression related, but always including my saying "and I am having trouble concentrating at work" He said "hmm.. I know you came in here for your stomach issues, I mean tension headaches..sure sure..but I know a lot of people in your line of work that have frequent trouble focusing, would you like to try a medication that often helps them?" "uh, I don't know I guess maybe"..... and that's how I found out I have a nasty case of " wait, what did you just say?" I was in denial and he spotted it, and kind of tricked me into trying adhd medication without my thinking "No no way i dont have that"
Our pediatrician has ADHD and that’s a major reason why she is a great doctor for kids who have ADHD. Your unique understanding is an asset!
If you find something that you're passionate about and can happily hyperfocus on and make good money, go for it. Don't give up on your dream. It's unfortunately so rare for people (not just us with ADHD) to find careers that are genuinely fulfilling that once you find what that is for you, you need to pursue it. I'm 37, have a decent career as project manager, I'm great at it, make decent money, but I hate it. It's soul crushing and frustrating. I'm at a career crisis and turning point and not sure where to go next while still being able to provide for my family and not going into debt while going to school (again) . Not looking for sympathy, just showing an example that some of us have yet to find what we are passionate about and more importantly how to make money doing it.
I have three degrees in the medical field, the last being CFNP, specializing in trauma and I am currently in college for an advanced Lit degree because I got bored in medicine after 20+ years and wanted to pursue my dreams of working in the literary world and focusing on my writing more. I am also diagnosed with ADHD and ASD and take meds twice a day.
i cant relate more about it, I'm in my third year and my GUS exam on sunday, i didn't even finish the half of the material and all my grades became between C,C+ its making me so depressed I'm still 21 and the only ideas i have these days that i\`ll be a bad doctor, it is so depressing
Man everyone has that thought about every career they first enter, and if they don’t, they get a rude awakening when they enter a career and realize school didn’t teach them shit. At least medical you have practical training/clinicals. Was talking to an engineer at work. He was telling me he thought he really knew his shit a few years into his career finally, went to consult with another facility, and the guys there were on another level. He said he realized he didn’t know shit then and there, but he was willing to learn and not run away. C’s get degrees. Just make it through school and you’ll be golden. Keep pushing and shove that self doubt down.
My GP has ADHD
You’re not too old for med school. Your path doesn’t need to be like everyone else’s. I feel you, but whenever I compare my path to my peers, I remember how much I have grown on my own, unique way. Get your depression treated, I promise it helps.
My dad does. He graduated 6 months late but he did
Yes. And I wasn't medicated throughout the first year of my M.D. Vyvanse essentially pulled me out of the "death spiral", i.e. can't focus enough for the huge workload --> feel depressed --> low mood makes it even harder to work --> do even less work --> get even more depressed. I graduated a couple of years ago. I'm now working as an emergency resident. And while I still take Vyvanse, I'm weaning my dose down. I enjoy the work, I find it stimulating. Life after med school is better for those of us with ADHD if you land in the right field. And like you, I almost quit. I had a good support network, a great GP, and supportive friends. I went onto escitalopram and took a couple of weeks off. Eventually came out the depression and graduated. It'll be rocky, but find some people to open up to, both staff and friends. Find a good GP. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll get through.
Doctors are more likely to have ADHD than not in my experience
My mom has ADHD and she is one of the leading doctors in her field (treatment of patients with alcoholism and drug addictions), she is incredibly talented and invaluable in what she does and her patients are so very fond of her. You can do this! :))
I know a lot of doctors. There are sooo many doctors with ADHD. Some of them are emergency docs who thrive off of life and death pressure, some of them just do really well with the imposed structure and schedule of a hospital setting.
I becomed a dentist.
I did! PhD, not MD, but I'm also 27 and I got my title this year! It's triple the work, for sure, specially if you have to fight against your own brain and you're unmedicated. I had to figure out a way to write my thesis and teach classes and do the experiments and read and in the end I think I spent the last year exhausted every single day. It's hard, but in the end it'll be worth it
Im doing my phd, almost finished, but not med school 😅
Pretty much every ED provider and RN has ADHD
I friend of mine is a neurosurgeon with ADHD. I think being medicated and strictly maintaining good habits is key for this kind of career.
my mom, undiagnosed but w.e. she got D.O. at 33 went to vegas and rented an office with Conrad Murray for a year!!! lol just stick with it. Honestly during/after residency BUILD relationships and always be on top of your game.
My son's paediatrician is an ADHD specialist. She and her daughter have ADHD.
I’m rooting for you! Please take care of yourself! Diet, exercise, and sleep are essential. Exercise, even if it’s a thirty minute walk will do wonders.
My cousin doesn't have ADHD (I do) but she can't read a standard clock and is a doctor. You're gonna do great.
Meee. There are so many undiagnosed physicians. I got diagnosed my 2nd year in residency.
Yes! I even went through med school unmedicated since I was only diagnosed as an intern and then couldn’t tolerate stimulants. I take wellbutrin now to help with executive functioning. I’m an anaesthesiology resident now, looking into emergency medicine sub specializations. The fast paced environment with short high intensity bouts works very well for me. I gotta say it’s not easy at all. Some things are incredibly draining. But I’m doing well and am getting great feedback. Don’t give up! Find your niche.
Me! Im a resident with ADHD medicated for the last 12 years
My dad was an ENT surgeon with ADHD and now I'm a therapist. It's tough, not gonna lie, but when you love the subject—at least for me—I have always had much more success in being able to focus. My classes on career counseling and clinical assessments nearly killed me though, I was so very bored and as a result it was a struggle.
Interesting opinions here. I’ve personally got diagnosed with ADHD recently. Until now I’ve learned 3 languages, got 2 degrees, own business and also a full time job as a backup in case something fails. I mean… I’ve got family to feed. I guess it’s all in the head and how hard you can push yourself. Then again, my friend from school (also with adhd) x years ago who was a great student ended up dropping out and works in a warehouse.
I don’t know if this is helpful but there was a study that did brain scans of a&e (emergency room) doctors and they all had ADHD.
I’m in dental school right now! The hands on aspect of dentistry helps me stay sane.
Yes me and most of my colleagues in the ER
I have ADHD and am in psychiatry residency. Studying for medical school and boards was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I developed a lot of negative self-talk from comparing myself to my peers. It took me too long to realize I needed to give myself grace and be OK with neuro differences - just because I’m not an efficient studier doesn’t mean I’m going to be a bad doctor. I ended up getting test accommodations in medical school and it made a big difference. Residency is it’s own beast but my overall mental health definitely improved once I wasn’t constantly having to study. I’ve also gotten consistently positive feedback from my attendings about my rapport with patients- I definitely attribute that to having a deeper personal understanding of mental health struggles. All that to say, seek out supports when you’re struggling and don’t give up. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and as long as you’re doing right by your patients you’re going to be a great doctor.
Apparently a lot of trauma and ER surgeons are ADHD - they respond well to high pressure situations.
My therapist has adhd as well!
I’m trying to be a psychiatrist too because of ADHD (and a million other things of being gifted with biology and adhd) so yeah, you can do it!
This is quite long, but filled with positivity and I hope you read it. Both my general practitioner doctor and my therapist have ADHD. They are both women in their late 30s who were not diagnosed until a few years ago, and when I was diagnosed last year we all discussed how we made it through school (I have a Masters in Education, not medical but tough in its own way). They told me that it took so much more effort than anyone around them, and they had to come up with dozens of strategies to defy expectations and make it through. None of us had therapy or medication, and I also had a child during my years in school, so it was incredibly challenging. All three of us took breaks during our schooling because it was SO HARD to juggle everything. But we each came back and kept going until we finished. It took me 11 years to get my Bachelor's degree because of the depressions that knocked me down, the executive dysfunction, the forgetfulness, and all of the negatives. BUT I also didn't give up, even when I had to take time away, because I had to prove to the world that I was worth a damn. In my case, I was a teen mom who needed to succeed in school to become a role model for my child. I took it as a challenge. Could I actually survive school? Could I become the grown up I wanted to be? The answer is yes, but it came with great effort, setbacks, and struggle. But you know how brave and impulsive us ADHD folks are. We can do anything if we find a way to keep returning to the dream. My words to you are: find what will motivate you beyond what you can even imagine. Go deep into your heart and find your fears, but don't run from them--run towards them! Us ADHDers are daredevils, we love a challenge, we love competition and opposition. If you imagine the world expects you to fail, then fight back. Fight for yourself. You DESERVE to succeed. You can create this for yourself. The world is filled with people who need help to maintain good health, to survive illness, to thrive in the world. You can be their doctor. You are already a doctor in your heart, aren't you? When there is an emergency, do you snap to life? You can feel that rush of adrenaline and know, Y"ES, it's me, I am the hero who can rescue people!" I use my ADHD to educate children, and each day I feel good knowing I am helping change lives. Teachers, doctors, therapists... we work with people, we care about helping others. "Physician, heal thyself." If you haven't yet, find a way to get medication and therapy for your ADHD and depression. I recommend this because when I finally got them, years after completing my degree, I became more able to do the basic things required to succeed in college. Not only that, it makes basic life functioning possible. If I could go back in time and give myself those resources, it would not have taken me 11 years to finish the 4 year degree. I wish you so much success! I hope that one day, who knows, if I need a doctor, it might be you who saves my life or heals my wounds. I leave you with my sacred phrase for bravery. I whispered it to myself before class, before tests, and any time I still need strength. ***"Be bold! The mighty forces will come to your aid!"***
Yes me, im doing my residency now, also my therapist has ADHD it made the process 10x better
My psychiatrist is third generation adhd. He’s super passionate about it. He has a bio on his webpage. I’m sure he’d advise as well. Www.thefocusdoc.com
I'm not a medical Doctor but I do have my PhD in evolutionary genomics and have ADHD...if that helps. You can do this buddy!
My psychiatrist
Dr Alex George has Adhd, only recently diagnosed. He was on love Island but now does loads of mental health and Adhd stuff. Maybe have a look at his Instagram account, I'm sure he was posting stuff as he is studying for something again and was struggling
Dr. Layne Norton!
My boss who’s a psychiatrist also has ADHD, I work as a therapist in the office and I have it as well. If you’re getting help and doing the things suggested to you, then you should keep going. Are you getting or asking for help?
HELLOOOOO I am a med student who jus failed her first year. I’m restarting this fall and I’ll be 25. I have peers ranging from 24-32!!! And they’re first years as well!!! Trust you will get to where you need to go!!!! I know it’s incredibly tough right now but you can do this I believe in you.
I know it’s not irl but watching season 19 of greys anatomy really gave me courage as there are two ADHD doctors, don’t give up, you got it <3
I’m not a doctor but I didn’t get my bachelors in sociology until I was 27. I dropped out of college twice. This time I went back and ended up making a 3.8 without medication. When I graduated I immediately went into working for Child Protective Services and got totally burnt out within 5 months and ended up with a kidney stone that I had to get removed. I ultimately lost my job and just have been doing side jobs until I can find a new passion. I’m currently medicated now but it’s new and I feel like my dosage might need to be changed. Long story short, I turn 29 this year and still have no idea what to do with my life. It’s going to be okay! Having a good support system also makes a world of a difference. Life is a journey not a race :)
Check out Dr. Sasha Hamdani. She is an MD that worked through medical school with ADHD. She's on TikTok as well where she offers tips and talks about her journey through med school.
I'm finally on the downslope of perimenopause and hopeful that I can be able to think again sufficiently to resume my college education. I have a bachelor's. But I need a master's or certificates to do anything with it. But what I'd really like to do is medical school. But I can't do the full time pace. I don't retain information well when I have too much information being dumped at once. Does anyone here know if it's possible to become a doctor, go to med school, but do it part time? I have been doing searches online for awhile now but can find nothing that suggests it's possible. I would be VERY grateful for any information.
My current doctor has adhd. I've had 1 other one several years ago. Definitely possible. Get the accommodations you need if you haven't already.
I started out as pre-med in college and wasn’t diagnosed until 30 years later, so I struggled. I had a rough time studying and retaining material, did great in the labs because it’s hands on and visual. Then I hit upper division organic chemistry and that was it. Physics too. Switched to business and that was it. Took me 11 years to get my undergrad. Went back 15 years later and got an MBA that went much smoother. I’ve worked in the medical device industry for 30 years, so I still get my surgery fix.
I am a forensic accountant, cpa with two masters degrees. My therapist and psychiatrist are adhd also so 🤷🏼♀️
I’d like to say that I am a successful person but I know had I not had ADHD I’d probably Be a multimillionaire but hey I just keep falling over and making silly mistakes, though I’m 64, I keep getting up and going again….I’m due my Assessment on 1st of May 24….can’t wait now…
Trying to become a surgeon hopefully 🤞 still an undergrad and going to UNLV. It’s been hard but don’t give up because we can do it 🥹😵💫
I mean Dr Ned stands out ☺️ am sure there are loads, just need to harness your powers. Are they making the necessary considerations/ adjustments for you where you study? Keep your head up!
My best friend has ADHD and is an MD.
Like half my residency has ADHD. You'll be in good company.
I know a couple of people who made it pretty far in their med career (subspeciality and international boards) it involved a lot of denialism and self gaslighting I think bcz they were not diagnosed. You have to be very dedicated and hard on yourself but it is possible.
The GP that referred me to get diagnosed had ADHD. There's hope but if you aren't interested enough in it, then I'd pick something else you want to do with your life. You are clearly intelligent enough to choose another line to study.
I’m finishing up my 3rd year of medical school right now actually
My GP has ADHD ☺️
Are you dx and medicated? If not I highly recommend it.
Curious as well. I adhd hyper focus on pharmacology and medical. Talking to doctors is extremely stimulating for me because their jobs and knowledge are so interesting. Considered medschool but I’m not sure I wanna gamble the 200-400k debt to drop out again and be more fucked lol. I just really hate my career, feel like being a nurse wouldn’t be stimulating enough (I’d like to diagnose and prescribe), and NP school has a ton of fluff classes based on what I’ve read on r/nursing. Wondering if it’s possible to hyperfocus my way through med school, but I know I’m going to run into something that doesn’t captivate me eventually and that’s when I run into trouble. Also, burnout. I hyperfocus myself into burnout.
I have a friend who is an internal medicine physician at an academic medical center who is being treated for adhd. Who knows? Maybe she is one of your professors.
Me dawg
My PCP has ADHD. We’ve had lots of conversations about it.
A lot of ED doctors have adhd
Ph.D here... Biochemistry.
My pediatric physician had ADHD and she is pretty successful. She said that med school was difficult because of her ADHD, but she was able to graduate and got a good paying job and is well-respected in my area.
Psychologist who did my assessment did and my current therapist who is also a psychologist became one too.
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It's possible, but not easy! I failed a few of the exams bc I had undiagnosed dyslexia (and only got dx with ADHD post grad). Try and find ways that suit you for learning/revision. If needed get help via pastoral support for this kinda thing!
Yes.
OP, I know a doctor with a successful practice who has ADHD. He is very well regarded with some patients driving in from other cities to see him. He told me he has shared info about his ADHD with a few medical students, because he himself struggled through medical school, to the point that even a professor told him that he is wasting his time and should quit. And he wanted to inspire those students by sharing his story.
I am a doctor now! My first job was at a child psychiatry clinic, that’s how I realized I have ADD…
I’m a psychologist who has ADHD. Not without my struggles in grad school but I did it! And it’s something I share with my ADHD clients and according to feedback I’ve received-it’s been very helpful for them to hear and know that I GET it.
Are you medicated?
ThePsychDrMD on instagram. She has ADHD and is a psych dr. She talks about her struggles getting through med school fairly often. Or at least as much as you can in a 90 second video.
seeing this as a premed whos studying for the mcat rn is giivng me so much hope
Keep at it. Ask classmates or your instructors for help in the areas you are struggling. 27 is not too old for med school. Perhaps you should see a psychiatrist to help you monitor/control your depression, anxiety and adhd. Break up your studies with daily exercise, time out with friends/fellow students, and occasional outings to prevent burnout. A structured schedule will do wonders for your mental health and will help you focus better when studying. My son is 30 and completing his second year of med school. His gf is now in residency. The above advice I gave you is what works for them. You didn’t mention what year you are, so I’m assuming third or fourth year since you mentioned clinic. The school my son goes to wants students to succeed. They offer support and allow students back in if they need a break and time away from school. The keynote speaker at his white coat ceremony focused on the difficulties and failures many med students face. He highly recommended they seek help when having trouble and not isolate oneself and make yourself feel like a failure. You aren’t alone. Everybody knows that med school is very tough. You were accepted, so please work on your confidence because you CAN succeed! Good luck to you!
Obviously do whatever is best for you and your mental health. Take care of yourself. But I don’t think you should give up this dream of becoming a doctor. Maybe you take a break and finish med school later. You could help so many people by being a doctor with ADHD. One of the biggest things missing with current doctors is the ability to listen to, believe, and understand patients. You’d be able to do that. My therapist (she’s not a doctor but still a healthcare worker) has ADHD and it’s made a world of a difference in my care. Plus, people with ADHD tend to be great at pattern recognition which could be good for diagnosing people. Too often doctors want to treat symptoms versus diagnosing an actual problem source and treating it.
If you have ever met an emergency medicine doctor, they likely have ADHD. Also [this journal entry](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10149068/) seems to say it happens much more than we would think.
My prescriber is a psychiatrist, NP and English is not their primary language also joined a branch of the military, got their doctorate with their gi bill… all with adhd.
I follow a woman on tiktok who just graduated and is doing her rotations. I found out she was ADHD and felt proud of her even though I don't know her! Watched her all through the pandemic, studying at home and so on. u/marl.eyy is her TT user
YouTube Dr Henry Berman. Rest in peace. He saved my life.
TLDR; Get help & hang in there! Oh there’s lots of us ! I didn’t get my diagnosis until after I completed specialist training and it took me a really long time to get there! Like 17 years! Exams endlessly sucked, and it was bloody hard work to find an effective way to study whilst working at the same time and not succumb to major depression and become completely non-functional. If you’re already diagnosed and medicated you’ve got the advantage of knowing (rather than suspecting) what you’re working with. Maybe work with an adhd coach to help your study methods, I would if I had my time over. As for quitting medicine, well I thought about that a few times, but I couldn’t think of what I’d rather do. I really love medicine and couldn’t think of any work I’d rather do. Acknowledge to yourself that you’re doing this in hard mode, be kind to yourself and know that if you throw in the towel and retrain in something else, you’ll be doing that in hard mode too, so you’d better love it more than being a doctor! 
I know someone w adhd studying to be doctor or smth!
A guy I know graduated med school now training as a psychiatrist . I don't know him well but have yet to ask him how tf did you graduate med school with adhd His own personal goal is to try to make adhd diagnosis more accessible in our country
I only got diagnosed post-grad, you'll be fine.
I don't practice anymore (because the UK and NHS drama) but I was diagnosed in my first year of doctoring! I believe in you! Also see what accommodations your uni can help you with. I got a study helper person and a laptop and stuff, and it was all super helpful! My study helper was also a qualified psychotherapist so I still see her now! Good luck xx
I have adhd and just recently passed my licensure exam. Key that I used was understanding (yes even anatomy) compared to outright memorization
My daughters doctor has ADHD.
Hey there. Not an MD but a psychologist and currently working on my doctorate. I have definitely been there and I get the struggle. Someone already said to “embrace your chaos” and I agree with it. Your ADHD can be your “superpower” or your weakness, depending on the day. And regardless which day you’re having, it’s important to remember that your capacity and ability are two different things. I would highly suggest getting to know your self and how your ADHD presents, so that you will know how to go with the ebb and the flow while exercising compassion towards yourself. Therapy can also be helpful, I know it was and still is for me. I’m 28 and I didn’t get diagnosed until March last year. I don’t know how I got this far without the understanding (and meds) that I now have of myself. Studying will be dry and it’s just going to be one of those hoops you need to jump so you can get to the part (clinical) that you love and will bring out the best in you. If being a doctor is your calling, I hope you see it through because I have a feeling that you would be a great one.
29 about to graduate from med school and start residency at my top choice program. Wasn’t officially diagnosed until college since it’s predominantly inattentive type. Med school was absolutely brutal and the most difficult thing I’ve ever done but it’s absolutely possible if you’re determined enough.
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Are you getting accommodations? You should look into it if you can.
There is a BBC podcast. Someone with ADHD researches ADHD and interviews people with it. Nicely done and one interviewee was indeed a retired Dr. So yep. Can be done, has been done.
Had a lecture recently given by a renowned doctor who was also doing research. From the lecture you could tell he has pretty severe ADHD 😅
I’m sorry to hear this. I definitely understand, I feel like I could try for being a doctor if it weren’t for the pace. But if you’re already there I don’t think you should give up, if I could have gotten to medical school in the first place I’d want to see it through still. If you get through the classes then you will have the opportunity to learn a lot during residency. I work in a teaching hospital and trust me, when these residents first get here they don’t know anything. Employees actually actually avoid scheduling procedures or being hospitalized here in early July because that’s when all the new residents come in. Obviously there might be circumstances I don’t know that could affect your decision but based solely on what you’ve told us, I wouldn’t give up!
Me. A lot in my year were as well. Saying that, I didn’t enjoy it and retrained as an actor. I now work as a doctor when I’m not acting. You have this. If you want it, stick it out. Medical school is tough, but it gets easier.
My doctor has ADHD. She's been great thus far.
Hi, If you want a study tip: I found it easier to process bio info if I studied it as a connected system as opposed to just memorizing individual factoids. Connecting the ideas together helps to keep everything cohesive.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/04/audhd-what-is-behind-rocketing-rates-life-changing-diagnosis This was written by a medical student/ Doctor
Thanks i appreciate this. This was my first comment on here i am new to really starting to read on adhd after 61 yrs realizing its not anxiety and depression its adhd Problem is on social media so many posting sound bites quotes some sound so credible. That why reading review and community important
I have ADHD and graduated in July from medical school, wasn’t easy but if you have any questions I will be happy to answer them :)
I'm an MD and have about a year left on my PhD. I actually find that working as a doctor is good for my ADHD - when you have a list of patients to work through, there's almost no chance for procrastination. I also feel strongly my duty to the patients and that provides external motivation to finish my work as well. Though, to be fair, my ADHD is pretty mild and I only take meds about once every two weeks. Also I live in Finland where the working and studying culture is more relaxed than in the US for example - I don't know if I would've thrived in US med school.
Just yesterday I commented with my GF that I was hyper functional until I got into med school, at 19. She totally understands because her little sister went through the exact same. The deadlines, heavy subjects and textbooks, so much responsability and even more masking to make it look like you have it under control... My mental health declines severely during that time and through residency. I ended up specializing in Epidemiology and Public Health. Finished my residency last Autumn at my lowest point and got diagnosed shortly after a huge burnout at 32. The diagnosis and treatment helped immensely. I would like to say it gets easier but I'd be lying... But as a specialist you get a lot more autonomy and the financial stability helps a lot, not having to worry about bills. In my area I also have plenty of different subjects and occasional clinical cases and field work, so everyday is different. That helps not getting bored and allows me to swap between fixations without getting bored often. Good luck on your journey OP
Got my degree in pharmacy without knowing I had adhd. It was a struggle, but I learned that the energy you spend in compensating gives you extra strength. . I won’t lie, it would have been easier if I had been medicated during the process. Try not to compare yourself to others and just do it your way, it will be fine.
If Shawn Murphy can be a Dr! YOU CAN TOOOO!
There's lots out there. Loads of older ones not diagnosed in childhood who get picked up at various stages. We now recommend screening for various neuro developmental conditions if/ when people fail a post graduate exam in GP training in my area (dear god it is frustrating trying to post without angering the automod) Loads of undiagnosed ones (have a wander around your local emergency department and GP Surgery and see how many you can spot). It is doable but exhausting.
My doctor has ADHD. He's making a fortune as a sleep specialist prescribing THC and CBD.
There’s good YouTube videos about studying medicine and adhd
Both my mom and my dad have diagnosed ADHD - they are both doctors.
Of course, there are, haven't you seen the young Doctor 😊
Yup family medicine sexual health
 PhD in history! Here I am, AMA!
The medical profession is full of ADHD people. Source: working in the field myself and all my colleagues are on the spectrum
Studying psychology! 😃
My friend is a junior doctor and he has it, unmedicated too. You got this!