Has anyone been diagnosed with ADHD later in life?

Question

Is it possible for someone to go 15 years of their life with ADHD without being diagnosed?

I'm in high school, and out of the blue, a psychiatrist (who is related to me) said that I might have ADHD. She is the first person to ever mention that I might have this disorder.

Honestly, is it possible to be 15 years old and have a case of undiagnosed ADHD?

Answer 1

Yep.  I was diagnosed when I was 26!  From what I understand, ADD/ADHD has been diagnosed in many adults who have children who are also diagnosed.  Anyhow, my sisters and I all have ADD and were all diagnosed within the last 3 years (as adults).  

Answer 2

I didn't know i had ADHD until in was in my 40's. and I figured it out myself and told the doc that i think i had it. he tested me and agreed. I find it amazing that doctors and pshyciatrists cannot even spot it in someone who has been in counseling for so long.

I have to do my own research.

Answer 3

yes it's very possible. some people never grow out of it.

it's possible it might not be ADHD either. some food allergies can cause ADHD like symptoms. oddly they're the same kind of foods you crave to eat. here's some foods that parents are told to keep their kids away because they tend to make kids jumpy...

anything with a lot of dyes, especially red dye.

super sugary foods (no, coco puffs are not part of the food pyrimid)

boxed foods

foods high in preservatives

try googling ADHD and allergies, I'm sure you could come up with a lot.