The Diagnosis... 

"Being overwhelmed by just existing." Never heard anything more relatable in my life.

Oh sweet Bea, please get rid of the lillies! Most people dont know this (I didn't for the longest time), but all parts of lillies are lethally poisenous to cats. If that is what the yellow on cheddy was you may have saved him by rubbing it off with a wipey however since his fur still is stained there might still be pollen for him to ingest if that's what is in his fur. I really don't want to scare you, but please look it up and keep an eye on Cheddy. You might want to pre-emptively have him checked by a vet and the yellow shaven off or something.

That survival voice over was perfection.

The fact that you got thru high school and college and have a great job, speaks volumes about your drive! I said from the moment I watched you that you were ADHD. I’m almost 50 and FINALLY got a dr to truly listen to me and help me. I have ADHD and wish I could have accomplished half of what you’ve done. Kudos to you Bea!!! Don’t be ashamed, Be Proud!!

Bea, we are enduring a pandemic. Please be kind to yourself. You're doing so well from when you first started. Being more self aware is a total win!!! Congrats on your diagnosis and use your Thrive membership to try organic and healthier food and snacks. Take care of yourself and we will be here whenever u choose to drop in😉💕💕💕

As a heads up, those lilies that Chetty rubbed up against are toxic to cats :(

"Why can't I be normal?" The theme of my negative self talk for most of my life. I'm 31 and I've had a recent ADHD diagnosis as well. And it is so helpful. Congratulations 🥳

The problem with introverts is I could use a friend like you who I connect with, but we would never become friends because we would be at home by ourselves drawing. So thank you RU-vid! 😂

“I’m overwhelmed just by existing” that hit home hard for me. I have felt like I was drowning here lately. Thank you for sharing your heart.

It warms my heart seeing Doug bond with you over time. When you first got him, he seemed pretty content, but a little shy. Now he seems to light up when you talk to him.

If those are lilies, they’re highly toxic to cats! We have four cats (#crazycatlady) and I won’t let a single lily into the house because I’m so scared 😨

Hey Bea, I can't tell very well from the close up but it looks like that flower was a lily, which is actually SUPER toxic to cats, especially the pollen. If it is a lily, please get it out of your house! I don't want to scare you, but I also don't want anything bad to happen to your cat. I also agree with what someone else commented that you may want to shave that area of Cheddy's fur that was stained and also keep a close eye on him. I don't know how long ago this video was recorded, but I would keep a close eye on him for a while and maybe even call your vet to see if he needs to have a checkup to be safe!

Reading all of the comments about other women, like myself, who were recently diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood warms me up, thank you for sharing.

If your plants get lopsided you can rotate them so that the “sad” side faces the sun and it will help stimulate growth on that side.

I would cry every year when people would sing “happy birthday” up untill my 15th birthday, just got diagnosed this year (at 31 years young) with ADHD. Glad I’m not alone because I always felt like the biggest asshole! Meds and therapy are a game changer 💙

I have always been called spacey, dreamy, weird, antisocial. My dad said recently “you never stick to anything” I have been managing, adhd, depression and anxiety for most of my life. Honestly the covid quarantine helped me to stop and focus on my mental and physical health in a different way. Scared about big changes coming up in a few weeks, hoping I can continue my healthier habits even as life gets busy. Thanks for continuing to share your journey, I know so many can relate! 🌈

Bea!!! Lillies are super dangerous around cats. Please do what you can to actually wash that off his fur and get the lily out of the house. Keep an eye on him and get him to a vet if you see anything out of the ordinary.

Honestly never occurred to me that you hadn’t already been diagnosed. I think it is always so funny how others can see things in you that you don’t even know about yourself. I hope having the diagnosis helps you feel like you aren’t ever “wrong” in your reactions…just reacting to the best of your ability

“Mental prison” is totally relatable. I FEEL that. Also, you’re way too hard on yourself. I am too, that’s why I can see it in you. Also can totally relate to how wonderful professional validation feels. It’s like, oh, my experience/self is atypical, and I have plenty of reason for not coping the same way other people do. I’m glad you got answers and validation. 😊

Also a small note, monstera plants and lillies are toxic to cats. I recommend doing a little bit of research online for what plants are safe for cats and what aren't. :) I definitely felt that you had ADHD and after those earlier videos I started to look into it myself and I suspect I have it too. I have the psychiatrist referral and my doctor agrees that it's best I get evaluated, but at the moment I need to save for the evaluation, car registration and pay off my dental. :S The chair looks so good and your house is gonna look amazing! I am in love with your kitchen! I'm not a wood cabinet kind of gal but it looks so sleek with the black hardware and white subway tiles! :)

Shortly before the panini started, we began the process of having my 7yo daughter diagnosed with adhd and “high functioning” autism. This sent me down a rabbit hole to learn more, particularly about how it presents in females and this is when I realized that *I* am most likely on the spectrum too. I am a 33yo mom of 2 and suddenly my whole life made sense. It’s shocking that I made it this far without anyone ever mentioning it because now that I know, it seems so blindingly obvious! ♥️ you Bea!!

I just got to the part where your kitty got stained yellow from a plant, if this is a lily or anything that grows from a bulb, please toss those since cats are severely susceptible to the toxins in the plant. My cat got into lilies once, and I really recommend checking with a vet if you see him feeling sick ❤️

Welcome to the ADHD club! My psychiatrist also told me that when your ADHD is treated, your anxiety and depression can also get better, simply because you’re more focused, more organized, and more confident. Adderall comin in clutch! It actually has improved my quality of life too. Not completely, but it made it better. I didn’t think I needed to get treated because I wasn’t in school anymore, but when she told me that ADHD also affects executive functioning, I was like “oh….THATS why I need 3 days off in a row to do my laundry.” Bea, I swear to you, my first week on adderall, I cleaned out and organized my entire kitchen, meal planned, grocery shopped, and prepped in 2 days. I also had a crockpot meal going for dinner. And still had time to sit down and watch the new Game Grumps episodes, have dinner, and shower before bed. Before, that would’ve taken me at least 2 weeks to do. I will say though, at least with me, while I may be focused and I want to do something, I have to have a plan for that day, otherwise I’ll kinda sit in jumpiness, not knowing what to do. So I make to-do lists, they really help.

Bea, this video brought tears to my eyes! I got diagnosed with ADHD - primarily inattentive type last year at the age of 26. So many things make so much sense to me now about myself. I am so excited for you. Medication literally changed my life. I saw someone say once re: medication - it itself doesn't make you happier, but joy is so much easier to reach. And I find that to be so true. Good luck with your treatment!

I’m 23 and was finally diagnosed with ADHD last year. I’ve struggled with severe procrastination since elementary school onwards and never knew why. I constantly skipped classes in high school because of missing homework assignments. My stress levels were through the roof all throughout my life. No one including myself understood why I struggled so much. I only found out the symptoms of ADHD when I was looking up procrastination for the thousandth time. It was a godsend to finally know why simple chores felt like mountains to me and why I seemingly couldn’t function like other people.

This whole time I’ve wanted to say to you that I thought you had adhd but I didn’t want to offend. You are so much like my daughter and I, who have inattentive type adhd. Mine was missed until I was 40, and I suffered a great deal as a child in school because of it. My daughter wasn’t diagnosed until the 7th grade! Profoundly impacted her self esteem. The lack of dopamine or dopamine uptake that is a known factor in adhd is a likely factor in why I was a binge eater as well. Fatty, salty, sugary, greasy foods cause a release of dopamine. Hello?! We are not medicated, each by our own choice. But I am a successful adult and learned how to manage all my own symptoms without medication. My daughter likes how she is and doesn’t feel she needs to change anything to make her brain more like a neurotypical one. She accepts that there will sometimes be a mismatch between her environment and her mind. It all comes down to what will work for YOU! Support. You got this girl! There’s a great How To ADHD channel. Check it out. Love you girl! You are only labeled as not neuro-atypical because the linear thinkers wrote the DSM. There is nothing “wrong” with you, your brain or your emotions. Don’t bother reading books that tell you you are fucked up and have to fit in with the linear society. I recommend Lynn Weiss book “attention deficits disorder in adults”. We are with you! All emotions are welcome here!

To echo the comments, I just got diagnosed with ADHD AND Bipolar so no wonder my doctor/therapists couldn't/didn't know how to help me for a really long time. Now at 28, I actually feel clear headed and I am able to do the things. I only hope the same for you!

I was diagnosed with ADHD last week and I’m almost 48!

You hit me with the "when you get your ADHD in control, a lot of symptoms that ADHD causes have the potential to lesson," because when I started meds for my ADHD my mood vastly improved and I was much energetic and the urge to binge dropped rapidly. I still deal with anxiety because that's personally the most detrimental on me physically/mentally, but ,my therapist putting me on my meds were a miracle.

"Literally and physically killing the family tree" 🤣🤣🤣 You crack me up, Bea. Love your videos!

“Am I socially responsible or vain” is absolutely me

B, as someone who weighs the same as you, has PCOS, struggles with depression and has been wondering if I may have ADHD (the likelihood is pretty high😅) ... it's so nice to be able to relate to someone with similar issues because I now know I am not struggling alone. I've been watching you since you started this channel and I just want you to know you're helping others like me and that we appreciate you 😁💛

Just like a good mom would say” I was worried about you, no phone call, no text.what’s a mom to do! I’m totally with you on a little bit of green on the bananas

When several women started talking about ADHD online I contacted my metal health care provider to find out if I had it. They had me fill in several pages of different forms. No ADHD, but some points in AQ 10. The doctor had me fill in AQ 50 and it looks like I probably have some form of autism with full points in inattentiveness. It's interesting what you find when looking into your mind at 29. Free healthcare is nice but takes a while. Let's hope I get the time to the place that researches autism quicker than the time for the place that takes care of me now ( 8 months). Luckily my depression can be managed on pills but waiting for times for months just felt like being left on my own.

When you were describing the symptoms of inattentive type adhd, I went, "holy shit!" cause you were describing me to a T. Then I starting crying cause now I know that I'm not crazy, defected, stupid or alone. There's a word that describes that I'm not lazy and that there's treatment. Thank you Bea, for downloading this video.

I went to the hardware store a lot as a child, and those paint chip samples were very useful as film awards for Barbie dolls. A lot of the color names made reasonably good film titles. #weirdchildhoodstories

Bea! So glad you're back! If that pollen is from a lily, it's suuuuuper poisonous to cats (like, fatally so). I'd wash it off ASAP (heck, if it was me, I'd cut that bit of fur off and get rid of the flower). If it isn't a lily, please ignore 😊 Xxx

“I am literally and figuratively killing the family tree” HAHAHHA YOURE SO FUNNY 😆

Me, sitting here like “I literally thought she knew she had ADHD this whole time.”

I was diagnosed this year at the cusp of 27 with ADHD. My brother received his diagnosis as a child because he did have the hyperactivity, but they never suspected their procrastinator gifted kid daughter was also neurodivergent. I was unemployed for 8 months during the pandemic and my executive function was zero. I could only focus on my anxiety from being able to do nothing productive and I was constantly doing nothing for weeks because of the depression that resulted from feeling helpless. Talking with someone and getting that diagnosis and prescription for Concerta put me on the path for getting out of that depression funk. I started making connections in my earlier years where the signs were so obvious and it’s offered some clarity. Btw, Concerta did stabilize my mood a lot more so my anxiety baseline came down a lot- from what I understand, stimulants produce the dopamine neurodivergent brains don’t make enough of, and anxiety can be very tied in dopamine insufficiency.

Btw get ready to possibly experience a lot of grief while you reflect and reframe your life through the lens your new knowledge. Not easy, but well worth it for the clarity!

I was just recently diagnosed with ADHD at 40 yrs old. It all makes sense. I’m learning so much. It’s hard to lose weight with ADHD too. I’ve been reading articles about the connection. Thanks for sharing!

Is that flower a lily that dyed your cat? Lillie's are very toxic for cats and will cause kidney failure, just so you know and you can keep them out of reach 🙂

Another recently diagnosed, fully grown woman here. Methylphenidate has been incredible so far and with every day that passes I learn new things about my ADHD and how it has affected my life (binge eating included). So pleased you feel relief from your diagnosis.

I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD for 20 years, but I also suspect autism. I haven’t discussed with a doctor yet because I’m scared of getting dismissed before even getting to do testing, but I’ve taken every questionnaire I could find online and ones I’ve found that specifically are used professionally to aid diagnosis and they all suggest high probability. I also hate my birthday and getting any attention because it makes me too uncomfortable and I don’t know how to process that overwhelmed feeling. I barely experienced my wedding reception because I kept having to go to a private room to avoid having a panic attack because we had close to 200 people and everything going on was all too overwhelming.

Douglas and Bea are truly made for each other

Realize that “normal” is a construct. It’s our perception of ourselves vs. our perception of others. You are normal, just the way you are!! What’s unusual is the gracious and relatable manner in which you share your experiences! You’re actually quite extraordinary! Thanks for sharing- love your videos!

Lots of things are under-diagnosed in women, as women’s health has been routinely underfunded (the medical field is predominantly male staffed - changing, but not there yet!)

I was one of those who mentioned that you may be on the spectrum ! The more I watched you the more I realized we were so very similar. I’m glad you were able to seek out some answers. It’s absolutely frustrating to realize how little is known about how autism and ADHD present in women. Thank you for sharing this! As for me, realizing at almost 42 that a life time of struggles and mental illness were finally explained by an autism diagnosis has been so empowering. It has been such a life changing realization to finally know THAT I AM NOT A FAILURE AT LIFE, I AM JUST AUTISTIC! ADHD and autism present very similar in women and often crossover. I knew you were part of this amazing world of neuro diversity! Soooo, sit back and realize that nothing about you is a “failure”, nothing about you is wrong or broken…you are just a neuro diverse woman and the society around failed. You are pretty damn amazing!!!💜

I just recently got an ADHD diagnosis and have tried to explain to people that it is SUPER under diagnosed in women because our understanding of it is predominantly shaped by the male brain. I also felt a huge weight removed when I was finally diagnosed! So many people tell me “But you didn’t bounce off the walls as a kid!” No-I wasn’t disruptive in class. But that’s like the most stereotypical and honestly incomplete (and inaccurate!) estimator for someone’s ADHD. I am so excited for you to try some new treatments and medications that can make life easier. You are so amazing and I’m so happy I found your channel.

Bea, I have always felt that we shared more than just our weight history. Much love from a fellow neurodiverse woman xx from a supportive place, aspergers is no longer a diagnosis, it is seen as ableist by the autistic community. Know that this diagnosis is just a prism to know, accept and love yourself. It will help you to find your tribe. You are so welcome xxx

About the monstera! The like to be snug in their pot so only change if it's like "bursting out" of the pot. They like a bit of shade. My monsteras are also always thriving ^^

I think that white flower you showed was a lily, if so they're super toxic to kitties so watch out, plus the pollen stains like crazy! They are beautiful though!

I went YEARS, struggling through life, knowing something was wrong, and just dealing. My mom and grand mother were both diagnosed with Bipolar, and the older I got, the more aware I got of my own symptoms. I could see it in me, and how it affected my life, and I continued to put off seeing a doctor even after I basically came to terms with the diagnosis myself. Self diagnose can be a very dangerous thing, but I’m a strong believer that if you feel something within, mentally or physically, is off, you should trust yourself. Surprising to no one, I was diagnosed almost immediately and have been on meds since thank god

Girl! I’ve thrown up before every major event in my life. Formal, prom, my wedding, travel, first day of school, first day at a new job. I almost eloped because I couldn’t stand the thought of being the center of attention. It was a small wedding but I didn’t really enjoy it because of the social anxiety aspect of my ADHD. Don’t feel bad about your birthday party. and you ARE normal. There are a lot of us out there. You’re just not typical. Don’t be afraid of medication. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself. 🖤🖤🖤 Congratulations on being you!!! 🥳🎉🎈

“all of the daddies in Lowe’s” so i’m not the only one who secretly scans hardware stores for the DILFs 🤣😅

The yellow thing-plant is a Lilly. These are very toxic to pets. I suggest giving it away or in a closed room

I was diagnosed a couple of months ago at the age of 59. I have actually lost a small amount of weight (4 pounds in 6 weeks) because medication eliminated my compulsive snacking.

1. I am so PROUD of you for going to your appointment. Don't be afraid of the meds, just be aware. Watch for the way you feel, weight gain or loss, change in sleep pattern, etc. 2. The plant could go in a larger plot, but even more than that, I'd rotate it every week. It's leaning towards the sun. Maybe put your Christmas cacti in a cactus medium, not regular soil. Or at least water it less. 3. My cat got a yellow nose from stopping and smelling the flowers too! So funny! I got a picture of her and she looked guilty as sin. 4. Green chair. Didn't you want a green sofa too? When does your sofa come in? 5. Could you do a review/worth the $ or not on your humongous beanbag chair? I've seen them on youtube before and I'm curious one your thoughts. 6. The brown spotted bananas are sweeter! Not as firm, but they're good in smoothies and protein shakes. 8. Have a suer week. We love you and appreciate you opening up to us. You are touching so many peoples' lives and helping people figure out life. You rock!!!

My life changed for the better after my diagnosis of ADHD at 30. My panic attacks and performance issues resolved. I became a better person and happier. It's been 7 years now and after trying different meds I have found one that makes me happier, more productive and successful. You got this! Welcome to our tribe!

Aww, Dougie's little paws during the walk... tippy taps 🥰

Once, my coworkers sang happy birthday to me in the cafeteria. I stood up and left the room in total humiliation. I am so happy you got your official diagnosis. It is fantastic to just have the validation. I was 57 when I was officially diagnosed.

Also, you can just pinch off the pollen thingies from the lilies when the bulbs open. When I learned that it blew my mind lol. No more staining everything

For plants (if nobody has mentioned it)- easiest way to check if they need water is to stick your pointer finger in to the first knuckle. Is it dry? Give it a good thorough soaking. If its still wet hold off. Top of soil dries out quickly, but underneath varies based on temp/humidity. Its helped me so much with my plants. Also like others said, rotate! It helps all sides get sun and keeps them from getting sun damaged. When it comes to pots, some plants like to be crowded (aloe does often) and some need room. Hope that helps your plant friends- and the good news is that most cacti/succulents are pretty sturdy!

When you were sanding and sweeping up the dust from the chair it reminded me of all the times when I was younger and my grandpa would make so many things out of wood and I would beg to sweep up the shavings because I found it satisfying and I liked to spend time with him- so thanks for bringing those memories to the front of my mind❤️

rotate the plants a lil bit in a couple of days so that they grow more evenly ...... as they are getting sun only from one direction and the growth is leaning towards the sun

About the meds, we all need the same substances to be ok, some of us just have to get them from outside sources ❤️ good luck and I’m so glad you got this validation. You’re doing great!

Mental health is such a journey in and of its own. It's really encouraging to see you prioritizing yours and continuing to discover ways to help yourself, even when it's scary or overwhelming. 💜 Keep going strong, Bea!

My daughter is a primary school teacher. So many "difficult" children don't get their disorders diagnosed because parents refuse to label their kids. But by getting their kids diagnosed they can devise better strategies for teaching them and understanding their unique world view. It's not a label. It's understanding why you think a certain way. That's all. I'm glad you got diagnosed.

I’m so so so proud of you for taking the steps to understand yourself! I was diagnosed adhd last year at age 29, after living my life with a brother who also had adhd but mine went unnoticed. I know the feeling of finally having validation of alll the things in your life you didn’t understand coming to the surface can be both overwhelming but also add a sense of relief. Sending positive thoughts as you continue on this journey! :)

I’ve been suspecting that I have adhd for about a year now. My boyfriend is a medical graduate and absolutely agrees but for some reason my doctor won’t take me seriously. Because I’m “high functioning” they seem to think there isn’t an issue but im literally drowning in life.

Btw, if you notice your plant starts growing in one direction rotate it away from sun, for about a month. They leaves will start to grow towards the sun and end up straight.

My husband has ADD. He got back on medication to help him manage for a while but I think he’s back off of them again. I’m so proud of him of how he copes. I’ve learned how to communicate with him. I love him for him. All in. 19 years and counting. Hubby is not a social butterfly, but yet he is a team lead for his job. I’m sure it wears him out. BEA, I’m so proud of you. Keep up your hard work. I am with you for the long haul. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Just wanted to pop on here and say I got diagnosed with adhd at 34 (this spring). My main symptom is impulse control, I have serious binging issues and just about killed myself this spring drinking till I couldn't talk over and over. I'm on an anti depressant and my therapist has said it's possible that I'm not really "depressed" I'm just dealing with the fall out from my impulsiveness and extra energy. I'm a performer (country fiddle) by trade and in many ways my big personality has helped me, but it also brings me a lot of shame, regret and embarrassment. Understanding that there's nothing wrong me, I'm just built a little different has helped me accept and love myself which has helped me understand my limitations and work around them. I'm a work in progress, but aren't we all? Anyway, I just wanted to say I'm really happy for you that you are finding a new understanding of your behavior. That has been very liberating for me. I love watching your videos and honestly they have helped me be kinder to myself. So thank you for being your neuro divergent self, its nice to feel represented by another arty, adhd woman around my age!

I just wanted to add a comment to say, you’re not alone. I’m a 26 year old woman, who got diagnosed with ADHD and OCD yesterday, and it just kinda added clarity to my life. It was a huge relief to just have answers to questions I asked about myself about why I do things the way I do. I will say though, that aspects of your life and how you react to things will slightly unravel a bit. You have a whole new mindset about yourself, and being in certain situations will make you process things differently. For me at least, since my diagnosis, I’ve been unpacking a LOT about who I am. Like why I get overwhelmed sometimes, what causes me to get overwhelmed, why I feel like completing a task sometimes is so daunting, EVEN THOUGH I know it’s a simple task!! Everyone is different obviously, but I wanted to lend some words. This will be the beginning of a new journey for you. A journey that will help you be more in touch with who you are, how you handle things, and just how you live your life in general. I will say though, take this as a gift of forgiveness to yourself. Everything that you have ever doubted about yourself, everything that you’ve thought was different or abnormal, isn’t your fault. Our brains simply work differently than others. And honestly, diving deeper into adult adhd, it kinda just makes me love my brain so much more. Something that people view as a disorder, is actually something that also sets me apart from others. In my professional life, my relationships with people, my personality, they all are the way the are, cause of my ADHD. And for those reasons, I think it’s rather beautiful. Just the way we process things, I find it fascinating. Anywho, I was all over the place with this comment. I mean nothing but good intentions with it. I’m gonna be honest, I find myself watching your videos, because you remind me a lot about myself. Like we are VERY similar in a lot of ways. Which makes me genuinely excited for this journey for you. I hope that through this diagnosis, you are able to start finding yourself a bit more, and being in tune with who you are. And like I said, more forgiving. I’m excited to see where this takes you. 💕

Meds have been life changing for me. I had no idea that things could be better. It was amazing! Also, my daughter used to walk around with a yellow nose from smelling flowers when she was a toddler. It was a funny time.

The IUD ruined me with hormones and acne. It’s what pushed me to finally go off of birth control in general because I didn’t actually need it. Took a whole year for my body to figure itself out after going off. Hormone changes are no joke.

I cried so much when I was diagnosed with ADHD because it was such a relief. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago and the medication was like flipping a switch, getting myself out of prison. Amazing! My relationships have improved because my family has given me a little more grace. I am not being a jerk, I am just trying my best! Sending you love 💗 and hugs 🤗

The Christmas cactus situation...they won't bloom until they are root bound in their pot. It could take a while, mine took 3 years to bloom. Get a moisture gauge that will blink when you need to water. And ignore the plant until it blinks for water Also something I do for fun ...I put mine in the basement or a closet , out of the sun in darkness, for a month with no light or water. Its really helped it grow and bloom.

My sister would cry at some point every birthday right from a child …. She was never diagnosed and struggled her whole life… I was diagnosed at 49 years old …. It was overwhelming but the best thing that could have happened….. Everything in my life is better since …

Don't worry babe. Nobody is normal. You are awesome just the way you are. Normal is a dryer setting. Also, yes, the medication will help a lot. It gets you out of the foggy mess of self critical internal bullshit that circles your brain. It also makes it easier to start things.

Oh Bea, i just want to hug you. My son was diagnosed with combined ADHD when he was 10. There have been countless moments of both of us sitting on the floor in tears. It breaks my heart to hear him ask why isn’t he normal, what’s wrong with him? Getting his diagnosis helped so much. We were able to get him help and support but most importantly, it gave us a clear answer. We like to say that his brain isn’t broken, it’s just different, and wow isn’t that neat? Hugs to yiu, Bea. ❤️

Honey, I am so happy for you. I was just diagnosed 3 months ago at 35 years old with ADHD. I have struggled with anxiety and depression since I was at least 14, but since I did good in school and was not hyper doctors never took anything seriously. I finally reached a breaking point this year and reached out for help because I was so tired of feeling like I was failing at just basic human activities. After being diagnosed I felt a sense of validation. Whatever was going on inside me had a name and I could look into it more and really understand myself better. It also gave me a community of similar people that I could talk to and laugh with about all my "craziness". That I no longer had to mask who I really was and understand why I think, feel, and process things the way that I do. Once I started Vyvanse for ADHD, my anxiety and depression have gotten so much better. I sleep better, eat better, and can actually make and stick to a schedule without derailing 20 minutes in. I rarely get stuck in those all-or-nothing modes and therapy has helped me developed ways to adapt to my diagnoses and work with myself rather than against myself.

I wanna hug you! I am also an autistic person (afab) and I got the diagnosis at the age of 25. At first I was like, no... but then I realized: YES! I AM! AND IT IS AWESOME!! I mean of cause not all the time, but I can deal with a lot of situations way better than before and I don't feel ashamed when I can't do what neurotypical people can do. I know and accept my limits. I wish you all the best for the future you have in front of you!

My son (he’s 30) has ADHD and is on Xanidate. His meds help him so much . My daughter (who’s 23) has high functioning autism (on different meds for depression and anxiety). It’s good you got a diagnosis which will help so so much xxxx hugs xxx

It’s life changing and medication is safe if you have ADHD. I was just diagnosed at 49…please don’t wait like I did. 💗

Oh yeah, the familiar feeling of crying in a parking lot. I'm so glad you got some answers and now can work towards improving your quality of life. Always rooting for you all the way from Brazil, Bea 💚💛

It was really interesting when you mentioned about how you get really easily overwhelmed by just existing and especially in social situations. My partner has Aspergers and this is something that he struggles with a lot as well. I know that it can be very difficult, but just know that you’re not alone. 💜

I was also recently diagnosed (again, because I had forgotten about the first diagnosis) with ADHD and I’m still pretty certain I’m also on spectrum even though the dr that did my testing said I wasn’t. I just started medication in December and it’s one of the best things that’s happened to me in so long. I’m also 29, and also hate my birthday. I’ve actually deactivated my Facebook account the night before a couple of times so no one could post anything there. I thought I was weird for it but I’m glad to see I am not alone in feeling that way.

Regarding the plant: We have one. They thrive on neglect and prefer smaller pots so they can remain root-bound.

Can I just say how nice is to see you act with Douglas!! He is really loved. I can't have pets, but seeing you is soothing 😌 💕

I HAD A STRONG FEELING. Your symptoms were so similar to mine and I wanted to say that maybe you had it but didn't want to make assumptions. The struggle with maintaining friendships, the lack of motivation sometimes, the anxiety, it's a looong journey. I'm so glad you got diagnosed!!

FYI..The pollen in your lily is HIGHLY toxic to cats 😬

Girl!! You are so damn talented at art, I would love to see more of it in your vlogs

Fellow ADHD lady here. Loved your journal. Elephant paintings were very cool. I call it self care Saturday. I spend the whole morning in the tub. Face mask, hair mask, body scrub. I listen to a book on Audible and just chill. My best coping strategies are setting routines and alarms to follow them. Friday is water plants day, etc. I journal and use a planner. Getting lots of movement and food food helps but I still often fall off that hamster wheel and have trouble getting back on. Hope meds work out for you. There are so many don't give up if the first couple don't feel right.

I love that this is now Bee's "Working on the House" channel! So here for it! I love seeing all your projects!!!

I have ADD and never had any treatment, just for the other disorders I have and I’m 32yo.. But about two months ago I started my journey on finding a ADHD medication that works for me, and even if the first one didn’t work great I definitely felt how alot of symptoms pretty much disappeared! And now I’m on a different one and still feel the same but in a different way, a better way. Really hope it stays this way when we increase the dose. So happy you got help ❤️ just getting a diagnosis makes such a difference and your whole life makes more sense with an explanation to why you don’t react and do things like a “normal” person.. You are awesome! And you got this! ❤️❤️

I have adhd and asperger's as well. It really makes life make more sense when we finally know why we are the way we are. Sending you lots of hugs and support ❤

I had a plant like you have. It does need a bigger pot. Also, it can grow to a monstrous size. It can also be divided and replanted in separate plants. I planted part in another pot and washed the roots off of the other one and planted it in a large, glass vase and it grew nicely. I found it interesting that you could see the roots showing through the glass vase. When the roots started crowding the vase I would trim them. It didn't harm the plant at all and it continued to grow, but alas, I left it at a hotel when I made a long-distance move back in 2012. I'd love to get another one.

I love that bay window for all your plants. For spring rolls, just go buy a bag of premade cabbage slaw mix. Saute it with a little garlic & ginger. I put mine in the air fryer, but you can boil or deep fry them. Whatever you prefer. I also just made some with steak, mushroom & cheese. I know, I'm not normal, but they were delicious.