How I'm Growing Since My ADHD, Autism and Bipolar Diagnoses

This is a story about my coming out and coming to terms with labels. In the space of a week, three years ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar, sensory processing disorder and autistic traits. I’m currently on a waiting list for my final assessment for autism. This is my story, as I’m learning again what it is to be me.

Other relevant stories:
• Can a Therapist Diagnose ADHD?
• ADHD Difficulty Waking Up in the Morning
• Can You Have OCD and ADHD?
• What is ADHD?

There once was a baby tree.

A longed for baby tree, born from generations of wild, lush forests and woodlands.

As this baby tree started to grow, she tried to be like the other trees around her.

She tried and she tried. Eventually, she tried to hide some of her branches to fit others’ pictures.

The tree got so sad that her branches drooped and all her leaves fell off.

As others wondered if the tree was completely broken, the tree started to find her roots.

She had been trying so hard to work out what sort of tree she was supposed to be, that she hadn’t noticed her roots starting to grow in the darkness and stillness.

The tree roots had discovered the river of life, flowing beneath and around her. The river of deep peace and abundant life.

The tree wanted this to be a nice story, with a neat, happy ending. But the tree is still growing, the branches are unfolding, the leaves are unfurling, and you will know the tree by its fruit. Most important of all, the tree has discovered her roots, holding her firm through the anxiety and uncertainty of a story that is still being written.