My ADHD & Autism Diagnosis: A Light in the Chaos🌈✨
Hey Spark Fam! 🌈 I’m Ebb, and if you’ve ever felt like your brain’s dancing to a wild, untamed beat, this one’s for you. At 29, I was diagnosed with ADHD and mild autism, and it was like a lightbulb flicked on, illuminating the chaos of my mental health struggles. Suddenly, I wasn’t a failure—just wired uniquely. Here’s my raw, real journey of hitting rock bottom, finding answers, and embracing my extraordinary brain—plus tips to spark your own path.
The Darkness Before the Dawn
Eighteen months ago, I was lost in a fog. Intrusive thoughts hijacked my days, and simple tasks—like answering an email or cooking dinner—felt like scaling a mountain. I masked my struggles to seem “normal,” but inside, I felt like I was failing as a partner, daughter, and friend. The worst? I believed I was the problem. My binge eating disorder, which I didn’t yet understand, was my brain’s desperate grab for dopamine, soothing the overwhelm but piling on health challenges. I was stuck, convinced I’d never live up to the potential I knew was inside me.
The Lightbulb Moment
Everything shifted with a new doctor and a psychologist’s insight. At 29, I learned it wasn’t borderline personality disorder—it was ADHD and mild autism. My racing thoughts, constant masking, and food-as-comfort suddenly made sense. The diagnosis wasn’t a label; it was a key, unlocking why I’d spent years trying to fit a mold that wasn’t mine. That moment of clarity? Like hearing my favorite song after years of static—pure relief.
Music as My Lifeline
Music’s been my anchor through this chaos. When overwhelm hits, I lean on a lo-fi playlist to quiet my brain or blast upbeat pop to dance out the stress. It’s more than vibes—music lifts my dopamine, helping me navigate ADHD’s ups and downs. From curating focus tracks for work to unwinding with soulful melodies, it’s my daily tool for recovery and joy. I’m still untangling the health impacts of my eating disorder, but music keeps me grounded, one beat at a time.
3 Tips to Spark Your Journey
If you’re navigating a new diagnosis or mental health struggles, here’s what’s helping me:
Journal the Chaos: Write one sentence daily about your brain’s quirks—it builds self-love and clarity.
Find Your Recovery Rhythm: Create a playlist for tough moments (lo-fi for calm, pop for energy). Even 5 minutes can shift your vibe.
Name Your Needs: Tell a friend, “My brain’s like a radio with too many stations.” It helps them understand without judgment.
Embracing the Journey
This isn’t just my story—it’s for every woman feeling “too much” or masking to blend in. ADHD and autism don’t make us broken; they make us vibrant. My blog’s here to keep sharing the messy, beautiful truth—how I navigate daily life, work, dating, and family with my neurodivergent spark. Expect more posts on thriving in chaos, using music as medicine, and helping loved ones get you. For now, I’m celebrating every step forward, from embracing my quirks to dancing through the hard days.
What’s been your lightbulb moment with ADHD or mental health? Drop it in the comments or DM me on Instagram. Let’s spark this journey together! 💚
Stay sparked,
Ebb
Spectrum Spark
#ADHDAwareness #WomenWithADHD #Neurodiversity #MentalHealthJourney
