Ava’s ADHD Story: Finding Clarity and Self-Compassion in Adulthood

Woman with ADHD happy at her desk. Dr Sarah Adams teaches courses in insomnia and ADHD at drsarahadams.com

The Challenge

At 39, Ava, a dedicated event planner and mother of a six-year-old in Vancouver, received her ADHD diagnosis. For years, she had felt like her brain operated differently from everyone else’s. This often left her feeling overwhelmed and haunted by a nagging sense that she was always “dropping the ball” on something important. Her challenges included losing track of time and missing key appointments. When she sought help from doctors, her concerns were often misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression, leading to recommendations for antidepressant medication. While the diagnosis brought her a mix of emotions—validation and relief—she also felt a deep frustration that she hadn’t been diagnosed much earlier in life.

The Progress

Ava participated in our live, Zoom workshop and saw remarkable improvements. She now has a deeper understanding of ADHD, including common myths and the truth about the diagnosis. With a new toolbox of skills, she no longer feels constantly behind or like she is “dropping the ball.” She has developed new systems that have given her a greater sense of control and a feeling of being on top of her life. Ava’s improved understanding of her ADHD has also fostered greater self-compassion and self-understanding when she struggles.

Learn more about ADHD courses with Dr Sarah Adams.

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Dr Sarah Adams

Empowering education and treatment for insomnia and ADHD

Case studies in Insomnia and ADHD treatment with Dr Sarah Adams

Explore the personal journeys of former patients of Dr Sarah Adams in overcoming the challenges of insomnia and ADHD. Patient names have been changed to protect their privacy. You can filter these stories by All, ADHD, or Insomnia to find the experiences most relevant to you. Hover over images and then select to read case.

There are two registration options for the self-paced online ADHD course: monthly or one-time payment

There are two registration options for the self-paced online CBT-i course: monthly or one-time payment