#and this is especially ass when your inattention shies away from food prep. it's something you HAVE to consciously decide on

[endivinity]

If you're comfortable with answering, where did you start on the path to getting your diagnosis?

A lot of what you described sounds rather similar to what I've felt/went through, but I'm a bit anxiously paralyzed by it all and don't know where to start

Started through my GP! I'd imagine it varies depending on where you are in the world, but I couldn't go through with a diagnosis anywhere without a basic assessment from my GP and a referral, since in NZ the medications are heavily regulated. First I asked for resources for a diagnosis and was given a number of places to choose from, most of which were haphazardly picked out (some of them were specifically for ADHD... in children. Others were physical appointment only, way off on the other side of the country. For some reason one of them was listed as being in the middle of the ocean. It was an interesting time). I emailed the ones that sounded plausible, asking specifically for availability, cost, waitlist, and whether telehealth was possible. From there, I chose a place and had the referral done (I also dragged my heels on it for a solid two months lol). There was no waitlist for this one and it wasn't too expensive. Since ADHD is pretty easy to self-diagnose these days there's a chance of answer bias if you're a milder case, so they did require input from outside parties, a friend and my mother, as well as school reports to try and pick up on a pattern of inattentiveness. There was a bunch of general wellness checks as well but that was discussed and arranged in-appointment, so be prepared for maybe getting those? Mostly it's for medication compatibility and concerns.

I think that covers everything?? best of luck if you decide to go for it! and remember even if you aren't diagnosed (it's natural to second-guess whether you're struggling enough. that anxiety is very hard to shake) adhd-specific coping strategies will always do you some good.