This month I turn 40, and I've only just been diagnosed with ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the combined type. I really want to raise awareness in the hope that others can be diagnosed a lot earlier than I was and get the support they both need and deserve.

When my wife first met me, she had a suspicion that I had ADHD as she had worked with young adults who had it, and noticed I showed a lot of the symptoms. I found school challenging, was always being kicked out of class and failed my GCSE's. As I grew older I struggled to concentrate and follow instructions, and in my early 20s I flitted between jobs. Even now I struggle to sit still and I feel like there's a motor inside me that I can't switch off. People often call me a machine or are intimidated by my energy and level of fitness... but the reality is, it's all part of my ADHD!

I know a lot of people over the years have struggled with my personality, and I've lived a lot of my life feeling like I'm stupid, disruptive and different. Now I finally feel relief, and I understand so much more about myself! I really would love to raise awareness for ADHD in the hope that more people can be diagnosed at a younger age, not having to go through life feeling like I did.

Take a look at ADHD UKs message, i think its pretty great:

Having ADHD or ADD is a challenge - both for the individual and for the people around them. We are here to help people face the challenge. But we want more than just-about-coping. We want to help people to find their unique way and thrive.We aim to do that through warm hearted support, quality relatable information, campaigning to raise awareness and empathy, advocating for ADHD/ADD politically, fighting for fair NHS & Education resources, and challenging employers to put in adjustments that work and create ADHD/ADD inclusivity.