Many people suspect they have ADHD long before they get a diagnosis. Comedian and writer, Trevor Noah, was not one of those people. However, when a friend came to him and shared his ADHD journey, he saw that he had many of the same symptoms.

Former host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah is an award-winning writer and comedian. Named as one of “The 35 Most Powerful People in New York Media" by the Hollywood Reporter in 2017 and 2018, he is at the peak of his career. While he has reached great heights, he didn’t discover that he had ADHD until he was in his late thirties. Here’s his story.

Becoming a “Completely Different Person”

Earlier this year, Trevor Noah told podcasters he was diagnosed with ADHD during the pandemic. The comedian and writer only sought a diagnosis after his friend shared his own ADHD assessment results. As Noah puts it, his friend came out of the other side of that experience as almost a "completely different person".

It was only when that same friend explained the symptoms to Noah, and he saw himself reflected in them, that he began to suspect he may have ADHD. Noah was quick to recognise patterns in his own behaviour that he had never questioned before. His friend’s ADHD symptoms described him too, despite the fact that the two had very different personalities.

Getting Diagnosed as an Adult

Many adults with ADHD go undiagnosed for years. They may also develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms or assume their struggles are personality traits rather than signs of neurodiversity.

Over the years, Noah will subconsciously have used strategies to work with his ADHD. After speaking with his friend, he pursued an ADHD assessment. The diagnosis was not only neuroaffirmative, but it gave him a new framework for understanding himself.

Life After an ADHD Diagnosis

Since being diagnosed with ADHD, Noah has spoken about how it changed his approach to work and self-care. Understanding his ADHD allowed him to create systems that support his brain rather than fight against it, and even changed the way that he saw his friendship groups. He stopped blaming himself for things that were actually symptoms of his condition.

Thanks to him (and other celebrities, such as Lily Allen), there is now more awareness surrounding ADHD. Noah has spoken out about how he better understands his brain now and even shared his unique experiences on podcasts and beyond.

What Others Can Learn from Noah's Story

If you suspect that you may have ADHD, Noah’s story may be enlightening. Here’s what we can learn from it:

Listen to ADHD Friends

Should someone's ADHD story sounds familiar, pay attention to that and do your own research. That initial recognition could be the first step toward understanding yourself better. Speak to friends honestly about your experiences, too.

Success Doesn’t Rule Out ADHD

Successful people often have ADHD. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve got in your career, if you believe you may have this neurodiverse condition, it’s worth investigating. ADHD affects everyone differently, and many people build successful careers before getting diagnosed.

An Assessment Can Provide Clarity

Getting an ADHD diagnosis means understanding why certain things are harder for you. That puts you on the path towards finding better strategies to manage them.

It’s Not “Too Late”

An ADHD diagnosis can be life changing. Noah was in his late 30s when diagnosed, and his story is not uncommon. Many adults discover their ADHD even later in life. Age doesn't matter when it comes to getting the answers you need.

Takeaway

Noah's ADHD diagnosis came from an unexpected conversation with a friend, but that’s not the only thing that can trigger the realisation. Should you show signs of the condition, getting a private ADHD assessment will give you the peace of mind you deserve.