I knew I had migraine disease for decades before a neurologist confirmed it.
Why?
Because my mother has it, as does my sister, my sister-in-law, my aunt, my cousin and 4 of my close friends.
Growing up, I saw my mother flattened by debilitating migraine attacks. Barely able to move, lying in a dark room, zonked out on strong painkillers.
So when I had the same excruciating headaches, nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and visual disturbances? I knew I had inherited migraine.
The only reason I went to a neurologist in my 40s was because my attacks were becoming more severe and more frequent. So I wanted to see if I could get better medication to support myself.
A few years ago, I realised I had ADHD.
Why?
Because I have an interest in neuroscience, so I was following psychologists online talking about their clients with ADHD. I was hearing people who had been diagnosed with ADHD discuss their lived experience.
And I realised that I had shared many similar traits.
I began to research ADHD in earnest. And I realised that ADHD explained many traits I had had since childhood. And also that my c-PTSD and migraine disease did not cover everything.
I know I have ADHD because I share similar traits with other people who have ADHD. Just like I knew I had migraine because I share similar symptoms with other people who have migraine.
And because I’ve done a differential diagnosis, I’ve ruled out other conditions it could be.
I haven’t had my diagnosis confirmed by a psychiatrist, because I’m choosing not to medicate for now. I may in the future. But I’m currently supporting my ADHD alone.
Just like I didn’t need a neurologist to “tell me” I had migraine, I don’t need a psychiatrist to “tell me” I have ADHD. I know myself and my symptoms.
And because of this, I know how to care for myself better.
This is why self-identification will always be valid to me.
Here here. I knew I had migraine because my friends mum had it - she used to get us to rub and massage her head. As a young child, I could feel her pain.
For 20 years I told the doctors migraine was what it was. Only to be dismissed and gaslighted every time. By the time I received diagnosis in 2017, I found myself completely disabled by the illness only months later.
The benefit now is, that it helps me stay true to me. I worked tons out about migraine decades before medical field did. I no longer need anyone to validate my lived experience. I believe we can all learn to do this for ourselves. And I’m here to teach and empower people exactly that!
(I also believe I’ve been living with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, tinnitus, anxiety and depression - and I do not need a repeat of what I’ve endured so I’m happy to remain undiagnosed. I’ve healed myself to such an extent that it’s not medically considered possible so I certainly won’t be needing any medication and, as has been confirmed, they have nothing else for me.)