Mother says late ADHD diagnosis and dexamphetamine transformed her life — and describes 'startling' effects

Corrina Rawlinson says a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at age 35 and subsequent treatment with dexamphetamine — commonly called "dexies" — fundamentally changed her life, but also produced effects she describes as startling.

In an essay for the Daily Mail, Rawlinson, who lives in regional Western Australia and is the eldest of six children, recounts years of severe mental-health struggles that she now says were driven by undiagnosed ADHD. "I'm turning 36 next week. I'm a wife, a mother to three beautiful boys — 12, ten and two — and I finally feel like I know who I am," she wrote. She also described decades of suicidal thinking, repeated hospital stays, and a long trail of treatments that failed to help until ADHD was considered and a stimulant prescription was begun.

Rawlinson said she had believed her symptoms were caused by depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or postnatal difficulties after her children were born. She said clinicians did not look for ADHD until she was in her mid-30s. After starting dexamphetamine, she wrote, "it was like stepping out of a storm into silence," describing a shift in her mood, functioning and self-perception.

Her account highlights two recurring themes in adult mental-health care: the difficulty of diagnosing ADHD in adults who were never assessed in childhood, and the profound relief some patients report after beginning appropriately targeted treatment. Rawlinson also emphasized the practical and emotional challenges of living in a remote area, noting that her family home is about 800 kilometres from Perth, which complicated access to specialist assessment and regular follow-up.

Medical guidelines classify stimulant medications such as dexamphetamine as effective first-line treatments for many people with ADHD because they can help improve attention and reduce impulsivity. Clinicians say these medications can produce meaningful improvements in daily functioning for people whose symptoms have gone unrecognized for years. At the same time, authorities caution that stimulants carry potential side effects and risks, and that diagnosis and ongoing monitoring by a qualified professional are important.

Rawlinson's narrative underscores why some adults with long-standing symptoms seek reassessment. She described years of cycling through different medication "cocktails," repeated hospital visits and episodes of severe despair that she now links to untreated ADHD. Following diagnosis and the start of stimulant therapy, she reported a significant change in her ability to manage responsibilities and in her sense of self-worth.

Public conversation about stimulant use has intensified in recent years as more adults are diagnosed with ADHD and as prescriptions for stimulants have grown in some countries. Supporters point to improvements in quality of life and functioning, while others and medical regulators emphasize the need to weigh benefits against side effects such as sleep disruption, appetite changes and cardiovascular effects, and to guard against misuse.

Rawlinson framed her account as a cautionary, first-person testimony: she said the medication "saved" her life, but she also urged people to be informed before starting treatment. Her essay reflects the complex balance many patients and clinicians face when managing ADHD alongside other mental-health conditions.

Experts advising on ADHD diagnosis note that adult presentations can be subtle and may overlap with depression, anxiety or trauma-related symptoms, which can delay correct identification. Comprehensive assessment typically includes a clinical history, information about childhood behavior, and consideration of coexisting conditions. When stimulant treatment is started, clinicians generally recommend regular monitoring of symptoms, side effects and cardiovascular health.

Rawlinson's story also draws attention to disparities in access to diagnosis and care in regional and remote communities. Telehealth and outreach services have expanded in some jurisdictions, but patients who live far from major centres may still face logistical and financial barriers to timely assessment and follow-up.

Her account stops short of providing clinical details about dosing or the full range of effects she experienced, and experts caution that individual responses to medication vary widely. Clinicians recommend that anyone who suspects they might have ADHD consult a qualified health professional for evaluation rather than self-medicating or relying on anecdotal reports.

Rawlinson said she now feels she is a better parent and partner and that the diagnosis and treatment helped her find a stable place after years of crisis. Her first-person essay adds to a growing public record of adult ADHD experiences that both highlight the potential benefits of evidence-based treatment and underscore the importance of careful clinical assessment and monitoring.