ABC News Live anchor Diane Macedo, age 42, has shared her personal journey of being diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an adult. In a candid conversation, Macedo revealed to PEOPLE the profound impact of finally understanding the mental experiences she has navigated for years.
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“I’m grateful to finally be diagnosed, even if it is this late in life,” Macedo stated. “It’s amazing to be able to troubleshoot obstacles that I always thought were character flaws.” She emphasized the transformative nature of this diagnosis, explaining, “It not only changes how you do things, it changes how you view yourself.” This revelation marks a significant step for Macedo in understanding and managing her neurodiversity.
ADHD is clinically defined by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, causing functional impairment across various life settings, with symptom onset typically before the age of 12, according to the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. However, Macedo’s experience highlights that ADHD diagnosis in adults is increasingly recognized, challenging traditional perceptions of the disorder.
Macedo further discussed her diagnosis during a Good Morning America episode on July 10th. She expressed her initial “surprise” at the diagnosis, as her previous understanding of ADHD was rooted in stereotypes of hyperactive children who struggled academically. As an “honor student” who “always excelled at work,” Macedo didn’t fit this preconceived image. This common misconception often delays or prevents adult ADHD diagnoses.
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Despite her academic and professional success, Macedo acknowledged long-standing challenges with “organization,” “forgetting,” and “misplacing” items. These symptoms, often misinterpreted, were sometimes seen as “laziness” or simply being “scattered.” Macedo’s experience underscores how ADHD symptoms can manifest differently in adults, often masked by coping mechanisms or misattributed to personality traits.
“You paint a different picture of yourself and you realize, ‘Oh these aren’t character flaws. This isn’t that I need to try harder, it’s that my brain works differently,’ ” Macedo elaborated. This shift in perspective is crucial for individuals with adult ADHD, allowing for self-compassion and effective coping strategies.
“Knowing that helps you start to troubleshoot,” she continued. “‘Okay, why is this hard for me? Because I have a short term memory problem. What can I do to help me remember?’ And so it’s helped me change so many things.” Macedo’s proactive approach to understanding her ADHD highlights the empowering nature of diagnosis and self-awareness in managing the condition.
Diane Macedo’s decision to share her Diane Macedo Diagnosis publicly coincides with a documented rise in ADHD diagnoses in the United States. A May study in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology revealed that in 2022, 1 in 9 U.S. children aged 3 to 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD. Researchers suggest this increase may be linked to greater awareness and healthcare-seeking for ADHD, potentially compounded by mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Macedo’s story will be featured in “Inside ADHD,” a new ABC News Live series premiering Thursday, July 11 on ABC News Live “Prime” at 7 p.m. ET. This series aims to further explore and shed light on the experiences of individuals with ADHD, contributing to broader public understanding and reducing stigma associated with the condition.
