'I always had temper. I didn't know it was ADHD until I was 44'

As a schoolboy, David Powell struggled with a short temper, had difficulty concentrating and lacked organisational skills. These problems would only continue into his adulthood – leading to long bouts of unemployment and failed relationships.

But a message from an online stranger in 2002 would change his life forever. The then 40-year-old was browsing an online classic cars forum when he was contacted by another user. The person asked if he had ADHD.

“My behaviour was very unreasonable,” he said. I was being impatient, not processing information and jumping to conclusions. I caused utter mayhem on the forum – grabbing the wrong end of every stick, getting into pointless arguments and exploding all over the place.”

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“I contacted my GP but, in those days, it was completely unrefined. It was before the NHS accepted ADHD in adults. They had nothing in line of signposting.

“I was sent to a consultant psychiatrist and they said they knew nothing about it. It was a complete waste of everyone’s time.”

David, who is now 60, eventually turned to a private clinic in a desperate bid for a diagnosis. It took four long years to get the answer he already knew deep down – he had adult ADHD.

“I call it my day of rebirth: June the 30th, 2006,” he continued. I drove over to Sheffield 100 per cent sure I had ADHD. I knew I hadn’t really been 100 per cent sure, because I was 100 per cent sure on the way home.”

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.

Later in life, it can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem and other