It may not be the most common experience, but it’s definitely normal. There’s no reason diagnosis should take that long. If you have the symptoms, and they were able to rule out other conditions, then why drag it out?

The first psychiatrist I talked to thought I had it immediately (she also had ADHD), but made me take SSRIs first. I had trouble following through with SSRIs to see how they worked, and then forgot about my appointment with her altogether. Because with unmedicated ADHD it’s almost impossible to follow through with these kinds of things.

My first therapist knew from the first time we met that I had it. She said, “you’re dealing with anxiety and depression, and it sounds like you very likely have ADHD.” And yet she made me do therapy for months before even considering a recommendation for a psych evaluation.

On the other hand, the current psychiatrist I have believed me immediately. I was diagnosed in like 20 mins, and was given medication immediately. It might have helped that I had already been diagnosed previously, but still! It really shouldn’t take that long.