You Can Be a Christian With ADHD: How My Faith Changed After My Diagnosis

Is there a link between being diagnosed with ADHD and losing faith in God?

That’s the question I found myself wrestling with after receiving my ADHD diagnosis. If you’ve scrolled through ADHD content online, you might have noticed a trend: people often share their diagnosis story and shortly after, a video about leaving the church or becoming an atheist. It’s enough to make you wonder if faith and ADHD can truly coexist.

So today, I want to share my story—the raw, real, and redemptive journey of how my relationship with God grew stronger after my diagnosis. This is for anyone navigating neurodivergence, faith, or even just feeling a bit lost. Grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive in.

1. I Realized How Weak I Really Was

Some people call ADHD a superpower ,and yes, it has its moments (hello, hyperfocus!). But for me, ADHD also came with anxiety, overwhelm, and the crushing realization that the world wasn’t built for brains like mine.

Simple tasks like showing up on time or holding conversations without overthinking felt impossible. I reached the end of myself and that’s where God met me.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, Paul talks about a thorn in his side something painful that kept him humble. Unlike many other things that could be gotten rid of easily, this thorn in his side followed him forever. Despite this thorn, God used Paul for amazing things. ADHD became that for me. It reminded me not to rely on my own strength, but to lean fully on God.

2. God’s Grace Was Made Perfect in My Weakness

Paul begged God to remove the thorn, and God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

That verse became my lifeline. On the days when ADHD felt like too much, when I couldn’t even do my night routine, I would turn to God. I’d whisper a prayer and feel Him carry me.

My diagnosis didn’t push me away from God. It pulled me closer.

3. I Discovered the Power of Praying Over Myself

One of the most healing parts of my journey came through a women’s group at my church. It was there I learned to really pray over myself, for myself.

We used a book called The Secret Power of Speaking God’s Word by Joyce Meyer (aka “the purple book” in my house!). It lists emotions like anxiety or fear and offers scriptures to pray over them.

Here’s a prayer I often use for anxiety:

“Dear Lord, in Deuteronomy 3:16, you say I am strong, courageous, and firm. But Lord, I often feel overwhelmed and afraid. In my trouble, I call to You, knowing You will answer me (Psalm 86:7). Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxieties (Psalm 139:23). Lead me in Your everlasting way. Amen.”

I learned that prayer isn’t just for others it’s for me too.

Once I learned about prayer, I was able to incorporate it into my daily life and my daily thoughts. It had a transformative effect. Even when I was feeling scatterbrained, I felt secure knowing that I had a place to go to find rest.

4. I Recognized My Dopamine Addiction

Before my diagnosis, I constantly chased highs drinking, partying, even job-hopping. I didn’t realize it then, but I was self-medicating, searching for that dopamine that hit my brain was lacking.

The Bible warns about chasing pleasure (Proverbs 21:17), and once I understood what was happening neurologically, I could begin healing spiritually.

There are natural ways to get dopamine. One of the most accessible ones is exercising. Exercising releases a soup of happy chemicals that have all types of benefits on your body, from better sleep to lower blood pressure. Hanging out with friends is also a form of natural dopamine. Once you recognize what the quick dopamine is, you can swap it for the more sustainable versions.

In this case, I swapped drinking for exercise, impulsivity for purpose, and started finding joy in God and not quick fixes.

5. I Confronted My Church Hurt

This one’s tough. Church hurt is real, and for me, it started when I was 16. A pastor prayed over me to cast out “the spirit of depression,” and when it didn’t work, I felt ashamed—like I wasn’t a good enough Christian. This was one of many situations where I experienced church hurt.

Looking back, I also realize that what I was experiencing wasn’t just physical depression it was undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety, and even hormonal and nutritional imbalances. You can’t pray away a chemical imbalance, and suggesting otherwise only brings shame.

I remember hearing this quote that said you can’t heal what you won’t confront, and this is so true. Until I was able to look at my church hurts in a realistic manner, it haunted me. I had to admit that it happened and start making moves towards getting better before the church hurt finally eased.

Even so, the sting of how that church made me feel sometimes still comes up every once in a while.

6. I Chose to Stay in the Church—Despite the Hurt

Yes, the church hurt me. But I made a choice to stay. Why? Because the church is run by humans—and humans mess up. If we cut off every other human in our life to avoid hurt, we would never have any community and community is crucial. It's what keeps us grounded. Some of my closest friends, prayer warriors, and most cherished memories came from church, even the one I left.

If you've been hurt by a church, don’t give up on all churches. Try a different environment. Healing happens in a safe community.

7. I Realized the Enemy Is Muzzling Christians With ADHD

There’s a silence in the church around ADHD, autism, OCD—any neurodivergence. And I think the enemy uses that silence.

So many Christians are quietly battling these things, afraid to speak up. But our stories have power. When we let God walk with us through ADHD, we become living testimonies of His grace.

8. I Learned That God Can Use Me—Flaws and All

This one hits deep. ADHD doesn’t disqualify me from being used by God. In fact, it qualifies me to reach others walking similar paths.

Romans 5:8 says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He knew all our flaws and loved us anyway.

God can use your biggest struggle: whether it’s ADHD, anxiety, or anything else to impact lives. The very thing you're most ashamed of might be the door to your greatest ministry.

So, does getting diagnosed with ADHD mean you’ll lose your faith?

My answer is a resounding no.

You only lose your faith when you decide to put your condition above God. But if you invite Him into your struggle, He’ll show you that even your neurodivergence has a divine purpose.

If this blog resonated with you, please share it with someone else walking through this season. And if you want more encouragement on standing, prayer, and relationships, let me know in the comments—I’ve got so much more to say.

Until next time, stay faithful, stay focused, and remember to share the love of Jesus with at least one person this week.

For  more advice, Download this free eBook  “5 ways to ACTUALLY get things done with ADHD”.

With love,
💛 Author Gabrielle Denise

Until next time,
Stay bold, stay blessed, and stay you. 💛

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