WoW! So much food for thought, I won't even need breakfast :).
There are so many similarities among us in this group in life experience and age. I've never been diagnosed with ADD or PTSD, but a lot of it fits. That being said, the ever changing terminology is a pet peeve of mine.

When I first began to explore my sudden loss of function over 20 years ago, I was tested by a psychologist who determined that I had depression. No kidding, but that did not account for the physical symptoms I had been experiencing. As I was reading his documentation about me, there was a comment about how I was a pleasant woman, relaxed, etc. I called him on it by telling him I was not pleasant or relaxed; I was in fact having difficulty sitting upright and focusing in a mental fog.

I also called him on stating that I simply had depression, as it did not take into account my sudden inability to complete physical tasks or attend social engagements, not to mention my inability to work. He countered with stating that I had so many symptoms that it was considered undertreated depression. I repeated myself, and he sighed and said that when there is no diagnosis or treatment, issues sometimes get dumped into the category depression.

Validation and fury swept over me as the realization of being 'dumped' struck home. Having avoided confrontation most of my life, it was an uncomfortable step to go against the flow. It turned into a stepping stone as I became my own advocate. Labels mean very little to me these days:)

You're right about fishing for words or memories. The day's level of anxiety determines if I can toss it into the later category or fixate on it like a pit bull.
It was years after my issues first appeared that I realized that all my routines had been keeping me on an even keel. For the past few years I've been trying to reestablish new routines. That helps, but I still cannot accept my limitations and keep pushing my boundaries.

Ironically, when I was trying to figure out what was all wrong with me, the term clinically insignificant was a frequent flyer. Now there are no new symptoms for me, but new diagnoses keep cropping up. Back then, I was told that my coughing so hard that I had moments of unconsciousness was not impressive, I told the young man that if it was him it happened to it would defiantly be significant. I stopped driving for several years as I had an episode while in reverse and my toddler in the back seat. One time I 'came back' and I couldn't see for a few minutes.

Learning to take care of oneself when I only knew how to help others was and remains a huge challenge. Still working on the balance, and resent having to do so. Not so long ago, I used to tell my older patients that patience is required to allow our bodies to heal. With time, they will get better. How blithely my words came out to assure them, and how quickly I have reached their stage! Sorry that I didn't know better!

Above all else I think, is my fear of having no control over my life. none of us really do, but losing the illusion is a boomer bummer. Thank you, Adriana for your kind words and thoughts:)