A Mind in Motion: Understanding Life with ADHD

ADHD is a way of thinking and behaving that affects many people. It can make it hard to focus, stay organised, and control impulses, which can be frustrating in a world designed for people who think differently. 

However, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can help people with ADHD thrive.

At a Glance

ADHD is considered a disability, mainly because our society is primarily designed with neurotypical individuals in mind. Instead of pressuring those with ADHD to conceal their characteristics, proper support involves crafting spaces that cater to their needs, allowing them to thrive without the need for masking.

Navigating life with ADHD involves being mindful of your characteristics and continually seeking strategies that best suit you. Through appropriate support and treatment, you can construct a life that empowers you to fulfill your highest potential.

How Individuals with ADHD Might Be Viewed

Individuals with ADHD typically experience challenges with maintaining focus, drifting away from tasks, excessive talking, fidgeting, and impulsivity. Hyperactivity is a common manifestation in children, often becoming attention difficulties as they grow, potentially affecting their academic performance.

This form of neurodiversity is frequently misunderstood. Without an understanding of ADHD characteristics, people might mistakenly view children with ADHD as lacking motivation, being lazy, or troublesome.

Adults with ADHD might be perceived as unreliable or scatterbrained, owing to their difficulties in remembering crucial information, fulfilling responsibilities, and staying focused on tasks.

The Experience of Receiving a New Diagnosis

• Relief: Initially, receiving an ADHD diagnosis can bring a sense of relief. It explains your experiences, validating that your characteristics are due to a different brain wiring rather than personal flaws.
• Anger: As the initial relief dissipates, anger might set in. This could be due to not wanting ADHD or feeling frustrated with those who previously criticized your behaviors without understanding their origin.
• Grief: A sense of sadness might emerge over not being diagnosed sooner. You might mourn the life you could have had without ADHD challenges or feel sorrow for your younger self who faced difficulties in school and daily life without knowing the reason.

Feeling a variety of emotions following your diagnosis is typical, and it's equally common for your feelings and experiences to evolve as you gain insight into managing life with ADHD.

Steps You Can Take

• Remind yourself that it's normal to experience a wide range of emotions, even the painful ones.
• Open up to others about your feelings and don't hesitate to seek support.
• Join a local ADHD support group to connect with others who understand your situation.
• Consider consulting a therapist experienced in ADHD for professional guidance.
• Research and articles, like the one by Bjerrum, Pedersen, and Larsen on adults living with ADHD symptoms, offer valuable insights.
• Connect with others who have ADHD through in-person meetings or social media to share experiences and tips. Gaining perspective from those who have managed their diagnosis for longer can be incredibly beneficial.
• Explore online resources created by individuals with ADHD. For example, the "How to ADHD" YouTube channel provides practical advice and coping strategies from someone living with ADHD.

Choosing Whom to Inform

Disclosing your diagnosis to certain individuals can be a step towards progress and embracing your true self while managing ADHD. However, communicating what ADHD entails to friends and family can be challenging. Some might misconstrue it as an excuse to avoid daily obligations.

Individuals unfamiliar with the condition might provide unwelcome suggestions, such as reducing TV time to improve symptoms, which can be challenging to accept.

To help those around you understand and support you with ADHD, share resources about the neurotype and explain what kind of assistance works best for you.

You might also consider informing your employer or academic instructor. If your child receives an ADHD diagnosis, it's important to communicate this with their educational institution.

Employers and educational institutions can offer support through tailored adjustments. For instance, positioning your desk in a less distracting area or using noise-cancelling headphones can significantly boost your efficiency.

Additionally, it is crucial to directly inform all your healthcare providers about your diagnosis rather than assuming your medical records will automatically convey this information.

Challenges

• Concentration Difficulties: Struggling to focus on tasks, especially if they are not immediately rewarding or engaging, can make it hard to complete work or school assignments.
• Hyperactivity: Some individuals may experience restlessness and have trouble sitting still, which can be disruptive in environments that require calmness and focus, like classrooms or offices.
• Impulsivity: Making hasty decisions without fully considering the consequences can lead to problems in personal relationships and professional settings.
• Time Management and Organization: Difficulties in planning, organizing tasks, and managing time efficiently can lead to missed deadlines and appointments.
• Emotional Regulation: People with ADHD often experience emotions more intensely and may have difficulty regulating their responses to everyday frustrations.
• Social Challenges: Misinterpretations of social cues and impulsive responses can complicate social interactions and relationships.
• Memory Issues: Short-term memory problems and forgetfulness can make it hard to remember commitments or complete tasks.
• Executive Functioning: Challenges with executive function can affect the ability to prioritize, start and complete tasks, and manage tasks simultaneously.
• Self-Esteem and Mental Health: The ongoing struggles with these challenges can impact self-esteem and lead to anxiety, depression, or feelings of inadequacy.
• Adapting to Change: People with ADHD may find it hard to cope with changes in routine or unexpected situations, leading to increased stress or anxiety.

Handling Your Characteristics

Collaborate with healthcare providers to identify optimal treatment strategies for ADHD. If a treatment isn't effective, be proactive in expressing your concerns and asking about expected outcomes.

Even if treatments seem to be working, it's essential to keep an eye on your ADHD traits, as they might evolve due to environmental shifts or as you age. Maintain open communication with your healthcare team about any new symptoms or challenges. Medication adjustments or switches might be necessary at times. Life changes, such as a new job, might also prompt the start of therapy.

Exploring lifestyle modifications can be beneficial too. For instance, better organizing your life may reduce time spent looking for lost items if you find that needing more structure helps manage your traits.