My Life with ADHD
Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is like embarking on a rollercoaster through a constantly shifting landscape of thoughts and emotions that affects your day to day life. Despite its prevalence, ADHD remains frequently misunderstood by those who haven’t experienced first hand. This is the reality of what it is like to live with ADHD, from the perspective of someone who has grown up and encountered its challenges firsthand. However, before we delve into my experiences of ADHD, it is essential to establish a clear understanding of what ADHD truly entails.
ADHD is a neurological disorder that persists from childhood through adulthood. It is typically characterised by a difficulty to concentrate, poor emotional and impulse control, and its symptoms can impact performance in school, social interactions, and home life.
There are three types of ADHD variants: inattentive type, the hyperactive-impulsive type and the combined type.
Inattentive ADHD is characterised by decreased sensations, emotions and thoughts. Symptoms include: poor attention to detail, failure to adhere to tasks and instructions, forgetfullness, being easily distracted, and finding it hard to concentrate when others are talking.
Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD, on the other hand, is characterised by increased sensations, emotions and thoughts. Symptoms include: fidgeting, finding it hard to stay seated or engage in quiet activities, excessive talking, and interrupting during conversations.
Combined ADHD is a mixture of both Inattentive ADHD and Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD, and symptoms include a mixture from both types.
My earliest recollections of ADHD affecting my life trace back to kindergarten, when I was 5 years old. I distinctly remember being unable to learn and concentrate in class to the extent that I fell so far behind in my learning that my teacher asked to meet with my parents. I was soon thereafter diagnosed with combined inattentive and hyperactive ADHD, and was treated by a paediatrician with stimulants. The stimulant allowed me to not only learn but to progress socially by boosting my confidence, focus and concentration whilst simultaneously reducing my hyperactive, inattentive, and impulsive tendencies.
Whilst stimulants significantly helped me academically and socially, it had its limitations. To this day I still struggle to maintain focus on one subject. The inattentive side of ADHD makes finishing tasks feel like climbing a mountain, as random thoughts constantly roam within my consciousness constantly, making it difficult to stay on track, whether it be staying on task in school or listening in a conversation. Paradoxically, when I am doing an activity or completing a task that interests me, I can become utterly absorbed within it, allowing amazing productivity and creativity.
I personally find the hyperactive side of ADHD impacts my social life as it leads to some disruptive behaviours and the impulsivity side causes me to dominate conversations and speak inappropriately. Additionally, it makes it difficult to engage in quiet activities and leads to nervous energy, making sleep difficult and causing anxiety.
ADHD had a significant impact on my personality, leading to emotional instability, rejection sensitivity, mood swings, and emotional dysregulation. Navigating interpersonal relationships can be particularly challenging, as impulsivity and emotional reactivity may strain my connections with friends, family, and colleagues. As I have grown up, the symptoms of ADHD have slowly receded, and I have learnt how to live with it and prevent my impulsive tendencies from dominating my life.
The other day, whilst discussing ADHD with my friend in the car, I made a realisation: ADHD is like a double-edged sword. While this article may portray the disorder as a challenge to live with, individuals with ADHD often present with many strengths. They often possess a unique sense of humour, heightened empathy, and intelligence that can lead to success in various academic and social contexts, showcasing capabilities that may elude neurotypical individuals. ADHD embodies a complex tapestry of challenges and strengths, shaping the lives of those who experience it in multifaceted ways.
Some famous individuals who reportedly had ADHD are:
- Alexander Graham Bell - inventor
- Agatha Christie - author of detective novels
- Leonardo da Vinci - artist, scientist
- Thomas Edison - inventor
- Albert Einstein - physicist
- John F. Kennedy - U.S. president
- John Lennon - singer, songwriter
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - classical composer
- George Bernard Shaw - playwright
- Jules Verne - novelist and poet