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Hmm ADHD is trending! Well lemme talk about ADHD for a minute because untreated ADHD really screwed me up for a long time!
The most important thing I want you to understand is that ADHD most likely doesn& #39;t actually look like you think it does
The most important thing I want you to understand is that ADHD most likely doesn& #39;t actually look like you think it does
By you I mean neurotypicals! But I also mean people who might not believe they could possibly have ADHD because their symptoms don& #39;t match up with the popular perception of ADHD.
The latter was me, btw. For a very long time.
The latter was me, btw. For a very long time.
First: ADHD doesn& #39;t look like failure!
We tend to identify ADHD with struggling, especially in school. But people with ADHD can be really good students--I know, I was one! See when you have untreated ADHD you tend to figure out certain coping methods to compensate
We tend to identify ADHD with struggling, especially in school. But people with ADHD can be really good students--I know, I was one! See when you have untreated ADHD you tend to figure out certain coping methods to compensate
Because ADHD/ADD tends to trigger Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), an extreme emotional response to perceived rejection, ADHD/ADD sufferers will do a lot to Not Fail
(more RSD info here: https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-and-adhd/">https://www.additudemag.com/rejection... )
(more RSD info here: https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-and-adhd/">https://www.additudemag.com/rejection... )
I was generally perceived as a very good student throughout my school experience although there were telling signs--I was incredibly disorganized, I put off work, in subjects where I struggled I would basically just....not try and make a joke out of it. Regardless, I did well
I even got a Masters degree!
But my workarounds ended up being super unhealthy. I& #39;d turn to illegal substances to force myself to focus, I& #39;d work myself raw to finish a semester& #39;s worth of work in a week....but I looked like I was succeeding. That was all that mattered
But my workarounds ended up being super unhealthy. I& #39;d turn to illegal substances to force myself to focus, I& #39;d work myself raw to finish a semester& #39;s worth of work in a week....but I looked like I was succeeding. That was all that mattered
Second: ADHD/ADD doesn& #39;t have to be loud
The media has given us the impression that ADHD/ADD--especially in children--is a young boy who can& #39;t keep quiet. Who is disruptive and uncontrollable. And certainly this is one aspect of ADHD/ADD
The media has given us the impression that ADHD/ADD--especially in children--is a young boy who can& #39;t keep quiet. Who is disruptive and uncontrollable. And certainly this is one aspect of ADHD/ADD
But ADHD/ADD can also be quiet. I was quiet. I turned my not-focusing into compulsive doodling during school, or becoming fixated on something completely unrelated to the task at hand, or acting out in ways that didn& #39;t attract attention (I would steal things for example)
But because I didn& #39;t attract attention, no one found a reason to point out something might be wrong with me. Something might need addressing.
In fact ADHD/ADD is so often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all because so many of us aren& #39;t loud. We aren& #39;t obvious.
In fact ADHD/ADD is so often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all because so many of us aren& #39;t loud. We aren& #39;t obvious.
Third: symptoms of ADHD/ADD aren& #39;t all about attention
Look I know "attention" is in the name but like, disregard it for a second because ADHD/ADD impacts so much more than just a person& #39;s ability to focus
Look I know "attention" is in the name but like, disregard it for a second because ADHD/ADD impacts so much more than just a person& #39;s ability to focus
Sensory processing disorder
Executive dysfunction
Anxiety
Depression
Uncontrollable compulsions
Difficulty processing language
Difficulty processing numbers
These are just some of the many things related to ADHD/ADD
Executive dysfunction
Anxiety
Depression
Uncontrollable compulsions
Difficulty processing language
Difficulty processing numbers
These are just some of the many things related to ADHD/ADD
ADHD/ADD can impact things like balance and spatial awareness. It can even impact the way someone processes chemicals like caffeine.
Basically the symptoms of ADHD/ADD are so much more complex than just lack of focus
Basically the symptoms of ADHD/ADD are so much more complex than just lack of focus
IN CLOSING (because this is long enough already) ADD/ADHD doesn& #39;t always look like it "should" based on the way the media has distorted its symptoms and presentations. ADD/ADHD is a complex disorder & deserves more understanding
Anyway! Help me help cats! https://twitter.com/ellle_em/status/1309999500992405504?s=20">https://twitter.com/ellle_em/...
