My Experience with ADHD | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

My Experience with ADHD

I couldn't believe I went 21 years without knowing.

250
My Experience with ADHD
Youtube

In December I was officially diagnosed with ADHD. A few months before that, I was tossing the idea around that something was off about my mindset and attention span after reading this article. Essentially, what it did was explain how young women are often diagnosed with ADHD later in their twenties as opposed to childhood.due to the difference in symptoms from young boys. For most doctors and therapists they use a criteria that largely reflects outward behaviors that include rowdiness, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity that exhibits within the majority of boys. This leaves out and ignores a subgroup of ADHD known as Inattentive ADHD, traits that include a limited attention span, forgetfulness, and distractibility; this type of ADHD is mainly prevalent in girls. Because one type of ADHD is presented as more outward and troublesome in a classroom over the other, Inattentive ADHD people tend to be overlooked and go through childhood without a proper diagnosis.

As one can guess, I was within this Inattentive ADHD type. Throughout my education, I can remember staying focused and being on task as exceptionally challenging for me. Most of the times, teachers assumed I was goofing off or just not that interested in participating. I even got in trouble when I was twelve because of how messy my desk was. It wasn’t because I was a bad student, but more like I had the inability to pay attention. Due dates were always a struggle and it got to the point I had to be meticulous to the point where deadlines became anxiety-inducing. I got through school with decent grades, but I always felt I had to work two or three times as hard to get the same or average grades in comparison to my peers. I had no real coping mechanisms or strategies to deal with ADHD mainly because it never occurred to anyone that I had it. But inside, I was a constant forgetful mess and always felt mentally exhausted trying to keep everything in my head from getting scattered.

I’d like to say that I left K-12 education with high honors and I moved on to university, where I had to survive the next four years continuing as I had my whole life. The only thing was I felt like with each year my attention span became so short and my head became so cluttered it was a wonder I was able to remember everything. I was involved in various clubs and had a leadership role for the majority of college, but what came as a consequence was mainly my sleeping schedule. In college I became a vicious insomniac; because assignments took me so long to do because of my attention span, I would stay up late and I’d be too scared to fall asleep and wake up early to finish work. While I was happy with my education, I found time management to be exhausting and almost impossible at times; while I wrote out weekly schedules because I wanted to be on one, I could never really meet them.

It was spring break of last year when I was talking to a friend about my frustrations and she told me “wow, it sounds like ADHD.” It felt like a lightbulb went off in my head, but I wasn’t entirely sure due to the preconceived notions of what ADHD is. Once I learned the differences, I finally felt like there was something that described what I was going through. Once I told my doctor I was given medicine that didn’t really change me, but it allowed me to concentrate and keep my focus which is in a way was life-changing. I feel things are more manageable now, and that I can get things done within a reasonable period of time, which is a big relief for me. I'm so glad I've figured this out now and that I can move forward.

My experience with ADHD is only my story; it doesn’t reach out to everyone with ADHD since we all have different stories and experiences. I don’t feel upset that it took me this long to figure it out, but I do wish that there was a broader understanding of what ADHD is and how it manifests in different people so that maybe more people with my subgroup can be identified and helped sooner in life. It’s too easy for children to fall under the radar, and that should change.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

12012
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

5348
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

3964
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

3501
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments