I have this thing called Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and let me tell you that it really isn't what people think it is. People see the disorder part of ADHD and immediately think negatively. Others stigmatize the people who have to say they have ADHD because apparently, it's bad to have ADHD. Although, for me, a person who has ADHD, that is not my view.

ADHD is something beautiful. It's what I call a beautiful nightmare. This isn't the traditional view on it. Usually, when we're diagnosed as children we go to special ed or receive therapy or start medications, or a combination of the three. Kids start getting labeled as "different" from an early start and it isn't necessarily good. As a kid, I strived to be different to an extent, but I still wanted to be accepted by my peers. I wasn't accepted by them because I was that one weird kid who took Ritalin and acted funny. It took me a long time to realize that I was just as weird as anyone else in the class. It took me awhile to know that I have a more severe beautiful nightmare and that it makes it all the more interesting.

The beautiful nightmare ADHD brings me a different understanding of the world around me. As I said before, it took me awhile to understand that I am me and I have a beautiful mind. ADHD has helped me understand different emotions and has helped me detect them in others. ADHD has helped me understand how to find good friends because I have learned what evil people can do. ADHD has helped me understand aspects of depression and anxiety and how to get help for that. I list things that sound negative, but it actually isn't a negative thing. I have learned so much about the horrors of a stigmatism and that it shouldn't exist. I know that everyone deserves the love equally because ADHD isn't a bad thing.

ADHD has helped me do so many positive things. ADHD has helped me stay awake all night to do homework and still not be extremely exhausted. ADHD has helped me show how much passion I have for what I love to do or what I want to try. ADHD has helped me become more well-rounded because I have a naturally curious spirit. ADHD has helped me learn to be more compassionate because I know what it's like to be misunderstood. ADHD has helped me know that I can think creatively or out of the box because that's how I was made. ADHD helps me have a grateful outlook on learning because I know I can struggle with it. ADHD helped me realize I wanted to help the world because I can contribute new views and ideas from my experiences.

The beautiful nightmare I call ADHD is hectic, but it's a part of me. I've had to take the long way to realize I'm a beautiful person because I had a ton of criticism telling me I wasn't just because of ADHD. I'm here to say that whatever people say about you isn't what matters. If you have a mental health issue or a physical disability or whatever else people can point out as something wrong, all of the comments on how "bad" it is should just go over your head because it isn't bad. It just means you've truly earned where you have gotten. Special ed classes or assistive technology just means you are damn special because you can have a different experience than the rest that you can share. Love your struggles because you just show how hardworking you truly are.