Editor’s Notes: This article is part two of “ADHD and Me” published in Fall 2018.
October was ADHD Awareness Month. I found that out through YouTube and it took me by surprise. I live with ADHD, and to put it frankly, in October I wasn’t being aware of my own needs much less taking care of them.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that may make it difficult for one to pay attention, stay still, and learn new material. I had taken the winter semester off, and since returning I have been having a lot of difficulties getting back into the swing of things, to say the least. Funny enough, this article was intended for October, but was finished and submitted late (in true ADHD fashion). At the beginning of this semester, I registered for Student Accessibility Services (SAS) so that I could get accommodations that would help me succeed academically, like extra time on midterms and finals, and receiving notes provided by a notetaker. Even with this, I still was not prepared to be back in school. I had been ignoring my ADHD and letting classes and assignments go by without being fully present in mind.
I have been seeing my SAS advisor at least every other week. They are trying to keep me on track to graduate and monitoring how my ADHD causes me to react to the school environment. I have been given guidance on how someone with ADHD may have to change their mindset or routines to make life easier. My advisor and I try to problem solve, and I have been referred to counselling and to the Library Accessibility Services (LAS).
For the deeper-rooted issues that may be affecting me like emotion regulating, I go to counselling services on campus to talk through the issues. This has been a great mental relief. I have been seeing a counsellor of some sort since high school. Seeing someone from LAS has also been helpful in how I organize my workload and assignments.
The advice that had been consistent among all my advisors, as well as my counsellor, is that I ought to speak to my professors — let them know where I am having difficulties. I am currently in my third, and what seems to be my final year, but I still struggle with going to office hours and actually speaking to the professor. I experience anxiety as a symptom of my ADHD, and I need to work myself up to it. But, when I was able to speak to my professors, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I truly felt better moving forward, just from talking through what I am having difficulties understanding.
I was diagnosed with (inattentive) ADHD at 18 years old. It continues to be an ongoing learning experience. Some of the resources I turn to online to educate myself is “How to ADHD” on YouTube, run by Jessica McCabe. I have also found two great artists, Dani Donovan and Pina, who illustrate the ADHD experience. I enjoy finding and becoming part of the growing ADHD community online. It is very important for diagnosed as well as undiagnosed people to not feel alone in their daily struggles as arbitrary as it may be.
Some of my family and friends do not yet understand ADHD as a mental health problem. They may not fully understand it as a cognitive issue. It is not something that is easily fixed. I have been told to work harder or that I am lazy, by family and friends who seem to have the best intentions but end up being unhelpful, even hurtful. For the longest time I thought I was just lazy too, but what I learned is that when I am mentally unable to start on what I am supposed to be working on — this is referred to as “executive dysfunction” or being “under stimulated,” which is very common for ADHD brains. For those who do not understand ADHD, educate yourselves, otherwise, don’t offer advice; be a little patient with us; and treat us with kindness. We are trying to try our best, believe me.