ADHD: Understanding and Living with It

Genetic Origins and Symptoms

• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) primarily of genetic origin.
• Symptoms: Inattentive and Hyperactive forms.
  • People can experience both; thus, there's a spectrum of presentations.

Lisa's Journey with ADHD

Early Childhood

• Difficulty paying attention, easily distracted, daydreaming.
• Frequently forgets or loses things.
• Overwhelmed due to heightened sensory input:
  • Leads to crying and frustration.
• Parents' misunderstanding leads to scolding rather than support.

Primary School

• Inability to sit still, classroom disruptions.
• Smart in English and arts but poor grades in other subjects.
• Branded as lazy, not using potential.
• Difficulty making friends; feels different and bullied.
  • Friends consider her too emotional but appreciate her enthusiasm.

Middle School

• Doodling to stay focused, but teachers disapprove.
• Masks inattention by pretending to pay attention:
  • Results in completely losing concentration.
• Develops passion for creative writing.

High School

• Mind races with numerous thoughts:
  • Uses headphones to manage noise, especially during periods.
• Experiences intense mood swings, binge eating, and smoking.

Post-Secondary Education

• Enters a top literature program but struggles with responsibilities:
  • Feels burned out, neglects self-care.
  • Opens up to a friend about her struggles.
• Visits a psychiatrist and gets misdiagnosed with depression initially:
  • Further investigation reveals ADHD and depression.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• ADHD affects executive functions:
  • E.g., working memory, time perception, emotional regulation.
  • Some with ADHD react unusually to coffee (e.g., drowsiness).
• Positive traits: Creativity, caring nature, curiosity;
  • Can excel in the arts and sciences, respond calmly to stress (e.g., firefighters, surgeons).
• Treatment includes medication, therapy, regular sleep, and exercise.

Life Changes and Acceptance

• Medication calms Lisa's mind, improves daily functioning.
• Understands that medication is one part of management.
• Adapts lifestyle to play to her strengths.
• By age 30, embraces neurodivergence and publishes her first novel.

Discussion Prompt

• Considerations for living with ADHD:
  • Adapt and mask with medication and therapy?
  • Accept differences and adopt a fitting lifestyle?
• Call to engage by sharing thoughts in comments.
• Encouragement to check out other content and support the platform.

Additional Resources

• Website: sproutsschools.com
• Patreon: patreon.com/sprouts