When my little sister was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago, I was frankly, shocked.
Sure, she’s a little fidgety sometimes — but so am I. My whole family could be described as loud-mouths too, so that didn’t seem abnormal to me. But she was never badly behaved at school or had trouble staying in her seat. In fact, despite being 10 years younger, she was similar to me in a lot of ways.
But as it turned out she did have ADHD… And everything I knew about the condition was based on typically little boy symptoms.
Being a health writer, I spent a lot of time writing about the condition, interviewing psychiatrists and digging into the research. And after a while I discovered that it wasn’t a coincidence that I had all the same symptoms. Rather, I might have the condition too. Finally, after a series of tests, I was finally diagnosed, age 30.
The diagnosis really was life-changing. But I can’t help but wonder how different my life would be if I’d had this ‘aha!’ moment years before. Because there were some clear signs that many people missed…
Daydreaming
I was a creative child but I had issues with staying on task if I wasn’t 100% stimulated (and still do, to this day). I wasn’t shouting out every lesson. Rather, my restlessness meant I looked out the window or made up stories in my head.
Rejection sensitivity
I have always found criticism a little difficult and an actual rejection would have me ruminating for the next week (dating is less than ideal).
It turns out I wasn’t ‘too sensitive’ and I didn’t have an abandonment complex from being left at the park as I was a baby. I just had rejection sensitivity dysphoria, an emotional pain triggered by rejection — and a common aspect of the disorder that many of us face.
Hyperfixations
I wish I could count all the projects and hobbies I have started and given up on over the years. Social media accounts, writing books, creating a zine, going to life drawing, attempting woodwork, marathon running… The list could go on forever.
Many people with ADHD will lose track of time because they become so wrapped up in a task they find interesting… But then, once they take a break, the shine wears off and they never pick up the task/hobby again.
Changing up my whole life
I love to change things up — I have moved house 13 times in the past 11 years, for example. But while I love to keep things interesting, I also need routine to keep myself regulated. It’s a balance I’m learning to get a hold of now that helps keep me grounded and regulated.
Bad with money
My spontaneity, arguably, makes life interesting. I would say this is a good thing although American Express probably wouldn’t agree. People with ADHD can struggle with money due to impulse control — we crave a dopamine hit and for me, checking out on my Lululemon purchase or brand new pair of Levi’s scratches that itch.
Now, I’m not saying that every person that relishes change or loves a new pair of jeans has ADHD, but these were signs that I never realised and helped paint a full picture. Since my diagnosis and subsequently, learning more about how my brain works, it has changed my life for the better.
