ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. People with ADHD have difficulty paying attention, controlling behaviors, and sitting still, it's more than just that but I'll go over that in detail later on.
The three main symptoms of ADHD:
Inattention: Difficulty sustaining attention to tasks or play activities, easily getting distracted, and struggling to complete tasks.
Hyperactivity: Fidgeting, restlessness, and feeling constantly "on the go," even when there's no need to be.
Impulsivity: Impatience, interrupting others, blurting out answers, and having trouble waiting in line or taking turns.
The different types of ADHD
There are three subtypes of ADHD:
Predominantly Inattentive Type (ADHD-PI): Primarily characterized by inattention symptoms.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type (ADHD-PH): Primarily characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms.
Combined Type (ADHD-C): Characterized by symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Now that we have a solid understanding of ADHD, let me share with you what it’s like to experience the disorder as a teenager. Since I don't have ADHD, I'll be interviewing a friend of mine, Maazin, about various aspects of the disorder.
Mariam: Maazin, I'll be asking you questions regarding ADHD is that okay with you?
Maazin: “Sure”
Mariam: So, can you tell me a little about yourself and your
experience with ADHD?
Maazin: “ADHD affected my life more than I thought. After having failed my exams and the absolute inability to concentrate and unbearable boredom, my grades ended up getting a diagnosis. It's just something you accept you have and have to work on. It also compounds and causes other problems like feeling inadequate, depression, eating disorders, and anxiety. Work often gets procrastinated to either the first or the last moment where I will do everything in my power to get it done as quickly as possible to get it over with”
Mariam: Sounds like a challenging experience. When did you first realize you had ADHD? Were your grades the main reason you found out, or did you have other symptoms? What were your initial reactions?
Maazin: “I had suspicions, I just had to get it diagnosed for the sake of some sort of clarity. After the diagnosis, I saw some patterns in my own family, so perhaps it's genetic. I felt a bit sad knowing I had this thing and I wished I would grow out of it. Now I feel as if I won't, and have to learn to love myself and to use the strengths that it gives rather than the weakness”
Mariam: This is truly inspiring. I love that for you! How do you navigate social situations, such as group projects or friendships, with ADHD? Have you ever experienced difficulties with impulse control or blurting out thoughts in conversations? If so, how did you handle it?
Maazin: “I act very childish a lot of the time in public, maybe it's because of the inadequacy or social awkwardness that I feel. Generally, if I am not tired, I am fairly springy and fidgety. I have always stayed away from social situations just always has, it's something I have to work on. ADHD bleeds into your personality. In terms of blurting out thoughts and impulse control, I am very impulsive. Emotions can change quite quickly and I can decide on something and then decide to not follow through very quickly. Blurting out thoughts not so much, but I do sometimes talk to myself out loud accidentally or under my breath when I am bored or feeling some intense emotion. Generally, there's always a never-ending sometimes unbearable chatter in your head, saying negative things or imagining some things, wishing for others, etc.”
Mariam: And, have you experienced any mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety, related to your ADHD? If so, how have you addressed them?
Maazin: “I have, as of now I started meds again, I am not entirely sure how effective they are anymore but I am taking them in hopes depression and anxiety are lessened. It's nice to always do your best to be a good human being and not let your problems
dictate how you act to others”
Mariam: I believe anxiety and depression play an important role in affecting a person's viewpoint and the way they interact with others, and it amazes me that you have some power over how you interact with others! Moving on, how do you advocate for yourself when it comes to getting help or accommodations for your ADHD?
Maazin: “Absolutely go for it if it's affecting your day-to-day life consider CBT, therapy, and medications, also have a good support group to help you like family and friends”
Mariam: Hmm, well What do you think are some of the positive qualities and strengths that are often associated with ADHD?
Maazin: “Hyperfocus is nice, you get into a state of flow if you reeeally want something or want to get it done by a deadline or are excited by it. But it rarely happens unless you have something to look forward to. Personally, I tend to be more impulsive and spontaneous which
creates a weird, annoying, empathetic, emotionally charged personality. It definitely has its negatives but also, it's fine.”
Mariam: What strategies or techniques have you found helpful in managing your ADHD symptoms? How do you prioritize tasks and stay organized?
Maazin: “I tend to procrastinate a lot, but when something is extremely unpleasurable anxiety provoking I tend to complete it as quickly as possible to get it over with. Hyperfocus helps with this at times”
Mariam: Can you share some tips on how you stay focused and avoid distractions? And how do you handle stress, anxiety, or frustration when dealing with ADHD-related challenges?
Maazin: “Exercise is a good coping mechanism, music, I definitely need to include meditation and more journaling. Music acts like an extra stimulus just enough to keep me engaged in studies”
Mariam: Lastly, what advice would you give to teenagers who are just starting to navigate their ADHD diagnosis?
Maazin: “Get informed, look for strategies that work personally for you, do your best, and don't feel lonely, many people go through it. This is a chance for you to manage this hurdle and grow.”
Mariam: Thank you for helping me with this!
Maazin: “Thank you for the opportunity “
Mariam: You're welcome it was my pleasure!
In summary, ADHD significantly affects a teenager's relationships, academic performance, and various other areas of their life. Due to the limited awareness of the disorder, individuals with ADHD often encounter misunderstandings and judgment. To gain a deeper understanding of this condition, I proactively chose to interview a teenage ADHD patient to immerse myself in their experiences. Despite the challenges associated with ADHD, it is important to acknowledge that with support and understanding, individuals can surmount these obstacles and thrive.
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great article!