How Does ADHD Affect A Person's Daily Life?
Back in 2013, I knew something was wrong. I understood that depression was a thing; and that I needed help. But how to ask for it was harder. When I moved from Texas to California for a job, my priority was to find a new doctor. I needed to tell someone that my mind was broken.
And soon I found that doctor, he placed me into counseling to talk my way through depression. Soon after that, the counselor added Anxiety too. It began to make sense; the inability to make clear decisions, hemming and hawing. Going to the grocery store became a major life event; I would spiral over whether or not to bring my own bags or when I should go to the store, to begin with.
For the next 6 years, I would spend time with different counselors, therapists, and medications. All with just a small amount of success. I felt bored on the job, unable to effectively work without distracting my own brain. I had resorted to playing old history documentaries in the background during the workday so I could do the mundane basic tasks of desk work.
I knew this wasn't normal. But the doctors said that the medication was working. So why didn't feel like it? By January of 2019, I had realized that California became too expensive to live in and decided to leave for Arizona.
My parents lived in Arizona, it seemed if I was at least near family maybe just maybe it would help. I found a job in Phoenix at a billboard advertising company. I had my own office, it seemed like I was finally breaking into something new in an unfulfilling career. But it was not to be.
The job wasn't hard, but the manager was. One moment she'd be patient and kind, and understanding that this was a new realm of learning for me. And then would be overbearing, and condescending. Going behind my work and altering it. The stress this caused seemed to increase every week.
I had begun seeing both a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist. In May of 2019, after describing how I was using old videos online to distract me in order to do my job, the psychologist asked me if I had ever been tested for ADHD. I said no, I knew what it was, but assumed that it was something boys got and not girls.
She then asked me a series of questions. Suddenly it all made sense. My inability to sit still long enough to write. How hard it was for me to focus on tasks that had little to no interest for me. And then she connected it all for me. ADHD and Anxiety are comorbid disorders. For some, having both not only can happen, but one can make the other feel and seem worse.
Now I understand that these last 6 or 7 years I had been treated for symptoms of a bigger problem. And as a result, it now made sense why I never felt like anything was working. My medications changed, but my insecurities on my job did not. After months of constant up and down, inconsistencies of support from my boss, I quit.
Today, living back in my home state of Ohio I am finally beginning to get the help I need; and learning to live with ADHD as an adult. It's odd, like learning who you are all over again; connecting the dots that you assumed made you weird or different.
I understand that my mind is not broken, nor was it ever broken. But, I understand now that my mind is a place of wild imagination, filled with so many ideas and information, that gathering myself long enough to put together a cohesive piece of writing is at times daunting.
I still struggle with the time management part of my writing and know that I get ahead of myself when I sit to brainstorm about what to write about next. Yet, there are moments in time where I will get the inspiration to write, and the text flows easily and fluid. By the time I come out of the inspiration, what lays before me I don't even recognize.
People search their whole lives looking for what they should or shouldn't do with themselves; looking for a talent to take them to a place of satisfaction. I know my place is with writing. What lays before me now, is getting to that place without losing the focus that ADHD distracts.
In some ways, I have to re-learn all I ever thought about my life through the spectrum that ADHD has put in front of me. Some of this is so clear and obvious. Others are still shrouded in shadows, making it frustrating for me to understand why I do the things I do, and why I can't seem to break that cycle.
One thing is for sure, it will be a process. And as long as I can, I will continue to work to understand not only myself but others who suffer from this as well.
Opinions and Perspectives
The ongoing process of understanding yourself really stands out. There's no quick fix.
Realizing your mind isn't broken is such a powerful moment. We just think differently.
This feels like reading my own story. Especially the part about relearning who you are.
Makes me think about how many people are out there struggling without knowing why.
Finding the right healthcare team seems crucial. Glad the author finally found professionals who understood.
I relate to that feeling of everything suddenly making sense after diagnosis.
The description of writing flow states is fascinating. Maybe ADHD brains are better at deep focus than we think.
Interesting how the author used documentaries as a coping mechanism. We all find our own ways to manage.
Reading this makes me realize how many of my quirks might actually be ADHD-related.
Love that the author found their passion in writing despite the challenges. Gives me hope.
The journey to self-understanding really resonates. Each day I learn something new about how my brain works.
Dealing with unsupportive bosses is hard enough without ADHD in the mix. Been there, done that.
It's refreshing to read about adult ADHD from a female perspective. We need more voices like this.
Sometimes I worry about sharing my diagnosis at work. Stories like this help normalize it.
The writing style really captures the ADHD experience. All those connected thoughts flowing together.
Never thought about how background noise could be helpful. Might try that at work tomorrow.
The cycle of trying to break habits while not fully understanding them is exhausting.
Interesting how moving to be near family was part of the journey. Support systems are so important.
I appreciate how the author acknowledges both the struggles and the gifts that come with ADHD.
Great article but it makes me angry how many years people suffer before getting proper diagnosis.
The part about connecting dots about past behaviors is so accurate. Looking back, everything makes more sense now.
Anyone else feel validated reading about the grocery store anxiety? That's such a specific experience I thought only I had.
I also use background noise to focus. My coworkers think it's weird but it really helps.
The description of trying different medications really highlights how complex treatment can be.
This reminds me to be more patient with myself. Recovery and adaptation is definitely a process.
Working with ADHD is such a challenge. I wish more employers understood and provided accommodations.
I love how the author frames it as understanding rather than fixing. Our minds aren't broken, just different.
The constant job changes hit close to home. I always thought I was just bad at committing to things.
Just started my diagnosis journey and this gives me hope that understanding will come with time.
I understand the frustration with early treatment focusing on depression when ADHD was the root cause.
Does anyone else find it ironic that the article about ADHD is so well-written and organized? Goes to show we can excel with the right support.
The comparison of your mind to a place of wild imagination is beautiful. We need to focus more on the positive aspects of ADHD too.
This article makes me feel less alone. I've been dealing with similar challenges for years but was afraid to seek help.
I struggle with time management too. Sometimes I feel like everyone else got a manual on how to handle time that I missed.
The part about relearning who you are after diagnosis really speaks to me. It's like getting a new lens to view your whole life through.
It's interesting how the author needed to move several times before finding the right support system.
I never knew ADHD and anxiety were so connected. Makes me wonder if I should get evaluated too.
That manager situation sounds awful. Having ADHD makes it even harder to deal with inconsistent leadership styles.
The description of writing flow states is spot on. When inspiration hits, it's like time doesn't exist.
Can totally relate to the wild imagination part. My mind is always racing with ideas but getting them organized is the real challenge.
Finding the right treatment combination seems like such a journey. I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me.
It's frustrating how ADHD presents differently in women, which leads to many of us being diagnosed later in life.
The grocery store anxiety is so real. I thought I was just indecisive, but now I understand it's part of a bigger picture.
Sometimes I feel guilty about needing videos or music to focus. Glad to know I'm not alone in using this coping mechanism.
What struck me was how the anxiety and ADHD feed into each other. I never realized they were connected until reading this.
The part about needing background noise to focus really hit home. I always have podcasts playing while I work, otherwise I can't concentrate at all.
This resonates with me so much. I was diagnosed at 35 and suddenly my whole life made sense. The constant job changes, the inability to focus without background noise, all of it.
I really appreciate the author sharing their journey. It's so important to talk openly about ADHD, especially in adults since many still think it's just a childhood condition.