What’s that coming over the hill? Is it ADHD? It’s ADHD…
Okay, so the title maybe doesn’t flow so well, but it did amuse me that my brain thought of it as I was creating a name.
ADHD is something that many of us are becoming more aware of, and how we might show some of the traits of - even to the extent of becoming diagnosed with ADHD. But what is it?
In a nutshell, it's called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Quite a mouthful! But where it's based on attention (our ability to concentrate and awareness of our surroundings) and hyperactivity (such as an inability to sit still, constantly moving about etc) - this condition doesn't always involve both sides.
For many people, they may struggle with attention but with no hyperactivity (or very little), or vice versa, or they may have a combination of traits of both. I believe there are still a lot of stereotypes around ADHD. Many people might still imagine ADHD as the young boy at school who can't sit still and terrorises the classroom. But what about someone who is overlooked? Is struggling to focus on something that is being said to them. There is no problem with their hearing, but their mind is racing at 100 miles per hour. This could be someone of any gender or age.
Obviously, with my little blog posts, I can't cover everything on this, or any topic really. But hopefully they might shed some light, or give you something to read (even if only on the loo).
I’ve named this the “Heavily Concentrating Owl”
I have ADHD, like many other people, and some days it really is a struggle. Trying to keep myself on task, and not get easily distracted. Why am I telling you this? Well, we all have conditions or things in life we're dealing with, and that's okay. I'm a person, just as you are, the one who is reading this right now. Sometimes it helps other people to know, even as counsellors, we have stuff going on that isn’t always easy! And ADHD is certainly not always easy. But it doesn't always have to be a bad thing.
And there are ways to work with and around ADHD. Many people try to force themselves to not have it - and to be "normal" - "like everyone else". But accepting that your mind works a different way, and is wired differently can help. It doesn’t have to be debilitating, but it does involve getting to know yourself better to help yourself.
Like anyone and everyone else, those of us with ADHD have strengths and weaknesses. We may have days where we struggle to motivate ourselves, and other days where we're ten steps ahead!
So here is where I invite you to think about how you feel day to day. Do you struggle with motivation? Concentration? Do you feel like there is a better way to work with your brain than against it? Whether you are diagnosed with ADHD or not, or believe it might be a part of your life, maybe there is a kinder way to be with yourself and your mind?
There are also a lot of different apps and tools out there that can help with staying on track and on time - some set reminders, others help you formulate emails and routines so that tasks are broken down in smaller chunks. Goblin Tools is a great app/website for some of this, and having notifications/reminders on your phone can help too.
Goblin Tools, they’re very helpful!
Have a think about what you might need help with - it might be worth checking out some of the apps/reminder tools. Or speaking with someone else who has lived experience can help too - connecting on that social level and knowing you aren’t alone if you’re having a difficult day.
