Living With ADHD
Follow an interview from an anonymous GPHS student about their experience living with ADHD and how it has impacted their life and education with this monthly Mental Health Column. Scroll to the bottom for an opportunity to share your struggle and experiences for our upcoming issues.
MENTAL HEALTH : ADHD
Interview Conducted By Deenie Bulyalert
Disclaimer: This article discusses sensitive information regarding mental health that some people may feel uncomfortable with reading. Statements made in this article may trigger those faced with the same challenges. However, the goal of this article is to help those who may be struggling and to shed light on the struggles of different mental disorders.
We all have beautiful stories. This is one of them. Everyone's experiences are different, but your feelings are valid. You are strong, amazing, and a person with an interesting story, no matter what it may be.
If you need immediate mental health help, then The Scroll strongly urges you to contact Grants Pass High School's mental health counselor, Kris Stuart, at the following link: kstuart@grantspass.k12.or.us
Why have you decided to tell your story? (why did you say yes to telling your story?)
Mainly because you (Deenie), asked and I felt comfortable talking about it. Also, I feel like it's easy for people to think it’s the same way for everyone, but it’s really not, and I would like to say that ADHD affects everyone differently. These are just the ways it affects me.
I have not been diagnosed yet and I do understand that self-diagnosing can be dangerous. However, I have done research to learn more about this topic and the fact my dad has a lot of similar symptoms. Also, around next month, I am going to see a doctor.
If you were, when were you diagnosed?
How does ADHD look for you? how does it feel for you?
The best way to describe it for someone who isn't me is that your mind is racing a lot of the time, not always, but it’s just always going as fast as possible. For how it looks, not much different than any other person. However, you’ll find me tapping or bouncing my leg or even just playing with something in my hand a lot of the time.
A weird mix of trying to focus, but having a hard time paying attention. I would get bored easily if I wasn’t in a subject I enjoyed or learning something that just didn't interest me. A teacher would say one thing and I would just not register it. It made it kind of hard to stay at a passing grade a lot of the time.
How did a regular day look like for you when we were going to school in-person?
How has being in an online format impacted you? Does having adhd make it harder?
Hard, to say the least. It’s the same issue but now I have a computer and phone. I think this is a struggle for everyone, but more distractions and fewer consequences just made it easier to not pay attention and focus on other things that I actually enjoyed.
Maybe it’ll be a little easier. Actually, it has already been. I feel like the more structured setting of going to school helps with doing my work and I feel like having a teacher tell me what to do just registers better than my computer.
How do you feel now that we are on a hybrid schedule?
Are there tasks that are easier for others, but can be incredibly hard for you?
A few, and also some scenarios like sitting still or not having something in my hands. For some reason, it bugs me. Stress and anxiety also get more extreme because, as soon as something happens, my brain just goes to every possible scenario and stays on the bad ones. This causes me to not want to confront people or stand up for myself. Another weird thing that happens is I tend to feel uncomfortable looking people in the eyes. I can look someone in the eyes and then, when they look into mine, I just quickly look away and I feel like people think I’m hiding something.
Not really in the way this question phrases it. It sounds like it is saying, “What caused your ADHD?” and to answer that, nothing. You're just born with it. You learn to handle it better, some people with medication, some with tea or meditation, and some through just doing their passion as they are.
Are there impactful events that you went through in the past that may have contributed to the struggles you face today?
What was one of the lowest points you have faced while dealing with this and how did you get better?
I’m going to start by saying there is no cure. You're born with this and stuck with it. There are ways to help, like I said in my last question, but it varies from person to person. My lowest point, I feel, is my anxiety attacks. Like I said before, I feel like anxiety is heightened either for me or just anyone with ADHD. I have gotten better at not controlling it, but recognizing when a situation will cause me distress and leave it.
Personally, I listen to screamo rap. I know it sounds weird, but the loud noises calm me down and I think it’s because I know what's going to happen in every song and am in control of it which helps me relax. Another thing is caffeine. I learned that caffeine often has the opposite effect for people with ADHD or ADD and relaxes them instead of giving them energy. This can come from energy drinks, or coffee, or even sweets. Another thing I would recommend is something with your hands, either video games, cooking or baking, drawing, just something to keep your mind and body active at the same time on the same task.
How do you cope with having ADHD?
How could people who don’t understand or know what you are going through help you or other people facing the same challenges?
I would ask for them to try and understand that it’s going to make someone do things that don’t seem normal but, if it makes them happy, support them and just let them be. A personal example is Pokemon. I love it and it helps me do something with my hands while keeping my mind busy and having a goal I want to achieve and it’s not hurting anyone. I would ask people trying to help to simply let people with ADHD be themselves and don't downplay it. The phrase: “We all have a little ADHD” can really make someone feel like what they're going through doesn’t matter. For some people, ADHD can cause major problems at home or work.
The image of a little boy in class who won’t sit still. Yes, for some people it affects them like that, where they cause a ruckus or can’t sit still and need to be in motion. It’s not the same for everyone and affects everyone in a variety of ways (if you haven’t picked up, for me, I like keeping my hands in motion). It's also not something that goes away or only affects boys because, for some reason, I've heard that some people think that. That’s just not true. Your 80-year-old grandma can have ADHD and that’s just how it is. There is nothing wrong with having it, but some people need to realize that.
What are some misconceptions that you think people should change about ADHD?
What would you like to say to those who may be in the same position?
Find something that keeps you calm, or something that counteracts the effects you have. If you constantly need to move, go running. If you need to talk a lot, start a podcast. Why not. If you overthink or your mind's racing, then doodle. Get a piece of paper and a pencil and just fill the whole page with doodles. You're not broken and there’s nothing that makes you different. It's going to be harder for you to do certain things but you just have to overcome them. You can do it, it's going to be ok.
Resources for Help:
Grants Pass High School Has Licensed Therapists:
Kris Stuart- Mental Health Counselor
Mr. Baxter - Options Specialist Counselor
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Hotline:
US: Text HOME to 741741 to be connected with a Crisis Counselor
They are there to help. If you need it, please ask. You do not have to fight this battle alone.
