What’s it like living with ADHD? 20-year-old Gethin shares what ADHD is and how the disorder affects him for ADHD awareness month.
What is ADHD?
I suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). What this means is that I have a medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People who have ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. I have trouble focusing on tasks – this can get me into trouble.
What are some symptoms of ADHD?
Usually, a person with ADHD:
- has difficulty paying attention or staying focused on a task or activity
- has problems finishing assignments at school or home and jumps from one activity to another
- has trouble focusing on instructions and difficulty following through
- loses or forgets things such as homework
- is easily distracted, even when doing something fun
- has problems paying close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- has trouble organizing tasks and activities
- has difficulty waiting for a turn
- interrupts or intrudes on other people
- blurts out answers before questions have been completed
- fidgets with hands or feet or squirms about when seated
- feels restless
- talks excessively and has trouble engaging in activities quietly
What causes ADHD?
At the moment, doctors are not sure why some people have ADHD. Research shows that ADHD is probably genetic and that it may be inherited in some cases. This means you will inherit it from a member of your family (eg. Mother or Father).
Is there a cure?
Because there’s no cure for ADHD, doctors treat people by helping them to manage the symptoms most effectively. Because some people have more trouble with the attention side of the disorder and others have more problems with the activity side, doctors tailor their treatment to the person’s symptoms. So different people with ADHD may have different treatments.
My story: Living with ADHD
When I was in school, I was bullied for having ADHD, and it really made me feel like I was different. If you are in school and have ADHD or any other disability and you are being bullied, please tell someone because you should NOT be bullied for being different. Everyone is different, so you are not alone.
If you want to talk to someone but you’re not sure who, you can talk to Meic anonymously for free via text, phone, or online chat.
If you think you may have ADHD, please go to your GP and do not diagnose yourself.
Thank you to all of my friends and family who have helped me and accepted me for who I am.
Related Information
This blog post was taken from our archives for ADHD awareness month. It was originally published on 20/04/2012 by WelshBoy199. WelshBoy199 has been given the pseudonym of Gethin.
Check out TheSprout’s Info pages on Mental Health, Bullying, and Special Educational Needs.