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Confessions of a teen with ADHD

Behind every ADHD diagnosis is a person who is just trying to be normal.

Camillia Dass

Published: 1 June 2016, 3:32 PM

I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when I was 12, and it has been quite a rollercoaster since then.

I was once ostracised by my friends because sometimes, people didn’t know what to do with me. Later in life, it became extremely hard to keep up with school. I often had doubts if I was going to make it, as I found it hard to focus on studying and completing tasks.

If you know someone with ADHD, here are the four things you should never assume about them.

1. I am not pretending

THIS IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT ADHD IS LIKE. PHOTO CREDIT: CDN.SOMEECARDS.COM

One of the biggest issues many ADHD kids face is ignorance. A lot of people tend to believe that ADHD is a made up disorder, or an excuse for bad behaviour. But the truth is, ADHD is a real thing.

It has existed for eons and there is plenty of research from places like the National Institute of Mental Health that proves its existence.

I often get annoyed when people who don’t have ADHD claim that it’s not real because they think it’s just an excuse for bad behaviour, or to take pills like Ritalin or Concerta.

And it’s not nice when you say that I’m imagining things because I have to live with it daily, and I know just how much it changes and affects my life.

2. I know I’m driving you crazy, but I can’t help it

I often struggle knowing that I am truly driving everyone around me crazy with my antics.

Trust me – I am aware of it, but I just can’t help it. It is part of my personality. So don’t make me feel bad for it.

Instead, join me as I bounce off the walls. Did you know that it is more fun to be high without actually being on a sugar high? You should try it one day.

It makes me feel a lot better when everyone joins in the fun too.

3. It is something that affects my whole life

I NOTICE EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING WITHIN MY LINE OF SIGHT. PHOTO CREDIT: BUZZFEED.COM

Having ADHD affects a person as a whole, and not just in their studies.

For example, if you are talking to me, I can assure you that I am paying attention to the words coming out of your mouth… along with every other minuscule thing that is happening.

Having ADHD also makes you super aware of your surroundings. So, while I am listening to you, I’ve also already noticed that the fork is on the wrong side, there are two breadcrumbs on the table, and that the couple next to us are probably on their honeymoon.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We can multi-task, but we also tend to forget a lot of things. We can be engrossed on something and be absolutely everywhere at the same time.

We are basically superheros.

4. It does not mean that I can’t sit still

WELL, I CAN SIT STILL SOMETIMES… PHOTO CREDIT: MEDIA.GIPHY.COM

A lot of people assume that people with ADHD are unable to sit still, but that’s not true. I can sit still just like every other human being. Just not for a really long time – like maybe 20 seconds.

That said, ADHD can be a real challenge, and I do have moments when I wish I didn’t have it, so that I could be more… normal.

Still, I wouldn’t change this part of myself for the world because I truly believe that it has shaped me to be the person I am today, and I’m proud of that.