If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, you’ve probably heard people call you ‘lazy’, ‘distracted’, or ‘hyper’. However, there’s much more behind the acronym that people understand, and being quick to call ADHD people these words can harm them more than what you’d think they would.
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is one of the most common disorders given to children. According to the CDC, “Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.” While most young children do act like this, ADHD is identified with the person not growing out of these aspects of life.
Being diagnosed as a neurodivergent individual isn’t easy at times. Many people have the old stereotype of ADHD people not really having the disorder. They tend to believe that people with ADHD are just ‘lazy’ and ‘distracted’. If they just focused more, tried harder, did better, then they would be more successful. While it is important to focus, try hard, and do good, these acts cannot erase ADHD. And in most cases, it’s easier said than done to do these things. While, yes, it’s possible the symptoms tend to fade a little in adulthood, the effects on the brain are still there.
Living with ADHD is a journey. An NPR interview talked about Bobby, a student from Massachusetts. He has ADHD and gets seizures. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Bobby, a sixth grader at the time, was better accommodated in online school because he could take care of the seizures better. In addition, the teachers would usually send videos to explain the assignment, so forgetting things wouldn’t be a problem. However, during in-person school, he suffered a lot. His mother, Tashena Holmes, said in the interview that he used to get in trouble a lot during school, even with accommodations, because of him not turning in assignments. However, in online school, he’s significantly improved in that aspect.
Unfortunately, not many people are as lucky as Bobby in the sense of improving in school or life in general. More than a few people still struggle with ADHD, and, like most disorders, there are ups and downs. It’s especially hard with adults, because they don’t have accommodations for them in the workplace like they do in school. And if your ADHD goes undiagnosed, no treatment can be very bad, especially when you’re an adult and are expected to get things done quickly and efficiently, two things that ADHD people can struggle on at times.
However, hope is still out there. More and more schools and organizations are showing their support for their neurodivergent members and students. In addition, therapy for students has been more encouraged since the pandemic, so more people have been diagnosed. In addition, more and more treatment has been available for ADHD people, more than just medication. Things like therapy, learning accommodations, and more resources for ADHD have been given so that the disorder can be treated more effectively, and, in turn, be more successful in life.
It’s important to understand ADHD as more than just an excuse. It’s a valid struggle and disorder that people have and adapt to. When you label anyone neurodivergent, not just people with ADHD, as a stereotype, like ‘lazy’, then it can hurt self-esteem and confidence. It’s not a coincidence that people with ADHD tend to have much lower self-esteem than the average person. However, if you educate yourself on ADHD and take the time to learn about how it is like to have it and how to help someone with ADHD, then you can help people struggling with this disorder and help more people understand and accept ADHD. But the most important thing to remember is that neurodivergent people are just as valid as anyone else, and ADHD is no exception.
October is ADHD Awareness Month. Wear Orange to show your support for people with ADHD.
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