'My ADHD imagination has a habit of running wild, meandering down harmful paths filled with negative thoughts that stick like Velcro. Catastrophic images appear. I beat myself up over this.' LivingOutLoud_
I may look just like everyone else, but I know I’m different. I feel the most disconnected and dissimilar when I try — and fail — to communicate my unique perspective. No one understands what I’m talking about; it’s almost as if I’m speaking a foreign language. At these times, I either feel as if I am the only sane and observant person present, or I feel isolated and misunderstood. Or both, especially when I see their eyes rolling as I speak.
I love people. Conversation is like an indulgent dessert — most days. But on bad days, my racing brain drowns out all sound and paralyzes my brain and my tongue. When I sit among friends engaged in conversation on those bad days, my body is there, but my mind is elsewhere. You think I hear what you're saying, but all I hear is mumbling. I try to focus on your words, but my darting mind sabotages me. When my emotions are this strong, I have no words.
On a recent trip to a vineyard, my friends and I were driving down a very narrow dirt road in a beat-up old rented van that wouldn’t go in reverse. When we became wedged between barbed wire and bushes scraping the side of the car, I panicked. We weren’t in danger, but I began screaming out loud, “Get me out of here! Help!” Everyone else was fine. One person was laughing. Another one was quiet. Not me. I was screaming, despite the fact that I was safe and with friends. They still love me.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hey, ADHD Moms: Do You Find Raising Your Kids with ADHD As Hard As I Do?'In some ways, having ADHD makes it easier for me to have children with ADHD. I get some things. But some parts of raising ADHD kids are just as hard for me as they are for neurotypical parents — maybe more so.'
Read more »
I\u2019m an ADHD Expert \u2014 and I Still Struggle With ADHD'ADHD doesn’t go away with medication, meditation, or magical gadgets to keep you on track. ADHD is generally a life-long condition that can affect anyone: a bus driver, teacher, surgeon, writer, or rock star. And it affects each of us in different ways.'
Read more »
Pandemic Anxiety and the ADHD Brain: Where Worry Takes RootLast week, we polled ADDitude readers regarding their mental, emotional, and physical health amid this global pandemic that has shuttered schools, offices, and whole cities. The results were pronounced: Life is upside down for 95% of you, and the change and uncertainty that pervade everyday are causing anxiety for more than two-thirds of respondents. At the same time, more than a third of you feel a sense of calm acceptance and relief over lower levels of daily stress. Here is an in-depth view of how you\u2019re really, truly doing these days.
Read more »
\u201cUndiagnosed ADHD Made Me Feel Insecure.\u201d'Living with undiagnosed ADHD trained me to feel inept. In grown-up situations, I never expected to be taken seriously. I was always afraid that everyone was sniggering at me behind my back.'
Read more »
\u201cUndiagnosed ADHD Made Me Feel Insecure.\u201d'Living with undiagnosed ADHD trained me to feel inept. In grown-up situations, I never expected to be taken seriously. I was always afraid that everyone was sniggering at me behind my back.'
Read more »
No More \u201cWhat\u2019s For Dinner?\u201d StressThings that go into meal planning: decision-making, planning, prioritizing, navigating the aisles of a visually overwhelming supermarket. No wonder it's such an unfriendly task for people w ADHD! Try some of these tips to make plans & get what you need.
Read more »