Introduction
It can be said that the brain is the most complex part of the human body, and sometimes such a high complexity creates problems for its bearers. One of the most common ones is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lyness notes that “ADHD is caused by differences in the brain’s ability to pay attention, slow down, and be patient.” This condition is among the leading neurological problems in the world today. It starts in childhood and, unfortunately, stays on forever.
There is no cure for it, but neurologists and other medical professionals keep looking for one. They are also constantly developing new coping techniques and improving existing ones. Recent studies show that “the prevalence of attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, has continued to climb significantly among adults in the United States within the past decade” (Howard). Such a state of affairs may be due to the constantly improving screening and diagnostic techniques or a rapidly changing world. This paper aims to share personal experiences of having ADHD and suffering from isolation and depression.
Living with ADHD
It is difficult to explain what life with ADHD is. It can be said that it is one of those disorders that lurks in someone’s behavior but somehow constantly affects it. One must sometimes remind themselves that they are a person with ADHD to control their behavior and emotions, especially around others. A school is a place of many challenges for children with ADHD, and I was no exception. I can still remember how teachers constantly asked me to focus on the subject, but other things constantly distracted me; it was just in my nature. When I thought I was behaving adequately, the teachers saw me as an “impulsive, fearless and chaotic” kid (“Living with”). When the teenage years came, my classmates began to notice those little oddities in my behavior too. Some classmates began to joke at me and make fun of my condition. Of course, my friends protected me, but those jokes made me think that I was weird and out of the norm.
ADHD, Isolation, and Depression
I began to isolate myself and look for hobbies that do not require interaction with people. It calmed me down and helped me for a while. However, over time, I noticed that I became hot-tempered and rude with friends and family. My communication and interaction with them became short and cold. I did not like where things were going, so I finally decided that it was time to stop being afraid of others’ judgments and start taking care of my ADHD. The weekly schedules, focusing on education, learning how to concentrate, discussing my condition with friends and classmates were my new approach to ADHD and society.
Although my experience is not dramatic, it clearly shows how untreated ADHD leads to isolation and almost depression. According to Smith, “doctors sometimes call them comorbid or coexisting conditions.” My main advice to people with ADHD is not to give up on themselves and not take mean words said by uneducated people personally; mental health and self-esteem are more important.
Conclusion
I discuss ADHD, isolation, and depression in this paper. It is true, ADHD does indeed make one’s life different from what is considered the norm. However, the question arises of what is the norm, how to define and measure it. I have interacted with other people with ADHD, and I know that they are some of the most wonderful, passionate, and bravest people out there. Society still needs to learn to accept people with ADHD and interact with more respect.
Works Cited
Howard, Jacqueline. “Rates of ADHD diagnosis among US adults are on the rise, study suggests.” CNN Health. 2019. Web.
“Living with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” NHS. 2021. Web.
Lyness, D’Arcy. “ADHD.” Nemours KidsHealth. 2017. Web.
Smith, Matt. “The Link Between Depression and ADHD.” WebMD. 2019. Web.