The world can appear to be a confusing and sometimes hostile place for someone who is trying to navigate it alongside the symptoms of ADHD.
People with ADHD often describe their lives as feeling chaotic and out of control. They may seem careless when they're scrambling to find their phone or to pay that bill, but they're simply overwhelmed. They are aware that they are different to others and may wonder what is wrong with them. They may struggle to interpret social cues resulting in social insecurity, anxiety and even depression. People may lose patience and become frustrated with them more easily than with others and may criticize their behaviour continuously.
Mounting criticism and negative feedback is ultimately internalised by the person with ADHD and they start to feel bad about themselves. We are all dependent on positive feedback from our peers and community to validate our behaviour and decisions. This validation, in turn, will give us the confidence to tackle the next more complicated task. Through community validation we learn to trust our judgement and decision-making processes. Constant criticism regarding the apparent inability to control the outcome of situations creates a negative cycle of self-doubt in the person struggling to manage their ADHD symptoms.
ADHD is a neurological developmental delay which makes completing and organizing tasks difficult, it results in forgetfulness, distraction, restlessness or hyperactivity, impulsivity, difficulty following instructions, inattentiveness, and sometimes impatience due to overwhelm and an inability to self-regulate.
It is, however, important to remember that we all have our strengths. People with ADHD often score better on tests that measured creativity, such as drama, music, visual arts, and scientific discovery. The ability to Hyperfocus and the impulsivity associated with ADHD can create great entrepreneurs.
The ADHD version of the marathon of life may appear longer and more challenging but the key to success is to uncover the root cause of the difficulties and to have access to the most up-to-date information. Strategies implemented in the correct way will be helpful in improving the confidence and self-assuredness of the person living with ADHD.