A Thought About ADHD

ADHD. As it says in the title, I'd like to talk about a thought I have about ADHD and this comes from the mind of one who was diagnosed with this disorder quite a while ago.

Now, as a disclaimer, I am no psychologist, but that doesn't mean I can't talk about this subject. I also think it is important to voice my viewpoint on this subject because every voice has a story to tell.

I am going to start by letting you know this thought is about "oh, well that explains a lot."

I am 24 now and was diagnosed in high school which is rather late for those who don't know. I was "smart," talented," and got good grades. I chose to put quotations on those words, because I feel that the worth of them depends on perspective. But, getting back on the subject, it's because of those traits no alarm bells went off. It wasn't until I was diagnosed that people would say "oh, well that explains a lot." Words that I absolutely hate. And that's what this thought is about. "Oh, well that explains a lot" and why I hate it.

See, when I didn't know what I had, I thought there was something wrong with me. Something I couldn't explain. My mind worked a certain way and I thought every person's mind did because everyone had those moments. But I didn't have "moments." These characteristics happened all the time and affected my life. That's the whole reason I got diagnosed.

People often write this off as being lazy or being unfocused. That's another thought for another time. And boy, do I have thoughts on that. But for now, I will try to stay on target. Three different doctors said those letters. One was a pediatrician. A second was a neurologist. The last was a psychologist/psychiatrist. How is it that they all knew what I had when they didn't know me, yet I nor my parents could figure it out.

"Oh, well that explains a lot" went through my head and my parents'. It made me mad. I wish I knew earlier. I wish it made sense earlier. I would have gotten the help I needed. I would have accepted it earlier and not felt out of place. I wish my parents had noticed, but it's unfair to blame them.

I hate that sentence because it's true. It does explain a lot. We just said it a little too late. You see, high school is when things matter. High school is when you need a neuro-typical brain to excel. I lost homework a lot, I wanted to focus but my mind didn't, and honestly the list is way too long. If I had been diagnosed earlier, I would have been able to adjust and in high school, teachers are rarely the ones who want to help. In college, every professor was understanding. In high school? Nope. Only one or two. I could have been on the meds I needed. I could have had better grades. I could have adjusted.

The thought just came little late. I still hate that sentence, but I've come to expect it and even accept it. I can't move forward in life unless I do.