ADHD is becoming a more common topic in conversations as more children and adults are realizing that they may be affected, either directly or indirectly. I would like to take a moment to explore what ADHD is, my personal journey with it and how it impacts both children and adults.
In my own life, I’ve experienced ADHD firsthand with both adults and children, and it can be challenging. But, like with many things, the more you know, the better you can understand and navigate it. My family’s journey with ADHD has been no different.
When I first learned that both a child and an adult in my life had been officially diagnosed with ADHD, I was terrified. I always had a feeling that we were dealing with it, but having the official diagnosis felt overwhelming and scary. I knew if we were going to navigate this as a family, I had to do my research and learn as much about ADHD as possible.
I began with the good old Google search and again, was instantly overwhelmed until I found the ADHD Awareness.org website. It was full of great resources and was a great place to start.
Even though we had lived with the symptoms for many years, the diagnosis made it feel like a new journey, and it was scary. However, once I started my research and understood what ADHD really was, things started to make sense. I realized that my family members weren’t acting out because they wanted to; their behaviour was a result of the mental illness affecting them.
The more I read, the more I understood, and the less frustrated I became. Every day is still a struggle—some days are more frustrating than others—but knowing the “why” behind their behaviour has made it a little easier to cope.
So what is ADHD? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder, it is a mental illness that can affect both the way you think and the way you act. It is commonly diagnosed in school-aged children, but more and more adults are realizing that they have lived most of their lives with ADHD and have gone undiagnosed.
There are a few different categories of ADHD symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. With the inattention side of things you may notice that you struggle to pay attention, you have a short attention span which can make it hard to watch movies, or longer TV shows, pay attention in a classroom setting, or you may find that you struggle daily with keeping things organized both at home and or at school.
If you find that you are constantly restless and always on the move, need to constantly fidget with things or can't sit still these are symptoms of the hyperactivity part of ADHD. The impulsivity side of ADHD is the side where you make impulsive decisions without thinking about them, whether it is saying something inappropriate at a bad time or choosing to do something impulsively and not thinking about the consequences and the effects of your actions.
These symptoms will look different for everyone. Out of the two people in my life who have ADHD, they both experience very different symptoms—one struggles more with inattention, while the other primarily deals with impulsivity. No matter which symptoms you or your loved one are experiencing, there are ways to treat ADHD.
The first and most common form of treatment is medication. It's important to talk with your healthcare provider about which medication might be right for you, as there are many different options available. Doing research beforehand is a great way to prepare for your first appointment. The more you know, the more questions you can ask, and the better you’ll understand what your healthcare provider is discussing.
Counselling is another great avenue to explore when considering treatment options for ADHD. Speaking with someone who is educated on the subject and understands ADHD can make you feel heard and understood. It can also reassure you that you are not alone in your struggles. Counsellors can often provide helpful tips, tricks, and strategies to manage ADHD in daily life. I know when the child in my life with ADHD started seeing a youth counsellor, it was life-changing for him. He enjoyed speaking with someone who understood what was going on in his brain, and the counsellor recommended really effective strategies to help him stay on track with his schoolwork and chores at home.
No matter where you or your loved one are on their ADHD journey, know that you are not alone, and there are resources to help you navigate this sometimes challenging path. If you think you might have ADHD, or if you suspect that a loved one does, the first step is reaching out to a healthcare professional. Taking that first step can be difficult, but it can lead to a more manageable and fulfilling way of living.
Remember to be kind to yourself, practice self-care, and reach out for help if you need it. For more information regarding ADHD you can visit www.adhdawarenessmonth.org
If you need support, you can contact CMHA South Cariboo for mental health support at 250-395-4883. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.
You can also call the Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 1-888-353-2273 or the Suicide Crisis Line at 9-8-8. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
