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I'm 38, a licensed clinician, and ADHD.
Yet, I never got a diagnosis until February 2020 despite suspecting it since I was 14 yo and knowing it after my masters program when I took advanced assessment.
This week I registered w/ disability resources and I couldn't be happier.
Yet, I never got a diagnosis until February 2020 despite suspecting it since I was 14 yo and knowing it after my masters program when I took advanced assessment.
This week I registered w/ disability resources and I couldn't be happier.
The pandemic has been kicking my butt. I'm fortunate because I'm employed, my partner is too, & we both can work from home. But, she has an autoimmune disease & is pregnant, so our 4 yo has been home w/ us the whole time.
Work/life boundaries? Gone.
Time to hyper-focus? Gone.
Work/life boundaries? Gone.
Time to hyper-focus? Gone.
Schedule? Implodes on daily basis.
Emotions? All over the place.
Sleep hygiene? Damn near impossible.
Processing info/organizing thoughts? That now takes hours.
Adderall + frequent therapy w/ a therapist that gets it has helped a lot. I also have caring managers at work.
Emotions? All over the place.
Sleep hygiene? Damn near impossible.
Processing info/organizing thoughts? That now takes hours.
Adderall + frequent therapy w/ a therapist that gets it has helped a lot. I also have caring managers at work.
But I've still struggled more than I ever have in my adult life, which made me realize how much I struggled as a kid, adolescent, and undergrad student.
It also made me realize how many coping skills I developed to function, i.e. why I force myself to make systems, schedule...
It also made me realize how many coping skills I developed to function, i.e. why I force myself to make systems, schedule...
...everything in a digital calendar, make certain I have alone time to process, color code my notes (even though I never read them, lol), & do small things immediately.
There's so much more, but even w/ me being a licensed therapist, I didn't get how deep this went until now.
There's so much more, but even w/ me being a licensed therapist, I didn't get how deep this went until now.
Not only do I work full-time but I am also in a doc program part-time.
My disability has been my strength for the past 6 years. I've literally won awards for my work which I have only been able to do because of my ADHD strengths, such as:
- Energy for DAYS
- Juggling projects
My disability has been my strength for the past 6 years. I've literally won awards for my work which I have only been able to do because of my ADHD strengths, such as:
- Energy for DAYS
- Juggling projects
- Hyper-focusing
- Contextual thinking
- Authenticity
- Creativity
- Risk taking
- Spontaneity
- Love for conversations
- Relentless sense of urgency (until my interest fades
)
But now, so much of that is just not possible. The techniques I used to manage myself are gone.
- Contextual thinking
- Authenticity
- Creativity
- Risk taking
- Spontaneity
- Love for conversations
- Relentless sense of urgency (until my interest fades
)But now, so much of that is just not possible. The techniques I used to manage myself are gone.
I'm digging deeper and learning new ways to manage myself, and just more about who I am, but that takes time. It also requires rest and resources.
As I listened to my first meeting w/ the disability office on my campus I was thinking about how I've needed these services...
As I listened to my first meeting w/ the disability office on my campus I was thinking about how I've needed these services...
...for my whole life. I wondered what I could have done as an 18 yo undergrad because I would have been able to focus, organize, and actually study.
But then I thought about the stigma behind receiving accommodations. It made me furious and sad for those who need it but...
But then I thought about the stigma behind receiving accommodations. It made me furious and sad for those who need it but...
...won't register because someone in their life convinced them this was unnecessary, just a crutch, or an unfair advantage.
Stop this foolery.
Life isn't a game of monopoly where we acquire land to just charge the most rent and elevate ourselves at the expense of everyone else.
Stop this foolery.
Life isn't a game of monopoly where we acquire land to just charge the most rent and elevate ourselves at the expense of everyone else.
Obviously some folks are playing monopoly, and often their "success" can be alluring. But you know what's more alluring?
A shared dedication to increasing the quality of life for everyone.
Eradicating diseases that threaten our well-being.
Using our resources efficiently.
A shared dedication to increasing the quality of life for everyone.
Eradicating diseases that threaten our well-being.
Using our resources efficiently.
Improving and maintaining clean environments so people aren't dying of air pollution.
Traveling and learning more about people who look, speak, and grew up different from you.
Discovering healthy ways to extend human life.
Reading or watching something we find beautiful.
Traveling and learning more about people who look, speak, and grew up different from you.
Discovering healthy ways to extend human life.
Reading or watching something we find beautiful.
For those things we need education; we need people not making life a game to be won.
When we have that, there won't be a stigma w/ registering for accomodations, because we know those accomodations will help that person learn and potentially improve OUR lives, not just theirs.
When we have that, there won't be a stigma w/ registering for accomodations, because we know those accomodations will help that person learn and potentially improve OUR lives, not just theirs.
So, I'm thrilled.
I am about to finally get the help I've always needed, and I understand why I need it and how it benefits everyone around me and beyond.
And, to be real, y'all NTs NEED us NDs. A lot of you want the same things we do! How many of you want better...
I am about to finally get the help I've always needed, and I understand why I need it and how it benefits everyone around me and beyond.
And, to be real, y'all NTs NEED us NDs. A lot of you want the same things we do! How many of you want better...
...communication at work or school?
How many of you want more time to rest so you can think and process with greater clarity?
How many of y'all are tired of being judged for "fit" when we know "fit" has nothing to do w/ whatever it is that you are applying for?
How many of you want more time to rest so you can think and process with greater clarity?
How many of y'all are tired of being judged for "fit" when we know "fit" has nothing to do w/ whatever it is that you are applying for?
This pandemic ain't over. (Yes, I used ain't. Get over it.) We still have more to do, but we can either let this opportunity wither away, or we can take it and improve on what many have already started.
Are you ready?
I know I am, because I just got my accomodations.
Are you ready?
I know I am, because I just got my accomodations.
