Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Personal Reflection
A colleague once walked into the office leisure room, the rest area where I was staying at the time. It was more like a bedroom space I used occasionally. She sat with me for a bit, and somewhere in the middle of our conversation, something I honestly can’t even remember now, she suddenly said, “You have ADHD.” I laughed it off at first, but out of curiosity, I decided to look into it. As expected, Google did its thing:
“ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning.” (Google Search, n.d.).
That simple search marked the beginning of something deeper for me. Since 2021, I’ve been fascinated by ADHD, not just academically, but personally, because I could relate to it in ways I could
What is ADHD?
Before I get into my personal experience, let me briefly explain what ADHD is. ADHD is generally associated with two major traits: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. According to the DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), which is the manual used to classify mental disorders, ADHD is grouped into three main presentations:
1. Predominantly Inattentive Presentation (ADHD PI): This involves difficulty staying organized, finishing tasks, paying attention to details, following instructions, and sustaining focus.
2. Predominantly Hyperactive Impulsive Presentation (ADHD HI): This includes high levels of physical activity, restlessness, and acting without thinking.
3. Combined Presentation (ADHD C): A mix of both inattentive and hyperactive and impulsive symptoms.
Now, I can’t fully explain ADHD in one blog post, so if you’re curious, I encourage you to read more.
My Personal Experience
Back to me.
As I began to reflect, I realised I could deeply relate, especially to the inattentive presentation. And it wasn’t just a self-diagnosis; over the years, people had hinted at it in different ways. Growing up, my teachers often wrote comments like:
“Daniel is a smart boy, but he needs to be more focused. He is easily distracted.”
At the time, it just felt like a normal correction. Looking back now, it feels like a pattern. I was that child who would go out, church, family outings, and forget something basic: my belt, my shoes not properly worn, my shirt not tucked in. I misplaced things a lot. It got so consistent that whenever I visited my cousins and left, we would almost always call them later to say, “I forgot something.” Their usual response?
“What did you forget this time?”
Even now, I can start a complex task, get to about 80 percent, and suddenly lose the drive to finish it. Not because I don’t want to, but because my mind has already moved on. I get lost in my thoughts so easily that sometimes I forget myself in the process. I have a constant need to be stimulated, and I find it hard to just be. I get distracted very, very easily. I have forgotten myself too many times to count. I play the bass guitar, lol. Sometimes I will be playing, run a lick down the fretboard, come back up, and gbam, I have forgotten the key I am in. Academically, it showed up clearly. I would be in class, physically present, but mentally somewhere else. Then suddenly, I would “wake up” and realise I had completely lost track of what the teacher was saying.
I tried everything to stay focused while studying, reading with music, without music, with instrumentals, you name it.
The “Superpower Moments”
But here’s the interesting part: I also experienced what I call “superpower moments.”
Those brief periods where I could hyperfocus, completely locked in, extremely productive, almost unstoppable. That contrast confused me for years. How can someone struggle so much with focus and still be able to focus this intensely sometimes?
Understanding and Acceptance
When I finally began to understand ADHD, I felt a mix of emotions. I was honestly taken aback. Part of me wished I had known earlier, maybe I would have managed things differently, especially academically. Currently, there’s no cure for ADHD, but there are ways to manage it. And yes, I’ve now had a professional assessment done to better understand myself. But I will be honest, sometimes I still cringe saying, “I have ADHD.”
Not because I am ashamed, but because it is still something I am learning to fully accept.
A Personal Reality
And here is the part that still surprises people: I am a clinical psychologist living with ADHD. How I made it through? Omo, even I do not know sometimes.
A Final Note on Awareness
But let me say this clearly, this is not an excuse for indiscipline or poor behaviour. Rather, it is an opportunity for self awareness. It is about understanding how you are wired so you can function better. As we celebrate neurodiversity this week, I want to say this: If you know someone who is neurodivergent, please celebrate them. Be patient with them. Try to understand them.
And if you see a bit of yourself in this story, maybe it is worth exploring too.
Cheers!
