What it Feels Like to Have...ADHD


What is it like to have ADHD?

Rather than using this blog to explain what ADHD is in technical terms, I thought it would be better to share my experience. What better way to learn about something than from someone who actually lives with it?

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurological condition that includes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. According to the CDC in November 2024, ADHD is found in 6 out of 10 children. In 2023, it was reported that 15.5 million adults in the U.S. have an ADHD diagnosis, and that ADHD affects about 2 to 5% of adults worldwide.

I was formally diagnosed with ADHD when I was 5 years old and have been medicated ever since. I honestly can’t remember life before knowing I had ADHD.

Living with ADHD comes with both highs and lows. One thing I’ve noticed is that I actually like it when my brain gives me the ability to hyperfocus. That means I can channel all my energy into one thing and really dive deep into it. But when I’m not in that mode, it can be hard to focus on anything. I might start a task, then lose interest because it gets “boring,” and I’ll move on without finishing it.

For people with the hyperactive part of ADHD, it can feel like having the energy of someone who just drank sixteen cups of coffee. With my version of ADHD, I have so much energy that my parents compare me to the Energizer Bunny.

Another part of having ADHD is having a brain that just won’t stop. At night, it can take me up to an hour to fall asleep because there are so many thoughts bouncing around. On nights like that, guided meditations help calm my mind enough to rest.

I’ve also noticed that my thoughts can be really random. I’ll be sitting still, and my brain will jump from one thought to another until I feel mentally exhausted. Sometimes I don’t even know where certain thoughts come from, and once they’re there, I can’t get rid of them. When I’m trying to communicate, I sometimes blurt things out or go on a tangent because my brain feels like it’s going 100 miles an hour.

Impulsivity is something I’ve had to work on, especially with money. I’ve been training myself to slow down and think before spending. Verbal impulsivity is tricky, too. I often say things without thinking them through, and it has definitely led to awkward social moments. I’ve had to explain myself more than I’d like to admit because I didn’t stop to think before speaking.

Having ADHD has its ups and downs, but I’m learning to appreciate the in-between moments too.

If you have ADHD, what is it like for you? What’s your “flavor”? Feel free to comment below.

If you liked this blog post, PLEASE comment down below what your favorite part was, share with your friends and family, etc.  Have any comments, questions, etc. about what you were reading? Reach out to me by messaging me on Instagram or TikTok @neurospicyblondie or email me  alyssa.onthespectrum@gmail.com.  


 

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