When I was in college, I was diagnosed with ADHD. I was in my 20's, and up to that point never had any idea that the condition kids take ritalin for had anything to do with me.

But it was there, lurking beneath the biased perspectives of teachers, counselors, and other adults who could've done something, because hyperactivity doesn't present as commonly in young girls as it does in young boys.

I didn't do the obvious things that interrupted the order of the classrooms. But I certainly lacked a filter when speaking to classmates and teachers ("Oh, that's dandruff!" got a good reprimand). I was frequently told how "bright" and "perceptive" I was, how much "potential" I had, and how if I only "worked harder" I'd get better grades.

Somehow adapting various imperfect coping and defense mechanisms, I got by, which was only possible because even though my single working mother was always exhausted and overwhelmed she still always had my back, encouraged active curiosity, and fostered an ethic of solving most problems by doing it, making it, or building it yourself.

Eventually, without finishing high school, I made it to college. Apparently, being able to choose classes one actually has an interest in makes a huge difference! Even so, it wasn't enough. A semester that included Intro Chemistry broke all those hard-fought mechanisms, and while drowning, someone finally noticed the signs that my head held this ADHD brain. Suddenly, my entire life started to make sense!

I went on a medication, got help in gaining a few accommodations, and learned to develop some time management and organizational strategies to get through school. But even though so many things in my life improved with this discovery, there was still so much I didn't know, and didn't know to ask about.

With youth, more support, and especially more money, there are usually counselors, programs, treatment strategies, etc. that the 'grownups' structure around you, for you.


Other than the occasional bout of independent internet searching, and reading a single book about ADHD ("Scattered" by Gabor Mate), I didn't really learn much else about the condition. Nor did I anticipate what sorts of related implications, consequences, or obstacles might turn up later...

Only within a couple years after graduating (triumphantly!), while learning how-to-adult and planning my next academic challenges, a somewhat tragically hilarious and ridiculously horrible sequence of events took place that I won't go into here (see the new members section if curious)...

And here I am, a decade later, finally paying close attention to my own Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, all because a friggin virus shattered my already brittle ADHD+C.Grief coping mechanisms...


I'm right in the middle of investigating ADHD more deeply than I ever have before, because I finally understand how deeply and thoroughly it is and has been at the root of my behavior and life... One's childhood, remembered and re-contextualized through this new lens, sparks, erm, many complicated feelings...

But the entire reason I started writing this post is to share some of the information I found in videos that enlightened, clarified, and even moved me enough that I felt less alone. It helped me, so maybe it could help you.

This list of videos are all on youtube, are ADHD-related, and have been VITAL in helping me better understand myself, and which I've shared with friends and family who want to understand me better, too.

*Note: If I can't make links because I'm too new to the forums, know these are all youtube videos, so search for the terms in quotes from the youtube site:

A. From the "How to ADHD" channel:

1. "What is ADHD?"
Basic introduction to condition [<4 mins].

2. "How to (Explain) ADHD"
Addresses the misunderstandings [~7 mins].

3. "Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe | TEDxBratislava"
A TEDx talk that defines the condition, and challenges many myths about ADHD [~15 mins].

4. "ADHD - approach with science: Tracey Sweetapple at TEDxRockyViewSchoolsED"
TEDx talk addressing the importance of proper diagnoses and potential consequences of missing the diagnosis [~15 mins].

5. "ADHD - Not Just for Kids (Adult ADHD Documentary)"
Covers some of the implications of ignoring or missing diagnoses and treatment; very good, thorough, and informative [~41 mins].

Okay, DONE!!

One last note: It often seems to me that we humans tend to most strongly depend on our sense of sight to evaluate the people and environments around us, since it's the main sense we can use to evaluate what may be in front of us that's some distance away. And it seems we are more inclined to retain whatever that initial first impression was, whether it's actually true or not.

But unless mind-reading is found to be a real thing, there is no way to tell the entire truth, identity, struggles, triumphs, challenges, issues, or tendencies of another human being by appearances or any preconceived notions alone. Only through open and respectful communication can we begin to come a smidgen closer to comprehending the mind of another person...

It's a perspective I try to keep at the forefront of my mind, applicable to any and every situation (not always easy, but ongoing). Given that many of us are here on PC for reasons that aren't necessarily visible in person, I imagine many of you know what I mean...

- Scienna