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Image via Yashar Ali / Twitter
This is what is ADHD in adulthood Actually as
We talk a lot about ADHD when it comes to children. But what about adults? ADHD is a chronic mental illness, which means that it does not go away once you reach adulthood. What is the life of adults with ADHD?
As it turns out, it can be really difficult. We probably could have guessed it because there is no easy mental illness. However, mental health is still strongly stigmatized, and although people are increasingly vocal about anxiety and depression, adult ADHD is still not part of the conversation.
Yashar Ali, a freelance journalist who contributed to HuffPo and New York magazine, took on him to fight some of this stigma alone. Ali is an adult with ADHD and, in a must read, explained some of the most common misconceptions about the disease and its impact on daily life.
1. I want to talk about ADHD. I was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 13 years. To say that this is misunderstood (both by people with ADHD and people who do not have it) is a euphemism. What people need to understand about those of us who have ADHD is that we are not homogenous.
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
Ali explains that he does not want to speak on behalf of all adults with ADHD because the illness manifests itself in different ways for different people.
2. Because many people think that people with ADHD all have similar symptoms and challenges, we often do not get the empathy and support we need. ADHD is something we live with every day, hour, minute. It can ravage our lives and you may not even be aware of it.
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
3. When people have asked me in the past to describe what ADHD feels, I go into the details to understand the daily impact on my life, but I always add that for me ADHD has caused me a lot of emotional suffering. It's a frustrating and infuriating mess.
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
4. I want to be clear: I do not speak on behalf of all ADHD but, for the last two years, I have talked to enough people with ADHD to make me feel comfortable with 39 speak publicly about it.
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
But he continues by sharing some of his own personal experiences, that it is not unusual in adults with ADHD. It also calls this very tired "squirrel" joke that people are doing, that is capacitive and insensitive, and we definitely should have stopped making this joke now, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
5. People who do not have ADHD often oversimplify what it means to have ADHD. I do not blame them, they do not live with ADHD. But that's one of the reasons why ADHD is so poorly understood because it's anything but simple. That's why it's so hurtful when people jokingly say "squirrel"
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
![](https://www.scarymommy.com/wp-content/themes/sm-video/assets/images/stroke1.png)
Ali explains that a daunting challenge for people with ADHD is to undertake tasks that may feel insurmountably difficult, even if they are objectively small.
Of course, Ali recognizes that he has the privilege of being able to talk openly about his ADHD without fear of personal or professional repercussions. Not everyone has this luxury in their life.
14. Now, I realize that being able to talk about it is a privilege. People rightly fear being perceived differently at work or not getting the assignments they deserve. It's a step-by-step process that will take a while … but it's so important because ADHD has an impact
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
He also explains that children are much more likely than adults to be diagnosed with ADHD, even though it is a life-long illness and many adults are living with it.
And he talks about his personal experiences with his ADHD affecting his life, at home and at work.
Ali acknowledges that he is lucky to have had discussions with people who understand his diagnosis and his difficulties, as this is often not the case when people reveal a mental illness in their professional life.
22. Last year, I met a company that wanted to hire me and I told them that I had ADHD and that I would find it difficult to work in an open office environment . The people I've talked to have understood and are happy to help you. . But it's not always been easy
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
23. One of the challenges for me is to focus on something like writing, unless I have the adrenaline that comes with not wanting to be scooped, I really have to close everything. But people do not understand that I can not go back and forth when I'm in this area.
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
He explains that not all his workplaces were so understanding.
In the end, Ali wants readers to understand that everyone has challenges and that we should work to understand and understand the challenges of others.
26. The best way I've heard about ADHD symptoms was "a Venn diagram with many circles". But it all boils down to this: we have things that challenge us, things that may seem simple / stupid for you, but these are things that can totally take over and destroy our lives if they are not treated.
– Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 26, 2019
Many people who respond to Ali's tweets are people who also live with ADHD, which is cool to watch. It is estimated that 4.4% of American adults have ADHD, and nearly half of these cases are considered serious, but only 20% of adults with ADHD seek help. It must change, and talking openly about mental illness is the best way to dispel the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help.
Funky thread @yashar. I also have ADHD and have been diagnosed until I was 20 years old. I am always afraid that people will judge me or ask me why I do not meet all the expectations they have created for their appearance. We really appreciate you writing this
– feminist next door (@emrazz) February 26, 2019
Thank you for sharing your experiences with ADHD. It has often been difficult to diagnose ADHD in children. This has not prevented me from living a fulfilling life, but often people do not understand the difficulty of living with ADHD.
– TEMISANADOKI???? (@temisanadoki) February 26, 2019
good thread. I like a lot.
I am all about the baskets myself. And I could not pay the bills on time until the automatic payment was no longer a thing. I have not balanced my checkbook for 20 years; I had to realize that it's just something that I can not / do not want to do.
– Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) February 26, 2019
Good thing, man. Also under appreciated aspects of ADHD:
-sensitivity to criticism / rejection .. difficult for anyone; traumatic for ADHD
-Lack of impulse control .. Adopt the same behaviors / habits that you probably know bad for you because changing is fundamentally insurmountable– Ovaltine Jenkins (@JewniorGong) February 26, 2019
Thank you, @yashar, helping us all to better understand ADHD. To fully appreciate and appreciate our differences, we must all be willing to share and listen.
– Valerie Jarrett (@JarrettValley) February 26, 2019
The important thing here is that this discussion has been opened. People respectfully engage, ask questions and learn. When it comes to mental illness, every conversation like this is a big step forward.
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