Woman Explains What It Actually Means To Have ADHD In Hopes Of Eliminating Misinterpretations
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for short, is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders among children. While it is usually first diagnosed in childhood, the disorder often lasts into adulthood. ADHD is characterized by having trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, and being overly active. However, as it appears, there’s way more than just that.
Symptoms of ADHD, according to the NHS, can be categorized into two types of behavioral problems: inattentiveness; and hyperactivity and impulsiveness. As mental health experts explain, most people with this disorder fall into both of these categories. However, it’s not the same for all. For instance, some people may struggle with inattentiveness while not having problems with impulsiveness or hyperactivity. This is what psychiatrists call a form of ADHD that is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). Sometimes, as the symptoms of ADD can be less obvious, this disorder can go unnoticed.
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One person on Twitter explained how complex attention deficit hyperactivity disorder really is
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Apparently, most of us without the disorder have a hard time understanding the true complexity of it. One Twitter user has recently gone on a rant about common misconceptions about ADHD.
For this person, one of the most serious issues is a lack of recognition and consideration that ADHD is a learning disability. “Start normalizing recognizing ADHD as a serious learning disability that includes sensitivities to light & sound, depression, maladaptive daydreaming, not reading social cues, fidgeting and restlessness, not being able to do anything for no apparent reason,” they write.
“Start normalizing recognizing ADHD as a serious learning disability”
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Image credits: leah_666666
Image credits: leah_666666
Image credits: leah_666666
The social media user went on to explain that other characteristics fall into the disorder as well. They expressed that having a hard time with mental math and math in general is common too, among other things.
The Twitter user pointed out how tired they are of people thinking of it as being “distracted by a bird… oh look, a butterfly! Oh my god, my leg is bouncing so fast! Wow.”
“People who have ADHD have complex problems that come with this disorder,” they added.
Seemingly, health officials agree that ADHD should be considered a serious disability. In a book named “ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know,” the authors argue: “His or her hyperactivity and/or inattentiveness constitute a real day-to-day functional disability. That is, it seriously and consistently impedes the ability to succeed at school, fit into family routines, follow household rules, maintain friendships, interact positively with family members, avoid injury, or otherwise manage in his or her environment.”
Here’s what other people had to add to the now-viral thread
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this is going to be an unpopular opinion, sorry, but I have adhd, and I think people recognizing that this can be a serious disability for others, but for people like me who have a pretty mild case and take low doses of meds, people are starting to look at all of us and saying "oh they're all basically autistic" it can be kind of hurtful for everyone to think you "basically" have another disorder. my dad looks at me different since I was diagnosed 6 years ago because he's not as woke as my mom and thinks that I have something wrong with me, and these articles dont help out. sorry all of you who do have bigger cases or have adhd and autism if i've offended you. I respect all of you.
ADHD and autism are completely different diagnoses, so you’re not wrong. 👍🏼 I’m a medical student (with ADHD) and the more I look in to it, the less these two diagnoses have in common. They’re barely even cousins on the psychiatric spectrum.
Right! But mild ASD is frequently misdiagnosed as ADHD, and the meds for ADHD make ASD kids pace circles in the floor and chew their fingers bloody.
I have recently read of some research into ADHD being a form of autism, but not being recognized as such. I wonder if this true or if I'm one or the other. or what. Diagnosed with both.
I'm glad your Mom is helpful, and very sad to hear your Dad is not. I was able to get help for my kids but at the cost of my marriage... and worse to see what it's done to my, now fully grown child. Parents need to learn to listen to and trust their spouses and the doctors. No one ever wants to slap a label on a child, we really are just trying to get them the help they need to grown healthy, happy and well adjusted.
thanks man, that's really nice of you to say
Spikey Bunny what
Maybe I'm wrong but it sounds like you get offended by being suggested that you might be autistic-- being autistic doesn't make you less of a person. And there are many high functioning people on the autism spectrum. I think we need to stop treating these disorders like they're on some sort of hierarchical tier.
Agree. My husband has ADHD and works as a Merchant Mariner. It requires a tremendous amount of math. My son also has ADHD, but he is only four so we are navigating his symptoms still.
Wow Rokas. You're just the peak of stupidity.
🌺🍍🌼🌻🌼🍍🌺 ?
The sensitivity to light and sound is maddening. I sometimes genuinely feel like I am losing my mind, as I cannot filter out / ignore background noise.
I have both Autism and ADHD, the stimulation stuff is insanity. I both need stimulation and hate stimulation. I gotta send this to my mom..
Might I say, Aspergers is a nice kind on the spectrum. Even though there's almost no social interaction, it's nice to not have people that bother you. Though in the high school years you realize how lonely you are and try to get some, but everyone makes fun of you for your "preschool behavior" and then you just end up in a downwards spiral into depression...
Also, openly admitting you have Aspergers on the internet is really brave of you. Though, you should probably keep it a secret to prevent someone like the jerk below me from making fun of you. (Ben Smith)
@Ben Smith I'm a girl, dude...
@ben smith just leave other people the f**k alone. she's perfect the way she is, and dude just take responsibilty for what you said
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Your other comments make sense now.
What the hell man. That's incredibly offensive.
Are you serious? that's horrible.
Dude, wtf?! That's incredibly hateful. I'll have you know that I'm high functioning on the spectrum and have A's in most of my classes, and no one notices any symptoms I show irl. Why would you ever say such a thing..?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Good Lord, settle down people. I'm not commenting on his condition, I'm commenting on his age. Teenagers who think they are profound and have a unique view haven't lived enough to know what they don't know.
this is going to be an unpopular opinion, sorry, but I have adhd, and I think people recognizing that this can be a serious disability for others, but for people like me who have a pretty mild case and take low doses of meds, people are starting to look at all of us and saying "oh they're all basically autistic" it can be kind of hurtful for everyone to think you "basically" have another disorder. my dad looks at me different since I was diagnosed 6 years ago because he's not as woke as my mom and thinks that I have something wrong with me, and these articles dont help out. sorry all of you who do have bigger cases or have adhd and autism if i've offended you. I respect all of you.
ADHD and autism are completely different diagnoses, so you’re not wrong. 👍🏼 I’m a medical student (with ADHD) and the more I look in to it, the less these two diagnoses have in common. They’re barely even cousins on the psychiatric spectrum.
Right! But mild ASD is frequently misdiagnosed as ADHD, and the meds for ADHD make ASD kids pace circles in the floor and chew their fingers bloody.
I have recently read of some research into ADHD being a form of autism, but not being recognized as such. I wonder if this true or if I'm one or the other. or what. Diagnosed with both.
I'm glad your Mom is helpful, and very sad to hear your Dad is not. I was able to get help for my kids but at the cost of my marriage... and worse to see what it's done to my, now fully grown child. Parents need to learn to listen to and trust their spouses and the doctors. No one ever wants to slap a label on a child, we really are just trying to get them the help they need to grown healthy, happy and well adjusted.
thanks man, that's really nice of you to say
Spikey Bunny what
Maybe I'm wrong but it sounds like you get offended by being suggested that you might be autistic-- being autistic doesn't make you less of a person. And there are many high functioning people on the autism spectrum. I think we need to stop treating these disorders like they're on some sort of hierarchical tier.
Agree. My husband has ADHD and works as a Merchant Mariner. It requires a tremendous amount of math. My son also has ADHD, but he is only four so we are navigating his symptoms still.
Wow Rokas. You're just the peak of stupidity.
🌺🍍🌼🌻🌼🍍🌺 ?
The sensitivity to light and sound is maddening. I sometimes genuinely feel like I am losing my mind, as I cannot filter out / ignore background noise.
I have both Autism and ADHD, the stimulation stuff is insanity. I both need stimulation and hate stimulation. I gotta send this to my mom..
Might I say, Aspergers is a nice kind on the spectrum. Even though there's almost no social interaction, it's nice to not have people that bother you. Though in the high school years you realize how lonely you are and try to get some, but everyone makes fun of you for your "preschool behavior" and then you just end up in a downwards spiral into depression...
Also, openly admitting you have Aspergers on the internet is really brave of you. Though, you should probably keep it a secret to prevent someone like the jerk below me from making fun of you. (Ben Smith)
@Ben Smith I'm a girl, dude...
@ben smith just leave other people the f**k alone. she's perfect the way she is, and dude just take responsibilty for what you said
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Your other comments make sense now.
What the hell man. That's incredibly offensive.
Are you serious? that's horrible.
Dude, wtf?! That's incredibly hateful. I'll have you know that I'm high functioning on the spectrum and have A's in most of my classes, and no one notices any symptoms I show irl. Why would you ever say such a thing..?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Good Lord, settle down people. I'm not commenting on his condition, I'm commenting on his age. Teenagers who think they are profound and have a unique view haven't lived enough to know what they don't know.