Your diagnosis doesn’t have to define you and what you can achieve in your life. It doesn’t matter if you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, ADHD, Autism, or a chronic illness. You can have a very fulfilling life. The only thing a diagnosis does is give you parameters that you can work with. For example, with Fibromyalgia you will know the reasons for the musculatory and neurological challenges you are facing. You can then discover what foods and activities make your symptoms better, and how to reduce your pain.
Your diagnosis for ADHD
The ADHD diagnosis just means that your brain functions differently from others; and it’s more common than you think! According to the American Psychiatric Association article What is ADHD? – Psychiatry.org,
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought).
Medication is not the best answer for children or adults with ADHD. The best solution is early diagnosis and working with a team of professionals that will help them thrive, and learn to survive in a world they find confusing. Behavioural therapy is extremely helpful for children and adults that don’t instinctively understand social cues. Acceptable social behaviour can be easily taught, and as most kids and adults just want to fit in, is eagerly learned. Physical therapy is helpful to help kids and adults understand how their bodies move, and help them find ways to comfort themselves and sooth their anxiety.
Famous People with ADHD
You may be surprised to learn how many high achievers in life have ADHD! Lawyers, doctors, athletes, musicians, actors, politicians, and great thinkers are among the alumni of ADHD. It’s how you decide to embrace your ADHD that makes all the difference. If you see it as a curse, it will be just that. When you decide to use it to your advantage you will achieve your dreams!
Did you know that Michael Phelps, Terry Bradshaw, Michael Jordan, Adam Levine, Channing Tatum, Sir Richard Branson, and Walt Disney all have ADHD in common? Their ability to hyper focus on their goals helped them to achieve great things in their chosen fields. Their minds were also highly creative, allowing them to dream and multitask to perfection. Once they embraced their ADHD and used their excess energy for sports, music, study, and creative pursuits they excelled beyond their peers. They didn’t allow their ADHD to pigeon hole them, they used it as an asset for growth.
Here is a great article from Betterhelp.com about 30 Famous People with ADHD.
Here’s another great article from https://www.lclma.org/ about ADHD as a Gift in the Legal Profession.
I highly recommend checking these articles out so you can be inspired by their amazing achievements!
How to focus with ADHD
Typing “how to focus with ADHD” will provide you with numerous articles on the topic. Here is a summary of tips that you may find helpful:
- Have a space to work free from distractions.
- Take a 5-10 minute break every hour. Getting out into the fresh air whenever you can.
- Make a list of things that need to be done that day, and schedule them into your day.
- Listen to music that calms you when you work.
- Set a timer for each task so you don’t lose track of time.
- Make a game of your tasks, and see how fast you can get them done!
- Have a buddy to keep you on task, or check your work to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
- Reward yourself at the end of the day, or when big projects are completed.
- Find a job that makes you happy, and go all in!
- Ask for help or clarification when you need it.
Here are some fabulous articles on how to stay focuses with ADHD:
How To Focus with ADHD Strategies to Help you Stay Focused at Work by Keath Low
ADHD Quick Tips: 11 Focus Boosts When Your Brain Won’t Cooperate By Sam Dylan Finch
Being Neurodivergent
In my research on neurodivergence, what strikes me most is the negativity that is still attached to it. Neurodivergence is simply the new label they’ve created for people that think outside the box. ADHD and Autism are just a couple of the diagnoses that fall under the umbrella of the neurodivergent label. All this really means is that they think, learn, and process information in a different way. Unfortunately, most of our education systems, and some work places, have not yet caught up with what neurodivergent people need most.
Some are adjusting, and it is easier for neurodivergent people to get the respect and accommodations they need. Accommodations are not a free pass, they are just modifications for what the individual may need to succeed. Examples of accommodations are:
- Longer time to take tests for those with test anxiety.
- Special rooms with less distractions for taking tests or working.
- Being allowed sound cancelling headphones in classrooms or group work spaces.
- Special lighting and paint colours.
- Being allowed to listen to music while you work.
- Courtyard gardens that students or workers can take a break in.
- Flexible hours and work breaks.
Resources of Neurodivergence.
Divergent Mind by Jenara Nerenberg
Asperger’s Syndrome by David Kelvins
Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults by Theresa Regan
The keys to flourishing with any diagnosis.
The first key to flourishing with any diagnosis is deciding to make it an asset. As mentioned above, if you decide it’s a curse it will be. Deciding to discover your strengths and develop them will give you a major advantage over your competitors. Don’t underestimate the power of your mind. You get to decide if you are going to be a victor or a victim, and in the long run, victims rarely win.
The second key is being bold enough to get the help you need. Whether you have been diagnosed, or in the process of it, advocate for yourself. There are lots of medications out there, but you don’t necessarily have to take them. The worst part of my depression was the medications my Dr’s put me on. They did more damage than the depression itself.
Getting the help you need.
Having a therapist or coach that can help you talk through your diagnosis, and create a personalized plan for you will revolutionize your life! Ask for counsellors, behavioural therapists, or physical therapists that can help you integrate better into the world. Life coaches can help you find better ways to do the little tasks that you find frustrating or confusing. They can also help you stay on track, and answer any questions that may come up along the way. There is no professional or educational pursuit you can’t go after because of your diagnosis; as long as you find the help you need!
One-on-one coaching is a great way to start building your confidence, and improve your health! I help people with Fibromyalgia and chronic illness manage their symptoms with ease, so they never feel held back again! Click here for an application form and I would be happy to help you in your journey. You can also contact me at acgamero16@gmail.com or check out my website: www.nopainallgain.ca
