The Colorful World of A.D.H.D.

by Abby Tomczuk

 

A.D.H.D. brings to question a lot of controversy in our society today. There are those who claim that A.D.H.D. is a myth, just a “made-up” disability for people who can’t learn the same way as others can. Then there are those who abuse A.D.H.D. medicine that say, you’re so lucky if you’re prescribed. 

These people don’t understand what it is like to struggle through this real, true disability that makes every day activities so much more complicated than they are meant to be. They argue A.D.H.D. isn’t something worth worrying about. 

However, I can strongly say that these people are completely wrong. 

Hearing these things about A.D.H.D. and A.D.H.D. medication, hits close to home. I’ve been a victim to A.D.H.D. for practically my whole life, without even knowing it. I’ve experienced the pain of not being able to focus for too long. I went undiagnosed until my junior year of high school because throughout my early schooling years I just accepted the fact that I had to work so much harder than everyone else to barely get by. When I was finally diagnosed and prescribed A.D.H.D. medicine, I could finally work to my full potential. 

Now that I am a college student, little tasks that seem easy to people are still so much harder for me. Yes, I have prescribed medication, but that doesn’t mean all of my problems are completely solved when I take it. 

Simply staying organized or remembering assignments is still complicated even with medication. I would kill to be able to sit down on any given day and do a homework assignment or write a paper without getting distracted every two minutes. 

A.D.H.D. is a real thing. There is nothing about it that is made up. It is not a myth and I know because I struggle with it first hand every day. I know one things for sure, I am not lazy. In fact, having A.D.H.D. forces more to work harder than anyone else especially when it comes to school work. 

That being said, people with A.D.H.D. are deep thinkers with unique personalities and dynamic minds. Some of the people in my life that also have A.D.H.D. are some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. I truly think that having A.D.H.D. can be a gift if you know how to manage it properly. We didn’t choose to be born this way and there are some things about it that suck. However, at least for me, A.D.H.D. has made me the person I am today. 

Our society needs to be more open to people with are different. We should not be so quick to judge all of the time. Take some time to understand disabilities before you start assuming things about people who have them. Do research and get to know people with A.D.H.D. on a deeper level because trust me, it will definitely be worth your time. 

After all, we see the world in color while everyone else sees it in black and white.