ADHD shouldn’t be called a disorder

Ashley Qian

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is commonly misunderstood. The Sidekick staff writer Yasemin Ragland explains the meaning of having ADHD through her personal experience. Graphic by Ashley Qian

Yasemin Ragland, Staff writer
January 7, 2022

Explaining comorbidities and ADHD girl traits

ADHD girls show some or all of the following traits; appearing to be withdrawn, crying easily, daydreaming, easily distracted, unorganized, doesn’t appear to be trying, doesn’t seem to be motivated, forgetful, highly sensitive to noise and fabrics, highly sensitive to emotions, hyper-talkative, hyperreactive, often makes “careless” mistakes, often slams doors shut, often late/poor time management, problems with task completion, seems shy, easily upset, focus on activities shift, takes time to process information and verbal impulsiveness. I show a majority if not all of said traits, my most defining being that I sometimes forget simple things and often day dream, as well as being easily distracted. I also have a habit of talking loudly when happy, excited, or in a good mood, and I apologize if that bothers you. I get irritated if I get distracted with something but then forget about what I was originally doing and hyper-fixate on the new thing then remember what I’m supposed to be doing.

Many people with ADHD also have other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, this is known as comorbidity, ADHD comorbidities include depression, anxiety, OCD, ODD, autism, learning disabilities, language disabilities, fine and gross motor difficulties, Executive function difficulties, Tic disorders, IED, Bipolar Disorder, Sleep Apnea and RLS. Many ADHD individuals also have sensory processing issues, which depending on the individual, varies from touch, to taste, to sight, to smell, to hearing, or none at all. If an ADHD individual has sensory processing issues, this can cause a sensory overload.

My comorbidities are mild sleep apnea, anxiety and show signs of depression. But my ADHD, anxiety and depression are all actually Comorbid to my other Developmental Disability (which affects me more than ADHD), not the other way around. You’d probably figure out my other comorbidity if you read the context, did research, and observed me closely, but I suggest you wait.

I’m not officially diagnosed with ADHD, but I show many of the traits. It’s sort of a package deal with another developmental disability I have (that my parents, my counselor and a majority if not all of my teachers know I have), but I’ll talk about that when the time comes. ADHD was first discovered in 1798 by Sir Alexander Crichton, but wasn’t an official diagnosis until 1902.

Even though ADHD is literally an acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD shouldn’t even be called a disorder, or a mental illness. Our brains just work differently. Those of us that have ADHD are neurodivergent. What is neurodiversity or being neurodivergent? Neurodiversity refers to individuals with autism, ADHD, an intellectual disability, dyslexia, Color Blindness, SPD, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, etc….

ADHD doesn’t always mean that someone is hyperactive and fidgety. There are three types of ADHD. The hyperactive impulsive type, the inattentive type and the combined type. The hyperactive impulsive type is the recognizable ADHD type, and commonly diagnosed in children and boys. The inattentive type is commonly diagnosed in adults and girls. The combination type is exactly what it means, but six or more traits from each of the other two. However, both boys and girls can be diagnosed or not be officially diagnosed and show traits from any of the three. One of the biggest causes of ADHD is if one or both of the individual’s parents are ADHD/ADD. Because ADHD presents itself differently in girls than it does in boys, ADHD girls are often underdiagnosed until adulthood. ADHD is also different in each individual.

Other things that are common for ADHDers are hyperfixation (which is both a blessing and a curse depending on how it affects an ADHD individual), excessive stimming (which there are many types of, and fidget spinners were originally meant to be stim toys), ADHDers also happen to have an experience called the ADHD Burnout, what causes ADHD Burnouts? Overcompensating, struggling to recognize our limits, or feeling guilty of resting. What are signs of an ADHD burnout? Lack of motivation, inability to concentrate, guilt, depression, anxiety, poor productivity, irritability and cynicism. How to prevent ADHD burnouts? Afirm self-worth, don’t overwork/overcommit, don’t always say yes, rest more, estimate how much time an activity takes before doing it, don’t hide your struggling from others, and ask for help when you need it, even if you don’t want it.

ADHD isn’t just found in straight and/or cisgender boys and girls, many ADHD individuals are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+. As far as I know, I like being a girl and I’m currently not interested in dating, maybe in college, but not now. One reason for me not dating yet is that I’m conflicted on the inside. Neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ have recently become merging topics, even on TV. Luz Noceda from the hit 2020-present Disney Channel tv series The Owl House (which I’ve binge watched 4 times, and am doing so agin, and it’s mostly what me and one of my friends have been talking about), was confirmed to be Bisexual and ADHD by the show’s creator Dana Terrance April 2021. Even before the confirmation, many Eagle eyed Owl House fans have picked up that Luz is ADHD and Bisexual, I figured that out within the first few episodes of season 1, before I found out that it was confirmed. Sadly TOH will be ending after it’s shortened third season set to release in 2022, because it “Doesn’t fit the Disney brand”, and the second half of season 2 isn’t even out yet. I’m disappointed about it too, because TOH has diverse representation. And then again many Disney movies are questionable, so how does TOH not fit? However, TOH fans everywhere are rallying together to save the show from being ended and forgotten.

The fact that one is ADHD shouldn’t stop them from reaching their potential. Michael Phelps and Simone Biles are both ADHD, Justin Timberlake also has ADHD, or specifically ADD, and the list goes on. To everyone with ADHD/ADD, you shouldn’t let the stigma weigh you down, or define who you are, you define you, it’s ok to be yourself. If you don’t already have support from your family or friends, find someone who understands you or find other people with ADHD. In the words of High School Musical lyrics, ‘We’re all in this together.’

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