Unapologetically ADHD

I have had plenty of time and years to reflect on ADHD regarding what it is and how it affects me. Throughout high school, undergraduate, graduate school and the first 10 years of my professional life, I kept this to myself. It was about 4-5 years ago when I finally dropped this sky-high barrier that I and society created around what it meant to be ADHD and began living for who I was and what I wanted in life, as an unapologetically ADHD person. For the first time I was becoming comfortable in my own skin and with the person I am. I am unique and not everyone will understand or even care to understand, but I realized the same could be said for almost any trait a person has, including their views on different topics. With that realization, I began leaning into my difference and slowly became comfortable and confident with myself. I tell my staff repeatedly now that ADHD is my superpower, they know what to expect from me, and I have found they appreciate it because I am high energy, I break the silence and monotony of the day. They also have come to understand that 10 minutes in my world is too long. It works for me in my profession as a physical therapist and a director. The doctors also reach out to me if they want something done, because they know I will follow through and make it happen. Yes, they have given me looks of serious questioning when I present my ideas. They have seen these ideas come to life and have learned to trust my expertise and problem-solving. They know I will make things happen.

Interestingly enough, where I work now, there was a moment during my physical with the doctor that came close to not providing me clearance to work. For the first time in my life, I disclosed on the medical form that I was diagnosed with ADHD. I was questioned regarding the formality of the diagnosis, but I explained that I went through several tests with different specialists to identify which category of ADHD I fell into. Side note, I have ADHD because I continuously fidget and I daydream easily when I have no interest in what is going on before me. I can read the first line of a history book for an hour and not be able to tell you what it says. Long story short, I told the doc I had a formal diagnosis, and she continued to question me on how I could function in my job without medication or how I could, in general, do my job with ADHD. I adamantly explained to her that being a PT was perfect because you are not sitting physically, and problem-solving, so I can still focus my energy and burn it all at once, making me great at what I do. This did not satisfy her. I continued on the path to convincing her, explaining that I had trained myself to sit and study for 8-10 hours a day in graduate school without medication, because I had learned what worked for me and what didn’t, to focus and work effectively. I followed that with, if those didn’t work, then I drink coffee or a soda because the caffeine has the opposite effect on people with ADHD; it calms me and helps me focus. I have several options to ensure I complete my work. Finally, she stated that it sounded like I had “good control” of it and was able to manage it. I about fell off the patient table when she said this. Right then and there, I was judged for being ADHD, and it was assumed I could not do my job because of it. This is why I didn’t talk about it; the one time I did, it was thrown in my face.