It was not until junior year of college that I got diagnosed with ADHD. Medications after medications, one cognitive therapy after another, I uninhibitedly searched for explanations. I needed some closure for why I couldn’t help being late to everything no matter how hard I tried.
I often wish I had gotten diagnosed earlier, so my life wouldn’t have been so difficult. I hated my ADHD. I blamed it for my setback in high school, for everything that went wrong. But in hindsight, my messy brain that wants to do everything all at the same time is the reason why I’m where I am today. More than 3000 miles away from home for 5 years now, I have been pushing through alone. I accepted how passionate my ADHD makes me about things that interest me.
I began writing, painting and now I will be starting a Masters after finishing undergrad. Once I accepted that ADHD is a part of me and that there are great sides to it, I stopped fearing myself and there was light at the end of the tunnel.