Realities of ADHD

There are some realities with ADHD that are hard to accept but once we accept them it becomes much easier to change our lives. The catch-22 is that one of the challenges is that we don't want to accept the harsh truths. Regardless, here are a list of some realities and how accepting them can be helpful.

• Your brain cannot always be trusted. Yes, you have a good memory for people that you have worked with, your third grade teachers' ornament on her desk, or the name of the sandwich you ate last year at that little restaurant, but you will not remember the things you need to remember right now.

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Your brain cannot always be trusted.

Yes, you have a good memory for people that you have worked with, your third grade teachers' ornament on her desk, or the name of the sandwich you ate last year at that little restaurant, but you will not remember the things you need to remember right now.

When you have to remember a list of things, a few items to do, or a recipe, do not rely on your memory. Here's the thing: ADHD is not a long-term memory issue. This is why we can remember our third grade best friend's favorite color, but you can't remember the amount of flour in the recipe (1 cup or 1.5 cups?). ADHD is a working memory issue, which is why we can't remember quick lists of things we have to do, a short grocery list, or the 4 things from the hardware store, but we can remember things from our past.

If you can't see it, it doesn't exist. That includes your family.

People with ADHD often hear 'You never call' or 'You haven't been around much lately'. The truth is, when you have ADHD, whatever is in front of you is relevant. This is also why so many people in the maker culture with ADHD have a tool wall or an open shelf for their hobbies. Chances are this is why when you find your GameBoy Advance or Lego that was packed away, you tend to play with it for a while. It's not that you didn't like it, it's that you forgot about it.

Put your family in front of you. Set a reminder in your phone or write a note to call your parents or grandparents on a certain day and then do it.

"If it was important to you, you would do it." is a lie.

If these words send shivers down your spine or set you on edge, you're not alone. When someone struggles with ADHD, the importance of something has no effect on if it gets done or not. We forget to eat. We forget to do laundry. Forget doctor's appointments.