"ADHD" stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Here are some things I deal with as someone with ADHD.

1. Dealing With The "Ooh Squirrel!" Archetype

Sometimes it gets a little annoying when people entirely define ADHD by being easily distracted and going "ooh squirrel" in the midst of every sentence. Besides, having ADHD means it's hard to stay fixated on one topic for too long, so that includes squirrels. Some of us like other animals, ya know. Why not "ooh panda,” or "ooh axolotl?”

2. Losing Stuff

I can never remember where I put anything. I'm constantly losing things and I'm not sure whether it's because I'm not too concerned about them enough to pay full attention as to where I put it, or that I overthink where they could be and mix up all kinds of possibilities.

Maybe the truth is we've realized the locations of objects like keys, shoes, glasses, pens, etc. are trivial in the grand scheme of life and that we're on our way to discovering what's truly important, more so than anyone else...

... Or we just have crap memories.

3. Can't Sit Still

This one is entirely true. In writing this article, I had to stand up and walk around for a good minute before sitting down and writing the next point.

We don't say "oooh squirrel" to go actually check out squirrels, we say "ooh squirrel" to give ourselves an excuse to run away instead of standing or sitting.

4. Hyperfocus

ADHD has a thing called "hyper focus,” which is when a person with ADHD finds something they truly enjoy and latch onto it easier than they do everything else.

Essentially the term "flow" from psychology, but we get our own term for it since we're special. Basically, we all have that one thing we're good at and that we'll thrive if placed in an environment where we're constantly put to that.

We're essentially like those aliens from the Lilo And Stitch series.

5. Impulses

Instead of prolonging our endless hyper activity, sometimes we get it all out of our system in one foul swoop, which sometimes comes off as an "impulsive" move.

Impulsive moves consist of making a random noises, tossing something harmless, and low-key wanting to pull a fire alarm.

6. Having To Motivate Yourself Before Tests

ADHD is so much harder when you're forced to do something you really don't want to do, or that makes you nervous.

However, ADHD works in your favor if you're excited, so it's always hilarious getting yourself excited before something you really don't want to do.

7. Asking For Examples

Having ADHD is like having the Sandman punch you directly in the mouth every time you listen to a lecture that exceeds two minutes in length.

People like to stereotype ADHD kids as the class clowns, but in actuality, they can also be the one kid that asks the most questions in class, especially the ones asking for examples of topics the teacher's only spoke of and shown no visually material connected to it.

So if you talk to me for a solid minute about a fish, I'm going to want to eventually see a fish.

8. Not Being Taken Entirely Seriously

Especially on topics of disability and learning, people often gloss over ADHD, and to this day is still considered a myth by a whole awful lot of people.

Personally, I don't have much else to say to this other than go ahead and keep considering us myths.

It's like being a real life unicorn, but in actuality we're as common as, I dunno, squirrels.

9. Other People Can Tell When You're On And Off Medication

Those who are close to you will know you in two different ways. On and off your medication.

Please don't point it out to us, by the way. Chances are, we know.

10. When You Crash, You Crash

We can go hours of being energetic and involved, but at some point, we crash and burn. ADHD is like not knowing how to spread out energy to the entire day, so it's intense for a vast portion, and then it goes completely away later on.

Naps validated.

12. Funner To Watch Than To Be

Overall, having ADHD can really only be described, experience-wise, by each individual with it. Not necessarily "good" or "bad.”

But overall, most people with it know how others view it. To them, ADHD is funny, and people with it must be outgoing and bouncing off the walls. ADHD can be a nightmare for introverts, because they have so much energy and just don't know what to do with it. Again, all depends on the individual.