Last Updated: November 27th, 2019
There’s a lot of bad advice out there about living with ADHD.
However, this article is based on my personal experiences, hardships and victories with ADHD.
Read the following 10 truths. Apply them to your own life. And set yourself free…
Contents
Truth 1. Most people won’t understand
If you have ADHD, then you have enough problems to deal with as it is.
You probably don’t need to spend any more time telling friends, family members and acquaintances about your problems with ADHD.
Because, when people really want to understand ADHD, they’ll seek out the truth on their own.
But as of now, the unfortunate reality is that most people aren’t going to sympathize with your condition.
The good news is that you don’t need people’s approval anyway.
You’re 100% free to live life on your terms right this second, whether the people in your life choose to accept ADHD or not.
Truth 2. Living with ADHD is difficult (but not worth complaining about)
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that influences the way people think, live and interact with others.
It’s also a condition that affects people differently. But, generally speaking, having ADHD makes life in modern society a lot harder than it’s supposed to be.
With that being said, ADHD still isn’t worth complaining about much.
Life is short, and there are far worse conditions than ADHD out there. There’s bone cancer. Lou Gehrig’s disease. Cystic fibrosis. And so many other terrible illnesses…
Most people don’t want to admit it. But, if living with ADHD is the worst of your problems, then you’re still doing pretty well for yourself, relatively speaking.
Truth 3. Your boss and co-workers don’t need to know about your ADHD
ADHD in the workplace is a complicated issue because ADHD may be considered a workplace disability depending on the severity and specifics of your ADHD diagnosis.
But in my experience, telling bosses or co-workers about ADHD has never scored me any sympathy points. Not even once. So, I have to stand by my real-life employment experience, and suggest that you probably shouldn’t tell your boss and co-workers about your ADHD.
With that being said, your results may differ. One could make the argument that telling your boss about your ADHD may protect you under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
It’s ultimately up to you to decide whether you want to present your ADHD as a workplace issue, or keep it to yourself. It isn’t an easy decision to make. But, it’s a crucial one.
Truth 4. Relationships are more challenging with ADHD
With ADHD, it’s easy to get fixated on certain things like work, hobbies, sports, habits or even relationships.
Having ADHD means that it can be extremely difficult to find balance in your life.
I find this to be especially true when it comes to relationships. People with ADHD typically invest too much effort in relationships. Or, we don’t invest nearly enough effort in relationships.
There’s rarely a middle-ground.
To enjoy more successful relationships while dealing with ADHD, you have to think counterintuitively. You ultimately have to spend most of your time pursuing your own passions and interests, while still setting aside quality time for your loved one. This isn’t easy to do by any means. But, I find that this creates the best long-term results.
Truth 5. It’s difficult for people with ADHD to overcome the past
We’ve all dealt with a variety of issues stemming as far back as childhood. Plenty of problems still persist in our adult lives, too.
And because of this, everyone feels tempted to look for sympathy at times.
But, the reality is that blaming your past isn’t going to help you with your problems today.
You have to focus your energy on the present moment in order to make the most of life with ADHD right now.
Truth 6. You have to manage your stress now
Stress is thought to be the single largest influence when it comes to disease.
People with ADHD are especially prone to stress, because those with ADHD often deal with anxiety, avoidance, procrastination and so many other stress-inducing conditions.
It’s for this reason that I eat healthy food, exercise, use adaptogens like ashwagandha (Amazon), and take a number of other steps to reduce the amount of stress in my life.
Anything that you can do to start limiting stress in your life will benefit your ADHD (and overall health) tremendously.
Truth 7. There is an upside to living with ADHD
Living with ADHD isn’t totally terrible, even if it seems like it is at times.
In fact, there’s a huge upside to living with ADHD that plenty of people automatically dismiss.
As a college graduate with a degree in Entrepreneurship, I can tell you first-hand that ADHD and creativity are interconnected.
Many bright entrepreneurs, high-achievers and creatives are ‘on the spectrum’ in one way or another.
So, you have to remember that if you allow it to happen, ADHD can lead you to become a successful businessperson, artist, author, illustrator or anything you want.
I’m not saying this to give you a feel-good emotional high…
There’s actually a lot of evidence that suggests many wildly successful people have a condition that is either ADHD itself, or something else on the autism spectrum that’s related to ADHD (like Asperger’s syndrome).
Truth 8. You can use ADHD medication and natural ADHD remedies
Some people swear by taking high-quality adhd medication. Others believe that using natural ADHD remedies is the more wholesome approach to managing ADHD symptoms.
But, who says that you have to choose between the two options?
I like to have the best of both worlds, and I’m sure that you do too.
What I suggest is taking a light dose of ADHD medication in the morning, and using natural ADHD remedies at night (once your medication has worn off).
This way, you’ll get the synthetic benefits of adhd medication (modern science) and the organic benefits of natural ingredients (holistic medicine).
You can enjoy the best of both worlds (and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise).
Truth 9. You have to stop thinking so much
When you’re dealing with ADHD, thinking too much can potentially ruin your entire day.
One bad thought often leads to another, and this can spiral out of control and make you feel miserable.
So, what I suggest doing is getting out of your ‘conscious prison’.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (Amazon) is possibly the greatest book written on the subject of staying present to the moment, and escaping your conscious prison. I highly suggest that everyone with ADHD reads it.
You ultimately have to get out of your own head, and start taking action today. Taking persistent action will bring you far more peace and happiness than getting lost in your head will.
Truth 10. Creating a system can save you
Ever since reading Scott Adams book called How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big (Amazon), I realized the importance of creating a system, as opposed to setting goals.
While you have to read the book to really grasp the importance of creating a system, the overall concept is quite simple:
- Setting goals makes you feel terrible every day that you don’t achieve them
- Creating a system makes you feel great every day that you accomplish the simple tasks that you set out to achieve
There’s a subtle but unbelievably important difference between accomplishing goals and creating a system that you need to know about.
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big lays out everything you need to know about building a system (which works surprisingly well for most people with ADHD).
The 10 truths about life with ADHD conclusion
I know that these truths about life with ADHD might appear harsh.
But, my mission at ADHD Boss has never been to paint a pretty picture about ADHD.
Instead, I want to provide you with real, actionable advice that has actually worked for me, and will work for you too.
I realize this will turn away some readers. But, I hope that those who stick around realize I only want to help the ADHD community to the best of my ability.
And, I don’t know of any better way to help than by giving you the truth about life with ADHD.
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