ADHD AND ME

My journey with ADHD

“Your child has a classic case of ADHD, just without the hyperactivity. She can be treated with medication.” 

That was the first time someone said something was wrong with me. I was in the fifth grade. I remember that awkward day like it was yesterday; walking into an office building, meeting with the child psychologist, and sitting at her desk for what seemed like hours, staring out the window, wondering when this would all be over. I think that’s what gave it away.

“Can you draw me a picture of your family, Catharine? Can you help me put this puzzle together, Catharine?” 

The whole time I stared out the window when the psychologist was trying to engage me in easy activities that she thought would be of interest to me. Her voice was muffled inside my head while I stared with glazed eyes at the distracting world outside. It was easy for me to turn my attention to something more interesting when I was told to do something important. That’s what I always did, at least.

But what was it that was so captivating to catch my attention that day at the psychologist’s office? It was a beautifully painted mural of Frida Khalo that took up the whole front side of the building across the street. I watched as people passed by walking their dogs, talking on cell phones, going for a jog, and paying no attention to the art that stood before them. I was mesmerized by the bright colors and the intricate detail of the flowers on top of Frida’s delicate frame, as I had seen her portrait before on a poster in my elementary school art class. 

Research shows that individuals with ADHD often have enhanced creativity, especially in areas like divergent thinking which involves generating multiple solutions to a problem. This creative strength can be attributed to a brain such as mine, that naturally craves stimulation, leading those with ADHD to find imaginative ways to stay engaged. Artistic talents frequently emerge early in children with ADHD, who are drawn to activities that allow them to channel their restless energy into something productive and meaningful, like how I became mesmerized by that mural.

I was always a creative child and became interested in art at a young age. My loud imagination and personality were easily expressed whenever I was given a crayon and a piece of paper. Some of my happiest memories from my childhood involve doing something creative with art, like drawing all over the kids’ menus at restaurants, using my grandparents’ computer to draw digital art and then printing them out. I loved going to the cultural arts center downtown for birthday parties and getting paint all over my hands after making portraits of my family, animals, friends, and characters from my favorite cartoons.

As a young student in the fifth grade, I always felt like I wasn’t good at anything academically, but the one thing I knew that I was good at, and loved, was making art. ADHD doesn't just challenge attention but can enhance creative problem-solving. Since I often process information differently, I’m more likely to think in non-linear and unconventional ways, like seeing patterns or making connections others might miss. Art was the only thing I took seriously and put precious effort and focus into. 

Since then I’ve used art to guide, support, and help me believe in myself. Without art, I would have never discovered my true self or my potential in my talents. Creating art is my escape from the world’s cruel judgment and has helped me understand that while ADHD is a large piece of who I am, it doesn’t define me. Since that visit to the child psychologist, I’ve seen big improvements in myself as an individual. While some days are easier than others, art has influenced me in such a way that it has become my source of managing my ADHD symptoms.

I always knew that art would be a part of my future career path. While my end goal in the future is to be an Art Director at a big company, I also want to be able to help support others struggling with mental health and leave a lasting impact within my community. Education is a priority for me. I want to continue to expand my knowledge of art so I can create new projects in the future, as well as continue to learn about and understand my disorder so I can help younger generations cope with ADHD in better ways.

While I still deal with ADHD today, I continue to persevere and work towards my goals of maintaining good grades throughout college while also taking high-level classes that are focused on my career path to challenge myself. When my parents explained my diagnosis to me at that young age, they said that ADHD would never be an excuse not to succeed in life, and I continue to believe that. ADHD is not a limitation, but a different way of seeing the world. While ADHD may present challenges, it also gifts individuals like me with incredible creative potential, which I continue to fully embrace.

I always think back to that day when I was staring at the mural outside the window, and I appreciate how hard I have worked to develop into the creative woman I am today. Now I know that there are better things to come in my future.