Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
I’ve got ADHD and I couldn’t be more proud of myself and how far I’ve come.
All the regular activities other people do so naturally came at a heavy price for me, which include mental exhaustion, extra effort and stress. I’ve always had trouble sitting still, remaining focused or actively listening. At school, I was seen as the ‘funny kid’ – always up for laughs, fun and games. But that label came with a lot of heavy emotions such as being called difficult, abnormal, and simply a troubled child. I never truly understood what was wrong with me until I mustered up the courage to speak to professionals because I was struggling in every aspect of my life – personal, professional, financial and social.
After several diagnostic tests and extensive interviews, I was diagnosed with severe ADHD and that didn’t come as a surprise at all. It took a lot out of me to accept my diagnosis because of the way society generally treat ‘people they don’t understand’.
But, here I am today - a successful journalist with a blossoming career, an active social life, a football career and new-found love for myself that I want to share with the world.
As someone who struggles with focus, listening has always been a challenge to me. What people don’t understand is that those of us who have ADHD aren’t faking symptoms to avoid accountability or responsibility or to seek attention. We really DO struggle with the normal things you take for granted – such as listening, focus and impulse control.
That doesn’t mean it’s all negative in our lives as we are creative individuals who have a lot to share with the world and a lot to give back. Be kind to us because we are regular people – just like everyone else - who simply have to work harder to achieve the things you do effortlessly.
- Reem Al Daaysi
