I'am a kid that knows !!!

Dealing every day with ADHD

Hi, I'm Jake. I'm 13 years old, and I have ADHD.

I wanted to write this so people understand what it’s really like — because sometimes it feels like no one gets it unless they have it too.

First of all, having ADHD doesn’t mean I’m bad or lazy or not trying. I am trying. Honestly, I’m trying really hard most of the time. But my brain just... works differently. It's like there's a hundred TVs on at once inside my head, and I can't always find the remote.

When I'm at school, I want to listen to my teacher. I really do. But sometimes when she’s talking, my brain just goes off on its own adventure. One second I’m thinking about maths, and the next second I’m thinking about a YouTube video I watched last night or what’s for lunch or if fish have birthdays. Then I look up, and everyone’s halfway through their work, and I don’t even know what we’re supposed to be doing.

At home, it's tricky too. My parents ask me to do something simple like "Put your shoes away." But by the time I get to the hallway, I’ve already forgotten what I went there for. Or I get distracted by something else — like a bug on the wall or a computer game I forgot I had — and then my mum thinks I’m ignoring her on purpose. I'm not! I promise! Sometimes I feel bad because it makes them upset.

Another thing is my feelings. With ADHD, it’s like my emotions have the volume turned up to full blast. If I'm happy, I'm really happy. If I'm upset, it feels like the end of the world. Sometimes I get frustrated and angry at myself because I can't just "stay calm" like everyone tells me to.

Friends can be hard too. I interrupt people without meaning to, or I act silly because I’m so excited, and sometimes that makes other kids annoyed. I don’t want to annoy anyone — I just get carried away and then it’s too late.

But you know what? Having ADHD isn’t all bad. It also makes me really creative. I have so many ideas — way more than I can even keep up with! And when something interests me, I can focus so hard that it feels like time disappears. (That's why I’m awesome at building Lego and making up crazy stories!)

I just wish people understood that when I mess up, it’s not because I don’t care. It’s because my brain is running a race with no finish line, and sometimes it trips over its own shoelaces.

If you know someone with ADHD, just be patient with us. Cheer us on when we get it right. Help us get back on track when we lose our way. And please — don’t give up on us. We’re trying our best, even if it doesn’t always look like it.

Thanks for reading my story.

From,Jake

If you are interested in discussing a ADHD diagnosis email us enquiries@neuroassess.co.uk

www.neuroassess.co.uk