A Road to Success: The Unexpected Journey through Life with ADHD and Everyday Anxiety

Although, ADHD and Anxiety can be debilitating at times — it also ups my superpower! This is only one story of many, and quite frankly demonstrates how adversity in the face can be a lesson on true resilience.

ADHD And Anxiety Explained

ADHD comes in a range of forms — with the most common symptoms being an inability to focus all ways up to full blown hyperactivity and impulsivity. On the other hand, ​anxiety​ typically enhances emotions about nervousness and apprehension leading to feelings of self-doubt. Both of these things intertwine and create a tangled mess when it comes to everyday life and relationships.

Early Struggles

I never quite grasped the ability to sit through an entire class and what not without moving until college, since a young age I was always bouncing in my chair at school. My mind was spinning out of control, and jumping from thoughts so quickly that I couldn't focus on completing anything. Combined with my anxiety, every new obstacle just seemed impossible to overcome. Even small things, like having to talk in front of a group or meeting strangers would set everything into over drive.

The Turning Point

But the turning point was when I chose to get help. Talking to people who knew about ADHD and anxiety changed my life. Therapy helped me with coping mechanisms and symptom management. Connecting with others who were experiencing the same challenges that I was… ALLOWED me to share and not feel so isolated.

Embracing Strengths

Though the ADHD and anxiety made it difficult, they also accentuated how different of a learner I am. The same creativity and ADHD thought-out-of-the box thinking I can apply to help me in many ways. And I learned to own a facet of myself that could view landscapes not only with one lens, but through differing lenses and creating things in ways many others may never dream of.

Building a Support Network

One of the most important things I did in this journey was to have a solid support system. In times like these, my friends and family gathered around me to provide words of encouragement, friendship and compassion. The confidence which they had in my ability to succeed, along with the example that they set for me fuelled something within- AN UNWAVERING STUBBORNNESS TO CONTINUE! I also learned to reach out and connect with mentors that showed me what a productive way for myself perhaps should be.

Paths to Success

While I stumbled through my adolescence with ADHD and anxiety, much like Maddy, I searched for outlets that played to what should be called strengths. Every experience, regardless of whether I was going after an artistic pursuit or delivering a speech to the public or shouting at mental health issues became one further step toward my ultimate objective. I learned to set small goals and celebrate the smaller steps along the journey.

Conclusion

 These days, I see ADHD and anxiety more as gifts. The struggles have made me into a more empathetic and compassionate person. I learnt through my journey that success is not only about overcoming the societal standards of achievements but most importantly learning to pick yourself back up and continue growing. Accepting my story has given me the chance to positively influence others who are fighting similar battles, illustrating how incredible things can come from unexpected paths.