I found out I have ADHD.

Summary

The video script narrates the personal journey of the creator, who struggled with organization, focus, and time management, only to later discover they had ADHD. Initially excelling in school, the creator's life took a turn post-college, leading to a downward spiral of productivity. The diagnosis of ADHD and the subsequent use of medication brought clarity and a newfound ability to function normally, illustrating the transformative power of understanding and addressing neurodevelopmental disorders.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker struggled with focus, memory, and organization, which worsened after leaving the structured environment of their parents' home and school.
• 🎓 Despite being a high-achieving student, the speaker's life took a turn when they moved to college and later dropped out to pursue a career in content creation on YouTube.
• 🤔 The speaker initially dismissed their difficulties as laziness or lack of interest, not considering a potential neurodevelopmental disorder like ADHD.
• 🧍‍♂️ The speaker's brother's ADHD diagnosis sparked a realization that their own struggles might be related to a similar condition.
• 🤯 After years of denial and struggle, the speaker finally decided to seek a professional diagnosis, which confirmed their suspicion of having ADHD.
• 📊 The diagnosis included a detailed report explaining the speaker's symptoms and how their brain functions, which helped them understand their condition better.
• 🧠 ADHD affects people differently, with the speaker having the inattentive type, characterized by difficulty focusing, low attention span, and disorganization.
• 👩‍⚕️ The psychologist provided hypotheses for why the speaker's ADHD symptoms became apparent later in life, including the influence of their mother's organizational support and the possibility of ADHD affecting women differently.
• 💊 The speaker tried medication for the first time, experiencing a significant improvement in focus and productivity, which was both surprising and transformative.
• 🛠 The diagnosis and understanding of ADHD have allowed the speaker to develop strategies for managing their condition and improving their daily life.
• 🎉 The speaker encourages others who might be experiencing similar struggles to seek a professional diagnosis, as it can provide clarity and a path forward.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial perception of themselves as a student?

The speaker initially perceived themselves as a well-organized, punctual, and high-achieving student with good grades, despite finding it hard to focus during studying.

Why did the speaker decide to take a gap year?

The speaker decided to take a gap year to explore the potential of their YouTube channel, which was gaining traction at the time.

What challenges did the speaker face after moving out of their parents' house and attending college?

The speaker began to struggle with motivation, skipping classes, and procrastinating on schoolwork, attributing these issues to their newfound freedom and the distraction of their YouTube channel.

How did the speaker's organizational skills and focus change after leaving school?

The speaker's organizational skills and focus deteriorated significantly, making it difficult for them to manage responsibilities and stay organized.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to their brother's ADHD diagnosis?

The speaker was surprised by their brother's diagnosis, as he did not exhibit the typical hyperactive symptoms associated with ADHD that they were aware of.

What similarities did the speaker find between their own experiences and their brother's description of ADHD symptoms?

The speaker found that they shared similar struggles with focus, attention span, and hyperfixation on interests, which made them consider the possibility of having ADHD themselves.

Why did it take the speaker years to consider the possibility of having ADHD?

It took the speaker years to consider the possibility of having ADHD because they were not immediately inclined to seek a diagnosis and were focused on their struggles with productivity and organization.

What type of ADHD was the speaker diagnosed with?

The speaker was diagnosed with the inattentive type of ADHD.

How did the speaker's psychologist explain the late onset of their ADHD symptoms?

The psychologist suggested that the speaker's mother's organizational influence may have masked their symptoms during school, and that ADHD can affect women differently, potentially manifesting later in life.

What impact did the ADHD diagnosis have on the speaker's approach to managing their responsibilities?

The diagnosis helped the speaker to understand their struggles better, change their mindset, and develop strategies to improve productivity and organization.

What was the speaker's experience with taking medication for ADHD?

The speaker experienced an immediate reduction in mental noise, improved focus, and enhanced productivity after taking instant-release medication, which they found to be transformative for their ability to complete tasks.