What Don't You Understand? - A Short Film about ADHD

Summary

This script explores the challenges of living with ADHD, highlighting the difficulties of focus, executive functioning, and memory. It portrays how ADHD affects daily life, from missing details in conversations and assignments to struggling with basic tasks like staying hydrated or being on time. The feeling of always falling short despite effort leads to frustration and despair. The narrative shifts when the speaker tries medication, likening its effects to wearing glasses for the first time and realizing how much clearer life can be, offering a sense of hope.

Takeaways

• 🧠 ADHD is complex and doesn't have a single way of manifesting. It’s often hard to explain, especially to those who haven’t experienced it.
• ⚖️ On a chemical level, ADHD is a brain imbalance that impacts executive functions, memory, focus, and organization.
• 😞 For many with ADHD, struggles with focus and organization feel like more than 'just excuses,' even if they seem that way to others.
• 🧩 Living with ADHD can feel like knowing the big picture but constantly missing key pieces when they’re needed most.
• 🎓 In a classroom, understanding is often challenging for ADHD students, and asking for help may lead to confusing or demotivating responses.
• ⏳ ADHD impacts daily life routines, with procrastination often causing important tasks, like hydration or eating, to be delayed and eventually forgotten.
• 🔄 Repeated distractions and small changes, like turning off a fan or drinking water, can sometimes help refocus but often derail tasks.
• 🚨 Mornings are a particular struggle, with frequent oversights like missed alarms, misplaced items, and feeling chronically unprepared.
• 📅 ADHD’s impact on time management means projects can go weeks without progress, creating stress when deadlines are near.
• 💊 Medication, like Dexamphetamine, may offer clarity, helping users feel as if they are finally seeing things clearly after prolonged struggles.

Q & A

What is ADHD, as described in the script?

ADHD is described as a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects executive function, memory, organization, and focus, making it difficult to accomplish tasks.

Why is ADHD difficult to explain to others?

ADHD is difficult to explain because every description can sound like an excuse, and people without ADHD may not understand that 'I just can't do it' is a genuine reason, not an excuse.

What metaphor is used in the script to describe the experience of ADHD?

The metaphor used is living life knowing the full picture but always missing a piece when it really matters.

How does ADHD affect focus in a classroom setting, according to the script?

In a classroom setting, ADHD can make it difficult to follow what the teacher is saying, even when everyone else seems to understand. The student knows they need to focus but finds something—like the teacher's phrasing or the environment—getting in the way.

What common problem does the person experience when trying to read or study?

When trying to read or study, the person finds that their thoughts keep distracting them, making it difficult to focus on the text, resulting in a loop of re-reading sentences without comprehension.

How does ADHD impact time management, based on the script?

ADHD impacts time management by causing procrastination and loss of track of time. The person often delays tasks like staying hydrated or eating, then ends up wasting hours tied to their spot by nervousness.

What is the emotional impact of missed deadlines and responsibilities on someone with ADHD?

The emotional impact includes frustration, guilt, and a sense of failure. The person constantly struggles with broken promises to themselves and others, leading to feelings of despair and hopelessness.

How do sticky notes help the person in the script?

Sticky notes help the person keep track of tasks they need to do, but they also become reminders of what they’ve failed to do, contributing to feelings of guilt and overwhelm.

What is the significance of the small white bottle in the script?

The small white bottle represents Dexamphetamine, a prescribed medication that helps the person manage their ADHD symptoms. It’s described as providing clarity, similar to putting on glasses after a lifetime of poor vision.

How does medication change the person’s experience of ADHD in the script?

The medication helps the person focus and provides relief from the overwhelming distractions and frustrations of ADHD. It brings clarity and allows them to function in ways they couldn't before.