ADHD in me?

Related: ADHD, School, Parents, More TagsChildren with Learning Disabilities, Fewer Tags

by brettwong
Thursday, October 30, 2008

Dear Quinn,

I have struggled over the past 10 years with the notion that I may or may not have ADHD but have been too scared and reluctant to visit a doctor to get a firm answer. I was searching on the internet earlier this evening and came across your site. I have actually visited a lot of other ADHD community sites in the past but never joined as either the designs made it too hard to navigate around and / or the sites were just too impersonal. I was draw to your page by your story and personal accomplishments despite the learning disabilities you cope with each day. More importantly, there's something about the colors and overall atmosphere on here that make it more inviting and comfortable for me to share my story compared to the others I've visited.

When I was young, I had problems sitting still and paying attention in my classes. I was always referred to by my family as the "little monkey" that would jump and crawl on top of anything I could reach. I could never sit still for more than 5 minutes at a time, and if I did, I'd always have half of my butt off the chair. Throughout elementary and middle school, my Mom was constantly called in by my teachers who complained that I was not attentive enough or too rowdy.

However, admitting that I had / have ADHD was never an option in my family. Raise by a strict Chinese Mother, the idea that I had a learning disability was not a valid excuse. My hyperness and lack of attention were always attributed to bad behavior while my less than stellar grades in school were blamed on the fact that I did not study enough. A true skeptic of modern science and western medicine, my Mom attempted to cure me the only way she knew how.... with discipline. If I recieved bad grades or was scolded for not staying in my seat, my Mom would spank me with rulers or sticks or anything else she could find around the house.

Although cruel, I admit the methods she used did help to mitigate my symptoms. I am way calmer now compared to how I use to be! However, even at this moment while I type this entry, my legs continue to wiggle as my mind is off thinking about something else every other minute. Although I type at over 65 wpm, it has taken me almost an hour and a half to write this entry because I constantly need to stand up to wiggle out my limbs and regather my though. I wouldn't call it cramps but rather an uneasy tension I have running throughout my entire body whenever I'm forced to sit still for a period of time.... so I guess I'm not completely cured....

I'm not sure if what I have is considered ADHD. However, I am glad that I am able to finally find a suitable site that allows me to share my stories while at the same time, learn more about the various other learning disabilities. If anyone has any responses or suggestions to my post, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!