I am a7CupsMember, and this is my ADHD story

**ADHDstory Challenge*

Dear fellow peers,

I am excited to be joining you in this community as a new forum supporter, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with all of you. :)

I want to get to know you better and hear more from you, and I thought about breaking the ice in a therapeutic way: by sharing my story with you and listening to yours.

I am Marwane, and this is my ADHD story:

My journey with ADHD began long before I was born, when I was still in my mother's womb. Even then, I was hyperactive, kicking and moving incessantly. This hyperactivity continued into my childhood, where I found it difficult to sit still and focus on tasks. I vividly remember my early school days, constantly distracted and daydreaming while the teacher spoke. Throughout my childhood, I faced misunderstandings and misconceptions about my behavior, often being labeled as impolite or disruptive. My parents worried about how others perceived my actions, but their support was unwavering. Despite the challenges, I found ways to cope, especially with the help of technology like smartphones, which provided a distraction during moments of restlessness.

However, it was during my high school years that the pressure to succeed became overwhelming. While my peers seemed to effortlessly navigate academics, I felt stuck and unable to keep up. Despite my determination, I fell into depression and anxiety, which only exacerbated my struggles. Seeking help was a difficult journey, as my parents initially hesitated to explore psychiatric options. Instead, we tried various coaches, remedies, and even religious interventions before finally turning to a psychiatrist, where I finally got something to help. Despite never being formally diagnosed with ADHD, and although mainly targeting depression and anxiety, the treatment plan helped me manage my symptoms and achieve many things I wanted, although with difficulties.

I kept wondering why in all of the consultations with more than 7 different psychiatrists, although the main reason for consulting was concentration difficulties, none talked about ADHD, not even once. I later realized that 2 reasons are possible: 

• 1. I responded to medicaments targeting two main causes of concentration difficulties; which are depression and anxiety; two main differential diagnosis of ADHD. 
• 2. Access to proper ADHD meds in my country is restricted. Hence, thinking about ADHD when there is no available treatment while other treatable conditions could explain the symptomatology is unacceptable.

I managed to find several ways to cope with my chronic attention issues; from healthy life to alternative intervention targeting cognitive resilience. And, today, I am a quite good university student and a proud 7Cups personnel. I am leading my life as I want, accepting what I can't change, and working towards my life goals. And, especially, I am really happy and chill in my life.

This is my story. I hope it could convey hope to those who may be facing similar challenges. Despite the obstacles, it is possible to overcome and thrive with ADHD. My journey underscores the importance of understanding that attention deficit can stem from various conditions and that treating underlying issues can lead to significant improvements. It also emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach to ADHD management, where medication is just one component of a comprehensive treatment plan. (P.S. I want to seize the occasion to announce my first article in 7Cups to be submitted soon, titled "What to Do When ADHD Meds Aren't an Option: The Proven ADHD Management Strategy I wish I had known in School". Stay tuned!)

And you, what's your #ADHDstory?

Remember, 7Cups is a safe space and a supportive environment where everyone feels heard and valued. Anonymity, sharing, and caring are paramount. I invite you all to join me in sharing your ADHD stories and supporting one another in this community. Feel free to share, nominate others, continue the conversation, and encourage each other to share their experiences.

Your new Forum Supporter,

MarwaneB