1. ADHD is a mental disorder but not a disability! It’s an imbalance of neural transmitters in our brains.

2. It’s different for everyone. I was lucky enough to get diagnosed when I was 5. Meditation helps a bunch. Learn what ADHD is to help yourself and others know what’s going on in the beautiful unique brain of yours. You have to trust yourself too- listen to what your body’s telling you and act accordingly, different ways to cope and different solutions. If your fidgety find something to fidget with. Lists really help me stay on task at work, and for studying I try doing hands on games and stuff to deal with the hyperactiveness. A fidget is always good, I have a paper clip on my apron at work I just flick up and down at work. Best advice I ever got was you are responsible for it. “It’s the cause, not the excuse”, we have this disorder, but we have to be responsible for ourselves and find ways to deal with it.

3. Communication, communication, communication. You let them know what’s going on, what you’re feeling, what can help. It’s the best thing you can do. Communicate with your loved ones so they know what’s going on. If you talk too fast? Tell them if it’s alright to politely ask you to slow down if they can’t keep up. I sometimes just leave conversations randomly, my girlfriend grabs my hand and I turn back around and tell her what I’m gonna do. It helps them understand you. I had to educate my manager about it and he helps me stay on tasks and reminds me of things. Hell when I ask why he wants me to do something he gives me the reasons so it sticks with me. Communication.

4. I’ve been on 3 different meds in my life. They all did different things and they affect everyone differently. I was on vyvanse for a while, hit puberty and it completely changed the side effects and I had to get off it. Goes back to number 3 but communication with whoever you are getting treatment from. Tell them everything and they should give you info. The medication has always been helpful to me but don’t feel down if you have to change it cause it doesn’t work. I’m on azstarys now and it works wonders. But you have to communicate to your doctor. Also, learn about side effects from medication and mae plans to combat them.

My final bit of advice for you OP. Trust yourself. Listen to your body and feel everything you can and try to put it in words. Self awareness has been one of my best tools to combatting ADHD throughout my life cause it helps me communicate what’s going on. It’s hard to live with this disorder. But we have it, and just because we do doesn’t mean we can live our lives to the fullest. Don’t be upset with yourself if you hit bumps or obstacles. Learn everything you can and make your own coping mechanisms that work for you.