Neurodiversity Celebration Week And Sobriety
It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It's heartening to see increased awareness and discussion around neurodiversity, particularly among women, who have often been overlooked or underdiagnosed. While there's concern about overdiagnosis, especially with conditions like ADHD, many experts believe the spike in diagnoses reflects a better understanding of these conditions. Historically, ADHD was often associated with hyperactive little boys, but research now shows it continues to persist into adulthood. Many adults may have gone undiagnosed due to misconceptions or lack of awareness. It's common for symptoms to become more apparent after leaving a supportive environment like home or school. This was the case for me as well.
Throughout school, I consistently found myself placed in the middle to bottom sets, and spelling has never been my strong suit—even today, I rely heavily on Grammarly! Reading aloud was always a dreaded task, as I struggled with pronunciation and still do now. Fortunately, I had the support of an English tutor throughout high school, but when my parents divorced, my grades took a hit without that extra help. The school suggested a dyslexic assessment, and I vividly remember struggling to complete it. Receiving the dyslexia diagnosis was a huge relief; there was nothing wrong with me; I was dyslexic. It meant I could access accommodations like extended time on exams and having someone read questions aloud to me— initially, I was embarrassed, but it proved invaluable.
I underwent another dyslexia assessment for university, which opened up a world of support for me. I received a MacBook, printer, books, note-taker, additional tutoring, and extended assessment time. My note-taker played a crucial role in keeping me organised, and I leaned heavily on the support provided, particularly towards the end of assessments. I started projects with creative fervour, but I struggled to finish them, making the tuition support genuinely life-changing. I was thrilled to graduate with a 2:1, which I thank for the invaluable support I received.
Transitioning to a 9-5 job was a significant adjustment for me, particularly in my first role as a marketing assistant. I faced challenges with organisation, prioritisation, completing tasks, and proofreading—resulting in more than a few typos on printed materials and social media posts 🙈 I remained in the role for a year before landing a position as a graphic designer. Here, I felt more supported; my manager helped organise and prioritise my workload, and the team assisted with proofreading. But, I still struggled to stay focused and often found myself bored. I took this restlessness as a sign I needed a new adventure, so I booked a one-way flight to Australia 🛫🇦🇺
Dealing with all the changes was incredibly challenging for me. Simple tasks like cooking, shopping, cleaning, and even taking the train to work felt overwhelming. I relied on my friend to create a calendar for our weekend plans because even those stressed me out. However, amidst the chaos, there were positives. My passion for self-development grew even stronger, leading to a book-buying addiction that continues to this day. While I may not finish every book, I always take away something valuable. This drive propelled me to start a graphic design company, but my interests soon shifted to psychology. This was when a client gently suggested I might have ADHD, though I didn't think much about what my client said as I had already labelled myself as dyslexic.
My interest in psychology led me to a Graphic Designer role at an Employee Assistance Program company, where I collaborated closely with psychologists. One psychology researcher, who I grew close to, also neurodiverse said she noticed similarities between us. She was impressed by my bursts of productivity and enthusiasm for new topics and suggested I consider an ADHD diagnosis. Immersed in designing materials for neurodiverse support, I naturally learned more about ADHD. Each revelation felt like a personal revelation, often moving me to tears. When seeking an ADHD diagnosis, my school and dyslexia reports provided clear evidence, leaving me wondering why ADHD hadn't been considered earlier, especially considering my sister's ADHD diagnosis, too.
After my diagnosis, I couldn't ignore the growing research linking ADHD with substance use disorder—particularly alcohol. This realisation terrified me and played a significant role in my decision to remove alcohol from my life. Here are a few key findings:
People with ADHD are more likely to start drinking at a young age and engage in heavy, frequent alcohol consumption, increasing their risk of developing alcohol use disorder later in life. I started sneaking alcohol from my mum's cupboard at just 13, and my reputation as the girl who organised weekend parties in high school only solidified this pattern.
Research shows that individuals with ADHD are at a higher risk of binge drinking in early adulthood. Shockingly, one study found that 42.1% of those with ADHD reported binge drinking every time they consumed alcohol. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks within two hours for men or four for women. Reflecting on my own past, I'm amazed that this definition of binge drinking seemed so commonplace—I used to have four drinks while getting ready to go out!
While alcohol is a depressant, it can have the opposite effect on individuals with ADHD. Alcohol affects the frontal lobe, which is responsible for clear thinking and decision-making. For those with ADHD, alcohol consumption can exacerbate impulsive behaviour, leading to harmful consequences. With prolonged heavy drinking, individuals with ADHD may experience intensified anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty controlling impulses. Recognising my own impulsive tendencies, anxiety, and struggles with emotional regulation, I knew I needed to stop fueling the fire with alcohol.
So for me, not too long after being diagnosed with ADHD, I decided I would experiment with six months without alcohol. Now I am 13 months alcohol-free, and I can honestly say I will never go back!