Character with ADHD

 

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

There are three main types of ADHD: 

INATTENTIVE

HYPERACTIVE 

COMBINED 

Let's now look at each of the types and discuss their characteristics and ways they affect the individuals with ADHD.

INATTENTIVE ADHD

• often can't pay attention

• often loses things

• has problems staying focused

• zooms out & daydreams

• troubles keeping things in their places

• easily distracted 

• forgets chores, homeworks, meetings

• can't organize their time 

Things that could happen because of inattentive ADHD:

→ forgetting an important meeting

→ noticing you forgot to take out the trash

→ getting on a bus without your wallet that you forgot at home

→ losing your phone somewhere in your house

→ being overdue with a project you want to finish but just can't

HYPERACTIVE ADHD

• fidgeting

• always moving

• interrupts others

• unable to stay still

• excessive talking

• hates waiting

• impulse decision-making

Things that could happen because of hyperactive ADHD:

→ you get scolded because you keep moving during a class

→ someone gets angry at you for interrupting them while they speak

→ decides to skip school and only then realizes it wasn't though-through and will have consequences

→ you get asked to stop talking because you keep rambling about something that you're currently interested in

“BUT EVERYONE FORGETS SOMETHING FROM TIME TO TIME”

I want to highlight that the symptoms I mentioned can be experienced by everyone and it doesn't automatically mean you have ADHD. It's about the quantity of times those things affect your life in many ways, and about how long you've been experiencing them for.

Also please keep in mind people with ADHD are not trying to be rude when they forget about a meeting or speak over you. It's really hard for them not to do it. Reminding them and stating boundaries with compassion and understanding is very much welcomed.

Another thing that is common in any type of ADHD is a presence of HYPERFOCUS or a HYPER FIXATION.

It is NOT the same thing as having an interest, and it is NOT the same as obsession.

Hyper focus = short, intense focus on a single or set of tasks

Hyperfixation = intense, repetitive attachment to some form of hobby or content

Although it's not an official symptom for ADHD, most of the ADHDers do experience them. 

HOW TO INCORPORATE IT IN WRITING?

You can mention the character spends a lot of time trying to learn something they never cared about before, or them finishing a project overnight and losing sleep.

Last thing about ADHD that I'd like to mention is EXECUTIVE DYSFUNCTION.

People with executive dysfunction struggle to organize and regulate their behavior in ways that will help them accomplish long-term goals. 

Things such as organizing tasks and materials, using working memory or shifting attention can be very hard for those with executive dysfunction.

Up to 90% of people with ADHD struggle with it.

HOW TO INCORPORATE IT IN WRITING? You can mention the character having issues in school because of handing the homework late or them not doing it at all, because they couldn't finish it.

What TREATMENT can a ADHDer character you're writing about go through?

While treatment is always recommended, in making life easier for a person with ADHD the best working solution is MEDICATION. 

There are a few kinds of medication designed for ADHDers that help with concentration, calmness and studying (for example methylphenidate)

Of course, therapy is also advised to help with everyday's struggles.

HOW TO INCORPORATE IT IN WRITING? You can for example mention the character was just started on meds for their ADHD and describe how it makes them feel.

HOW DOES ONE GET ADHD?

Well, in most cases, you don't GET ADHD. There's a significant genetic compound to it, so it's very probable it runs in the family. 

If you're writing an ADHDer for your story, perhaps you could add the detail of their family members also having ADHD.

Of course, there are other causes as well, such as environmental ones or the use of narcotics during pregnancy.

HOW TO INCORPORATE IT IN WRITING?

You can for example create a scene with the character and their parents searching for a lost item, because nobody remembers what happened to it, and they joke that it's their ADHD.