Crisis in Ukraine, soaring energy prices, and the inevitable post-pandemic readjustment to “normal” life have been the challenging backdrop to day-to-day life. I started 2022 with a mission to improve myself – in business, in physical condition, and in mental health.
By far the biggest element of this has been my mental health journey. Isolation during Covid lockdowns led to me to understand that I had a problem with depression. I was tired, irritable, unpredictable, and generally not fun to be around. Thankfully, I was able to get some treatment which helped me start 2022 with a positive mindset. As I explored my mental health challenges, I discovered that depression was just a symptom of something deeper for me – something that I have been struggling with my whole life.
Reading this article reminded me of some of this journey.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a complex disorder of neural development. People affected by ADHD are “wired differently” than others. This can manifest in a range of different symptoms.
For me, the most prominent effect of ADHD on my day-to-day life was the phenomenon of “masking”. Masking is a compensation strategy which helps a person with ADHD to feel like they can be part of the “normal” world without carrying the stigma of the disorder. It can be effective for a while, but eventually, it becomes exhausting, and can lead to significant strain on one’s mind. This is likely where my depression comes from.
The road forward
Since I made my discovery, I have found that most of my colleagues, friends and family have been very accepting and understanding. The most common response I’ve had has been “What took you so long to realise?”.
I have made a concerted effort to avoid any more masking, and have decided to be an open book about my state of mind, and how the world accepts me. As a busy entrepreneur and consultant, I have had to adjust my ways of working, too. I have let down clients, friends and family through not understanding my limitations and strengths, and I have had to put big things in place to help me avoid doing that again. The most significant support for me has been to surround myself with a team who believe in me, and know how to kick my butt when I let my ADHD traits take control.
What's been the biggest discovery you've made about yourself this year?