It’s estimated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects between 2 to 6 per cent of adults in Australia.
International Day of People with Disability storyteller scholar and Brisbane artist Mark du Potiers shares his personal story of how ADHD impacts him and what he does to make life more manageable after being diagnosed in his 30s.
Having a disability can be different for each person who lives with it.
And disabilities, such as ADHD, can be invisible.
I know from my own experience that ADHD can be tough to manage.
Sometimes it can feel like I am fighting my own brain.
And it can leave me feeling slow and stupid.
I often find it difficult to start (or finish) a task, and I do tend to lose track of time.
In struggling to stay focused, I get anxious, exhausted, and then stuck.
It can be hard for others to understand the impacts of ADHD because it’s not always readily visible.
My brain doesn’t always work in the way I want it to.
This can leave me feeling guilty, ashamed and that I’m not good enough.
Speaking with my GP about my specific circumstances was the first step in my journey to finally understanding more about my brain.
Five things I do to make my life with ADHD easier
Support comes in different forms. For me, it can be from health professionals, trusted family members and friends.
When I don’t get the support that I feel I need, I seek a second opinion.
I often get stuck with not knowing where to start.
I’m still learning to “practice being messy” and to accept that things don’t have to be perfect.
I write lists to clear my head and do one thing at a time.
Transitioning from one task to another can be difficult for me.
I find playing music or going for a quick walk usually helps me with starting a new task.
I celebrate the small wins, like ticking something off my to-do list.
I’ve learned that eating a healthy diet and having good sleep hygiene is important in managing my ADHD.
So, I make sure that I am having good sources of protein and prioritising rest.
I’m still learning how to be friends with my ADHD brain and my invisible disability.
I find making an effort to be gentle, kind and reasonable with myself is the best approach to have.
This article was commissioned as part of the ABC’s coverage of International Day of People with Disability.
Mark du Potiers is a visual artist based in Brisbane — he has Australian, Hong Konger, and Chinese heritage and was diagnosed with ADHD in his 30s.
This story was produced with support from Claudia Williams.