Oh wow, I just love this. "I think at the time as a young kid I felt kind of ashamed, but not surprised. Like I was broken" - the difference of being diagnosed as a child and an adult! I felt nothing but relief and a kind of "proud ownership" since it was as if the story of my life fell into place. Also, when Lisa says, "I often get flooded with ideas that I’m excited about, and it can feel overwhelming." -- do I EVER know this feeling!!! Lisa: it's called IDEAPHORIA. That is what a fancy-schmancy aptitude testing place in Boston (Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation) taught me after I had completed a 3-day testing and evaluation process with them. Thanks for all this and I must say, we creative with ADHD deserve an exclusive CLUB!
I appreciate this interview greatly, Kate. I don't think there's enough discussion around the complexity of diagnosis, and how different people may require different strategies for what looks like similar outward behaviours (regardless of diagnosis). When I was a kid, therapy wasn't commonplace and my parents never thought I might need help working through the early childhood trauma I experienced. I don’t think I’ll ever know if I would have exhibited ADHD symptoms without that early trauma, although it’s hard to imagine things like repeatedly forgetting to change the toilet paper roll are related to PTSD.
I felt so understood by Lisa's words, particularly these:
"I was usually worried about everything going on around me relationally, and my body was clenched, hypervigilant, and at the same time I was exhausted by the hypervigilance, so it was very hard for me to concentrate if I was forced to sit in the front of class. Typically someone with ADHD might be encouraged to sit in the front of the class, but someone with relational trauma— complex PTSD (C-PTSD) or PTSD—would be able to focus more if they sat in the back and could see everyone and everything and feel less in the spotlight."
What is important to me, whatever the diagnosis, is that neurodivergence and other differences be accepted as valued ways of living in the world, and that people have the opportunity to learn strategies that work for them within a supportive environment that doesn't pigeonhole or discriminate.
I know there are many like you whose trauma went unaddressed and that this is still the case for so many. I hope there's more and more research about this so children get the early care and understanding early when they need it and aren't shamed and stigmatized. I'm glad this interview spoke to you, Tracey — thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Fascinating interview. Sounds like there is a lot of overlap between ADHD, trauma, impulsivity, hyper-vigilance, and OCD? I think I have some learning to do, as I check all those boxes except ADHD so now you have me wondering….🙂
I love hearing how Coppola has learned to work with it, extract the gifts and forge ahead.
Thanks for reading, Kimberly! Probably most people with ADHD check the impulsivity box, and it appears there's overlap with so many conditions, especially anxiety and depression, and, strangely, even asthma and autoimmune disease. Very curious and interesting condition! It took me decades to realize I checked off all the boxes and more years to get a diagnosis.
Oh wow, I just love this. "I think at the time as a young kid I felt kind of ashamed, but not surprised. Like I was broken" - the difference of being diagnosed as a child and an adult! I felt nothing but relief and a kind of "proud ownership" since it was as if the story of my life fell into place. Also, when Lisa says, "I often get flooded with ideas that I’m excited about, and it can feel overwhelming." -- do I EVER know this feeling!!! Lisa: it's called IDEAPHORIA. That is what a fancy-schmancy aptitude testing place in Boston (Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation) taught me after I had completed a 3-day testing and evaluation process with them. Thanks for all this and I must say, we creative with ADHD deserve an exclusive CLUB!
Yes, exactly for me as you describe it, "as if the story of my life fell into place." We do deserve a club -- maybe we can start one here in the chat!
I love it! Ideaphoria. Nina, I am in Portland and want to come to Brunswick sometime to one of your writing/ or salon nights!
I appreciate this interview greatly, Kate. I don't think there's enough discussion around the complexity of diagnosis, and how different people may require different strategies for what looks like similar outward behaviours (regardless of diagnosis). When I was a kid, therapy wasn't commonplace and my parents never thought I might need help working through the early childhood trauma I experienced. I don’t think I’ll ever know if I would have exhibited ADHD symptoms without that early trauma, although it’s hard to imagine things like repeatedly forgetting to change the toilet paper roll are related to PTSD.
I felt so understood by Lisa's words, particularly these:
"I was usually worried about everything going on around me relationally, and my body was clenched, hypervigilant, and at the same time I was exhausted by the hypervigilance, so it was very hard for me to concentrate if I was forced to sit in the front of class. Typically someone with ADHD might be encouraged to sit in the front of the class, but someone with relational trauma— complex PTSD (C-PTSD) or PTSD—would be able to focus more if they sat in the back and could see everyone and everything and feel less in the spotlight."
What is important to me, whatever the diagnosis, is that neurodivergence and other differences be accepted as valued ways of living in the world, and that people have the opportunity to learn strategies that work for them within a supportive environment that doesn't pigeonhole or discriminate.
I know there are many like you whose trauma went unaddressed and that this is still the case for so many. I hope there's more and more research about this so children get the early care and understanding early when they need it and aren't shamed and stigmatized. I'm glad this interview spoke to you, Tracey — thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Fascinating interview. Sounds like there is a lot of overlap between ADHD, trauma, impulsivity, hyper-vigilance, and OCD? I think I have some learning to do, as I check all those boxes except ADHD so now you have me wondering….🙂
I love hearing how Coppola has learned to work with it, extract the gifts and forge ahead.
Thanks for reading, Kimberly! Probably most people with ADHD check the impulsivity box, and it appears there's overlap with so many conditions, especially anxiety and depression, and, strangely, even asthma and autoimmune disease. Very curious and interesting condition! It took me decades to realize I checked off all the boxes and more years to get a diagnosis.
Well I look forward to learning more through your series here!