What comes to your mind when you think of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?
Scattered, unruly little boys who run like a blur, have trouble focusing and need medication to sit still? Or do you say, “It’s me! I’m a disorganised, forgetful mess!”
Whatever be your answer, you will not say Simone Biles, because she’s a four times Olympic gold medalist (duh!) or Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake and Channing Tatum – the unrealistically gorgeous Hollywood superstars.
Truth be told, like OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), people who assume they have clinical attention disorders usually don’t, and the completely oblivious lot struggle through life, undiagnosed and untreated.
The above accomplished personalities are famous and are living with the ADHD diagnosis – their path wasn’t rosy, their personal challenges are still incapacitating, but their success destigmatises this hugely under-recognised mental health disorder.