The Invisible Struggle of ADHD: Productivity, Hyperfocus and Misunderstood Symptomatology by Elianne van Turennout

The feeling that you can whine all you want, but have been incredibly productive at the same time, is typical of the complex world of ADHD. On the verge of burnout but still unable to stop. Sometimes, on the contrary, you have all the energy but can't get anything done and don't understand why. People sometimes call you genius and retarded at the same time. You are in a huge hyperfocus, or have no focus at all. These are symptoms you used to have, but were only later recognised as ADHD.

You weren't the stereotypical little boy who shook things up. If only you should have been really busy every day. No, you were actually very good at focusing, but occasionally dreamed away. "Why do you talk so busy? There's no one after you, is there?" You tried too hard to be 'not like the other girls' by showing up at school with uncombed hair, a brush in your hand. "If you just have a bit more discipline, you'll automatically be able to plan well," they said, because after all, you remember everything just fine.

Growing up in a world where the average person doesn't understand what it's like to think about nine things at once, and sometimes they're connected too. You make a perfect book report, but stupidly forget the table of contents. You think differently, sometimes giving you ideas that others don't, but at what cost? ADHD is not just being busy; it is a constant challenge to find balance between productivity and chaos, between hyperfocus and lack of focus, and to live in a world that doesn't always understand your unique way of thinking.

This artwork is offered by Elianne van Turennout

It all started with a4 paper and HB pencils. As a child I was often impressed by how beautiful the world around me was. The urge to capture this beautiful world, and to show the people around me what I saw, was actually there from the beginning. If I remember correctly, I was about eleven years old when I first met the camera. Of course it was a simple compact camera with a ridiculous quality, but I enjoyed it.

I sometimes said I wanted to be a photographer, but of course you have one of the two parents who says, "Dream on." Strangely enough, I followed the sarcastic remark as advice, and still went to study photography.

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