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

About "The Invisible Struggle of ADHD: Productivity, Hyperfocus and Misunderstood Symptomatology"

by Elianne van Turennout

About the artwork

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.