By Karen Kallman, LSW, AllOne Therapy Counselor
October is ADHD Awareness Month. At AllOne Therapy, we are dedicated to shedding light on the real lived experiences of people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. For those living with ADHD, it’s not about “trying harder” or “being lazy.” It’s about navigating a brain that processes the world differently.
ADHD can look like:
- Struggling to stay organized, even with the best intentions.
- Talking too much in one moment and forgetting what you were saying the next.
- Feeling like your mind is racing ahead of your body or your responsibilities.
- Experiencing deep frustration or guilt for not meeting expectations, even when you care a lot.
But ADHD can also look like:
- Wild creativity and innovation.
- Deep empathy and emotional sensitivity.
- Hyperfocus on something meaningful until the world fades away.
- Thinking outside the box, because you were never fully in the box to begin with.
And yet, many people, especially adults, go undiagnosed for years. They internalize messages like “you’re too much,” “you’re too messy,” “you’re not living up to your potential.” These messages turn into shame, and shame is heavy.
ADHD can affect self-esteem, relationships, work, school, and mental health. It can show up differently depending on your gender, race, or environment. And for those who were missed in childhood or misdiagnosed, the journey to self-understanding can feel confusing or lonely.
But here’s the truth:
- You deserve compassion.
- You deserve accommodations.
- You deserve tools that work for your brain, not someone else’s.
Awareness is power. When we understand how ADHD shows up, we can stop blaming ourselves and start creating systems that support who we are—and not who we’re expected to be.
If you are considering therapy, we invite you to explore our services or book a session now.