ADHDventure

Introduction Without adequate physical health, your brain and cognitive functions are considerably harmed (Williamson 2024).  With ADHD, the brain is already disadvantaged due to a chemical imbalance and impaired structures (Thomas 2022). These differences directly relate to ADHD’s symptoms. Therefore, it is even more important that students with ADHD emphasize their physical health. We should look to maximize everything we possibly can to feel and perform at our best (Kanojia 2018). Through this past Winter Quarter at UC Davis, I have been particularly emphasizing my physical health to combat ADHD. As I have been adjusting to college and growing older, the importance of my physical health has only increased. For example, last quarter, I initially struggled with consistency in cooking for myself and exercising. This quarter, by employing strategies to build habits, I have made these aspects of my life routine. Compared to last quarter, the difference in how I feel and operate is as...

Introduction To recap the previous blog post, we discussed the importance of priorities and mindset as fundamental blocks before we can approach actions. Alongside this, we saw how strategies like meditation and visualization can help reveal our values and steer us in the right direction. When we are able to back our actions up with reasons integral to our identity like our priorities and values, we pave a consistent grounds for change (Kanojia 2023). Using this, we can begin to see why the actions for some goals are harder than others for us to begin. For example, a goal to learn guitar quickly fizzles out because it came from an Instagram reel. On the other hand, a goal to get better at dance has seen consistent commitment because of a genuine, deep-seated interest in it. Working on behavioral change is important because inaction or inability to get the appropriate task done efficiently due to impaired executive function (inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity) can be a core experie...

What is ADHD? Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting both children and adults. It is characterized by hypersensitivity (amplified responses to emotional or physical stimuli) and impaired executive function which include inattention (the inability to focus), hyperactivity (inappropriate and excess movement), and impulsivity (quick actions without consideration of consequences) (American Psychiatric Association 2022; Neurohealth). On a biological level, ADHD is associated with low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between areas of the brain that control emotional responses, behavior, and executive function (Kanojia 2023). These chemicals are important contributors to the brain’s reward system and regulation of mood (Thomas 2022). Therefore, they are essential in driving someone to action. With ADHD, the brain is almost hardwired against completing the right task at hand. ADHD is a lifelong condition. In the words of the Am...