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ADHD Didn't Break Me–My Parents Did

I’m not suffering the consequences of ADHD. I’m suffering the consequences of an upbringing incompatible with it.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by chronic patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that are inconsistent with developmental norms, leading to significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. It was never my their intention to cause harm, but their approach to raising me was the exact opposite of what I needed: they took certain constructs for granted, and whenever I faced challenges—in school, in socializing, in daily tasks—they never stopped to ask: what if this wasn't an issue of attention, but one of incompatibility? Instead, they relied on discipline as the only solution: withholding rights, denying privileges, banning books outside the curriculum because they "caused inattention," cutting off the internet, locking TV channels with passwords, and limiting socialization during study time.

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