Danielle Elliott

And to hear I might have a condition that apparently makes it harder to do these things, it felt scary. I booked a telehealth appointment with a psychiatrist. On a cold morning in February 2022, I sat down in front of my computer, logged into a video platform.

As part of the project, she'd be administering a test to clients at the clinic. Before starting, her boss asked her to take the test so that she'd know what it was like.

As part of the project, she'd be administering a test to clients at the clinic. Before starting, her boss asked her to take the test so that she'd know what it was like.

There was a cop outside my window. I looked back at the screen and tried to focus on what the psychiatrist was saying. She seemed to be sitting on a bench at a kitchen table. I could see a green lawn behind her and wondered where she lived. I realized I was distracted and tried to tune back in. She was still explaining how teachers or doctors usually spot ADHD in kids.

There was a cop outside my window. I looked back at the screen and tried to focus on what the psychiatrist was saying. She seemed to be sitting on a bench at a kitchen table. I could see a green lawn behind her and wondered where she lived. I realized I was distracted and tried to tune back in. She was still explaining how teachers or doctors usually spot ADHD in kids.

She searched the books in the office again, now looking to see if anything explained her memory issues or difficulty organizing. She didn't find anything, but in the midst of her search, a client brought her a recording of a segment he'd heard on NPR. In the segment, two Harvard University doctors discussed a book they were writing.

She searched the books in the office again, now looking to see if anything explained her memory issues or difficulty organizing. She didn't find anything, but in the midst of her search, a client brought her a recording of a segment he'd heard on NPR. In the segment, two Harvard University doctors discussed a book they were writing.

She explained that girls with ADHD are usually not as hyperactive or disruptive as boys with ADHD. And since they're not disturbing their classmates or their teachers, their symptoms go unnoticed. She asked me about my childhood. How did I do in school? Did I make friends? Do I have any specific memories? I told her stories from preschool, kindergarten, second grade, fifth grade, seventh grade.

She explained that girls with ADHD are usually not as hyperactive or disruptive as boys with ADHD. And since they're not disturbing their classmates or their teachers, their symptoms go unnoticed. She asked me about my childhood. How did I do in school? Did I make friends? Do I have any specific memories? I told her stories from preschool, kindergarten, second grade, fifth grade, seventh grade.

The book is called Driven to Distraction. This book explained that adults continue to have difficulties long after they outgrow their physical hyperactivity. It described dozens of ways ADHD shows up in adults. They're often impulsive. They struggle to stay organized, manage schedules, maintain relationships. For those without hyperactivity, ADHD can often look like laziness or inattentiveness.

The book is called Driven to Distraction. This book explained that adults continue to have difficulties long after they outgrow their physical hyperactivity. It described dozens of ways ADHD shows up in adults. They're often impulsive. They struggle to stay organized, manage schedules, maintain relationships. For those without hyperactivity, ADHD can often look like laziness or inattentiveness.

I asked her if ADHD is why I didn't talk or walk until a year after most kids my age. My mom says she had me tested for special education preschool, but I didn't get in. In grad school, my advisor always said, Danielle, I think you have shiny ball syndrome. None of us suspected an actual syndrome. I just like chasing new ideas, usually before finishing whatever I'm working on.

I asked her if ADHD is why I didn't talk or walk until a year after most kids my age. My mom says she had me tested for special education preschool, but I didn't get in. In grad school, my advisor always said, Danielle, I think you have shiny ball syndrome. None of us suspected an actual syndrome. I just like chasing new ideas, usually before finishing whatever I'm working on.

It has something to do with the way ADHD brains develop. The authors coined a new shorthand for explaining it. People with ADHD have a Ferrari brain with bicycle brakes.

It has something to do with the way ADHD brains develop. The authors coined a new shorthand for explaining it. People with ADHD have a Ferrari brain with bicycle brakes.

Ten minutes into the call, the doctor said she thinks I have ADHD. I wanted this to be much more complicated. I wanted her to do a whole series of tests, but there are no definitive biological markers for ADHD. No blood test that says, yep, you have it. Instead, the diagnosis is based on your experiences throughout your life and your family history.

Ten minutes into the call, the doctor said she thinks I have ADHD. I wanted this to be much more complicated. I wanted her to do a whole series of tests, but there are no definitive biological markers for ADHD. No blood test that says, yep, you have it. Instead, the diagnosis is based on your experiences throughout your life and your family history.

A few months later, two women published a book called You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy? The book's blurb promises to help readers distinguish between ADD symptoms and normal lapses in memory and lack of concentration.

A few months later, two women published a book called You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy? The book's blurb promises to help readers distinguish between ADD symptoms and normal lapses in memory and lack of concentration.

The official criteria is listed in a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM. It's published by the American Psychiatric Association. The DSM says that symptoms of ADHD develop by the time a person turns 12. If the symptoms begin after that, it's not ADHD.