Paige Perkinson

Living with ADHD

Having ADHD as a kid growing up can be very difficult. As a teenager who struggles

with it, learning and doing simple tasks can become difficult. Many people in the United

States today struggle with this disease. About 3.3 million people ranging from the ages

13-17 struggle with it, 2.4 million people ranging from the age 6-11 struggle as well.

Growing up with this has been difficult and going to class was hard and paying attention

was even harder.

Persistence is key and pushing yourself is also key, there are days that I don't

wanna get up out of bed or days where I don't wanna do anything. I got diagnosed with

ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) in 5th grade, I was struggling with

classes and struggling with many other things. I had gone to the doctor and they

immediately knew what I had. They had given me medicine for it and I have been

taking it ever since. There are many medicines you can take, one being adderall.

Many kids can use adderall in the way it was made and others use it to abuse it.

Most kids use it to drink with and some will use it to not eat.

I take vyvanse and I hadn't realized while taking it I didnt eat, last year was

when it had gotten bad. I was 145 starting December and by the start of march I

had become 119. I knew I had an issue and I needed to start eating. The

difference between vyvanse and adderall is the vyvanse is not as likely to be

abused in a bad way. I've seen many kids abuse this drug/medicine. I had a
Paige Perkinson

friend in Texas who had taken adderall and had been drinking and overdosed

and passed away. I think using this story is a good example of only using it when

you NEED it.

About 3 in 10 children suffer with anxiety & depression and adhd, I used to

think all the anxiety and depression sayings were a load of bull. It wasn't until

recently I realized these things were true. I had gotten a therapist and talking to

someone about what I was going through helped. A Lot of people have a link

between these things and most people are scared to seek help and talk to

someone about what they’re going through. You can take either other medicines

to help this or get a therapist or just talk to someone in general. Having a good

support system also adds onto how you’re feeling. Some important key things to

remember is getting good sleep, sometimes getting sunlight also helps me feel

alot better. Remember it's okay to have bad days and days where you struggle.

Taking vyvanse has truly helped me focus and get things I need to get finished

done.

Lastly, if you think you are struggling focusing or just struggling in general

go seek help. Its okay if you are having a hard time or having bad days. ADHD is

very common and not something to be embarrassed about.

Paige Perkinson

1. Danielson ML, Bitsko RH, Ghandour RM, Holbrook JR, Kogan MD,

Blumberg SJ. Prevalence of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis and

associated treatment among U.S. children and adolescents, 2016. Journal

of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 2018, 47:2, 199-212.