The Struggle of Being Misunderstood
Mum said I was hyperative from birth and never slept. The doctor put my hyperactivity down to "e-additives" in cordial. At 12 months old I was diagnosed as being 70% deaf. I had constant glue ear and water infections until my early teens. School was a struggle; I was asked to leave and to be put into private school as I was two years ahead of my peers as the local primary school said I would start to become naughty due to boredom.
Growing up, I always knew I was different. The way I processed information, how I saw the world—it never quite matched what others considered "normal." Yet instead of understanding or support, I was often labelled as "lazy" or "messy", "a daydreamer", "crazy" and "always late".People dismissed my struggles.
More recently, sometimes saying, “Everyone has ADHD these days; it’s just trendy.”
Hearing things like this hurts. It reduces a lifetime of challenges into a passing fad. But a Liknedin post I recently came across made me feel seen. It compared the rise in neurodivergent diagnoses to how left-handedness was once treated. Left-handed people were forced to write with their right hand, their natural way suppressed. Only when society recognised it was okay to be left-handed did the recorded rates rise.
I was diagnosed ADHD/ASD in my forties. Strangely, the diagnosis somehow made me feel "relieved".
For many of us who’ve been late to a diagnosis, the story is the same. We’ve lived with these differences all our lives. They’ve always been there, but the system let us down, failing to see us for who we are.
Healing the Chaos: Reiki for ADHD Symptoms
Living with ADHD can feel like trying to juggle a hundred things while being asked to sit still. It’s overwhelming, but I’ve found peace and clarity through Reiki.
Reiki is a gentle, energy-based healing practice that helps quiet the mental chaos. When I feel overstimulated, a session helps ground me. It’s like pressing pause on the whirlwind in my mind, allowing me to refocus and feel more balanced. Reiki isn’t a cure, but it’s a tool—a powerful one—for managing ADHD’s daily challenges.
Mending Emotional Wounds with EFT Tapping
The emotional toll of being misunderstood is just as significant as the physical symptoms. Dismissive comments stick with you, shaping your self-esteem and how you see yourself.
“You’re just lazy.”“ADHD isn’t real—it’s just an excuse.”“Stop being dramatic; everyone forgets things.”
Over time, these words sink in, making you question your worth. They can even lead to perfectionism, where you push yourself too hard, trying to prove your value. This is where Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping has helped me heal.
EFT involves tapping on specific pressure points while acknowledging negative feelings. For me, it’s a way to confront and release the pain of those hurtful words. Tapping has helped me replace self-doubt with affirmations like, “I am enough,” and “I am worthy just as I am.”
The Perfectionism Trap
One of the most damaging effects of growing up misunderstood is how it chips away at your self-esteem. When people label you as lazy or careless, you start to believe it. You feel like you’re not good enough, no matter how hard you try.
For me, this led to perfectionism. If I couldn’t meet expectations, I felt like a failure. So, I set impossibly high standards, pushing myself to the point of exhaustion. While perfectionism might drive success, it often stems from fear and self-doubt. It’s exhausting and unfulfilling.
Reiki and EFT have been invaluable in breaking this cycle. Reiki calms my mind, helping me see beyond the critical voice in my head. EFT helps me confront those old beliefs, allowing me to rewrite the story I tell myself.
They have also made me realise I don't need to take another course or get another certfication or degree for me to be taken "seriously." The work I do comes from my soul.
Embracing Self-Worth
Getting a diagnosis and recognising my neurodivergence has been life-changing. It’s a journey of self-compassion—realising I’m not broken but simply wired differently.
To anyone who feels dismissed or misunderstood: your experiences are valid. Your struggles are real. Practices like Reiki and EFT have helped me heal, not just my symptoms but also the emotional scars left by years of not being seen for who I truly am.
You are enough, just as you are. Our differences aren’t flaws—they’re strengths. Let’s celebrate them.
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