Real reason for radio host’s ‘naughty’ quirk

In fact, my high school yearbook quote was: “Sorry, can you say that again, I wasn’t listening.”

I wasn’t being rude intentionally or ignoring them while they spoke, I was unknowingly distracted and absorbing limited information.

Over my lifetime, I had almost accepted my lack of attention as a funny quirk of mine – which may have been mildly endearing in the beginning but eventually becomes detrimental in relationships and workplaces.

I never knew this was one of the major symptoms of my Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, because before my recent diagnosis, I didn’t really know what ADHD was.

The only time I heard ADHD being discussed, was always in reference to “naughty boys” at school, who couldn’t sit still and were regularly disrupting the classroom.

If those boys happened to be diagnosed with ADHD, other parents would judge them and say the diagnosis wasn’t real, just an excuse for poor parenting and bad behaviour.

Earlier this year I didn’t feel like I was “doing life” very well.

I had great problems getting motivated, I couldn’t complete tasks, and the things in life that normally brought me joy, felt empty.

My partner had mentioned numerous times over the years that I was often distracted, and I couldn’t sit still.

We would put on a movie at home and just minutes into viewing I would jump up and do dishes or a load of washing.

More than once, I would go missing halfway through the film and my partner would find me outside gardening, because I had simply ‘forgotten’ we were in the middle of watching a film at all.

Overwhelmed with life and losing focus with everything, it was a family member who had been diagnosed with ADHD who pointed out that a lot of the issues I was struggling with, were symptoms of ADHD and perhaps I should get tested. (It’s also hereditary, so with a family member being diagnosed, the likelihood for me had increased.)

The testing process was challenging. Getting a referral from my GP to an appropriate psychiatrist, managing to get an appointment and then going through the cognitive testing was not easy.

Having to be honest about the way your brain works and how you process information can be confronting and at times humiliating.

Staring at maths equations with panic and not knowing how to put together some basic building blocks was not my finest moment.

Disappointingly the costs associated with an official diagnosis are also out of reach for many.

Despite all the challenges, being diagnosed with combination ADHD (Hyperactive and Inattentive) has been an absolute relief for me.

So many things started to make sense, and people around me have been able to better understand why I behave in the ways that I do.

When ADHD goes undiagnosed it can cause great distress and have far-reaching effects. Individuals may think they are “stupid” or “lazy”, they often underperform academically and professionally or have trouble maintaining relationships.

Sadly, it is not uncommon for undiagnosed ADHD to transition to depression because self-esteem is greatly affected.

My journey is only just beginning but I am intrigued and fascinated by what my brain is capable of.

And I think naming it a deficit or disorder is doing everyone a great disservice.

My brain is incredible and complex, but it is NOT disadvantaged.

We see many examples of the ADHD weaknesses but never enough focus on the strengths. ADHD brains are broad thinkers, creators, inventors, and there is no reason they cannot excel. Just ask Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Jamie Oliver, Joan Rivers, Ryan Gosling, Paris Hilton … the list goes on.

If you can relate to some of the things I’ve mentioned, I encourage you to do some reading and learn more about ADHD.

I am so grateful I have learned this about myself so can channel my skills and abilities in ways I couldn’t before.

The condition is nothing to be ashamed of and the more we can educate others, the easier the process will become.

Kymba Cahill is a Perth breakfast radio presenter and co-host of Mix94.5’s Pete, Matt & Kymba

Originally published as Real reason for Perth radio host’s ‘naughty’ quirk