Motherofherbs
I was having a conversation with one of my close friends about our children and I mentioned ADHD, Now her reaction was, What is ADHD? I have never heard of it? She is a very well educated upto Masters Level professional.
I was not surprised because for topics and things like this You have to do your own learning and research and unfortunately not even your elders or mentors or coaches may know about ADHD
What did I answer? I had no simple way to explain it to someone who has never heard about it but I gave examples of how it might manifest and thought I would share this today.
According to a meta-analysis, about 7.5% of children and adolescents in Africa display ADHD symptoms, with rates up to 11.7% reported in some Ugandan clinical settings.
Without defining what ADHD is, on a day to day below are some of the ways it may manifest in both children and adults
Children (at Home and School)
> Habitually losing things: If your kid constantly misplaces school uniforms, books, pairs of shoes, or pencils even after reminders, this isn’t carelessness. It’s short-term memory and organization issues.
> Nail‐biting, chewing on clothes, earlobes, or anything close by — a way to calm overstimulation or anxiety, especially during class or homework.
> Daydreaming in class or at home, not listening during direct instruction: teachers often report poor academic performance despite the child being capable.
> Fidgeting or bouncing in their seat: always moving, climbing, interrupting—especially in quiet settings like classrooms.
> Emotional volatility: sudden outbursts or frustration but also intense joy or laughter often misunderstood, especially in homes with tight discipline or little time for emotional check-ins.
Adults (at Work and Home)
>Chronic lateness/time blindness: People with ADHD often misjudge how much time has passed and struggle with transitions. Someone may constantly run late, not out of laziness, but because their internal clock isn’t synced with the external world
> Procrastination mixed with bursts of hyperfocus: you put off a task for days, then complete it in one fierce, obsessive evening
> Disorganization: homes or desks cluttered, important things like phone or keys always missing
> Emotional dysregulation: quick to frustration, overwhelmed when things don’t go as planned, or deeply hurt by small problems
> Being a “Yes” person—overcommitting because saying “no” doesn’t come easy, leading to burnout
> Strong reactions to criticism—even small misunderstandings can feel emotional and overwhelming.
If any of this rings true for you or someone you live with, know you’re not alone. ADHD is common we just don’t always talk about how it plays out in our homes, classrooms and workplaces. Awareness can be healing. Sharing can change how we support each other. Share this with someone who may not know about ADHD
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