WHILE many slogans online express that having Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a blessing, Reyen Kim Calinawan, 22, thinks of it more as a curse than a gift.

Reyen was diagnosed with ADHD when she was six years old. When she was in first grade, her teacher frequently scolded her for being stubborn and rowdy during classes.

Her memories at the guidance office were traumatic. The guidance counsellor would call her mom because her teacher could no longer handle her misbehavior.

Reyen said the counsellor suggested they go to the Neurodevelopmental Department of UST Hospital to find out if something was wrong with her.

After discovering that she has ADHD, Reyen started to feel the curse attached to her disorder.

“Sa sobrang hirap ko mag-focus, lahat gusto kong unahin. Lahat gusto kong gawin. Wala akong priorities and if I do have one, saglit lang ‘yung attention span ko for it. Causing me to be overwhelmed kasi naipon na lahat ng gagawin ko,” Reyen told republicasia.

Aside from her attention deficit problems, the economic burden also worsens her state and their family finances. For her, this is proof that ADHD is a curse in her life.

Reyen said that every week, her family spends more than P10,000 on her medication, including the discount from her PWD card.

As someone raised in a not-so-well-off family, medications for ADHD are a struggle, she said.

More than just being inattentive 

For Riyan Portuguez, a clinical psychologist also known as “Your Millennial Psychologist,” having ADHD is not just about shortened attention span or being overactive, or the effect of COVID-19’s prolonged quarantine. 

Portuguez said that ADHD is a long diagnosis process. A professional healthcare practitioner can give appropriate medication and treatment since it varies depending on the patient’s condition.

“It is more than just being inattentive and being hyperactive, hindi siya basta basta ganon, it’s a neurodevelopmental disorder that requires proper assessment,” Portuguez told republicasia.

ADHD is often diagnosed in the early years of a child’s life, and they may carry the disorder until adulthood if not treated, she said.

According to the ADHD Society of the Philippines, around 3 to 5 percent of the Philippine population were diagnosed with ADHD. 

Not ADHD friendly

Portuguez said that along with stigma and discrimination towards ADHD, those who are uninformed about the condition and struggles faced by ADHD children tend to use the term ADHD to discriminate against others.

“Pag sinabing ADHD-friendly ka, hindi mo siya titingnan na something bad, parang titingnan mo siya na something na I need to address, hindi mo siya gagamitin as a form of insult kapag may nakita kang tao na sobrang kulit na para bang sobrang kabawasan ng pagkatao kapag may ADHD ka, pagiging neurodivergent nga iyon eh,” she said.

I don’t think na hindi pa totally ADHD-friendly [ang Pilipinas], dahil may mga stigma pa rin around ADHD”

Riyan Portuguez

‘Don’t treat us differently’

For Reyen, apart from understanding their situation, she said that people around her and all the ADHD warriors should not be treated differently since it’s already difficult to live with the disorder.

“Your patience and understanding mean so much more than the medications we take. It’s already hard living with a disorder like this. Please do not treat us differently,” she said.