Molly: How did you found ways to kind of deal with this struggle? You said you came home and your mom helped you. Has there been any other ways that you kind of been able to work through your ADHD?

Ava: Yes. So at first, I started off trying just to learn how to refocus my energy and just trying really hard on focusing, finding coping mechanisms. But at a certain point, I kind of had to just give in and go on medication. I really was opposed to it for a while, but I came to terms with it and I kind of realized that there's no point in cussing. It's not much different than anyone who needs to take medication for allergies or for like diabetes. There's no shame in it and it's there to help you, so you shouldn't let yourself suffer if there's something that's there to help. But then also on the other end of that, you shouldn't feel ashamed if you don't want to take medication.

Maybe that's something that you're not able to do. Maybe you can't cope with the side effects or you just don't want to do it. That's the point where I was at as well. Right now I am off my medication just because I wasn't able to quite deal with the side effects. While it did help a lot with kind of learning to deal with not being able to pay attention, it just was taking a toll on my body. With that, I've learned kind of how to refocus. Something that I did, and this may not work for everyone but somehow it worked for me, I somewhat over involved myself. I tried to pick up as many activities as I possibly could. That way that energy that I had that needed somewhere to go, it always had somewhere to be focused.

So while I was distracted, I was distracted on something that would end up later being beneficial or like getting me somewhere. It's also another thing, getting tutoring. It doesn't mean that you're not smart. It doesn't that you're not capable of doing things yourself, but it really helps me. You shouldn't be ashamed to go get tutoring and get help. I don't know. I think that could be a great help to other people.

Molly: Yeah, I love the answer. I loved how you said that you focused your energy onto like other activities. I never thought about that, but I love how you put that. You kind of already answered this but I'll ask you again, do you feel like you've really kind of overcome these struggles with your ADHD and learning how to focus?

Ava: I mean it's always going to continue to be a struggle just because it's there and it's something that you can't really get rid off, but I definitely think I've learned how to incorporate these struggles into my life and kind of use them to my benefit. While sometimes they still get me into trouble because sometimes I end up like getting distracted from chores or school work or not doing what I'm supposed to be doing, I learned how to work with them. Yeah, I think I have overcome them in a sense.

Molly: Yeah, that's great. If you have some word of advice or encouragement for other youths that were also dealing with ADHD, what would you say to them or what would be your advice for them?

Ava: I just absolutely think the biggest thing is to not be ashamed of whatever decision you decide to make in dealing with ADHD in the best way that you can possible. Again, find places to focus your energy that are productive because while you may find it to be difficult and sometimes it can be a little bit stressful, it's something that might end up working for you. As long as your mind has somewhere to go, it may choose to go there.