ADHD: From teens to twenties
Comedian and creative Rudy Jean Rigg talks to psychologist Rashida Dungarwalla about navigating high school and early adulthood with ADHD, their journey towards diagnosis, and how to find a community and a support team that actually get it.
What is living with ADHD actually like?
The ADHD experience is often misunderstood as just ‘not paying attention’. But as Rashida explains, it's a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain handles focus, emotions and energy. For more info, you can read our guide to everything you need to know about ADHD.
For Rudy, hyperactivity didn’t always look like fidgeting or restlessness. They often appeared calm on the outside even though their mind was racing. They also found it really tough to switch tasks without becoming upset, particularly when it involved moving from high-interest hobbies to boring school assignments. (Remember: if the ‘normal’ way of studying doesn’t work for you, it’s not a reflection of your intelligence. Check out our study advice for neurodivergent students.)
Rudy also sometimes ‘masked’ (tried to hide their symptoms) or overcompensated just to avoid attracting labels like ‘naughty’ or ‘disruptive’. Many young people try to hide their struggles by chasing an impossible kind of ‘perfection’.
How does ADHD overlap with other conditions?
It’s very common for people with ADHD to experience other conditions and mental health challenges at the same time. Rudy and Rashida break it down in the video below.
Because the world isn't always built for neurodivergent brains, the constant effort to ‘fit in’ can be exhausting. It can also lead to stress, anxiety, depression and other challenges. In fact, research shows that anywhere from 60 to 80 per cent of adults with ADHD have at least one co-occurring mental health condition.
About 30–50 per cent of people with ADHD also meet the criteria for autism. Rudy is also autistic and often uses the term ‘AuDHD’ (meaning someone who is both autistic and has ADHD) to describe their experience.
Understanding these overlaps can help you to move away from seeing your neurodivergence as a ‘character flaw’ and towards understanding that you have a complex, unique brain. Check out our guide to neurodivergence to learn more.
What are the biggest myths about ADHD?
Don't let outdated ideas stop you from getting the support you deserve. Watch below to see Rudy and Rashida tackle some big ADHD myths head-on, (and head to our YouTube channel for more ADHD myth-busting).
ADHD myths debunked:
'It’s overdiagnosed': Increased awareness isn't a trend; it's people finally getting the language to describe their lifelong experiences. Ongoing research is constantly adding to our evolving understanding of ADHD.
'It’s a superpower': While ADHD can foster creativity and assist in maintaining 'hyperfocus', it also brings real challenges that require support.
'It’s a phase; you’ll grow out of it': Your brain wiring doesn't change. However, your ability to navigate the world with the right tools and self-compassion does.
'It’s a boy thing': People of all genders have ADHD. Girls and AFAB (assigned female at birth) people may not be diagnosed with it, because they are socialised to ‘mask’ or hide their struggles. Read more about ADHD in women and teen girls.
How do I start exploring an ADHD diagnosis?
Getting an ADHD diagnosis can feel like you’ve finally got the manual for the brain you’ve been using for years. As Rudy says, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ‘start again’, to give yourself some more grace, and to find the language that will help you to connect with others on a really authentic level.
If you feel ready to chat with a professional about whether you may have ADHD, here are Rudy’s best tips as someone who’s been there:
Before you see someone, jot down how ADHD affects your daily life – not just at school, but in your friendships, hobbies and emotions.
Visit a GP and ask for a referral to a professional who can diagnose ADHD, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or paediatrician. If they’re not neuro-affirming (supportive of your experience), try again with someone else. You deserve to be heard.
If you're in school, a school counsellor can help you to create a plan for talking to your family or finding external referrals.
If you’re diagnosed, know that it’s okay to feel upset or to grieve about the time you spent struggling without the proper tools.
You don’t need a final diagnosis to start seeking help. As Rudy says, ‘If there’s a service, just try it.’ It’s better to walk away knowing it wasn't for you than to wonder ‘what if?’
What can I do now?
Check out our guide to everything you need to know about ADHD.