How can my ADHD be cured?
號角月報加拿大版 二零二五年五月
I was a child with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). I couldn't concentrate in class, my academic performance was poor, and I struggled with social interactions. In university, I started taking medication, which slightly improved my condition but had many side effects. Later, through the acceptance and love from brothers and sisters in my church, along with God's healing, I was able to return to a "clear" world and find my own value.
Difficulty focusing in class and poor academic performance
When I first started elementary school, I was diagnosed with ADHD. The reason was that during a public class, I was the only one making small movements, which caught my mother's attention. She noticed that I often bumped into door frames when entering rooms and walked into obstacles on the street, so she took me to the hospital for testing, which confirmed I had ADHD. At that time, my mother didn't put me on medication but sent me to a weekly "sensory integration training camp" to do exercises that helped improve attention. My parents read medical articles that said exercise could help alleviate ADHD symptoms, so they made me jump rope every day. Exercise indeed helps ADHD patients focus, but the forced exercise caused me fear.Due to my lack of attention in class, my academic performance was poor. Fortunately, with my parents' guidance, I finally moved up to junior high school. However, when I entered high school and hit puberty, my ADHD symptoms made me seem odd—I struggled to get along with classmates, endured significant social pressure, and suffered psychological trauma. I couldn't stay on topic when talking to people, often getting distracted, which made me appear disrespectful and uninterested. I often annoyed others by interrupting them when they were busy. I would make inappropriate comments and use improper titles in social situations without considering their feelings.
Medication for treatment and sudden weight loss
When I entered university, the workload became even more challenging, and I felt that my illness held me back significantly. If I didn't resolve it, I knew I couldn't graduate, so I sought help from the school doctor, hoping to cure my illness with medication. After taking the medication, the world seemed much quieter, and I could focus better. However, the side effects caused a loss of appetite and sudden weight loss. The medication only helped me block out external distractions and strengthen my self-control, but it didn't solve the inner urge to move and talk. The medication didn't teach me what to think about or how to handle my emotions. Gradually, I felt that without the medication, I couldn't accomplish anything and would rely on it for life.Caring about my feelings and feeling loved
The church is a place full of understanding and acceptance. People there accepted my flaws and unusual behavior. They patiently explained things to me over and over again. Sometimes, I asked questions that others couldn't understand, but their responses were positive, making me not feel embarrassed. Slowly, I wanted to learn from them. Although I have experienced psychological trauma in social interactions, by learning from their way of dealing with people, I have made significant progress in getting along with others. Seeing how people in the church cared about my feelings, I started considering others' feelings, learning what to say and what not to say. The most important thing was feeling loved in God's family, which softened my previously hardened heart, helping me control and manage my emotions. Although I still make mistakes, the church family teaches me how to correct them rather than scolding me, giving me confidence to become a better person. My values, mindset, and even character have been reshaped during my time in the church.Not particularly bad, requiring more effort
During a healing service, I felt my ADHD was healed. Without medication, I used to feel very unwell, with the world feeling unstable. Medication stabilized me. However, after stopping medication for a while, when God's healing came, I suddenly felt as stable as when I was on medication. It was truly God's grace. Knowing that my illness was healed, I could return to a "clear" world and find my value.ADHD patients aren't particularly bad; they're not stupid or incapable of thinking. They just need to put in more effort than others to achieve what they want. The first step to improvement is believing and recognizing that you can do it. Nowadays, when facing difficulties, I strive to solve them because recognizing my own efforts is an important factor in rebuilding self-confidence. When I face trials, I learn to handle my emotions through confession and repentance, stepping out of anxiety.
Offering support and encouragement
How should parents of ADHD children interact with their kids? ADHD patients already endure significant social pressure, possibly leading to inferiority. In most cases, they need someone to support them. When talking to the child, you can often ask, "What were the main points just now?" If they don't know, remind them. Over time, this helps the child develop the habit of paying attention to key points, gradually increasing their confidence. It’s also important to offer plenty of encouragement, letting them understand that they are simply different in some ways, not worse than others.ADHD is not a terrible disease; the earlier it is detected, the better, and the sooner treatment begins, the more effective it will be. The behaviors exhibited by typical patients are often minor issues related to lifestyle habits and learning, but what is unseen is the life that needs to grow. Growth requires correcting behavior, listening to God's words, and doing things that align with God's will, producing more excellent and sweet fruits in life. Overcoming difficulties and the determination and ability to do so are also important because a positive attitude generates continuous motivation to face challenges rather than escape. Encouraging children from a young age to accept and understand themselves helps resolve problems effectively.
Nathan Zhang
