When it comes to the ADHD experience there are many aspects of living with an ADHD diagnosis that are often overlooked, disregarded, or just not openly spoken about. Topics such as how ADHD can impact a person’s relationships (i.e., both developing and maintaining healthy ones), or the experience of rejection sensitivity and emotional lability in the lives of those living with ADHD tend to be forgotten when discussing this neurodevelopmental disorder. Of course, the ADHD experience differs from person to person, but there are so many aspects of what life is like living with the disorder that go unacknowledged and underappreciated, and for this reason I want to shine a spotlight on the art and comics of the content creator known as ‘ADHD Alien’ (Instagram Handle – @adhd_alien). Her work perfectly highlights the above topics and more, and address some of the very real difficulties and challenges faced by those living with diagnosed, undiagnosed, treated, and untreated ADHD, all while presenting both factual information, as well as relatable lived experiences, in a fun and easily accessible way.

Her work and dedication to spreading awareness about not just ADHD but mental health and mental illness in general, steam from a place of both personal lived experience, shared community experiences, research, and above all else a passion to highlight how living with ADHD goes beyond simply meeting a predetermined set of criteria. Her comics offer fantastic descriptions about how ADHD varies from person to person, helpful tips for coping with symptoms like time management, procrastination, and even working through and moving past the many hurtful assumptions often held by other about what ADHD is and looks like.

If you or a loved one is living with ADHD I highly recommend checking out the work of ADHD Alien and supporting her on Instagram and Facebook with a follow!

Blog written by Provisional Psychologist, Casie Chang