Learning to love a life with ADHD.
Syahmina is a Bachelor of Statistics student at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia, with a diploma in Engineering. A bright young lady, she first discovered Unlocking ADHD through Youtube and became a member of the facebook support group. She credits this UA support group with having provided her with direction and a sense of community during a time in her life when many things were changing. A socially concious individual, she has also volunteered with Unlocking ADHD.
When and how did you find out you have ADHD?
When I first received my ADHD diagnosis, I was bewildered. My immediate reaction
was, “ADHD? What does that even mean?” For some, curiosity kills the cat, but in
my case, satisfaction brought it back.
After returning from the hospital, I dived into Google, searching for anything and
everything about ADHD. I could not recall how long I spent reading, but I vividly
remember the realization that hit me. The more I learnt, the more everything started
to make sense. It felt like reading about myself in so many ways.
What was life like before diagnosis?
As a child, I always felt different from my peers. No matter how hard I tried, I never
truly fit in. I wouldn’t consider myself “gifted,” but during my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
(SPM) year [equivalent to the Singapore O-level exams], I unknowingly developed
my own unique study methods.
Biology, however, remained a mystery to me. In hindsight, ADHD explains why I
could never grasp that syllabus. Oddly enough, I had no trouble remembering facts
from other subjects like Quran Sunnah, Syariah Islamiah, or History.
Imagination has never been my strength, which made Biology, Physics, and
Chemistry especially challenging. Fortunately, the latter two had a significant focus
on calculations, which helped me stay afloat.
What was life like post diagnosis?
Receiving the ADHD diagnosis was like putting on glasses for the first
time—everything became clearer. I now better understand my needs and accept
myself for who I am. I‘ve learnt (and unlearnt) that the only validation I truly need is
my own. Life hasn’t necessarily become easier, but I’ve grown to love it as it is.
During one of those deep dives on Google, I stumbled across Unlocking ADHD’s
YouTube channel. Their videos resonated with me on such a profound level that, in a
moment of impulsivity, I decided to apply as a volunteer for their organisation from
Malaysia.
To my surprise and joy, I was warmly welcomed, and I even became part of their
support group on Facebook. Unlocking ADHD will always have a special place in my
heart for providing me with a sense of belonging and purpose during such a
transformative period in my life.
And to Unlocking ADHD—thank you for opening doors to a community that
understands and uplifts me. You’ll always hold a special spot in my heart.
What do you think are your greatest ADHD strengths?
University life brought its own set of challenges. I’ve always been drawn to logic and
reasoning, and my younger, less-informed self assumed engineering would fulfil
that passion. Four gruelling years of a Diploma in Engineering pushed me to my
limits, but perseverance—an undeniable ADHD trait—got me through with a CGPA
of 3.56.
Despite that achievement, I knew engineering wasn’t my calling. Instead, I pursued a
bachelor’s degree in Statistics, and boom! I found the love of my life. Statistics is
everything I had been searching for. It fuelled my curiosity and fulfilled my sense of
purpose. Even with this newfound love for learning, ADHD remains a daily struggle.
But knowing I’m studying something I’m passionate about makes all the difference.
How do you manage ADHD in daily life?
I owe so much to my parents, who have loved and supported me in every way
they know how—emotionally, mentally, and physically. I wouldn’t be where I am
today without them. And to my close friends, Fathin and Syamimi, thank you for
being my rocks. Your unwavering support means the world to me.
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