One Man’s Poetry: Newfound Clarity of ADHD

The stories of late-diagnosis ADHD will break your heart.  If the public truly understood the suffering caused by unrecognized ADHD throughout the lifespan—of the years spent frustrated, confused, thwarted, misunderstood—ADHD would receive the compassionate reverence shown to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and Autistic-Spectrum Disorders.

And of course, we all know that ADHD is still far too often misdiagnosed and treated as depression, anxiety, and ASD—which too often makes a bad situation worse.

For the 20 years I have been working in this field, the stories have come to me non-stop. Yes, many adults with undiagnosed ADHD have coped quite well. We cannot know if they are in the majority or minority. I only know that too many stories involve unconscionable suffering. This is the 21st Century. We must do better.

I am re-posting this collection of poems from 2010, with better graphics this time and a new post (What’s Your Name). I hope that Rob’s poignant words and images serve to create empathy and understanding for people who are struggling with ADHD.

Hello Gina,

I have been diagnosed with ADHD 8 months ago—kinda tough to accept at 41. I’ve been under a doctor’s care and on medication, and it has really shown me a world I’ve never known. Shortly after taking medication, I was having an ongoing clarity and understanding of my past so I started writing, and next thing I knew I had written about 15  poems from the view of a person with ADHD. I really don’t know what to do with them so I thought I would see if maybe you could direct me.  This is all new to me. I’m still learning and figuring me out. Thanks, Rob.

Here is my suggestion to Rob: “Let’s publish a few here.” He agreed, and here they are. Enjoy.

Furious Dance

Critical thoughts are happening
Blood is rising
I’m hyperfocusing
My heart starts to race
I don’t have a chance
As I start my pace
I start my dance
The floor is full
I’m about to go
Step by step
You’ll feel my flow
I don’t like this contagious beat
Somebody help
I can’t stop my feet
How do I change the song that is playing
Look at the actions
That I am displaying
Somebody tell the DJ
Change the tune
Oh my God
I just cleared the room
I lost another moment
I did another dance
Can anybody help me
I want another chance.

— Rob Wilkom

Senseless Attacks

Up and Down
You go back and forth
You are on defense
You are on the attack
Emotions of love
Emotions of hate
Can’t you see
I just want to relate
You never seem consistent
At what you do
Do you hate me
Or do you hate you
I look up to you
Even envy
All you do
Seems to send me
To a world of dark
With no light
It’s because of you
I cry all night
You’ve got faults
Just like me
Why can’t you accept
What you can’t see
When these years are gone
We won’t get them back
I will always resent
Your senseless attacks

— Rob Wilkom

My Energy

Oh my God
Look at me
Were there signs you saw
That I didn’t see
Paralyzed thoughts
Transformed by emotions
To a Category Six
Full of destruction
I’ll come on
With fury and fire
As I transform
You’ll begin to expire
I’ll unleash
A world of hurt
You’ve never known
I’ll peel at your skin
Till I see bone
Please don’t torment me
Just let me be
So I don’t become
What you don’t want to see.

— Rob Wilkom

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