Interview with Helena: An Artist Navigating College with Severe ADHD

Audrey: Thank you for speaking with me today, Helena. To start, can you tell us a little about when you were diagnosed with ADHD and what that process was like for you?

Helena: Absolutely—and thanks for your interest! I was diagnosed with severe ADHD during my sophomore year of high school. It was a relief to have an answer for why I was “different,” a kind of human tornado of you will. Why I was always losing my notebooks, forgetting my locker combo, and starting projects with wild enthusiasm only to abandon them halfway through. I once left a half-painted mural drying on our garage door for two months before my mom begged me to finish it.

Anyway, things really hit a wall when I started having anxiety attacks before tests or freezing up when I had to start assignments. It was my mom—who is basically part detective, part espresso—who pushed for a full evaluation. Getting diagnosed felt like someone had finally handed me the instruction manual to my brain, even if half of it was written in crayon. [laughs]

Audrey: That must’ve been a big shift. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced since starting college?

Helena: I have a love-hate relationship with Boston and with college. On the one hand, I get to skateboard along the Charles River in the mornings, which clears my head better than any energy drink ever could. On the other hand… time management is a beast. I’ll hyperfocus on painting this one corner of a canvas until it’s perfect, then look up and realize I’ve missed dinner and my economics discussion section.

Also, sound sensitivity is a problem. I live in a dorm where this guy is always playing saxophone at ungodly hours. I love jazz as much as the next artsy, neurodivergent girl, but not at 1:47 a.m., Chad.

Audrey: You mentioned hyperfocusing. How does that impact your daily life?

Helena: Hyperfocus is my superpower and my kryptonite. When I’m in the zone—like working on a mixed-media piece or editing one of my skating videos from Fenway Park—I’m unstoppable [cue the song by Sia!]. But it’s also like being in a time warp. I’ll blink, and suddenly it’s 3 a.m., my phone has 12 missed calls, and I’ve forgotten I had a paper due… yesterday!

It’s like I can feel time only in hindsight. During, it’s just vibes and paint splatters. [laughs]

Audrey: What about social or emotional challenges? I read that ADHD can often come with emotional regulation issues.

Helena: For sure. Emotional dysregulation is like riding a rollercoaster… blindfolded… while holding a ferret. Like, if a professor gives me a “Hmm, interesting” on an essay, I spiral into “they think I’m a fraud and my brain is soup” territory. And if a friend doesn’t text back, I’m instantly convinced I’ve ruined the friendship forever—then I find out they just dropped their phone in the Charles. Rejection sensitivity hits hard.

Anxiety is like the background static of my brain. Therapy’s helping. So is skateboarding, honestly—it’s the one time my thoughts quiet down, and it’s just me, the board, and the sidewalk dodging pigeons.

Audrey: How do you handle those moments?

Helena: I try to remind myself that the world’s not ending because I sent a text with a typo. Also, my cat, Toulouse-Lautrec, is weirdly intuitive and sits on my lap like a therapy blanket when I’m spiraling. I don’t know what I’d do without him.

Audrey: Are there any misconceptions about ADHD that you wish people understood better?

Helena: So many. People think ADHD means you just can’t focus. But as I mentioned above, we can laser focus— on the things we’re interested in, which just so happens to not always be the “right” or more strategic thing. I once conducted three hours of research on Victorian mourning jewelry instead of writing my psych paper. Did you know that people used to wear rings made with their loved one’s hair? So creepy yet…….romantic?

People are also quick to assume if you’re thriving in one area—like if I ace a particular project—it means I’m doing just fine. But maybe I turned in that project after an all-nighter and five mini meltdowns. ADHD isn’t linear. It’s a spaghetti graph with glitter.

Audrey: You’ve talked a lot about how ADHD impacts your academic life. How does it affect your relationships with other students?

Helena: Group conversations can be tricky. If the topic changes quickly or is about something I find boring, I’ll zone out. I’ll smile and nod but have no idea what’s happening. I’m also not good at small talk or filtering which has led to a lot of awkward moments, But, I’m highly empathic. I am quick to pick up on people’s vibes and I care a lot –maybe too much. I’ve had friends tell me I’m the first person who really “saw” them, which is probably the nicest compliment ever.

Audrey: I’ve also read that those with ADHD are prone to resisting rules or authority. Is this something you struggle with?

Helena: I feel attacked! Ha ha, just kidding. I am indeed a rebel sometimes with and sometimes without a cause—but I will die on the hill fighting pointless bureaucratic rules. “No, your five-minute-late policy should not outweigh my five hours of effort.” If the goal is learning, then help me get there—don’t trip me up over an arbitrary deadline.

Audrey: What do you wish your professors or classmates knew about how to support students with ADHD?

Helena: Please know we’re trying our best; we’re not slacking off or expecting special treatment. Our brains are doing cartwheels where yours walk in straight lines. Clear instructions, flexibility, and a little understanding ––make all the difference. We can be stars, under the right conditions, and with the right support. Whatever you do, do not imply we have “character” flaws.

Audrey: Final question: What are the positive aspects of who you are that your diagnosis with ADHD has allowed you to discover?

Helena: I truly believe that I am creative in a way I wouldn’t be if I was “neurotypical.” I feel as though I sometimes connect dots no one else sees and am quirky in a way that can result in unique and distinctive choices ––like the sculpture I made from trash or the skateboarding metaphor I used to tie together my art history paper’s thesis. And I’ve built a life that’s pretty unconventional but very me. Between my chaotic art studio, my skater crew, and my cat who thinks he’s a raccoon, I’m learning to love the way my brain works.

Audrey: Helena, thank you for sharing your story with such openness and honesty. You provided great insights into the condition and how unique each person’s brain can be.

Helena: I really appreciate the opportunity to shed light on the realities of living with ADHD and hopefully dispel some myths. If this helps someone feel less alone, or a parent better understand their child, that is a win-win.