Brandon, a 48-year-old film director and agency owner living in Singapore, recently received an ADHD diagnosis. Despite childhood struggles and academic difficulties, he eventually found his strengths and the courage to experiment with different things, leading to finding fulfilment in what he does.
Read his #ADHDStory below.
When did you get diagnosed?
In March 2024, I was officially diagnosed with ADHD at a counselling centre.
What was life like before diagnosis?
Before my diagnosis, my life was pretty chaotic. Over the past few years, it felt like my ADHD intensified, and while I faced challenges with it since childhood, it wasn’t widely understood back then.
Growing up, my mother found it hard to understand why I struggled to focus in class, and with little awareness of ADHD, I constantly got poor grades. I simply didn’t have the executive functioning skills that would have helped me succeed in school, which continued into university.
What was life like post diagnosis?
Receiving a diagnosis has been enlightening. I now understand myself better, and I’ve become more patient with both myself and my daughter (who also has ADHD). This awareness allowed me to embrace my ADHD and tap into its strengths, like my imagination, emotional depth, storytelling ability, and hyperfocus, which are crucial to my work as a creator.
What do you think are your greatest ADHD strengths?
I’ve always been curious, adventurous, and fascinated by different cultures, which pushed me to leave the USA around 20 years ago.
How do you manage ADHD in daily life?
In daily life, I manage my ADHD by keeping an ongoing dialogue with myself. I approach things with compassion, aiming for a balance where both sides of me get what they need: accomplishing tasks while enjoying each day’s adventure. Making life solely about productivity can feel stifling to me, so instead, I prioritise fun and play, blending in productivity in a fulfilling way.
How would you advise your younger self?
If I could advise my younger self, it would be to embrace self-acceptance and pursue a career that truly fits who I am. I’ve often found myself in project management roles within media, but project management doesn’t come naturally to me. I wish I had allowed myself to lean into my identity as an artiste earlier, focusing less on external expectations. Many people linearly approach life, but I naturally think in non-linear paths. My strengths are imagination, play, collaboration, and curiosity—all essential to my identity.
Complete this sentence: ADHD is...a gift, a unique part of who I am.
Many thanks for stepping up to be our #Champions4ADHD and spread ADHD Awareness, hope and inspire others. This is an important step to create more understanding, acceptance and opportunities for ADHDers in Singapore. Read more inspiring stories of ADHDers here!
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