How my ADHD diagnosis liberated me | Melanie Mark | TEDxWest Vancouver Women

Melanie Mark, diagnosed with ADHD at 47, shares her transformative journey, highlighting how this diagnosis illuminated the "chaos" and "tiger energy" in her life. Reading "Scattered Minds" helped her understand her "yolo" attitude, FOMO, minimal sleep needs, and workaholic ethic. She reflects on her high school years, marked by talking too much and questioning authority, and the discovery that women and girls are often underdiagnosed with ADHD. Mark wishes someone had recognized her "superpower" earlier, instead of her feeling "dumb." She emphasizes that ADHD individuals are highly intelligent, empathetic, sensitive, and driven. Despite a successful career in government, including serving as an MLA and cabinet minister, school was a struggle, attending six high schools with poor grades. Rugby was a turning point, providing an outlet for her energy and a coach who recognized her "gift of tenacity." Her diagnosis prompted a life "reboot" and "renovation." She retired from politics, reduced her tempo, sought therapy, increased sleep, and spent more time at home. Mark acknowledges the challenges of organization for ADHD individuals, relying on tools like Post-it notes and calendars. She describes her demanding 18-hour days in politics, filled with meetings and constant communication, and the difficulty of sustained focus. Resetting her life allowed her to step back from the "rat race," be present for her daughters, and engage in calming activities like puzzles and dog walks. She discusses the difficulty of saying no due to FOMO. Mark has also discovered many people in her life with ADHD, valuing the shared pace and understanding. She encourages embracing ADHD as a superpower, urging others not to "turn down your energy" but to follow their passions. Now an entrepreneur in clean tech and education, Mark feels more passionate than ever. She advocates for greater societal support and early diagnosis for children with ADHD, emphasizing that these individuals are "highly gifted" and "love people." She shares her personal struggles with procrastination, despite her demanding career, highlighting her "oppositional defiance disorder" and the constant mental gymnastics of an ADHD brain. Mark found focus in baking, which requires adherence to rules. She acknowledges the guilt of potentially being "too much" for others and encourages embracing the ADHD superpower. She calls for society to "bend for us" and make more space for ADHD individuals to reach their full potential.