Clearing the Hurdles: Living with ADHD | ADHD Therapy Tampa | Rice Psychology

Clearing the Hurdles: Living with ADHD

Clearing the Hurdles: Living with ADHD ADHD Therapy Tampa

By Dr. Wendy Rice

If you’ve ever wondered whether ADHD is a real condition, let me assure you it is. The forgetfulness and absentmindedness can be just as frustrating for those who have it as they are for the people around us.

A bit about me: I’m a competitive adult amateur equestrian. Due to my family situation, I couldn’t compete much as a child. I rode whenever possible but never envisioned owning my horse or qualifying for a national year-end final.

I’ve been working incredibly hard on both my physical and mental fitness. I’ve pushed through fears, anxieties, and physical limitations, all to reach the national horse show at the Kentucky Horse Park, where I competed in a national equitation jumping final for riders aged 36 and older.

Figuring out how to connect with my horse Jurrney, whom I bought in May 2023, has been a monumental task. I’ve had to elevate my riding skills because if I don’t get it right, he definitely lets me know. We’ve practiced complex courses with 12 to 15 jumps at a time, featuring intricate turns and ever-changing patterns.

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This morning, I woke up early, eager to prepare. I watched many competitors ride my course, first on the live stream and then in person. I walked the course in the arena during midday, observed more riders, and walked it again before my division started. I thought it looked fun and doable for me.

During yesterday’s practice class, there was one jump I almost overlooked, but I made an effort to pay attention at the last minute. In today’s final, I encountered a jump in the same position. Its black rails blended into the background, and as I came off the preceding jump, I completely missed seeing it until I had already passed by. It felt like a drive-by moment; I had rehearsed the course in my head, practiced it in my mind and pretended to ride it on my own 2 feet outside, and genuinely felt prepared. Yet, as I rounded the turn to the third-to-last jump, it vanished from my sight. Up to that point, my performance had been strong, and I even received praise from commentators for how well I presented myself and my horse. To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. Even with ADHD medication, I sometimes experience these “brain blips” where I zone out or lose my concentration.

I didn’t discover I had ADHD until my mid 30s. Before that, I just thought I was forgetful and not very smart. Now I understand the challenges I face, and I employ various strategies to manage them. However, my tricky brain still catches me off guard at times. Many refer to this phenomenon as “ADHD tax,” which describes the absent-minded mistakes we make—errors that others are less likely to commit, often with significant and expensive consequences. I’ve invested months of work and a considerable amount of money to get here, only to make what some might deem a careless mistake. Yet the term “careless” feels unfairly judgmental, as it implies a lack of concern for doing well. In reality, I care deeply about my performance and have worked tirelessly to qualify for this competition, feeling genuinely prepared.

I’m sharing the video of my ride from the class, including that missed jump, as a glimpse into one of my most vulnerable moments. The commentators were incredibly kind about  my performance. While I may not have fans to disappoint, I do have many friends and trainers who cheered me on. After all our hard work, I felt I let them down.

Looking ahead, how can I prevent similar mistakes in the future? I can practice mindfulness rather than letting my mind wander. I need to find effective strategies to ensure the courses are truly imprinted in my memory. Paying extra attention to dark-colored jumps, especially at the end of the ring, is essential since they can easily blend into the background for me. Additionally, I can compete more frequently in classes that require me to remember this level of complexity.

About Rice Psychology

Rice Psychology Group is home to a team of psychologists who work tirelessly to help adults, adolescents and children deal with their issues. Whether you’re currently dealing with depression, going through a divorce or fighting an issue you just can’t understand, know that our Tampa psychologists are here to help.

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