Anna Wendzikowska on ADHD – how did the diagnosis change her life?

Anna Wendzikowska: New diagnosis, new perspectives

Anna Wendzikowska has only recently heard the diagnosis of ADHD. In an interview with Jastrząb Post, she admits that it is thanks to this disorder that she is able to run several ‘tracks’ at the same time – both at work and outside of it

This ADHD, which I recently found out I have, helps me a lot, as it turns out. Because I always have three soundtracks in my head. So it hasn’t been difficult for me to be in those three ways all the time […] to be in the conversation 100 per cent, but at the same time to know what’s going on, to control and navigate that

ADHD as a partner for journalistic work

In her work, Anna often combines asking questions with observing, controlling time and reacting to new signals. Her ADHD helps her to embrace all these tasks simultaneously :

On the one hand you have questions prepared, you sit and listen, but […] on the other hand you have to be the director of what is happening.

Anna Wendzikowska: From depression to acceptance

The ADHD diagnosis has shed new light on Anna’s previous problems, such as depressive states or feelings of “inadequacy”:

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and today I know that this was conditioned, among other things, by the fact that my brain functions this way and not differently. Perhaps even my depression was a result of unattended ADHD.

The journalist also explains:

Previously, when – despite wanting to and being extremely committed – I wasn’t able to do certain things, I felt frustrated and resented myself. It seemed to me that I was insufficient. It was driving me into depressive states. Today I know that it’s simply that my brain functions differently.

Better habits as a way to manage ADHD

Anna has not opted for pharmacotherapy. Instead, she uses behavioural coaching and has developed daily work strategies – she uses intervals and changes tasks every 30 minutes, which allows her to function better:

The most important thing is to work with a behavioural coach or even with yourself […] If you have the awareness that it’s not that there’s something wrong with you, you’re just non-neuro-normative, then you look at yourself in a completely different way.

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