Living with ADHD: My Adolescent Experience with Frequent Infections
By Staci Moore, PhD.H
The Rollercoaster Ride of ADHD
Growing up with ADHD was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, energy, and unexpected challenges. One of the lesser-known struggles was the frequent bouts of infectious diseases that seemed to come hand-in-hand with my condition. As I look back from the age of 56, I realize just how much those early health battles shaped my life.
Early Childhood: Energy and Illness
From the very beginning, my grandmother, who raised me, noticed I had an abundance of energy. I was constantly moving and exploring, and she encouraged me to go outside to play and stay involved in many daily activities in an attempt to help me sleep. While I was not chronically sick, I did go through many common childhood illnesses, including colds, ear infections, chickenpox, mumps, and chronic constipation. It seemed like every other month I was down with something. While my friends recovered quickly, I often found myself sicker for longer periods. My grandmother did everything she could, but back then, there was no diagnosis for what I was experiencing.
The Link Between ADHD and Increased Susceptibility to Infections
Research now shows that adolescents with ADHD are more prone to infectious diseases. This heightened susceptibility can be attributed to several factors inherent to ADHD. Firstly, ADHD often comes with comorbidities such as anxiety and sleep disorders, both of which can weaken the immune system [1][2]. Secondly, the impulsivity associated with ADHD means that teens might not always follow hygiene practices as strictly as they should, increasing their exposure to germs [2].
School Challenges: The Impact of ADHD on Immune Health
In school, I was always the one who couldn’t sit still, constantly wanting to volunteer for everything, including running mail to the office and helping clean up the classroom. My teachers understood that my energy benefited them and made me a class helper often or allowed me special permissions when I finished my work so I wouldn’t disturb others. My hyperactivity and verbal outbursts were exhausting, not just for my teachers and classmates, but for my immune system too. Stress and a lack of adequate sleep, both common in adolescents with ADHD, can significantly impair the body’s ability to fight off infections. I remember many nights lying awake, unable to shut off my racing thoughts, which left me tired and more vulnerable to getting sick the next day.
Social Isolation and Health Struggles
I chose not to participate in school activities because of my lack of sleep and bowel issues. The anxiety of not participating and always being asked why I didn’t want to stay at friends’ houses made me feel like something was wrong with me. While I didn’t frequently miss school, these health challenges caused me to miss out on vital social interactions and learning opportunities. It was a vicious cycle; the more anxious I became about these issues, the more stressed I felt, which only exacerbated my problems further.
Nutritional Deficiencies: A Compounding Factor
Moreover, the medications prescribed for constipation and other gut issues suppressed my appetite, leading to nutritional deficiencies. A balanced diet is crucial for a robust immune system, but I often struggled with maintaining one. The lack of essential nutrients made it harder for my body to fend off infections or manage mood swings between anxious and exhausted.
Teenage Years: The Struggles Continue
In my teenage years, the struggle continued. At 12, I now had allergies. And as a young adolescent, I battled chronic sinus infections and strep throat multiple times a year. Each episode felt like a setback, and I envied my peers who seemed to breeze through adolescence without such frequent health issues. It was frustrating and isolating, but it also made me resilient. I learned to bounce back quickly, developing a grit that would serve me well later in life.
Reflection and Understanding: The ADHD-Infection Connection
As an adult reflecting on my adolescence, I can see how these experiences were interconnected with my ADHD. Today, there’s a better understanding of the link between ADHD and susceptibility to infectious diseases, and I hope this knowledge helps current and future generations manage their health more effectively.
Conclusion: Resilience and Proactive Management
Living with ADHD comes with its unique set of challenges, but understanding the underlying causes and connections, like the one between ADHD and frequent infections, can lead to better management strategies. For parents of teens with ADHD, being aware of these risks can help in taking proactive steps to support their child’s immune health. Ensuring good hygiene practices, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and stress management can all play a role in reducing the frequency and severity of infections.
Final Thoughts: Navigating the Journey
As someone who has navigated these challenges firsthand, my advice to young people with ADHD is to listen to your body, seek support, and remember that resilience is your superpower.
If any of these symptoms sound like you or your loved ones and you haven’t been able to get help, a new patient coordinator can help you determine the best next steps to start your journey at the Riordan Clinic. The road might be tough, but it’s filled with valuable lessons and the strength to overcome any obstacle.
References
- Keshavarzi, Z., et al. (2014). In a national sample of Iranian children and adolescents, emotional and behavioral problems correlate with sleep problems and anxious/depressive disorder, while controlling for ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders. doi:10.1177/1087054713483006.
- Cortese, S., et al. (2006). Sleep and alertness in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review of the literature. Sleep, 29(4), 504-511.
