Impulsivity, risky behavior, and obsessions (Chris' story)
Dec 7, 2021
auto_awesome
College student Chris Lozano, diagnosed with ADHD at 26, shares his struggles with impulsivity, obsessions, and risky behaviors. He finds relief at the gym and on motorcycles. Chris discusses coping with substance abuse, seeking help, and navigating ADHD through sports and self-discovery.
Chris finds peace through physical activities like sports and working out amidst his inner turmoil caused by ADHD.
After being diagnosed, Chris embraces self-acceptance and aims to support others facing similar challenges in a counseling career.
Deep dives
Chris' Love for Working Out and Sports
Chris, a college student with ADHD, discusses his lifelong passion for sports and working out, highlighting how these activities make him feel normal and help him manage his inner turmoil. Despite his struggles in school due to ADHD, Chris finds solace and a sense of self during physical activities. He reflects on the impact of ADHD on his academic and athletic performance, expressing how being active provides him with a sense of calm amidst inner chaos.
Impact of ADHD Diagnosis on Chris' Life
After being diagnosed with ADHD, Chris experiences a transformative shift in his self-perception, feeling understood and finding clarity in his struggles. He candidly shares his challenges with self-harm and substance abuse as coping mechanisms, detailing how therapy and medication have alleviated some symptoms. Through his journey, Chris learns to be kinder to himself and embraces his strengths emerging from his ADHD experience.
Chris' Journey to Psychology and Helping Others
Inspired by his own struggles and coping mechanisms, Chris reveals his aspiration to pursue a career in counseling to support individuals facing similar challenges. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in aiding others and shares his goal of providing guidance and understanding to those in need. Chris envisions leveraging his experiences to positively impact others and foster a supportive environment for mental health awareness.
College student Chris Lozano seems calm on the outside. But on the inside, he feels “like a volcano.” He has trouble sleeping, sitting still, and stopping his mind from wandering. And often his only relief is going to the gym — to the point of obsession — or riding motorcycles. Hear how Chris came to get diagnosed with ADHD at 26 and why he went back to college to seek a career helping people like himself.
Also in this episode: Chris shares how he’s coped with substance abuse and other risky behaviors.
Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode