ADHD and Christmas have never been easy bedfellows as those of us with the disorder can attest. We find get-togethers stressful at the best of times; add clashing personalities, forced jollity and the impossibility of escape and the festive season can be hard to bear.
Last year I spent the big day with friends at their remote country house, forgetting that the family had recently acquired a sweet but overbearing Labrador. Like many ADHDers I suffer from hyperacusis, a condition where the brain struggles to filter noise; everyday sounds appear much louder than they actually are leading to overwhelm, distraction, anger and even physical pain. For me it’s ambulances, pubs and incessant barking. But while the other party guests appeared blissfully unaware of the Lab’s vocal contortions the noise sent shockwaves through my cerebral cortex.
