Holly Harris, 23, of Jersey, recently posted about her amazing transformation. Little of this change would have happened had she not gotten her ADHD diagnosis when she was 19. In an address given during ADHD Awareness Month, Harris recalled her own challenges with anxiety and depression when she was in school. She explained that knowing what her condition is has given her exponentially more quality of life.
Prior to her diagnosis, Harris experienced struggles that she tried to cover up, thinking that she could just overcome them on her own. “I suffered so much from anxiety and depression. I had fatigue burnout – where you get overstimulated and just crash,” she shared. This never-ending fight had her feeling exhausted and all-around unconfident in herself.
As Harris explained, a large portion of people who end up with an ADHD diagnosis tend to get it much later in life, usually in their late 40s. She emphasized the importance of early identification, stating, “There was something holding me back in a sense.” With care from friends and family, she became comforted by sharing her stories. “If I need to talk about stuff, then they’re there to listen,” Harris explained.
After getting her diagnosis, Harris had an epiphany that shifted her entire outlook. She described how medication has helped clarify her thoughts, stating, “My brain feels clear. Before I was on medication it was like there was a million things going through my mind every second.” Because of this honesty, she has been able to celebrate being alive and free and finally take control of her mind.
In one of the photos from the #BlackGirlFly campaign, Harris sits with poise and confidence. She is wearing a bright red shirt—the bold color of her new self-confidence. With shoulder-length dark hair and piercing brown eyes, she exudes strength and fight after all she’s endured.
Harris tirelessly promotes ADHD awareness and understanding, including ADHD-friendly strategies for at-work mental wellness. By telling her story, she wants to encourage other people to seek help like she did before it’s too late. Her personal story illustrates the critical importance of being able to identify mental health conditions. With prompt diagnosis, we can profoundly change the trajectory of individuals’ lives.
