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Living with a Brain Disorder
October 13, 2006

Danielle Fisher Comes Out on Top of ADHD

By Shaheen E Lakhan, MD, PhD, MEd, MS | 5 Comments | Share | Print | Email | Tweet | Like | 1+

Living_Brain_Disorder2.jpgDanielle Fisher, a petite, 21-year-old college student from Bow, Washington, made headlines last year when she became the youngest person to conquer “The Seven Summits” – the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. While her drive and passion helped her become one of the best alpine climbers in her age group, Danielle also trounces tradition in another way. Danielle, along with millions of adults in the United States, struggles daily with the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Danielle Fisher: In my case, I was never really great at school. I would often daydream during class, and would jump from one activity to another without actually finishing any of them. The teachers told my parents that I was intelligent, but too easily distracted, and of course this had a negative impact on my grades. I actually felt relieved when I was diagnosed with ADHD in the sixth grade. Finally, I knew there was a reason I was having difficulty with activities that my friends could easily complete.

Fortunately, my friends and family were very supportive after I was diagnosed. In fact, my mother had also been diagnosed with ADHD just a few months prior, so she already knew that it is a relatively common disorder, and that it can be treated. Even so, when you have a disorder like ADHD, in my opinion the most important thing is to find a balance between knowing that you need help and making an effort to push through by yourself. In my case, I take Adderall XR daily, which is a medication to help manage ADHD symptoms. I also meet with a professional counselor who helps me organize my schedule and keeps me on track and focused on my goals. But, at the end of the day, I have to take responsibility and make a serious personal effort to focus on my objectives, follow through on tasks I’ve laid out for myself, and basically push through distractions or difficulties that other people without ADHD would not even notice.

Danielle.jpgI first started climbing with my dad and my climbing mentor Mike Woodmansee. My first climb was in the North Cascades in Washington State, and it was the summer before my sophomore year of high school. That same summer, we also climbed Mount Rainier in Washington and I just basically fell in love with the excitement and challenge of reaching the mountaintop.

When I’m climbing, I feel like I am a totally different person. I become very focused and determined. I forget about the pains of blisters, scrapes and bruises and the fact that I have ADHD. I just keep on going. Since I started climbing, the person I am on the mountain has increasingly become who I am in all aspects of my life, including school and work.

After I succeeded in climbing the seven summits in June of last year, I have been fortunate enough to be able to help raise awareness about ADHD and to emphasize that being diagnosed with this disorder does not mean you have to give up or compromise your goals. I think it is very important to discover what your passions are because when you are enjoying what you are doing or working towards something you are excited about, you will be able to focus on that goal. In fact, in a way, I think I have tackled ADHD as if it were a mountain. Both are always going to be there, but with resolve, determination and a good support network, I can come out on top.

For more information about Danielle, please visit her Web site at www.DanielleFisher.com.

For more information about ADHD, please visit www.ADHDSupport.com.

Shaheen E Lakhan, MD, PhD, MEd, MS

Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, MEd, MS, is executive director of the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation (GNIF). He is a published scholar in protein biomarkers, bioethics, biotechnology, education technology, and neurology. He serves on the editorial board of several scholarly publications and has been honored by the U.S. President and Congress.

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5 Responses

  1. Diamonds says:
    December 18, 2006 at 10:08 am

    These symptoms appear early in a child’s life. Because many normal children may have these symptoms, but at a low level, or the symptoms may be caused by another disorder, it is important that the child receive a thorough examination and appropriate diagnosis by a well-qualified professional.

    Reply
  2. nittin keni says:
    April 15, 2007 at 4:32 am

    ADHD is curable disease. Due to excessive functioning of cerain part in brain it occurs. It can be cured if that concerned prts”s actuation can be lowered.
    This particular type of problem can be completely cured within a time frame of six month.
    our fondation is curing such type of problem even at the cellular level and can be measured the change in any brain and neuro research centre.
    Mrs daniell or any such type of patient may consult our trust/our expert
    Thanking you

    Reply
  3. Amanda says:
    August 15, 2007 at 3:03 am

    Well done! Kudos Danielle!!
    Climbing is great fun. I find clambering over boulders, scaling crags and looking for the next hand/foot hold a great way of concentrating the mind – if you dont concentrate, you fall off! Plus its a great way of building bonds with friends and enjoying the countryside. I haven’t been climbing in ages and I really miss it.

    BTW shame someone has to hijack your story to post mindless spam, but thats the internet for you!

    Reply
  4. Manila says:
    November 25, 2007 at 7:47 pm

    This particular type of problem can *NOT* be completely cured within a time frame of six month

    Reply
  1. Your ADD / ADHD News says:
    October 14, 2006 at 3:35 pm

    Danielle Fisher Comes Out on Top of ADHD…

    Danielle Fisher, a petite, 21-year-old college student from Bow, Washington, made headlines last year when she became the youngest person to conquer “The Seven Summitsâ€? – the highest mountain on each of the seven continents….

    Reply

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