'People can see what's going on in my mind'

In Bristol, a new exhibition is opening that aims to show what it is really like to live with ADHD, which stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The exhibition, called 'Impulse: Playing with Reality,' is being held at Watershed, a gallery space in the city. It uses virtual reality headsets to let visitors experience a documentary that tells the stories of four people with ADHD: Leanne, Omar, Tara, and Errol. The documentary is narrated by famous actress Tilda Swinton and has even been nominated for an Emmy award. The exhibition will run until November 2nd and hopes to help people understand ADHD better, especially those who might not have been diagnosed yet.

Leanne Francis Rowan, one of the people featured in the documentary, was diagnosed with ADHD when she was just 12 years old. She describes her experience as sometimes feeling like an 'atomic bomb,' with sudden bursts of energy and emotion. But Leanne also talks about the quieter, less visible side of ADHD. She says that sometimes she forgets to eat or wash, and she can go days without talking to anyone or wanting to go outside. Leanne works as a football steward and says that it can be hard to explain these feelings to others, especially since people expect her to be cheerful and energetic all the time. She believes the documentary does a great job of showing what is really going on in her mind.

Omar Mentesh, another participant, only found out he had ADHD when he was in his twenties. As a child, his mother was told he was 'hyperactive,' but he was not officially diagnosed until he was in prison. Omar spent several years in and out of prison for crimes like shop robberies, and he says that before his diagnosis, he did not understand why he was so impulsive and reckless. He would do things like jump from rooftop to rooftop, driven by compulsive thoughts. Now, Omar works as a social value delivery consultant and hopes the documentary will help break down misconceptions about ADHD. The exhibition was created because many people in the UK are thought to have ADHD but have not been diagnosed. Co-director May Abdalla says that getting a diagnosis can be a huge relief for people, and she hopes the exhibition will start important conversations about mental health and ADHD.