The ADHD Diaries (includes documentary)

This mini documentary follows the stories of three women navigating the effects of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on their daily lives.

Jinell Gonzalez, a behavioral analyst who was diagnosed with the disorder in the third grade, and Kaitlyn Vilches, a college student who received her diagnosis in middle school, recount the challenges they faced growing up with ADHD. Yahaira Marcano, whose 16-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed, offers a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of parenting a teenager with the the disorder.

Licensed psychiatrist Dr. Alfred Jonas explains how ADHD manifests differently in women compared to men. He discusses the societal biases that often delay diagnosis and shares tips on how to create a supportive and informed community.

Together, these accounts uncover the reality of living with ADHD and emphasize the urgent need for increased public awareness, understanding and resources for diagnosed women and their families.

To listen to the accompanying audio story, click here. For the accompanying photo gallery, click here. To watch the accompanying video story, click here. To visit the accompanying website, click here.

Megan Aguilera is a senior majoring in Digital Communications and Interactive Media at Florida International University. Her goal after graduating is to pursue a career involving content creation in the marketing field, including content for social media, campaigns, etc.

Andrea Rivera is a junior majoring in Digital Communication and Media with a Digital Journalism focus. After her studies, she wishes to pursue a career in the entertainment field.

Alessandra Henriquez is a junior at Florida International University pursuing a double Bachelor’s in Digital Art and Digital Communications + Media with a certificate in Asian Studies. As someone with a multicultural background and a love for storytelling, Alessandra hopes to combine her skills with her experiences to produce multimedia content people will enjoy no matter where they are from. She is proficient in both English and Spanish, and as an aspiring polyglot, is currently learning Mandarin and Korean.