Is Poland Under Construction?

During Easter, while traveling around my family, I had a chance to observe our country’s development. This included seeing the construction of roads, ships, and stadiums, and witnessing the slow growth of our Polish citizens’ prosperity. 

Once you’re in a foreign country, you tend to feel patriotic, that’s true. I stayed in Gdańsk for a while.

I asked locals about the upcoming Euro matches that are scheduled to be held there in two months. Most of them shrugged, but their pride was evident, along with a desire to benefit from the event.

Although I’m not a big football fan, I still root for the whole event to be successful. And I hope the fans behave, as the rest of Europe probably isn’t prepared for it yet.

A colleague from work, originally from Algeria, recently asked a question. He asked if it’s a good idea to visit Warsaw during Euro to watch matches on large screens.

I hesitated because it might not be the best idea… I wish I could assure him that Warsaw welcomes him. But the truth is that he might face some trouble if he visits.

What Does It Mean That It’s Just a DVA (Developmental Venous Anomaly)?

On another note, I’m proud to say that I finally consulted a neurologist. This consultation was about my brain scans taken in August in Warsaw.

Those scans had been sitting there without an interpretation for almost eight months. For that time, I’ve carried the suspicion of having two brain tumors, specifically in the cerebellum. 

However, it turned out to be something less concerning—just a developmental venous anomaly. It arises as a natural part of life.

This usually doesn’t cause any issues unless you try to interfere with it. This was a huge relief, as my brain is my primary tool for work. 

Additionally, there was one more good piece of news. I learned from the neurologist that people with migraines, like me, can safely take part in high-mountain expeditions—a dream of mine. It’s all about living, not dying.

What Does It Mean to Also Have Adult ADHD?

As for the mental aspects, I visited another doctor, this time a specialist in intellect rather than brains. Due to my sedentary job, my mind became a jumble of ideas from different fields within neuroscience.

These ideas were often not aligning properly on various levels. Ambitious attempts to encompass it all sometimes left me overwhelmed. Notably, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD symptoms that begin in childhood commonly continue into adulthood. 

While fellow PhD students were applying electrodes to neurons or conducting experiments, I spent the last seven months delving into various topics. These topics included information theory, graph theory, thermodynamic models, point processes, and more.

According to Farahani, Karwowski and Lighthall (2019), graph-theoretic methods have become one of the central tools researchers use. These tools help identify and characterize connectivity patterns across the human brain. 

I even worked on a project modeling cooperation between brain regions using delayed differential equations. According to Giannakakis, Han, Weber, Hutchings and Kaiser (2020), systems of delayed differential equations are an established way. This method captures how connection strengths between brain regions evolve and interact over time.

Some days, I juggled five tasks at once, switching between computers. According to Rubinstein, Meyer and Evans (2001), the mental cost of switching between tasks—even simple ones—is measurable.

This cost slows people down and increases errors when compared to staying on a single task. It’s chaotic inside and hard to focus for extended periods on a single task.

Finally, I sought help from a doctor. There’s a saying that psychologists don’t solve problems; they help you embrace your problems. There’s a lot of truth in that.

How Was I Diagnosed with Adult ADHD?

The therapist diagnosed me with adult ADHD. Instead of a prescription, she emphasized that ADHD can actually be enjoyable. 

I’ve long recognized that my ability to shift between topics is an advantage in this field. According to Barkley (1997), this kind of difficulty sustaining focus and inhibiting distraction is a core feature of ADHD. This is not simply a matter of willpower.

But during long meetings, my inability to focus has been quite problematic. She advised altering my work schedule and informing my boss that I need hourly breaks to stay organized.

I’ll have to muster the courage to talk to my boss about this. The changes should enhance my work efficiency.

I’m also eyeing my mother-in-law’s exercise ball to replace my chair, aiming to rejuvenate my body during work hours. Everything will work out.