Humans of Reno: My Boyfriend, ADHD and College Life

More than four percent of the adult population within the U.S. suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD. Zachary Edelen, a University of Nevada sophomore, has had the disorder for a majority of his life. Since starting college, Zac has learned new ways to cope with ADHD and to combat the recreational drug use of ADHD medications. Audio and photo story by Jacey Gonzalez of The Reynolds School of Journalism.

Zachary Edelen sits at his desk in his room. A Rubik’s Cube sits to his left as he types on his laptop. The only light in his room illuminates from a desk lamp. Photo by Jacey Gonzalez

Click the link below to listen to an audio feature of Edelen’s journey and ADHD.

One thing that Edelen does to combat his ADHD is having hobbies that require direct focus but are also hands on. His favorite hobby is solving a Rubik’s Cube. Photo by Jacey Gonzalez

A Hidden Disorder Within A Happy Person

When Zachary Edelen isn’t spending time with his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, or completing school work, he is usually in his room solving a Rubik’s Cube.

He opens the door to his room, which is a cluttered mess. I can barely clean up after myself, which is why I don’t bother helping him.

A sophomore at the University of Nevada, Edelen was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at the age of 10.

“It’s just harder for me to focus on what I’m doing and I just get distracted way more easily and it’s just harder for me to get things done,” he said.

Edelen solves a Rubik’s Cube. He says that his journey with ADHD has taken place throughout his childhood but he feels that with going to college, there are more chances to get distracted in his environment. I think that it’s complicated but I feel he deals with it very well. Photo by Jacey Gonzalez

Activities that Alleviate the Stress of ADHD

“I mean there’s a number of stuff I do to keep busy and sometimes within the circumstances I can only do so much,” he said. “Like in school it’s more a bunch of fidgeting with my hands and a bunch of pencil tapping. But at home when I’m not in an academic environment, solving a Rubik’s cube helps me out a lot.”

Since starting college, Edelen has also gained a new hobby of producing audio intended for music. He says that he gets to be creative and it also helps him with excess energy.

He makes his music with a Midi controller, which is half keyboard half touchpad.

Edelen using his Midi controller to help produce music. The Midi controller can create different sounds to put into a music clip. Edelen has been producing audio intended for music since he began college in the fall of 2015. Photo by Jacey Gonzalez

Using Music To Focus

“I also produce music which really takes my mind off of it and that’s something I can really focus on and I’ve also noticed that Ireally stay on track with that,” he said.

I think his music is a good artistic representation of who he is.

Edelen has all of his audio equipment at his desk in a dimly lit bedroom. He uses his room as an escape from the hectic environment around him. His focus on music has helped his hyperactivity in his daily life. Photo by Jacey Gonzalez

Recreational Drug Use Makes Life Harder

One problem that has made Zac uneasy since starting college is the recreational use of ADHD medications, the same medications he was once on.

He keeps extra pills in his room in case he is in an environment where he feels he can’t focus.

Edelen uses his room as an escape from the environment he is in. He keeps extra pills in his room in case he is in an environment where he feels he can’t focus. Photo by Jacey Gonzalez

A Bad Rep for Meds with a Good Use

“I think that the recreational use of ADHD medication in college has become like more of a concerning issue throughout the years,” he said. “Nothing that’s new but it’s definitely something that makes it harder for those who actually have ADHD and that actually need the medication because they are often looked down on when they’re taking that medication because of how many people that take it recreationally.”

Edelen says that he knows that ADHD is a tricky disorder, especially in college.

Living a happy and full life is a goal of Edelen’s. He feels that the more accepting and attentive he is of his ADHD, the more he is happy about living his life. Photo by Jacey Gonzalez

Photos, Audio and Story by Jacey Gonzalez