The 50-year-old author of 28 books, including “Aku Terima Nikahnya” and “Erti Beragama Yang Hilang”, struggled for years with focus, structure and deadlines: challenges that had long puzzled him until the diagnosis.
Hasrizal – who lives with his family in Naas, County Kildare, about 30km from Dublin city centre – said his struggles first surfaced during his undergraduate days when it took him eight years to complete his degree at Mu’tah University, Jordan.
The Ipoh-born writer recalled that back then, he had been unaware that difficulties in focusing and managing his study schedule were early signs of undiagnosed ADHD.
However, an assessment by psychiatrists in Ireland confirmed that he had inattentive-type ADHD. This condition makes it difficult to sustain focus and attention, as opposed to hyperactive-type ADHD, which is often characterised by physical restlessness and constant movement in children.
Major changes happened after he began treatment, which included stimulant medication and support from Ireland’s inclusive education system.
“The medication doesn’t cure but it stabilises my brain. It makes me more organised, improves my focus, and allows me to complete tasks without being easily distracted,” he shared.
From 2023, Hasrizal attempted his master’s six times across different institutions and countries. He finally completed his Master of Education in Diversity and Inclusion in September, and is set to formally receive his degree during his convocation next April.
For Hasrizal, academic writing was the biggest hurdle. Unlike books and articles, where he could write freely, academic theses demand rigid structure, factual references, and extensive cross-checking.
“Every time I reached the thesis stage, I froze. I could write books and long articles easily, but with a thesis I got stuck. I’d read one journal, jump to another, and end up lost in the rabbit hole. That chaos derailed the whole process,” he said.
Hasrizal also struggled with emotional regulation – a common trait in ADHD where small stressors can trigger outsized reactions.
“When I get angry or stressed, it takes a long time to calm down. Sometimes even small things affect me too much. But with treatment and family support, I’ve learnt to manage it better,” he said.
Hasrizal’s openness in sharing his journey has drawn the attention of Ireland’s Higher Education Authority, which appointed him as an ambassador for inclusive education advocacy. Today, he champions awareness of diverse learning needs.
“I once believed I wasn’t smart enough – just good at talking but unable to prove myself. My diagnosis changed that: I’m not weak, I just function differently,” concluded Hasrizal, who also serves as an adviser to the Malaysian Adult ADHD Society.
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