Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong condition often first noted in childhood that affects attentiveness, calmness, and behaviour.
People with ADHD have a constant burst of energy and may find it challenging to pay attention or control impulsive behaviors, i.e., they may act hastily and in the moment without thinking about the outcome. Does this description sound familiar to you?
Attentiveness
People with ADHD often find it hard to focus or pay attention. There are a gazillion and one things to note, so paying attention to one alone can be a tall order (really difficult)! Being ADHD means you are always ready to jump from topic to topic, thought to thought, and from one activity to the next.
This is categorized as being “deficit” in attention… but for those with ADHD, it is more like “getting bored quickly and looking for the next attractive thing”.
Recently diagnosed with ADHD? Learn more about your NeuroType in our course from the Newly Diagnosed series. Click the image:
To be diagnosed with ‘inattention’:
Clinicians look for experience of a range of symptoms that are present for at least six months and to the point where it interferes with academic, social, and occupational activities. Issues parents (and individuals) might see, include:
- Being distracted or seemingly uninterested when listening to instructions
- Difficulties staying focused on play, study or work tasks
- Missing details or making ‘careless’ errors in schoolwork
- Difficulty completing projects, chores, work, etc.
- Finding it difficult to organize activities and tasks.
- Forgetfulness in day-to-day activities, like schoolwork, chores; for adults and older adolescents, sending proposals, returning calls, and more.
- Often “losing” or forgetting the whereabouts of essential items, e.g., phone, keys, erasers, paper clips, files, etc.
- Getting easily distracted by extraneous (external) stimuli, like thoughts not related to the task at hand.
Calmness
People with ADHD struggle to find peace and quiet. While they might desire calm like anyone else, their brains are always firing ON, ON, ON! It can feel like - without anything to occupy yourself, you will wither away and die. ADHDers must work very hard at mindfulness to secure stillness.
To be diagnosed with ‘impulsivity’ or ‘hyperactivity’:
Clinicians look for experience of a range of symptoms that are present for at least six months and to the point where it interferes with academic, social, and occupational activities. Issues parents (and individuals) might see, include:
- A lot of physical activity. In children, climbing and running about in non-play situations. As for older adolescents and adults, they may only feel restless.
- Challenges to remain quiet or have ‘quiet play’.
- Very talkative!
- Blurting out your thoughts and interrupting others
- Trying to finish the sentences of other people, as a sense of restlessness or excitement is felt. This can also appear as not fully listening to someone’s answer to a question.
- Leaving your seat or positions (e.g., office, class, room), especially when it is mandatory to remain seated or in that position. On this: the ADHD person often thinks: “who makes these arbitrary rules?!”
- Experiencing difficulty staying in one spot for an extended time. This can manifest as needing to move house or change the house decor every year, or always having to be “doing” something, or needing somewhere to be, or wishing to be active in some way.
- Usually intrudes on or interrupts others, e.g., butting into activities or conversations. ADHD persons may even take things that belong to others without asking permission – such occurrences would not be malicious, but again related to a sense of anxiety combined with assuming relationships.
Behaviour
People with ADHD have behaviours that do not follow the 'normative approach' to life, and in this way, they are commonly ostracized or labelled as rude, wild, inappropriate, or "bad". Being ADHD means you experience the world differently to others.
There are a ton of unique strengths, abilities, and quirks that come with having ADHD. Here are some of them:
Hyperfocus - The ability to pick a task and latch on their minds and never let go! All it takes is for you to learn how to control, harness, and channel your ADHD so you can use this super-strength right.
Creativity - The gene associated with ADHD is not called the "explorer's gene" for nothing! A restless mind has no other choice than to churn thoughts, create scenarios, and think up a storm! The ADHD brain thrives on and grows through creative energies. ADHD's creative gifts are a huge benefit to people living with ADHD, and they draw strength from it and proffer solutions in unique and incredible ways. People with ADHD naturally think out of the box and thrive almost effortlessly in environments that demand creative and dynamic thinking. So, our society and many businesses benefit from the creative superpowers people with ADHD wield.
High Energy - Children with ADHD put the hype in hyper. They have so much energy and carry out a lot of activities that consume most of their day. Many parents can testify that it is not easy to keep up with their hyperactive child, but this high energy has its perks. When channeled right, people (children and adults alike) with ADHD can benefit a lot from it. When they combine hyperfocus and hyperactivity, they are almost invincible. Long after their peers have thrown in the towel, they have so much drive to finish tasks like research, inventions, studying, and much more!
Increased Productivity: A product of high energy and hyperfocus. Adults with ADHD may struggle with low productivity and lack of interest. But in the right environment, they make a 360 switch! The ADHD mind is always working. It is constantly churning, mulling over, and deciphering thoughts, tasks, and activities. It just can not sit still. At first, the ADHD mind can be all over the place. But with proper training, people with ADHD can tap into and harness the vast energy source lying in their minds.
Unique Innovations: Anything the typical brain can do, the ADHD brain can do better. The ADHD brain is just out to break records, push boundaries, and break limits. It can not settle with the status quo; there has to be something to improve or modify. This ADHD trait can lead to unique and brilliant breakthroughs and innovations. Innovation is such a great ADHD strength.
Got ADHD? Do not hold back on channeling your innovative-creative strength. Who knows? You could be the first to create the fountain of youth!