ADHD Explained in One Sentence

How do you summarize the broad spectrum of symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Is it possible to capture such a complex, situational, gene-driven diagnosis in a few words?  How could anyone succinctly condense this neurodevelopmental disorder, which looks different in every person and can impact every area of life?

A Short Explanation of Adult ADHD

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is complex.  And it’s difficult to explain to others.  Is there a way to capture the wholeness,  or the holistic nature of this neurodevelopmental disorder with its potential gifts and challenges?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder which involves three different traits:

1. Problems with attention. Not necessarily inattention.  Or tuning out.  It can be hyper-focussing. And on the wrong things.  Our attention can be just as good as anyone else’s.  It’s jut not necessarily in our control. It’s all over the place.
2. Hyperactivity.  Restlessness in adults.  A feeling of being driven.  Like managing focus, it is a problem of managing things.
3. Impulsivity.  Examples: blurting things out, interrupting, being impatient.

It seems to be more women who have ADD and men who have ADHD.   People with ADD have problems with attention without the feeling of being driven.  Men seem to be more driven.  This may actually just be socialization.  There are arguments either way.

The Impact of ADHD

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How does inattention impact my life?  Distractions and intruding thoughts mean I tune out.  I will not be listening.  And you be able to tell.  How is that going to affect my marriage?. What will be the affect on my parenting?.  Or, what’s the impact on my career, you could ask?  All things that are affected by having ADHD.

In certain situations, ADHD can become a strength. Or a potential strength.  It can even be a skill set that can be honed and developed.  That means that in certain careers, such as emergency responders, or the military, or show business, or stock traders, we can be incredibly powerful because we can hyper focus.

We apologize a lot, and for good reason. A lifetime of negative feedback.  It’s estimated that a child with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD receives 20,000 more negative messages than their peers do.  Messages like: “stop it”, “don’t”, “what’s wrong with you?”.

Bear in mind that not all of this applies to everyone. As I said, ADHD is complex!

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