• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (commonly referred to as ADD or ADHD) is not a deficit of attention issue – the real issue is self-regulation which includes attention, emotions, and motor movement as key factors.
  • ADHD is a neurobiological medical condition which means it affects the functioning of the nervous system and brain. It is as real as high blood pressure or diabetes.
  • ADHD is more complex than what’s obvious in the behaviours of hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsiveness.
  • A new model which applies to children, adolescents and adults to conceptualise and better understand ADHD has developed from the latest research. It is primarily focussed upon cognitive impairments linked to complex operations of the brain – rather than on disruptive behaviours.
  • Many adults are not aware of their ADHD/ADHD-like symptoms and of its impact on their lives as it seem “normal” to them.
  • Having an ADHD nervous system, ADDers experience from an early age that they might as well have been born on another planet.
  • Aware that they have strong abilities, huge challenges in being unable to utilise and express it often suppress this inner knowing, since other everyday tasks are difficult and draining to perform.
  • Frustration and overwhelm accompany the fact that everyday demands are experienced as major challenges and may easily cause ADDers to belief that “there is something wrong with me”
  • By focussing on trying to fix what’s “wrong”, the existence and power of their innate strengths get disregarded as it seems to be “too easy to do”.
  • ADHD symptoms can become more prevalent in adolescents and young adults, prevailing long into adulthood, when demands for self management and more complex learning and output increase with which the impairments in the brain’s executive functions, interfere.
  • For simplification, imagine the ADHD brain as being like a Ferrari engine with bicycle brakes – managing its challenges is all about strengthening these brakes.
  • Every person’s ADHD/ADD manifestation varies, even between tasks and situations and with age.
  • Your ADHD is unique to you. There is not a one-size fits all solution to deal with ADHD. You have to find out what is working for YOU.
  • Although it might feel unnatural at first, an individual with ADHD will greatly benefit from creating a daily structure and learning to stick to it.
  • Interest and having fun are key needs of the novelty seeking ADHD brain in order to be able to pay attention and sustain focus. Starting your day with interesting and fun activities activates the ADHD brain!
  • With proper and holistic individual treatment, ADHD symptoms can be tamed, not cured.
  • ADHD medication can be compared to wearing eye glasses which may improve or even normalise vision, however it does not fix the eyes’ problem.
  • Studies revealed that children and adults with ADHD are more likely to have one or more additional psychiatric and/or learning disorders at some time in their lives.
  • ADHD/ADD is not a weakness of character and isn’t an issue with intelligence or laziness or any other negative labels you might have internalized or heard of over the years.
  • ADHD behaviours and symptoms are not a matter of choice but are rather the cause of ADHD brain wiring.
  • Adequate understanding, support and acknowledgement of potential brilliance are needed to prevent the devastating impact ADHD can have in all areas of the individual’s life and relationships.
  • You can move forward and succeed despite your ADHD, perhaps even because of your ADHD when functioning from the right context.
  • People who are able to deal most successfully with ADD/ADHD are those who use a multi-treatment plan combining education, medication, and such things as coaching

The unique wiring of the ADHD brain shows up in

the paradox of ADHD, namely:

  • Both weaknesses, as well as natural strengths and talents, are more intensely experienced.
  • In areas and situations which hold high personal interest, the ADDer has no problem to focus, can sustain focus and engage intensely.

This paradox presents a major reason for the ignorance and prejudice frequently associated with ADHD.

 

 

Do you perhaps have ADHD
OR
are you just too busy?

Time-crunched, overextended and over committed in an overly busy culture, we all wrestle with ADHD-like traits at some points in time, but the impact is constant and magnified for the ADHD brain, which is naturally prone for distraction.

 

In what ways are you keeping yourself from living your best life?