Blog post #1 -
How can I have ADHD?
I can focus…Well, Sometimes…
Could the name - ADHD- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” be a reason why people do not get a proper diagnosis?
Is there really a deficit of attention?
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Juliette recently learned this about her 9 year old son Dylan and about herself as well.
Dylan, who is an avid reader, obsessed with history and how things work has so much difficulty completing his work in class and homework is an even greater struggle. In class, his teacher reports that he is fully engaged in class lessons, but when it comes to independent work, there is nothing on the paper. This has been the story since kindergarten and teachers have suggested that his mother, Juliette, speak to the pediatrician about it. She knows what they are implying…. ADHD. She can’t believe this is possible. He has no trouble focusing on books and how things work.
Juliette feels the same way in her life. She loves and thrives in her job as a software developer. Other things such as managing a home with all that is involved are very, very difficult and always have been. Juliette is exhausted. She often wonders why some parts of her life can be so easy, like play, and something such as cooking, that is so easy for others and impossible for her. Maybe she has ADHD too?
To Juliette and the surprise of others, people with ADHD can focus and in some areas can focus VERY WELL. Just the term ADHD itself is very misleading.
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Let’s break it down…
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
“Attention deficit” -
Common thought - People with ADHD cannot pay attention.
When I present to parents and teachers about ADHD, I often get the following reaction…
“My **Person** cannot have ADHD.
They have no trouble paying attention to **Activity**.”
(Fill in the “ person” blank with…husband, wife, kid, student)
( Fill in the “activity” blank with…Tic Tok, Youtube, video games, sports, math (or other subject area etc.), home improvement, writing, etc.)
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Well both are true…
They can pay attention to certain things REALLY, REALLY WELL…but not to other things and still have ADHD. (More on hyperfocus in a future blog.) In fact, this is how it is for people with ADHD. Russell Barkley calls ADHD an “Intention Disorder.” because
“ADDers know what to do”.
“ They can’t do what they know.”
They cannot regulate their attention due to a biological difference in their brains compared to their neurotypical peers. “ADHD brains are naturally low on dopamine and norepinephrine, which control brain arousal and attention levels. “, according to Susan Lasky, M.A., BCC, SCAC and regular contributor to ADDitude magazine. This results in a big discrepancy between being able to accomplish activities that are in their strengths and other activities.
For both Juliette and Dylan, some activities are done with ease, while other activities that they believe should be easy and are so easy for others, seems like torture.
Learning that ADHD is not a deficit of attention, but rather being able to regulate attention was the missing piece of the puzzle that Juliette needed to make sense of why Dylan had such difficulty getting work done when he was so strong in so many areas. Shortly after that he received an ADHD diagnosis and began to get the help he needed.
As for Juliette, so much finally made sense in her life as well.
With a name that begins with the words “Attention Deficit” it is no wonder why so many people do not understand ADHD and are suffering without getting the help they need.
…as for the “Hyperactivity” component…well that is a problem too. Read more about that in Blog #3.
And as always….Be kind to yourself!!
