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Author: Gill Jackson- Qualified therapist and ADHD Coach
First published: November 2024
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults. It is characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can significantly impact various aspects of an individual's life. People with ADHD may struggle with organising tasks, maintaining focus, and controlling their impulses, leading to difficulties in academic, professional, and social settings.
Living with ADHD can be challenging, as the symptoms can vary in severity and may present differently in each person. While some individuals with ADHD may excel in certain areas due to their hyperfocus abilities, they may struggle with tasks that require sustained attention or organisation. This inconsistency can be frustrating for both the individual with ADHD and those around them, as it can be difficult to understand and manage.
Furthermore, there are several misconceptions and stigmas surrounding ADHD, which can further complicate the experience of individuals living with the condition. It is essential to raise awareness and promote understanding of ADHD to provide better support and resources for those affected. Keep reading below to discover 5 secrets about ADHD that you need to know.
Secret One: The term ADHD makes no sense
Many individuals with ADHD find themselves grappling with the label of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder due to the limitations it imposes on their perception of themselves. The term "disorder" suggests a negative connotation, implying a sense of brokenness or inadequacy. However, for many with ADHD, this is not an accurate reflection of their reality. Instead, they often highlight the positive aspects that come with their neurodiversity.
ADHD is not a signal of a flawed nervous system; rather, it signifies a nervous system that operates differently, with its own unique strengths and challenges. Those with ADHD often possess exceptional creativity, hyperfocus abilities, and out-of-the-box thinking that can be advantageous in so many areas of life. By reframing ADHD as a different way of processing information and interacting with the world, individuals can embrace their neurodiversity without feeling burdened by the stigma associated with the term "disorder."
Empowering individuals with ADHD to recognise and leverage their strengths can lead to increased self-acceptance and improved mental well-being. By acknowledging the diverse ways in which their brains can function, we can foster a more inclusive and understanding society that values neurodiversity as a source of richness and innovation.
Equally individuals with ADHD do not lack attention as the term Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder implies; on the contrary, they pay too much attention to everything. Individuals with ADHD often have multiple thoughts running through their minds simultaneously. They can hyperfocus for extended periods, sometimes neglecting basic needs like eating, drinking, or using the bathroom. The hallmark of the ADHD nervous system is not attention deficit, but inconsistent attention.
Secret Two: People with ADHD have higher than average IQ
Despite ADHD’s association with learning disabilities, most people with ADHD actually have significantly higher than average IQs. They also use that higher IQ in different ways than neurotypical people. By the time most people with the condition reach high school, they are able to tackle problems that stump everyone else, and can jump to solutions that no one else saw. Individuals with ADHD often exhibit remarkable creativity and out-of-the-box thinking due to their unique cognitive processes. Their brains are wired in a way that allows them to see connections and possibilities that may elude others. This unconventional thinking style enables them to approach challenges from unconventional angles, leading to innovative solutions that can surprise even the most seasoned problem-solvers.
Moreover, the hyperfocus characteristic of ADHD can result in a deep dive into subjects of interest, fostering a level of expertise that surpasses that of their peers. This intense focus can lead to a profound understanding of complex topics and a mastery of skills that others may find challenging. As a result, individuals with ADHD may excel in certain areas where their high IQ and intense concentration converge to produce exceptional results. In essence, while ADHD is often associated with learning challenges, it is crucial to recognise the cognitive strengths and unique abilities that individuals with this condition possess. Their intellectual prowess, coupled with their distinctive approach to problem-solving, can lead to extraordinary achievements and contributions in various fields.
Secret Three: Most people with ADHD also have comorbidities
Comorbidities are one or more disorders that are present along with the primary disorder of ADHD. A comorbidity may be independent of ADHD or it may be related. The presence of comorbidities can affect the presentation of ADHD symptoms and can sometimes even mask the presence of ADHD.
Commonly, individuals may experience a range of coexisting conditions that can impact their daily lives and well-being. Among these conditions are Anxiety, Depression, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Rejection Sensitivity Disorder.
Anxiety is characterised by feelings of worry, fear, and unease that can be debilitating for those affected. Depression, on the other hand, involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behaviour. Sensory Processing Disorder can lead to difficulties in processing sensory information, resulting in heightened or reduced sensitivity to stimuli. Rejection Sensitivity Disorder involves an intense fear of rejection and a heightened sensitivity to perceived criticism or disapproval.
Managing these coexisting conditions can be challenging, requiring a comprehensive approach that may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and support from healthcare professionals and loved ones. By addressing each condition individually and developing personalized strategies for coping and treatment, individuals can work towards improving their overall well-being and quality of life.
Additionally, the comorbidities could also include a huge range of other conditions such as learning difficulties (e.g. dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia) , obsessive-compulsive disorder, personality disorders, gut health issues, sleep disorders, eating disorders, Tourettes syndrome, epilepsy, and asthma.
Secret Four: Most adults and most girls/women have internalised hyperactivity
Most girls/women and adults with ADHD don't look how we might expect someone to look when they have ADHD. They aren't necessarily running around, unable to sit still, fidgeting constantly, interrupting conversations, and without a sense of danger. Instead many females and adults are just as hyperactive but it is all in their heads (often referred to as being inattentive).
I have heard of this being likened to a group of squirrels hyped up on caffeine running around and causing havoc in the brain! Which is a great analogy. Adults and females (and of course some boys too) with ADHD are likely to have multiple streams of thought running through their head simultaneously, their inner narrator talking over it all and meanwhile, there's at least one song playing in the background.
Rather than running around and fidgeting it is likely that adults and girls with ADHD will experience common symptoms of inattentiveness such as;
having a short attention span and being easily distracted
making careless mistakes
appearing forgetful or losing things
being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
constantly changing activity or task
having difficulty organising tasks
Why does this happen? As we age we learn to adapt and change our behaviour and do what's called masking- where we mask (or hide) our ADHD symptoms. Most adults with ADHD have learnt to do this in social and work settings in particular because of societies expectations for them to behave in certain ways. Girls are particularly good at doing this much earlier as they often feel societies pressures before their male class mates do. This does however mean that ADHD in girls is often missed and can therefore go undiagnosed. A significant body of research shows that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or stress before a ADHD diagnosis is made.
Secret Five: People with ADHD lose all symptoms a few times a day
People with ADHD lose all their symptoms such as executive dysfunction and get into "the zone" 3-5 times a day on average, this can be very vexing and difficult for both the person with ADHD and those around them to understand. They primarily get in the zone by being interested in, or intrigued by, what they are doing. Judgmental Friends and family sometimes misjudge this and view it as being unreliable or self-serving. When they say, “You can do the things you like,” they are actually describing ADHD perfectly!
ADHD individuals also get in the zone when they are challenged or thrown into a competitive environment. Sometimes a new or novel task attracts their attention. Novelty is short-lived, though, and everything gets old after a while.
Most people with ADHD can engage in tasks and access their abilities when the task is urgent — a do-or-die deadline, for instance. This is why procrastination is almost universal in people with ADHD. They want to get their work done, but they can’t get started until the task becomes interesting, challenging, or urgent.
Author: Gill Jackson (Gill Jackson Therapeutic Counselling) BA Hons Counselling, MA, Diploma in Couples and Family Therapy, Diploma in EFT, Assoc. CIPD, SMACCPH
Bio: I am a Therapeutic Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Accredited Mentor and Trainer and ADHD Coach in private practice in the UK, qualified since 2007. Working with adults and young adults. I specialise in Anxiety Disorders and Depression and I have a keen interest in Neurodivergence.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gilljacksontherapy
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gilljacksoncounselling
This article is not intended as a replacement for medical advice, if you are suffering from any physical or mental ill health please seek advice of your Doctor where necessary.
Images used with permission from Wix and Unsplashed.
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