IT’S TIME WE CHANGE THE WAY WE LOOK AT ADHD!

Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows that I’m not a fan of labels. Ironic, right? As an “ADHD” specialist, it’s a constant struggle for me in finding the right balance in using the “label” ADHD (which is of course necessary for treatment) and neurological difference and diversity, what I refer to as “brain type.”

While I absolutely believe that ADHD is real, I struggle with the term Attention Deficit Disorder, for a number of reasons.

First, I don’t believe that it’s a deficit of attention. What I do believe is that it’s a deficit of regulation of attention. The issue isn’t about paying attention, its about what you pay attention to; its about the inability to regulate where your attention goes.

And the second issue that I have is with the word “disorder”.  “Great news, honey! I’ve been diagnosed with a disorder!” said no one ever! The interesting thing about this brain type is that there are so many instances where having this brain is hardly a disorder! As a matter of fact, quite the contrary. It can be quite resourceful! There are many strengths and gifts associated with ADHD.

In his book ADD: A Different Perception, psychotherapist Thom Hartmann, suggests that ADHD is not a disorder. Early humans were hunters and gatherers. Thom Hartmann theorizes that just as our talents and strengths vary today, some humans were better suited for hunting and gathering than others. Because they were hyper-aware of every stimulus (easily distracted), they were able to constantly monitor their environment. This was necessary for survival!

In his hunter-farmer theory, he also suggests that by immediately reacting to a situation (impulsivity), this allowed the hunter to instantly identify and seize opportunities. Taking time thinking and planning would more likely have left the hunter without food.

In this chart from his book, you can see that what we now define as a “disorder” was actually beneficial.

https://www.thomhartmann.com/articles/2007/11/thom-hartmanns-hunter-and-farmer-approach-addadhd

Yes, I know. It’s true that today we’re no longer “hunting” for our survival. But there certainly are instances where these traits can be viewed as strengths and talents. Isn’t it in the impulsive and distracted mind that ideas, change and creativity are born?

Yes, there is a time and place for this, no doubt. I agree that a lack of regulation of attention definitely has it’s difficulties. But if we can learn to regulate our attention, then perhaps the only thing left is having the gift of this magnificent, and often brilliant brain type!

So how do you learn to regulate your attention? Start with a practice of Mindfulness!

I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch this YouTube video on Neurodiversity. It just might change the way you look at ADHD!

It’s time we see the value in this as well as all other brain types!

You, and only you, are responsible for your life.

Every choice you make creates your reality. We don’t always have control over the situation, but what we can control is how we respond. In each situation, we’re given 3 choices.

1. We can blame others for the pain, the grief or the sorrow that we’re experiencing. We are victim to their behaviors.
2. We can blame ourselves for our own poor choices that led to this pain and suffering. We can become angry with ourselves for making such stupid choices.

The third choice is to just “be”

…be with the experience of the pain, without resistance, without judgment, without wanting it to change. Just allow it to be, knowing that it has it’s purpose in your life. We choose to see this as an opportunity to learn about ourselves.

Yeah, sometimes it sucks. It’s painful. It hurts. But when we choose blame, we choose resistance, we choose avoidance, we lose our power.  And we wait for it to happen again. And it will. It might not look the same, but the lesson that it teaches us is the same.

We can only know it’s purpose when we allow ourselves to experience it, without judgment and without blame. We ask ourselves these questions

• What is the lesson?
• What can I learn about myself in this situation?
• How can I use this to move forward?

We listen. We learn. We grow.

There is the power!