The recent Adderall shortage, a common medication for those diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has not only become a top story across the country but a national punchline. For many, this medication shortage is no joking matter. The heightened awareness for those with ADHD, along with a chance to debunk suspicions and misconceptions, all come as welcome silver linings to this shortage.
So many adult clients I meet with have no idea that (or the extent to which) their ADHD brain has been impacting the way they think, behave and feel––and how they show up in their relationships. I have a keen eye for picking up on the signs. I myself live happily with an ADHD brain which comes with plenty of challenges but mostly joys and gifts. Watching the self awareness light bulb illuminate in my clients, session after session, reinforces how powerful it is to understand one’s own brain and nervous system. Most with an ADHD brain have always felt different but have lived in the dark with little to no understanding of why they haven’t fit the standard mold. The lack of societal- and self-knowledge has only added to what can already feel overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating with this divergent neurology.
Awareness Is Growing
Some are calling Adult ADHD a 21st century epidemic. ADHD diagnoses among adults are growing four times faster than among children in our country. Adult ADHD was once considered a rarity. Now it has become very common. At the population level, the National Comorbidity Study estimated that 4.4% of adults in the United States meet diagnostic criteria.
As clinical psychologist Faye Dixon, PhD, clarifies, “It may not be so much that ADHD itself has increased, but that the diagnosis of it has increased,” Growing awareness is a common theme for the rise in curiosity, diagnosis and treatment of this atypical neurology which is thought to be genetic. Here are some interesting factors behind the increase in Adult ADHD:
1) As more children are being tested and diagnosed with ADHD, parents are discovering they have it too.
2) High-profile cases, celebrities and social media are bringing more attention to Adult ADHD.
3) Increased treatment seeking and greater access to medical care (for some groups) is causing numbers to rise.
4) Habits of modern society play a huge role in the reported increase in Adult ADHD. The extent of technology exposure, rapid tempo and less time outdoors also weigh in on the increase in ADHD diagnoses. These societal shifts exacerbate symptoms for those with the ADHD biologic disposition. One study even showed, through the power of neuroplasticity, that increasing usage of screen-time actually creates more diagnoses with ADHD in preschoolers.
What Is ADHD? How We Think, Behave and Feel
Common signs of ADHD include inattention, inconsistent attention, distractibility, indecisiveness, disorganization, time blindness, behavioral impulsivity, forgetfulness, procrastination, misplacing things and difficulty making transitions. Frequently overlooked signs include rejection sensitivity dysphoria, emotion dysregulation, and hyperfocus.
According to ADDitude Magazine, a resource for children and adults, ADHD is a neurological disorder that impacts the parts of the brain that help us plan, focus on, and execute tasks. ADHD symptoms vary by subtype, that is, inattentive, hyperactive, or combined. Detection is more difficult in girls and adults.
Interest-based Nervous System
A fundamental feature of someone with an ADHD brain is how motivation is derived from interest and intrigue more than priority or “what should be done.” The issue isn’t a deficit of attention, it’s inconsistent attention. Urgency, intrigue and competition can create that interest but it’s intermittent.
William Dodson, MD, author of Secrets of the ADHD Brain set out to find the common, unique feature among those with ADHD, not found with neurotypical people (non-ADHD). He found that “it is the ADHD nervous system, a unique and special creation that regulates attention and emotions in different ways than the nervous system in those without the condition.”
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) and Stimulants
Studies have found that the function and structure of prefrontal cortex (PFC) circuits are weaker within those with ADHD, especially in the right hemisphere. The prefrontal association cortex influences our behavior and emotions, and our ability to regulate attention. The right hemisphere of our brain specializes in behavioral inhibition. This is why stimulant medications are often prescribed for those who are finding their lives significantly impaired by their ADHD. Stimulants reach and counteract some of these weaknesses.
Is ADHD a Blessing or a Curse? Moving Away From the Deficit Model
Most who live with ADHD report that they would never trade it. No doubt, this atypical neurology can come with significant challenges that need to be managed. But what is often overlooked is that an ADHD brain can create a fascinating life with some impressive strengths.
Those with ADHD:
Have higher than average IQs
Can tackle problems others can’t solve
Put their creative intelligence into whatever they do
Are affable, likable people with a sense of humor
Are hardworking, diligent and resilient
Have great conversation skills
Live with Spontaneity
Have Abundant energy
Hyperfocus till they master a problem
With all these positive features which can lead to impressive results, it’s baffling how most view this unique neurology as a disorder. As ADHD specialist, Edward M Hallowell, MD proclaims:
“It is time for those in the mental health game to recognize how damaging the deficit-based model is to patients. It is time to replace it with the strength-based model, which doesn’t deny that ADHD carries potentially life-threatening risks, but also seeks out and identifies the talents, interests, and skills upon which the person can build a life of success and joy.
Attention Surplus High Energy Gift (ASHEG)
Most agree that the name Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder should be renamed. Not only does this name miss the mark of accurately describing this neurological condition (it’s not a lack of attention but more inconsistent attention), but it also depicts a nervous system deficit rather than a nervous system that is not typical or encouraged in a neuro-typical world. Attention Surplus, High Energy Gift is one of my favorite renames.
Harnessing Your Adult ADHD
1.Learn about yourself and ADHD
The first step of making the most of your own neurology is to understand it. Learn about yourself. Go on ADDitudemag and take some assessments. You can share these initial online assessments with a psychologist, psychiatrist and/or professional counselor who specialize in ADHD and offer assessments with greater validity. Speak with a trusted therapist who will help you sort out your diagnosis and dig into the amazing resources that now exist. Chadd.org is a most respected resource.
2. Create Your Owner’s Manual – make friends with structure and boundaries
Likely, you are already implementing strategies without realizing you’ve done so. The more awareness you have about the way you behave, think and feel, this can help inform the areas you need to employ more tools. Some common strategies center around creating structure and boundaries. ADHD folks resist structure but need to make this their best friend. Many work with an accountabilibuddy, friend, coach, professional organizer and/or therapist to help keep to their goals.
Take each challenge that you find gets in the way of your gifts and use what you know is best for you which can mean learning new strategies. Below are a few examples of tools for specific liabilities of an ADHD brain:
a) distractability - Identify the best times of day that support your focus. Find settings that keep you from inattention, like a coffee shop, your office instead of the house. Change it up to keep it interesting. Bring people and systems into your life to help you practice digital minimalism. Keep your phone far from the bedroom overnight. Practice a Sabbath ritual every week that will work for you.
b) procrastination - set a goal for a good habit, like bedtime, and pair up with a buddy, aka accountabilibuddy, personal coach or professional organizer. The shared support and the competition of checking in will keep it more intriguing. Keep your goals bite size.
c) disorganization - Similar to procrastination, tools for organization will tilt toward structure. Hiring a coach or professional organizer for your home, your finances, your creative projects must be accepted as essential and integrated into your life. Many benefit from medication to help offset the weaker aspects of the executive function part of the brain.
d) Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) - This is a common struggle with ADHD neurology which can mean extreme emotional sensitivity and emotional pain, in general––but especially related to rejection or fear of rejection. Your owner’s manual should definitely include tools and support for learning how to regulate your nervous system and intense emotions. Cognitive and somatic-based therapies can help you retrain and take charge of your mind and body.
d) all of your ADHD challenges - good sleep hygiene and self care and reducing your digital time is vital. Get outside and move your body!
3. Enlist Outside Support
As mentioned above, and especially if your ADHD creates a high degree of impairment in your life, I can’t emphasize enough how vital it is to receive outside support. As I mentioned above, support might mean a coach, personal organizer, tutor, bookkeeper, trainer. Please accept the reality of your unique neurology and give this to yourself. You deserve it and the world needs your first exceptional (gifts) to shine lest your second exceptional (the liabilities) will thwart your potential.
4. Consider Medication
Many find that taking a non-stimulant or stimulant medication can help balance out their neurology to be on the playing field with the non-ADHD folks. While some people misuse these medications that can be addicting, when used properly, they can really make a positive difference.
5. Invest In Your Self Worth and Embrace Your Gifts
Many with ADHD walk around with shame. Those who are undiagnosed are more vulnerable to self worth issues. Many have been blamed or criticized for how they operate, how emotional they are, judged for being irresponsible, inconsistent or not trying hard enough. Self awareness is a huge step and can relieve the feeling that you are broken or doing something wrong all the time. These shaming perceptions of oneself are merely an illusion covering the true wholeness that is the true you—now and always.
Learning about self compassion and self worth can pave the way for developing a kinder, more loving relationship with yourself. The Gift of Being Different, by Monica and Abigail Berg, is a great resource for seeing your atypical neurology as a superpower rather than a deficit.
