What is ADHD? Your Ultimate 7-Part Beginner's Guide
Have you been wondering what is ADHD?
Are you an adult who’s recently been diagnosed?
Alternatively, have you just begun learning about the condition and have a sneaking suspicion it it might explain a few things?
(Like, why you keep losing your keys?)
Well pull up a yoga ball, my friend.
I’m about to give you the low down on just what is this thing called ADHD.
ADHD Definition
ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a highly genetic, neurodevelopmental condition.
It fundamentally affects the way we focus, prioritize, control impulses, and regulate emotions.
In other words, it’s not about trying harder.
Whoever told you that probably didn’t know any better, which is why I want to set the record straight.
It is true that ADHD affects how our brains regulate attention.
Yet, it's not as simple as the prolific squirrel analogies you may have seen floating around social media.
(Side note: my young sons literally say this whenever they see one, without any prompting. Kinda crazy.)
Symptoms of ADHD
(inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation)
There are common symptoms that accompany this condition, although they can show up differently from one person to the next.
This is especially true for girls, women, or predominantly inattentive people.
Inattention
Inattention on its face isn’t really an accurate term.
(Heaven knows we’re paying attention to something; it just may not be what societal norms dictate.)
In reality it’s that we can’t consistently control what we are noticing or interested in.
Put me on a cafeteria duty, for instance.
Is anyone else talking at the same time as my faint-voiced kindergartner friend?
She's telling me about the amusement park she visited last weekend.
As much as I want to listen to hear story, my mind goes a-wanderin.'
There it goes off into the wild blue yonder, eavesdropping on other people’s conversations.
Not intentionally of course. And definitely not because I don’t care about the student or her trip.
It's simply because of the other people talking so loudly, as well as being distracted by the sweat dripping down my back.
And the five million other things I'm trying to remember to do before first period.
Okay, and maybe also because I detest amusement parks. I’m sorry, but why do people even go to those?
I’m hoping our kids somehow avoid learning that they exist. I’ll count my blessings until they do.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity can show up as not being able to sit still, or talking continuously, quickly, a mile a minute.
Not letting others get a word in.
Or it could be a bouncing leg, or always shifting in one’s seat.
Some people behave as if they are run by a motor!
It can also present internally as racing thoughts, or the feeling of having a million ideas running through your head all at once.
If I had to pick one of my most characteristic symptoms, I’d say it’s this one.
What about you?
Impulsivity
Impulsivity presents as not being able to reliably use mental brakes to avoid doing a certain action.
An example might be if you’ve ever grabbed a stale mini cupcake from the teacher’s lounge just because it was there.
Did you really want it? No.
But dopamine will take what it can get.
Or if you mistakenly mention difficulties you've had interacting with a certain parent to another teacher…
Right before you realize that not only are they neighbors, they are actually quite close.
Or if you decided one day to quit your job and move across the country with no cash, no plan, no nothing.
It might work out like you planned. (Or not as the case may be.)
I’m rooting for you though!
Emotional Dysregulation
In recent years there has been increased acknowledgment of the emotional turmoil ADHD creates.
This is two-fold.
First, let's say you're late-diagnosed (including self-diagnosed).
You may have decades of not knowing why you feel the way you do.
Of feeling misunderstood and alone.
That is highly traumatic especially when it goes on for so long.
You may experience intense shame about not keeping up with grading, or the required pre-service reading.
Or why planning a whole year at-a-glance curriculum feels about as easy as hopping up Mount Everest on one foot.
The second part is that ADHD is a brain-based condition that shapes how we interact with the world and those around us.
ADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) often go hand in hand.
RSD plays an important role here.
You may always strive to arrive punctually; but having ADHD means that time is wonky.
It passes so quickly at times, and is impossible to predict.
For example, my morning routine is really heavy for me right now, and it feels challenging no matter how many times I plan it and time parts of it.
I’m still running late no matter how early I wake up.
Does that resonate with you?
If someone then criticizes you about your timeliness, it will likely hit harder and sting longer than it would for a neurotypical person.
And then comes the unhelpful barrage of comments about being ‘too sensitive,’ when in reality it is very understandable why you feel like you do.
Take it from me… I know!
ADHD Types
There are three main subtypes of ADHD that you may have heard of: predominantly hyperactive, predominantly inattentive, and a combination of the two.
It is my impression that the vast majority of late-diagnosed people tend to be more on the inattentive or combination side, but not always.
How about you?
Symptom Variance
That said, ADHD varies from person to person.
A predominantly hyperactive person likely experiences many of the same inner struggles as the other subtypes.
Symptoms also show up quite differently for girls and women.
For women, because of our socialization and high masking skills, we often end up internalizing our struggles.
This turns into anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other issues.
Again, ask me how I know?
The main difference of course is the frequency with which someone is diagnosed.
It is easier to notice the child who interrupts, blurts out, and constantly runs instead of walks.
The quiet kid in the back? Easier to overlook, right?
Plus they can be rule followers and that honestly makes your job easier. I get it!
Brain-Based Condition
If you’re new to learning about ADHD, you may not know how extensively it’s been researched and studied.
You may have heard misinformation about how it's made up.
How really it's a lack of discipline and healthy parenting.
Well, it's just not the case.
ADHD has been studied, along with treatments, more than any other condition for over one hundred years.
So there is physical, scientific evidence showing how it affects brain development.
That realization hopefully makes you feel better?
In other words, it’s not your imagination or that you are you making stuff up.
You’re not overreacting and you have the absolute right to feel like you do without being blamed or shamed for it.
Diagnosis
There are avenues to seeking a diagnosis from a doctor, which is usually a valuable step in treatment.
Also in order to maintain medication, you will likely need that.
However, it's not always realistic for someone to receive this is a timely and cost-effective manner.
Further, not everyone can afford it, and not everyone has access to insurance.
For those reasons I think that self-diagnosis is equally valid, especially in this context.
Working with an expert, however, can bring necessary insight as to how the ADHD is either causing or resulting from other co-occurring conditions.
This can inform treatment in important ways.
For more information about diagnosis and treatment, visit CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) at chadd.org
Treatment
The good news with ADHD is that it is generally speaking highly treatable.
We live in a time where there is a great variety of stimulants and non-stimulant medications to learn about.
Is it as simple as taking a pill?
Yes and no.
The medicine is critical for many people, and for good reason.
It’s often compared to the need for prescription lenses.
Would you not need to wear those on the weekend or during summer break?
No, right?
But is it enough? No. I mean, there are behavioral tools to learn about as well.
It is a chronic condition, and it’s better to support yourself with regards to managing it, than to ignore it or try to always work harder.
Incredible Strengths and Talents
Is that all there is to ADHD? No, that is really just skimming the surface.
ADHDers tend to be some of the most brilliantly creative, innovative, humorous, empathetic people around.
Let’s talk about our strengths for a second. (brushes shoulders)
If you’re ADHD like me, you are likely a complex combination of extreme talent in some areas, and an utter, hot mess in others.
In trying to support our executive functioning deficits, it’s so easy to glaze over and miss our gifts.
What are those things that you do really well?
Please don’t give me excuses. I know you’ve got some!
It's just that with time, we have learned to not value those natural talents as high.
I'm the first person to admit to this.
For example, I am an excellent musician. I can remember a tune after the first time I hear it.
I can subdivide beats and improvise rhythmic patterns in my sleep.
As a teacher, I excelled in organizing and directing musicals.
I was gifted at noticing students’ musical gifts as well.
But why focus on my ease with these things, when I can feel terrible about my doom piles?
(Piles of paper, if you're not aware.)
A lot of us ADHD'ers make sensational artists, athletes, writers, musicians, creators, empaths, healers, and more.
We can make exceptional entrepreneurs.
It's that we need the structures and external accountability to execute our plans.
Going Forward
So that is a basic rundown of what is ADHD and how it can show up.
Next I will go into some of the basics of autism.
Let Me Know
If this post resonates with you, please let me know in the comments!
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