Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is something I see regularly in both children and adults as a child and adolescent psychiatrist. ADHD is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental disorders though I don’t necessarily consider it a “disorder” in the most common sense of the word.
What is Adult ADHD?
Adult ADHD is a context-dependent difference in how attention is allocated. Put simply, adults with ADHD have trouble paying attention to things they find boring and are exceptionally good at paying attention to things they find interesting. They are attuned to novelty and are very good at tasks that require hyper-focus, zooming in on one particularly interesting thing often to the exclusion of other input from their surroundings.
Adult ADHD has a prevalence in the population of around 10% and, genetically speaking, anything that provides a 10% prevalence can’t be all that bad for the species.
Looked at through the lens of human evolution, having a few distractible hunters around in tribes on the Serengeti yielded extra gazelles for dinner. While most individuals would be looking ahead at the main hunt, having some outliers darting about looking for any gazelles in hiding meant everyone ate more.
In the context of having to sit in school—or worse, paying attention on Zoom—the same ability to look for interesting things becomes a disability in that adults with ADHD find all of the material being presented to be boring.
We can better understand Adult ADHD when we learn that the experience of ADHD is varied and often adaptable to different circumstances and consequences.
Misunderstood Characteristics of Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD can often feel like anxiety for people with ADHD, particularly when their energy levels are low, their attention spans are strained, and their environments are disorganized.
I will often ask my patients if they feel anxious coming home at the end of the day and if so, does it have to do with things like cluttered surfaces or a messy coffee table? My patients with ADHD will say, “Of course! I have to clean it off entirely.” The chaos on the coffee table is a reflection of the chaos in the person’s mind and the disorganization causes distress and agitation.
What makes Adult ADHD different from a generalized anxiety disorder is that it’s the clutter, chaos, and disorganization that gets in the way of focusing and not worrying about thoughts intruding on their minds.
Adults with ADHD should feel empowered to seek support when and where they can. What many may describe as a hindrance or a “disorder” can actually be a mark of uniqueness and dedication when fostered alongside the right support system. Today, and always, we reject stigma and embrace the pursuit of living our best lives.
