ADHD

Some thoughts on neuro-diversity

As you might have seen from my picture, I wear glasses. This is because the shape of my eyes predisposes me to blurry vision – like a lot of people, I developed myopia (shortsightedness) in my pre-teen years. I was born like this. I have a friend who didn’t develop myopia but Diabetes type 1 as a child – most probably also due to a genetic predisposition. What my diabetic friend and I have in common is that our organism has a particular genetic coding that leads to a different manifestation of the human experience, in this case with myopia or diabetes 1. According to some descriptions, we are atypical. Atypical simply means different – yes, it’s true the vast majority of people don’t wear glasses or haven’t got type 1 diabetes, so my diabetic friend and I are atypical. I like this word, very much – I find it very neutral and very factual. It hints somehow at our human uniqueness – and, psychologically, that’s a good starting point, in my view.

Amongst the atypical families, a particular group has received increasing attention over the past 10-20 years, and for all the right reasons. I am referring to those people whose brain processes information coming from the external world and arising from inside in an “atypical” way. They are neuro-diverse, that is to say their brain works differently to what is known as the “typical” way – this does not mean incorrectly, mind you, just differently. This is the way they were born – or at least with this very strong genetic predisposition. The family of neuro-diversity includes people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. Some people include in the family also cognitive functioning difficulties or executive dysfunction, dysgraphia, misophonia, slow processing speed, stammering, and Tourette’s syndrome (sometimes also other presentations). What really matters is that, over the past two decades, awareness about neuro-diversity has increased and that’s wonderful news for all the atypical/neuro-diverse individuals. For decades neuro-diverse individuals struggled in a world that didn’t fully acknowledge their existence, neglected their needs and often described them in offensive ways. Now, they finally have the possibility of making sense of their experience in a healthy and accepting way. Things are still not that easy. Neuro-diverse individuals need support in integrating their experience and being prepared to face the challenges that are still existing at cultural-societal level.

ADHD

While reading on neurodiversity, I got particularly drawn to ADHD also because of experiences in my personal life. Over time, I’ve expanded my knowledge and experience on ADHD not only with courses (see here) and extensive reading but, most of all, by working with individuals with ADHD. Learning about their struggles and the extraordinarily creative ways they sometimes had to adopt to overcome their challenges has been an incredible source of inspiration.

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that affects how individuals focus, manage their energy, and control impulses. People with ADHD often struggle to maintain attention on tasks, which can lead to challenges in school, work, and everyday life. They may find themselves easily distracted by external stimuli or even their own thoughts. Additionally, hyperactivity is a common trait, where individuals may feel restless and have difficulty sitting still. This can manifest as fidgeting or moving around frequently.

Impulsivity is another key aspect of ADHD and, I would say, probably the most insidious. Individuals may act quickly without considering the consequences, which can lead to interruptions in conversations or hasty decision-making. ADHD presents differently in each person not only because some may primarily have issues with attention, while others may exhibit more hyperactivity or impulsivity. In my view, ADHD also combines with the temperament and/or personality type of each individual and these two aspects influence each other considerably. Even if it is possible to see common traits amongst people with ADHD, the actual final “mix” will be absolutely unique to each individual.

ADHD is not just a childhood disorder; many adults also experience its effects, often without realizing they have it. This is particularly true for people over 30-40 today. ADHD was not fully acknowledged in the past and a lot of adults with ADHD struggled through most of their lives not knowing why – they were undiagnosed. Several times now I have had people with ADHD in my office, but THEY didn’t know they had it. Once I sensed that ADHD was in the room with us, I suggested a referral to a specialist for a diagnosis. Recognizing ADHD can be a crucial first step toward managing it effectively.

Psychotherapy plays a significant role in helping those with ADHD. In therapy together, we’ll support you in gaining a better understanding of your condition, which can foster self-acceptance and reduce feelings of frustration. Together we can also explore practical strategies for organization, time management, and minimizing distractions, which might help you in navigating daily challenges.

Most importantly, our therapy together will offer you emotional support, allowing you to express feelings of anxiety or low self-esteem that may accompany ADHD. We can address negative thought patterns and support you in improved decision-making and impulse control.

If you are taking ADHD medication and are under the care of a psychiatrist specialised in ADHD, I will be very happy to liaise with them.