Like Autism, ADHD is best described today as a neurotype – a type of neurology, a way in which the brain works. However, unlike autism, ADHD is traditionally treated with medication.
In recent years, we have begun to describe three types of ADHD; The hyperactive and impulsive, the Inattentive (formerly called ADD), and the combined type.
True for all three, is that dopamine and norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline) work differently in their brains than in neurotypical people. ADHD’ers have less of these neurotransmitters in their brains, which we believe play a role in the symptoms often seen in ADHD – and of course, the underlying experience of being ADHD.
Common symptoms, as listed by the NHS.uk website are;
Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
The main signs of inattentiveness are:
- having a short attention span and being easily distracted
- making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
- appearing forgetful or losing things
- being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
- appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
- constantly changing activity or task
- having difficulty organising tasks
Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:
- being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
- constantly fidgeting
- being unable to concentrate on tasks
- excessive physical movement
- excessive talking
- being unable to wait their turn
- acting without thinking
- interrupting conversations
- little or no sense of danger
What is it like to be an ADHD’er?
Importantly, as with all other diagnoses, it should be noted that symptoms are descriptions often based on the experience of the environment – parents, teachers, friends – rather than the struggles the person themselves experience. The internal experience of ADHD can be vastly different from what other people see.
For example, many ADHD’ers experience:
- Crippling self-doubt, often caused by having grown up with constant corrections. This can lead to a separate anxiety condition.
- Altered time perception. Often experiencing difficulties in tracking time mentally or innately, getting lost in time. Also called Time Blindness.
- Related to the former point, is procrastination. However, this also ties into several other ADHD experiences, such as low self-esteem and worrying that they can’t do the task well anyway, so they put it off. However, once they get started, hyperfocus often steps in, and they may get the task done in record time.
- Social challenges due to differences in socializing style. Often, ADHD’ers feel that they always say the wrong thing or too much when socializing, and they may experience bullying or exclusion because others misunderstand them.
- Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, in which the person reflexively interprets any criticism as a personal one, for example internalizing “You left the cupboard open” as “You’re a bad person”, or “You’re a failure”. This can cause panic attacks or meltdowns, because the perceived message is so unbearable.
- Related to the former point is Emotional Dysregulation. The ADHD’er doesn’t recognize their emotions as they are climbing, and may suddenly ‘go off’, even surprising themselves. There will often be feelings of embarrassment or shame tied to these outbursts.
- Mental exhaustion. The mind of an ADHD’er in running at 200% all the time. There are no breaks, and since sleep quality and duration are often impacted, too, rest and recovery are nowhere in sight. Because of this, ADHD’ers tend to live with a constant mental exhaustion that feels unbearable and unconquerable.
What should I do if I think I am An ADHD’er, or someone I know may be?
Most people considering whether they are ADHD begin with self-diagnosis. What you can do on your own, is to research beneficial strategies for ADHD people and try to find those which will work for you. We suggest using neurodiversity-affirming sources, such as ADHD advocates – of which there are many.
You may consider whether an official diagnosis is worth it or not. Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple answer. An official diagnosis can be a route to government assistance and access to medication, but in some countries, it may also hinder access to certain educations or career paths. Some of the cons include that official testing can be expensive and hard to access. Furthermore, many professionals who do official tests aren’t necessarily experts in ADHD, which is not ideal. Lastly, the tests designed for ADHD were designed based on a very specific sample, which means there are many groups – and symptoms – that a strict testing does not account for, which would mean the test may not be valid if conducted by someone who is not specialized in ADHD.
On the positive side, professionals with expertise in various neurodivergences have the training to disentangle traits and characteristics in order to do differential diagnosis. That is, a professional must always consider whether a number of other diagnoses better explain the symptoms described, and indeed, if several diagnoses are perhaps appropriate. (For example, if there is co-occurring anxiety, depression, signs of PTSD, or something else entirely.) This is something that the average person may overlook in their personal exploration, which may make it more difficult to identify or access appropriate supports. This, of course, comes down to finding the right professional.
When it comes to ADHD, it must also be mentioned that without an official diagnosis, you will not have access to medication, which can be a great help – though not for everyone. Medication is always a matter of finding balance between the desired effects and side-effects, and since everyone reacts differently to medication, it is always best to be in contact with a trusted professional regarding the type of medication as well as the dosage.
Frequently used medications for ADHD are: lisdexamfetamine (often Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (often Ritalin). They work slightly differently, but there are indications that lisdexamfetamine may be more effective. It is important to talk through your options with a qualified professional, and to monitor any side effects carefully.
Our best advice will be to consider your own situation, what you might want the diagnosis for, and whether you have access to a professional whose judgment you trust. Naturally, we also suggest using Energy Accounting as a way to explore your own support needs as well as your strengths and finding ways to improve your quality of life.