ADHD Superpowers? You bet.

How to view ADHD symptoms in a different light

ADHD is often defined by what society in general views as shortcomings. For example, an ADHD brain required to stay focused and engaged in online learning or work environments for hours at a time can disengage and appear to lose focus. Which can come across as acting in opposition to the requirements of the environment or being disruptive.

Granted, even neurotypical brains struggle in this landscape but considering the ADHD brain thrives in stimulating environments, the challenge to stay focused may be greater. But these external observations and conclusions miss the mark and can lead to misinformed and unflattering conclusions!

Let’s look beneath the surface to see what’s happening in these instances and then highlight an advantage, or superpower if you will, that individuals with ADHD can leverage.

1. ADHD brains are considered “dopamine deficient” so the brain seeks out and attempts to access stimuli which will produce adequate amounts of dopamine. It’s an unconscious process that may appear disruptive and non-productive (e.g., switching tasks, moving out of the seat, or choosing stimulation that can be easily controlled and changed).

But individuals with ADHD are not disruptive because they want to be. Instead, they are utilizing the available resources to search for stimuli that generate adequate amounts of dopamine for their brain. That is not disruptive, that is adaptive! That is the brain doing exactly what it needs to do in that moment to regulate its neurochemicals.

2. Further, ADHD behaviors are often classified by the diagnostic name “attention deficit”. However, ADHD brains are not lacking in attention at all! Instead, they could instead be considered “priority deficient”. In the hunt for optimal stimulation and regulated dopamine, ADHD brains are driven by internal desire rather than external demand. Priorities get a little askew sometimes. However, the ability to engage and stay focused (hyper-focused even) is very much present, as long as the task is internally pleasurable.

3. Once engaged, the ADHD brain can become involved in a rich web of divergent thinking and creative problem solving. Holly White writes in Scientific American on The Creativity of ADHD that the “…three aspects of creative cognition are divergent thinking, conceptual expansion and overcoming knowledge constraints.”

White continues. “Divergent thinking, or the ability to think of many ideas from a single starting point, is a critical part of creative thinking. Previous research has established that individuals with ADHD are exceptionally good at divergent thinking tasks, such as inventing creative new uses for everyday objects, for example brainstorming new features for an innovative cell phone device. ”

Wow! Now that is a superpower!

Disclaimer: My hope in sharing is not to diminish the debilitating impact symptoms of ADHD can have on a life or convey that ADHD is a gift or something to wish for. Instead, I hope to offer a new way of viewing the challenging symptoms of ADHD, taking a more adaptation-focused view of ADHD neurological processes. My hope is to offer an empowering view on ADHD symptoms. If you are struggling to manage your symptoms of ADHD please reach out to a counselor for support.