Exploring the Definition of ADHD: What You Need to Know

Let’s explore how psychology defines ADHD and then compare it to how I would describe it to someone who has no idea what it is.

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (formerly known as ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both adults and children. It is usually characterized by a combination of symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. However, it is possible for only one of the symptoms to occur without the others. ADHD is a complex disorder that can have a significant impact on a person’s life, however, better understanding it makes it more likely for you to be able to cope and find workarounds for your day-to-day activities. Fortunately, with the right changes, people with ADHD can live completely normal lives and enjoy life to its fullest.

To better understand ADHD, let’s dive into the three different types:

The combined type is what most people with ADHD are diagnosed with. This is characterized by hyperactive behaviors as well as distractibility and inattention.

2. The inattentive type is characterized primarily by inattentive and distractable behavior, without hyperactivity.

3. The hyperactive type is the least common type of ADHD. This one is characterized by only hyperactive behaviors without inattention and distractibility.

The symptoms of ADHD are different for each individual, but they generally fall into two different types: hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention. The inattention symptoms generally include difficulty maintaining focus, high distractibility, and forgetfulness. Hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms include fidgeting, restlessness, interrupting others, and difficulty waiting their turn. A diagnosis of ADHD is typically made by a healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, who will evaluate the individual’s symptoms and medical history. They may also use rating scales and other diagnostic tools to help make a diagnosis.

Living with ADHD can be challenging, to say the least, fortunately, there are several coping strategies that can help you manage your symptoms and significantly improve the quality of your life. These strategies may include creating a structured routine, breaking tasks into smaller steps, using visual aids and reminders, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and seeking support from friends, family, or a support group. Each one of us is different, and so the things that help us stay organized and focused also differ. In my opinion, it’s important for you to experiment and try out different strategies, see what things seem to be more effective than others, and eventually find out what really works for you. It’s a journey, you’ll get there eventually, all you need is a little patience and faith in yourself.

I was diagnosed in 2017 with the inattention type. Although by the time I and my family finally decided to go to a physiatrist, it was almost certain I had it, nevertheless, it was big news when it became official. I believe it has been the single most important turning point in my life. Mind you, I’m still nowhere near where I want to be, psychologically, but I am headed in the right direction and have been for the last few years.

How would I describe it? I think when describing ADHD (inattentive type), I would focus more on the fact that instead of just a straight lack of focus, it’s more of a lack of discipline of when and where to focus. I am capable of longer periods of attention, but I cannot consciously decide what it is that I am able to do that on, for whatever way my brain is wired differently, I just lack the discipline. Things that I do not find rewarding, I’ll have a very hard time focusing, but on the flip side, I will have no problems at all if it’s something that I really enjoy doing. This is precisely why the inattentive type of ADHD is often misunderstood as just the individual not taking things seriously. I believe the easiest thing an individual with ADHD can do is try to filter out the things that really pique their interests and make their way from there. e.g. instead of deciding your career on the basis of what is in demand, focus on what you really like doing and try to branch out career moves from there. With a brain that’s wired like ours’, attempting to make a career out of something that we won’t be able to even focus on is a recipe for disaster.

The first and most important thing is acceptance, and making your peace with it. We’re not perfect, no one is, and that’s completely okay. Then comes experimentation, finding out what works and what doesn’t. This takes time and patience, but you’ll get there eventually, it really sounds harder than it actually is, and I’m saying that from experience. Something that works for your friend might not work for you, so testing different techniques out for yourself is the most efficient way. Personally, the three things that have worked the most for me are habit-tracking mobile applications, meditation, and people around me that understand my situation and make little changes in their own lives for me.

“Forest” is a mobile application that helps you stay focused and keep track of how much time you’ve spent staying focused and on what tasks. I’ve been using Forest for many years now. “Habitica” is another unique mobile application that “gamifies” your to-do lists and helps you build new habits. I recently shared my initial impressions on it and you’ll be hearing more on it soon. I have to add that Habitica has been immensely helpful for me, I highly recommend that you at least give it a shot.

They say the ability to focus is like a muscle, and indeed in certain ways, it is like a muscle. You can quite literally train your focus muscle. And we all know the best practice to train the ability to focus is meditation. There are many ways to approach meditation, I’ll recommend something called Headspace. You can find Headspace on Netflix as an 8-episode guide, and even on Android and iOS as mobile applications.