Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is horribly named. Having ADHD doesn’t mean you lack attention, but rather it means you have trouble regulating your attention. And it’s much more than just attention. It has to do with attention, sure. But it also affects your ability to perceive time, and your brains executive functions, which impact your ability to regulate you emotions and organize yourself. And some people with ADHD aren’t hyperactive at all!
In fact, ADHD is commonly broken into three subtypes. Only two of which include hyperactivity:
Predominantly Hyperactive Type: Impulsivity, skipping over important steps, excessing talking, seemingly boundless energy, difficulty controlling emotions, risk-taking
Predominantly Inattentive Type: Easily distracted, difficulty starting tasks, lack of focus, misplacing things, forgetfulness, lack of attention to detail
Combined Type: A mixture of those mentioned above
More than Attention
ADHD is a lot like a roller coaster. One day you’re the best in the world, and the next you can’t do anything right. This has to do with the brain’s executive functions, which can be severely impacted by the disorder. The executive functions are affected differently from one person to the next, and that’s why ADHD presents itself in so many ways. One thing is for sure, though, the executive function skills that go along with ADHD can make it hard to reach your potential. Luckily, most of those skills can be taught.
Executive Functions
are effectively a person’s ability to regulate themselves. It can be broken down into the following model:
Behavior
- Emotional Control
- Inhibiting Response
- Beginning Tasks
- Persisting Toward Goals
Processing
- Memory
- Organization
- Planning & Prioritizing
- Time Awareness
- Flexible Thinking
- Sustaining Attention
- Metacognition
S.H.R.E.D. Your ADHD
Sleep
Getting enough sleep helps us approach our day with a clear head and a better handle on our ADHD. And a relaxing bedtime routine is an important tool in helping us fall asleep.
Habits
Relationships
Exercise
Diet
Everyone fails. Some, like those with executive function challenges, fail more than others.
Each failure brings negative emotions – guilt, disappointment. These smaller emotions become stronger feelings of anxiety, shame and even loneliness if one is repeatedly rejected because of their errors. Each time these negative emotions are experienced, another brick is placed into that person’s Wall of Awful.
The Wall of Awful is the emotional barrier that prevents us from initiating tasks and taking the risks necessary for us to reach our goals. It is the emotional consequence of having ADHD and it must be understood to be overcome.
Get the free e-book “5 Ways to Overcome The Wall of Awful”