By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – December 28, 2020
It’s become a joy of mine to produce Attention Talk Videos to address attention issues and provide information to help those in need. One thing I enjoy the most is how articulate many people are in commenting on those videos. I’d like to share a few that really represent the realities of the ADHD plight.
One viewer commented on a video related to dopamine and how those with ADHD forage for information on it. Here’s the comment: Continue reading “The Bold Realities of ADHD”
Dr. Thomas E. Brown once said, “The more there is a need for independent work, the lower the grades and productivity of those with ADHD.”
People are unique, individual, and infinitely complex. In the interest of maximizing efficiencies, our world and medical community focuses on commonalities to evaluate, label, and treat patients. This approach raises some key questions: Can something so complex be labeled? Is the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD a science or is it an art? Let’s explore this system a bit deeper to understand how we get a diagnosis before answering these questions.
Without a doubt, science is an amazing thing and strides in medicine are impressive. Many specialists turn to advanced tools to diagnose and better understand attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By studying cerebral function, structure, and chemistry, specialists can discern biological differences in the ADHD brain. But seeing something different does not mean they understand it.
Our ancestors foraged for food because it was necessary. Today, food is in abundance, freeing up time for us to forage for information. Why are we… especially those with ADHD… prone to forage for information? Because it is pleasurable! You see, one of the key neurotransmitters that impacts the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder plight is dopamine, the reward neurotransmitter. It’s the reason we procreate, why we forage for food or seek anything pleasurable. 
Often, those with ADHD feel chaotic and disorganized. In a sense a feeling is a knee-jerk or reflexive emotional response in that emotions or judgments are made without awareness, analysis, or acknowledgement of what “is.” Just because you feel something doesn’t make it a reality. This reminds me of a story. You may be familiar with it. 
We live in a society that fosters negativity and self-limiting beliefs. Just look at the daily news, the endless array of advertisements for things to “fix” us, or the fascination with the mishaps of celebrities as just a few examples. The ego loves weakness, and we feed into it by focusing on it; and for some, this focus invades every aspect of life. The result for many is staying “stuck” and not moving forward. To bring about real change, we must be willing to have a more open mindset.
Did you ever run into somebody who’s able to articulate something in such a way that all of a sudden it makes some sense? Years ago, I was coaching a woman who said, at the end of our first coaching session, that she wanted to work on her lists. We learned during her discovery session that she is very visual. Knowing this, I asked what it would be like if she just drew a picture instead of writing words. After we got off the call, she gave it a shot. 
You might be wondering how you know if your ADHD stimulant medications are working? Do you get a buzz? Will you immediately be able to pay attention or automatically gain the skills you need to advance in your job and life? Unfortunately, meds don’t work like that. You’ll know that your ADHD meds are working when you can sustain focus on things longer than you normally would. For example, say, before you started taking meds, you could read only four pages of a book before your mind started to wander. Then after taking meds, you could read four chapters.
What happens in the ADHD brain? It’s a mystery of the universe, right? Maybe, but once in a while, I coach someone and get a glimpse of the unique logic that is ADHD or at least what works for one person with ADHD. I’m grateful to EV for agreeing to let me share her unique logic. It matters little if it makes sense to you. What matters is it works for her. Like most with ADHD, her process might not be mainstream, but it works for her.
Have you ever wondered how you get things done with ADHD? It’s not that you are lazy or lack the ability to focus. Misinformation like that has given those with ADHD a bad rap. You just do things differently. Somehow you get them done, but you might feel the pressure and stress about how to tackle a deadline.
As an adult with ADHD, you’re probably aware that one of the side effects of this fun little disorder is having a lot of things going at the same time. The ADHD brain thrives on stimulation. It generates ideas upon ideas and gets excited to start something new—sometimes multiple things—all at the same time. For someone with ADHD, generating ideas and seeing the potential of them produces dopamine that “lights up” the pleasure center of the brain, just as food, chocolate, alcohol, and addictive behaviors do. 
It’s that time of the year where one year ends and a new one begins. It’s tradition to stop and reflect on the prior year and set some goals for the new year. In my coaching practice, I’ve come to realize setting goals is really not that difficult.
I’ve got dyslexia. What does that mean? In simple terms, when I look at a “b,” my mind retrieves a “d.” When I look at a word like “through,” my mind retrieves “threw.” Do you have any idea how hard it is to read, much less to comprehend when you are retrieving the wrong words and trying to make sense out of a sentence? It’s frustrating!
Years ago, I interviewed a gentleman who was explaining to me the theories behind Japanese psychology. One of the things he said was that the Japanese practice gratitude. He explained that problems abound. The thing about a problem is it must be dealt with right then. For example, if you have a flat tire, that’s a problem, but you have to deal with it in that moment. In contrast, if there’s something you do that is successful or goes right, you don’t have to celebrate it in that moment.
As humans, we are very much appearance-based. We latch onto what we see, and often, this reliance on what we can see and what we can prove becomes an obstacle and a source of anxiety.
Have you ever called customer service about your computer and they asked if it was plugged in? The question seems silly, but do you know why the question is asked? It’s because through experience, working through long complicated solutions, they had found out the problem was something as simple as plugging in or turning on your device.
If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you were drawn to it by the word “disorganization.” Many of those with ADHD look at the clutter and their seemingly inefficient systems and proclaim themselves disorganized. But more often than not, this is an appearance-based judgment.
Yes, you could say I’m allergic to writing. I hate it. It’s always been hard, especially for a dyslexic like me. That’s why I focus so much on communicating auditory content via Attention Talk Radio and visual content via Attention Talk Video. As allergic as I am to writing, yet I am able to write from time to time with the right prescription. In order to write, I need mental clarity. Writing is hard but even harder when starting with a white sheet of paper. 
Here is a question I want to help you address. Are you struggling to manage your ADHD? If so, why?
There is nothing more powerful than a change in mindset!
Years ago, I was doing some work at a company and was questioning a company policy that made no sense. An insightful employee shared a story that is a great metaphor and makes for an interesting study of attention. Let me share it with you. 
I believe the placebo effect is real. In most cases, if you believe something will help you get better, it likely will. The same concept applies to just about everything else, especially if our beliefs interact with reality.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can be a good thing and a bad thing. It is a good thing because the individual becomes eligible for accommodations and can take stimulant medications to level the playing field. The bad thing about the diagnosis is that, once labeled, people quit paying attention to individual differences in ADHD.
There are all kinds of coaches, such as life coaches, personal coaches, and executive coaches. I consider myself an attention coach, and my number one goal is to help individuals and businesses pay attention to the right thing…. because if you’re paying attention to the wrong thing, you’re likely paying attention to, or looking for, the wrong solution.
You get diagnosed with ADHD, the doctor prescribes a stimulant and that is it; right? Wrong! Getting the right stimulant in the right dose delivered at the right time is more of an art than a science. As Dr. Charles Parker puts it, the meds have to pass through the body to get to the brain. Metaphorically, if the digestive tract, immune system, metabolism, and other systems are under construction or out of whack, meds can be detoured away from the brain and out of the body or get bottlenecked and wreak havoc.
Have you ever paid attention to the difference between narrow attention and scanning attention? Narrow attention is like texting. Attention is focused narrowly. Scanning attention is like driving a car. You’re scanning signs, speed, other cars, spatial changes in relation to yours, etc. Note, you can’t use narrow and scanning attention at the same time. That’s why texting while driving is so dangerous. 
Attention is as simple as it is complex to understand. In an interview I did with noted ADHD expert Dr. Russell Barkley, he noted that, if you are to inhibit anything, you must be aware of it. As I’ve learned, understanding and observing one’s own attention to become aware of it can be the single best tool to help those with ADHD.
All the reminders in the world won’t work unless you engage.
Do those with ADHD have a hard time going to bed or do they just have a hard time going to sleep? Research suggests those with ADHD struggle with agitated boredom.
Do you need visual reminders to remember to complete a task or attend an event? Could your “reminders” be clutter to your mate/roommate? One of my recent clients was very visual. If something was out of sight, it was out of mind, so he left items out to serve as visual reminders.
As a seasoned coach, I’ve learned to see past clients’ “stories” and to use observation skills to discover “basic truths.”
One important fact I’ve learned over the years from coaching folks with ADHD is this: ADHD is a self-regulation issue with a working memory challenge. Now, let’s look more closely at the word “memory.”
One of my clients, a mental health professional, wanted coaching on time management, specifically on how to stop being late. Using the inquisitive coaching process, I began to ask questions, and as things unfolded, it was clear this person was about 10 minutes late 95% of the time.
In Super Bowl XXXVII, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive lineup took the field for the first time. Each player introduced himself on network TV by stating his name and the college that drafted him. When Simeon Rice’s turn came, he stated simply, “Simeon Rice, the School of Hard Knocks.” Get it? Football? Hard knocks? Well, I got the pun and a whole lot more! Here’s what I got. 
Those close to attention deficit disorder (ADD)—psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, therapists, counselors, etc.—frequently reference four distinguishing characteristics or traits that are used to differentiate between those who have ADD and those who do not. The four traits are “distractible” “impulsive,” “hyperactive,” and “lazy.”
Did you know that 50 percent of all doctors graduated in the bottom of their class? Early in my sales career, I loved sharing this very interesting fact; it proved especially useful when I was selling against HMOs in the days when indemnity plans meant you could choose any provider. That’s when I realized most anything that can be measured by definition is at or below average. This simple concept has fascinated me for years. 
We can get caught up in paying attention to how we want things to be and lose sight of how things actually are. So let’s look at organizing in a new way!