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:
“I simply won’t get the same dopamine boost from reading a textbook as I do from playing online games or watching YouTube videos, so I’m going to pick the latter every time. I’m not as motivated by having a reward at the end as I am by having rewards built into every moment of an activity.”
This comment is surreal, as it really does encapsulate so much in the ADHD experience in a legitimate way. It’s quite difficult for those with ADHD to seek a later reward where dopamine is built into every moment of an activity.
Then, we see this comment on a video regarding foraging for information:
“Part of the human plight is we forage for food because it’s pleasurable. These days food is abundant. More and more people with ADHD are on the Internet foraging for information. They are lifelong learners but struggle with the execution.”
Two other viewers wrote:
“I’m a chronic researcher and overpreparer… it’s my main way of procrastinating while appearing productive.”
“Learning can be exciting. The application of what you learned can be repetitive, boring, and mundane. It is common for those with ADHD to like learning but not like executing. The way this is articulated is, so often those with ADHD use learning as an excuse to avoid not doing the repetitive details, simply because execution is boring or somewhat ambiguous. I find behavioral coaching to be interesting when it comes to these because the strategy is basically to focus on behaviors, scheduling, and awareness.”
If anyone with ADHD wants to self-manage or self-regulate, the first thing I always advocate for is to face the harsh realities and be aware of what is true. I think both those comments are representative of that. There’s no simple way to overcome. The issues really are about problem-solving. Often, you may be trying to manage your environment to remove the temptations of the things that are shiny and exciting, while at the same time trying to reduce the burden of thinking and the boredom of executing a task. While problem-solving is a little bit more complex, and it is a credible strategy, and it’s far more effective.
I found a lot of success in coaching my clients by concentrating on the awareness level and helping them understand the true plight of those with ADHD, acknowledging that it’s hard, and actually problem-solving to address these formidable challenges.
From the comments on my videos and the success I’ve seen in viewers who have applied the tips, insights, and strategies, I believe Attention Talk Video is a relevant and significant resource for the ADHD community. With hundreds of videos available there, the viewer is free to pick and choose whatever seems most helpful personally. With immense gratitude, thank you to all our viewers. Your helpful comments are much appreciated.