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The textbook symptoms of ADD — inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity — fail to reflect several of its most powerful characteristics; the ones that shape your perceptions, emotions, and motivation. Here, Dr. William Dodson explains how to recognize and manage ADHD's true defining features.
The DSM-V – the bible of psychiatric diagnosis – lists 18 diagnostic criteria for attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD). Clinicians use this to identify symptoms, insurance companies use it to determine coverage, and researchers use it to determine areas of worthwhile study.
The problem: These criteria only describe how ADHD affects children ages 6-12, and that has led to misdiagnosis, misunderstanding, and failed treatment for teens, adults, and the elderly.
Most people, clinicians included, have only a vague understanding of what ADHD means. They assume it equates to hyperactivity and poor focus, mostly in children. They are wrong.
When we step back and ask, "What does everyone with ADHD have in common, that people without ADHD don't experience?" a different set of symptoms take shape.
From this perspective, three defining features of ADHD emerge that explain every aspect of the condition:
1. an interest-based nervous system
2. emotional hyperarousal
3. rejection sensitivity
Not precisely news but damned if it's not an interesting read if it has any relevance in your life.
Source: https://www.additudemag.com/symptoms-of-add-hyperarousal-rejection-sensitivity/
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 15 2018, @09:57PM (4 children)
32 ACT. 1.8 graduating gpa. No adhd, just very uninterested in my parent's and teacher's expectations. Is being anti-authority and stubborn a medical condition? I failed pre-calc 3 times because I am not going to show work for math I do in my head, and I'm not gonna do busywork either. I learned just as well or better than everyone else - my test scores were good. I wasn't allowed to take interesting technical classes at the local CC because I was "too smart" to do vocational training, I had to take AP bullshit. The system that required me to do uninteresting things in even more uninteresting ways ad nauseam is what is broken, not me.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 15 2018, @11:06PM
The modern human came to prominence through collectivism; only the very top of the social hierarchy could get away with being "anti-authoritarian". Hitherto, it has been common, acceptable practice for anti-authoritarians in the lower ranks to be culled unceremoniously, thereby selectively breeding a population of sycophantic, obsequious, irrational, ritually inclined tribalists over which the ruling elite could preside.
"The nail that sticks up will be hammered down" say the Japanese.
So, yes, it is a medical condition, especially if you're born below the elites and have no good way to claw your way into their ranks. You are doomed to a life of relative seclusion or at least of endless, disappointing contention with your fellow folk.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Friday March 16 2018, @12:55AM (2 children)
Read the article. Interest-based focus is probably the single most defining characteristic of ADHD.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday March 16 2018, @03:20AM (1 child)
Except that I CAN pay attention, and have no problem with focusing. I learned the material just fine, and I usually enjoyed lectures, I just didn't do the homework. I don't have issues doing what I'm required to do at work, even though it's boring stupid shit. No emotional hyperarousal, no RSD. I was just a bad student, I'm don't have ADHD.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Friday March 16 2018, @04:36AM
Good on ya then. It's not especially enjoyable.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.