Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological difference marked by inattention and hyperactivity or impulsivity. As Dr. Edward Hallowell writes, “ADHD is like having a Ferrari engine for a brain with bicycle brakes.” Dr. Hallowell considers ADHD to be more accurately labeled as Variable Attention Stimulus Trait (VAST SM), as folks with ADHD do not lack attention, but rather have too much firing in their brain at all times that their attention swings from hyper focus to distractibility.

Simply put, our brains are wired differently. Wired to seek stimulation, in the right environment, such as when we are engaging in an activity or content we find deep interest in, we can tap into creativity and motivation to generate truly wonderful things. The mundane is our Achilles heel, and in a world full of cubicles and desk jobs, bills, grocery shopping, and remembering where we put our car keys, we lose focus, our mind drifting to what at that moment seems more interesting and exciting.

So we don’t meet our full potential at work, forget or put off paying bills until they reach collections, run out of food or forget what we have so food rots in our fridge and we end up ordering take out instead, and have a meltdown every morning trying to get out the door. The experience of feeling like we are constantly letting down ourselves and others in our lives despite relentless effort is exhausting. It can cause us to feel anxious, worried that we are forgetting or missing something all the time. We can be so caught up in our own thoughts that we forget to connect to others, and feel isolated and disconnected though we crave connection and community. We can develop a deep sense of shame in ourselves.