Many popular books and articles about ADHD claim that hyper-focusing is something that ADDers are particularly good at. I've even read articles that list hyper-focusing as a symptom of ADHD. But are ADDers any better at hyper-focusing that other people?
No, not really.
As Jeff points out at Jeff's ADD Mind hyper-focusing isn't a special "gift" that comes with having ADHD, it's something that most people can do when they're engaged in something that really interests them. Book lovers often talk about "not being able to put down" a book that really grabs their interest. Sports fans can spend hours and hours following an absorbing game on TV. It's not that people with ADHD have a special ability to hyper-focus, it's simply that they really struggle to focus on things they don't find interesting. By contrast, people who don't have ADHD can still focus reasonably well on things they find boring.
Maybe there are things that ADDers have a tendency to be better at than non-ADDers (I don't have any strong views either way on this one). However, it's more likely these are in areas that require divergent thinking, like say humour or creativity, rather than things that are related to concentration.
Arguing that a person with an attention deficit is particularly good at attending to things, even if only in certain situations, just doesn't make sense.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Healing beats
Over the last few years, repetitive pre-recorded beats designed to have specific effects on the mind have become very popular on the Internet.
These come in several types including "binaural" and "monaural" beats. Different speeds and frequencies of these repetitive sound recordings can have different effects on the listener. For example, deep-sounding, slower beats tend to be relaxing, while faster, higher pitched beats tend to be arousing. Thus some beats are recommended for helping with issues such as insomnia and anxiety, while others are recommended for improving concentration or mental energy. Having said that, individual responses to these beats vary widely, and what one person finds relaxing another person might find irritating.
In terms of boosting concentration and focus, I've personally found the beats designed for improving IQ to be the most helpful. These seem to be moderately fast beats which relax the body, while making you feel slightly more focused and alert. A good 12 minute sample that can be downloaded for free is the Binaural "IQ increase" mp3 which is available from mentallion.com. Longer pre-recording are available for a small fee, although I haven't tried any of these out myself.
Unfortunately, there isn't much scientific evidence that these beats can provide long term benefits for specific mental disorders like ADHD. But given that you can trial them for free (or for a small fee) and there are no reported side effects, I'd recommend giving them a go.
These come in several types including "binaural" and "monaural" beats. Different speeds and frequencies of these repetitive sound recordings can have different effects on the listener. For example, deep-sounding, slower beats tend to be relaxing, while faster, higher pitched beats tend to be arousing. Thus some beats are recommended for helping with issues such as insomnia and anxiety, while others are recommended for improving concentration or mental energy. Having said that, individual responses to these beats vary widely, and what one person finds relaxing another person might find irritating.
In terms of boosting concentration and focus, I've personally found the beats designed for improving IQ to be the most helpful. These seem to be moderately fast beats which relax the body, while making you feel slightly more focused and alert. A good 12 minute sample that can be downloaded for free is the Binaural "IQ increase" mp3 which is available from mentallion.com. Longer pre-recording are available for a small fee, although I haven't tried any of these out myself.
Unfortunately, there isn't much scientific evidence that these beats can provide long term benefits for specific mental disorders like ADHD. But given that you can trial them for free (or for a small fee) and there are no reported side effects, I'd recommend giving them a go.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
ADHD and planning
An inability to think ahead is a frequent problem for many people with inattentive ADHD and one that is directly related to the mental sluggishness associated with the disorder.
When your mind is feeling sluggish you tend to drift from one activity to another in an inefficient way. You also tend to miss opportunities to get more than one thing done at a time. However, if thinking ahead becomes a regular habit, than it should be easier for you to get past this mental sluggishness and get things done more efficiently.
A few years back I did a secondary teaching diploma. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find full time teaching work, but I do think the planning aspect of the course has helped some of my ADHD symptoms. Teacher training requires lots of lesson planning and thinking ahead, and since doing the course I find I'm less likely to forget things I need, and generally find it easier to get started on tasks requiring forethought.
I guess any course or activity which involves lots of planning or thinking ahead would be beneficial. Courses in building project management, restaurant or catering management or just organising recreational trips for family or friends are some of the other options to consider. Games like chess, where you have to consider all the different consequences of your actions, might also be useful for stimulating the parts of your brain involved in planning and forethought.
When your mind is feeling sluggish you tend to drift from one activity to another in an inefficient way. You also tend to miss opportunities to get more than one thing done at a time. However, if thinking ahead becomes a regular habit, than it should be easier for you to get past this mental sluggishness and get things done more efficiently.
A few years back I did a secondary teaching diploma. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find full time teaching work, but I do think the planning aspect of the course has helped some of my ADHD symptoms. Teacher training requires lots of lesson planning and thinking ahead, and since doing the course I find I'm less likely to forget things I need, and generally find it easier to get started on tasks requiring forethought.
I guess any course or activity which involves lots of planning or thinking ahead would be beneficial. Courses in building project management, restaurant or catering management or just organising recreational trips for family or friends are some of the other options to consider. Games like chess, where you have to consider all the different consequences of your actions, might also be useful for stimulating the parts of your brain involved in planning and forethought.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
ADHD and self-esteem
A lot of popular books about ADHD convey the idea that adults with ADHD combined type tend to have low esteem. I'd say it's probably more accurate to say their self-esteem fluctuates. Sometimes their self-esteem crashes after they make big impulsive mistakes, but much of the time they have plenty of self-esteem.
For a start, they tend to be over-represented in work fields like sales and marketing where having a robust ego goes with the territory. If you're timid and self-effacing, then you aren't likely to be a big success in sales.
One of the one famous people believed to have had ADHD combined type was the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Having studied the guy at university, I can tell you that he didn't suffer from low self-esteem. If anything, he often overrated his own abilities, and he made a number of over-confident (perhaps impulsive) decisions that turned out badly. For example, he frequently went against the advice of military specialists and got Britain involved in two disastrous military campaigns in Turkey and Norway.
If Churchill suffered from a lack of self-esteem, then it's more likely he would have been criticised for being too indecisive.
It's likely that low-esteem is more common among those with inattentive ADHD. People with people with this form of the disorder, tend to have higher anxiety levels and more have more self-effacing personalities. However, even with this form of ADHD I don't think low-esteem is a particularly big issue.
For a start, they tend to be over-represented in work fields like sales and marketing where having a robust ego goes with the territory. If you're timid and self-effacing, then you aren't likely to be a big success in sales.
One of the one famous people believed to have had ADHD combined type was the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Having studied the guy at university, I can tell you that he didn't suffer from low self-esteem. If anything, he often overrated his own abilities, and he made a number of over-confident (perhaps impulsive) decisions that turned out badly. For example, he frequently went against the advice of military specialists and got Britain involved in two disastrous military campaigns in Turkey and Norway.
If Churchill suffered from a lack of self-esteem, then it's more likely he would have been criticised for being too indecisive.
It's likely that low-esteem is more common among those with inattentive ADHD. People with people with this form of the disorder, tend to have higher anxiety levels and more have more self-effacing personalities. However, even with this form of ADHD I don't think low-esteem is a particularly big issue.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Inattentive ADHD and anxiety
Moderate, persistent anxiety is a very common problem for people with inattentive ADHD, and it can present a catch 22 when it comes to taking medications.
If you're more anxiety prone than most people, then stimulants will only tend to make anxiety worse, and thus cancel out any positive benefits in terms of improved attention.
The ADHD drug Stattera is reported to have fewer side effects than stimulants when it comes to anxiety related issues, although it doesn't have quite such a good record in terms of improving attention. Someone pointed out to me that this may be because Stattera tends to be tried by people who have already failed to respond to other medications.
In terms of non-medical treatments for inattentive ADHD and anxiety, regular exercise and good sleeping habits, are perhaps the most important, as lack of exercise and sleep can worsen both anxiety and inattention.
I've written down some more thoughts and information on anxiety and inattentive ADHD and anxiety in an article at the Ezine articles site.
Friday, March 2, 2012
New book on inattentive ADHD
I've just released a new e-book about inattentive ADHD. The book is entitled Lifting the Fog: A guide to inattentive ADHD in adults.
The book is based on research from I've teased out of other books and articles as well as discussions with members of ADHD associations. The first part of the book looks at how inattentive ADHD differs from other forms of ADHD, while the second part focuses on treatments and coping strategies. There is also a short list of recommended books and websites.
As far as I am aware it's the only book available which is specifically about inattentive ADHD in adults.
You can download a sample of the book from Scribd.com, or buy it for $2.99 (US) from the self-publishing site Smashwords.com.
The book is based on research from I've teased out of other books and articles as well as discussions with members of ADHD associations. The first part of the book looks at how inattentive ADHD differs from other forms of ADHD, while the second part focuses on treatments and coping strategies. There is also a short list of recommended books and websites.
As far as I am aware it's the only book available which is specifically about inattentive ADHD in adults.
You can download a sample of the book from Scribd.com, or buy it for $2.99 (US) from the self-publishing site Smashwords.com.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
The Caffeine nap
Wikipedia has an article on power naps in which they mention the "caffeine nap". This is short nap, where you take a cup of coffee before the nap, and then benefit from the combined effect of the nap caffeine hit after the nap.
The generally recommended length of time for a power nap is about 15-30 minutes, any longer and you're likely to end up in deep sleep and feel terrible when you get up.
I've never been a big power napper, but I noticed it certainly can be refreshing, if you have the time or opportunity to take naps during the day. On long car journey's I'd definitely recommend ADDers take a nap if they're feeling tired, as sustaining attention for long periods of time isn't something most ADDers are particularly good at.
The generally recommended length of time for a power nap is about 15-30 minutes, any longer and you're likely to end up in deep sleep and feel terrible when you get up.
I've never been a big power napper, but I noticed it certainly can be refreshing, if you have the time or opportunity to take naps during the day. On long car journey's I'd definitely recommend ADDers take a nap if they're feeling tired, as sustaining attention for long periods of time isn't something most ADDers are particularly good at.
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