ADHD - A Modern-Day Scam

Ok, I have been banging on about ADHD for a while now. So it might surprise you to know I don't really believe in ADHD. It's a label. And a really rubbish one at that. I actually think the branding of ADHD minds is a bit of a scam too.

What I do believe is that a fundamentally different mind and nervous-system exists. Diversity that is necessary for communities and wider society. Brains that are as equally dynamic, only operating differently. This different type of human has been around for much longer than the ADHD label has. And they aren't quite as uncommon as those stats would suggest. Across the ages this type of people are evident. It's readily agreed that risk takers, problem solvers and creative thinkers are responsible for much needed progression and advancement throughout history, the ones who make seemingly wild connections and have an urge to persist - all shared traits of today's "ADHD". First mentioned in 1902 by a British pediatrician, he found that some children lacked control over certain behaviour in comparison to a typical child, but they were "still intelligent". Findings were somewhat ignored and from the 50's ADHD became more recognised for pretty much how it's still known today. The obvious clue lies in the development of mandatory and structured education alongside the "discovery" of this difference in people. ADHD is basically classed as a bunch of shortcomings and excesses. The characteristics and abilities of an ADHD person being matched against the ideals and natural ways of a counterpart.  For example, Neat versus rushed.   Planned versus experimental. Structured versus flexible. Reserved versus forthcoming. Methodical versus scatterbrained.  In actual fact, an ADHD person has an abundance of their own skills and qualities. Yet these things are not measured, explored or utilised as part of recognising ADHD. Including, Creative thinking versus logical. Risk-taking versus holding back. Solution finding versus focusing on the problem. Intuitively guided versus experience-led. Deep interests versus generalised engagement.  So at first, I felt it should be celebrated. (I am working on that, hence this article's title, "A Different Human Design.")   There are people out there with a diagnosis who only understand it as a negative. Nevermind all those who operate from an 'ADHD-type system' and have no idea why they act and react in certain ways. But, anyway, after considerable research into this conundrum, I began to question why it isn't celebrated. Why is it called a disorder? Why are we medicating people so that they can behave in a way deemed acceptable by people who haven't got the same ideals?

Everyone is absolutely unique. Our brain complexity can be compared to a fingerprint. However, labels exist because of the shared characteristics and traits. And these result from similarities in the brain's structure. I have worked with and met hundreds, possibly thousands, of people labelled ADHD for over ten years. In my opinion, this differently wired type of people kind of shine in a different way. They exhibit many advantages over their "neurotypical" counterparts; a creative nature, a thirst for life, energy, humour, imagination, often well-liked, fun-loving, curious and ambitious, a fearlessness and ability for deep and open thought. So how come this type of person is also not likely to meet their full potential? And by adulthood suffer with poor mental health, poor physical health and addictions, criminal tendencies or have other toxic behaviours? Because they have ADHD? More likely that the whole system isn't set up as friendly towards their differences. Keep up. Match up. Conform. Or be made to feel like you're not good enough. An idiot. An anomaly. A freak.  There is so much irony around this topic and this is a classic example, "ADHD" people simply won't "conform" for the sake of it. Maybe if the rules or situation makes sense but otherwise, often, they would rather be made to feel like a freak.  They'll do it their way anyway. Or be very, very unhappy. I believe how our own brain works should be a basic part of growing up. Understanding why we feel certain things,  or don't, or react in particular ways should be second nature rather than second guessing. It's not actually rocket science. If we want to learn about rocket science then with our brains, we can. So let's get to grips with arguably the most powerful tool known to humanity. It's in our heads. And the really cool thing is, if we were all exposed to this knowledge, society as a whole would benefit from everyone having a deeper understanding for just how many ways we can be individual - and the same. A Different Human Design, the attitude and platform, under development now. So stay tuned for updates.