More On Mental Health (ADHD)

Introduction

Mental health and wellness are issues that organisations need to understand better.

A good example is 'attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder' (ADHD).

Until recently the medical focus of its impact was on children rather than adults.

It is suspected that people like Einstein, Mozart and Dali had (ADHD), ie
"...brains like a Ferrari engine equipped with only bicycle brakes..."
Ned Hallowell as quoted by Sophie McBain, 2022

The pandemic (starting in 2020) with its uncertainty and the Internet with its attention economy, ie designed to capture and monetise people's focus, brought the issue of poor mental health to the forefront of national consciousness. It is thought that ADHD, like anxiety, is on the increase in adults. Additionally, it could have previously been underdiagnosed and/or misdiagnosed as depression or personality disorder.

ADHD can be linked with other disorders such as hyper-mobility and various neuro-inflammatory conditions such as asthma and hayfever, auto-immune disorders, eczema, psoriases, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, etc; it can be linked to trauma and burnout; errand paralysis, ie failure to complete routine tasks like leaving letters unposted and bills unpaid; unrealistic cultural expectations such as in Hong Kong, where they pathologise anger and extreme emotions
"...It is easier to attribute emotional failings to a personal condition than to acknowledge how hard it is thrive in today's culture..."
Sophie McBain, 2022

"...sometimes illness is a sign that the life we have chosen for ourselves is not the right one, but Western culture that doesn't make it easy to acknowledge that......there is an increasing tendency for people to seek out a medical reason why things are not working out..."
Susanna O'Sullivan as quoted by Sophie McBain, 2022

Some people refer ADHD as a dysregulation syndrome, ie
"...dysregulated attention, dysregulated activity - hyperactivity or, quite the opposite, apathy - dysregulated emotions, dysregulated impulse control..."
James Kustow as quoted by Sophie McBain, 2022

An interesting hypothesis states that ADHD sufferers are hunters living in a farmer's world.

"...They would have flourished in high risk, high-reward hunter-gatherer societies where their distractibility would have kept them constantly scanning the horizon for food or threats. But they are less suited to societies that value detailed planning and methodical work. If you're happiest when active, and are easily sidetracked but occasionally obsessively focused, what could be tougher than being required to sit at a screen all day, answering e-mails, or imputing data..."
Thom Hartmann as quoted by Sophie McBain, 2022

Some professionals are talking of ADHD as a societal problem, ie
"...a psychological consequence of a life in a particular environment, in a particular culture..."
Gabot Mate as quoted by Sophie McBain, 2022

Some of its symptoms include:

- inattention (not able to keep focus, ie unable to concentrate on tasks, especially if tedious and time-consuming; short attention span and easily distracted; difficulty listening to others; appearing to be forgetful and losing things; careless and lacking attention to detail; continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones.

NB Our attention spans are elastic and can fluctuate according to our level of interest, mood and state of mind)

- hyperactivity (excessive physical movement that is not fitting to the situation, eg unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings; constantly fidgeting; unable to concentrate on tasks; excessive talking; wanting to be continually moving)

- impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in a moment without thought, eg acting without thinking; interrupting conversations; unable to wait their turn; little or no sense of danger, etc)

- poor self-esteem/self-worth (eg sensitivity toward criticism and increasing self-criticism; inability to deal with stress, extreme impatience, etc)

- lack of consistency (inability to prioritise; poor organisational skills; continually losing or misplacing things; forgetfulness; restless and edgy; mood swings such as irritable and having a quick temper)

- toxic communications (can involve contempt, criticism, sarcasm, controlling behaviours, distrust, abusive, etc)

- can lead to mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, etc.
(main source: NHS, 2023)

Many of the symptoms can start in childhood.

Some studies are suggesting a significant genetic component but so far no single genetic marker for the condition has been located.

ADHD can impact many aspects of person's life, including academic and professional achievements, interpersonal relationships, daily functioning, etc.

Things that can make ADHD worse:

- lack of exercise (exercise is good for ythe brain because it improves memory plus helps you make decisions, learn and pay attention)

- eating too often (keep to regular mealtimes and don't snack in between meals)

- eating the wrong food (too much junk food and not enough fruits and vegetables)

- missing meals (importance of breakfast)

- messy home and/or office (even though it may sign of creativity, it can remind you of what needs to be done)

- wrong medication (everybody reacts differently to medications, ie what works for one person, does not necessarily work for another)

- too much screen time (Internet addiction makes the problem worse)

- not enough caffeine (caffeine

"...Can make you more alert, help your focus, and help your brain work better. It can also give your working memory a boost..."
WebMD, 2023)

- lack of sleep (in addition to making you tired, it can negatively impact focus and problem-solving)
 (for more details, see elsewhere in the Knowledge Base)

Need to be careful that ADHD is not used as an excuse of for poor performance, extra time to do things, bad behaviour, etc.

NB As we have no professional medical expertise on ADHD, we do not discuss treatments for ADHD, etc.

However, if you feel that ADHD could be a problem, seek the appropriate medical advice.