What Is ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)?
Understanding Focus, Energy, and the Modern Mind
Definition:
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interfere with daily life. It affects children and adults alike and often coexists with anxiety or mood concerns.
Clinical Features
Inattention: Trouble sustaining focus, forgetfulness, difficulty organizing tasks.
Hyperactivity: Restlessness, excessive talking, or difficulty sitting still.
Impulsivity: Acting without considering consequences, interrupting others.
How It May Appear in Daily Life
ADHD isn’t simply “being distracted.” Many adults describe feeling mentally overstimulated yet underproductive, frustrated by their own inconsistency. Children may seem inattentive but are often deeply focused on what truly engages them.
Treatment and Support
Support can include:
Behavioral therapy to build structure and executive skills
Medication when clinically indicated
Coaching or mindfulness-based interventions to improve focus and regulation
When clients understand their unique brain wiring, they can replace shame with strategies and self-acceptance.
Why It Matters
ADHD does not mean lazy or incapable. It means your brain processes stimulation differently. Recognizing that allows individuals to design systems that work for them, not against them.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). DSM-5-TR.
Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment. Guilford Press.
Ramsay, J. R., & Rostain, A. L. (2017). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD. Routledge.
