At this point, most of us have heard of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). You may also hear ADD/ADHD referred to as "neurodivergence". 

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by chronic difficulty in maintaining attention, and is typically accompanied with impulsivity and hyperactivity. These symptoms often manifest into a range of behavioral issues that impact academic and professional performance, and interferes with social development and peer interactions. Despite its prevalence and impact, ADHD remains widely misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and improperly managed. 

The population that seems to frequently go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed are those who did well in school and aren't overly hyperactive. Unfortunately, it's common for individuals with ADD/ADHD to be written off with "you just have anxiety" or "you have depression". 

Like most things mental health, the way ADD/ADHD is expressed can look slightly different from person to person, however most underlying symptoms are similar.

Core Symptoms of ADHD

• Short attention span for mundane everyday tasks
• Procrastination
• Task avoidance 
• Easily distracted
• Difficulty following through (with tasks or plans)
• Poor impulse control (i.e. spending too much money, saying things before thinking)
• Disorganization 
• Forgetfulness / losing things
• Time blindness 
• Impatient 
• Fidgety / restless 

An ADD/ADHD brain works differently than a neurotypical brain, which is why it's essential to implement coping skills and daily systems that are cohesive with the way your brain operates. For example, the Prefrontal Cortex is the area of the brain implicated in our "executive functioning", meaning our decision making, impulse control, emotional control, working memory, self-monitoring, planning and prioritizing, task initiation, and organization. When people with ADD/ADHD try to concentrate, blood flow actually decreases in the Prefrontal Cortex, making it more difficult for them to focus and stay on task, whereas in a neurotypical brain, concentration increases blood flow. 

According to Dr. Daniel Amen, one of the most influential experts on brain health and mental health, there are 7 different types of ADD. He categorizes them as:

• Classic ADD
• Inattentive ADD
• Overfocused ADD
• Temporal Lobe ADD
• Limbic ADD
• Ring of Fire ADD
• Anxious ADD 

Please reach out to me for a free consultation if you're interested in learning to better manage neurodivergence-related symptoms!