ADHD is a mind management disorder. It is not how they think or feel but rather what they think then feel.
The human brain never stops thinking. There are basically 2 types of thought processes. One when your brain is in neutral and thoughts flood it. This occurs when you are not trying to think or do anything specific. Then there is the task driven way of thinking, when you are concentrating on something specific. Paying attention to something requires that the other thoughts are switched off or that the thought captures your attention. Because the minds of ADHD people are never switched off the thought continually competes with other thoughts so unless it has an intrinsic value to them and captures their attention, it will be replaced by another one which may have less relevance for the moment.
This description of the process of thought explains why:
. They are good at things they find interesting but weak at things they see no real purpose in and why they are good starters but, as the novelty wears off, are poor finishers.
. They battle to keep listening once they have lost interest.
. They battle to follow what they are reading so struggle to study.
. They get distracted very soon after they start doing something so get easily sidetracked.
. They can play computer games or be on their phones for hours but can’t sit down for 5 minutes to do a simple task like homework or a household chore.
. They may interrupt others as they are thinking at the same time as listening.
. They will often interpret a situation too personally and are quick to be offended.
Basically, it explains why people with ADHD seem unable to do something for long without an alternative popping up in their minds. It also explains how they may interpret a situation based more on what they feel happened as this thought would be more purposeful.
People with ADHD can hyperfocus as well and can spend hours on a particular task unaware of the world around them. This is called perseveration. They are able to get into the zone and become highly frustrated if disturbed as they battle to refocus.
This failure of mind management where thoughts are not regulated or controlled leaves ADHD sufferers lost in the moment. It prevents them from accomplishing tasks in order to get them done as it is the interest in the doing that they depend on to stay attentive. In short, their attention needs to be continually captivated and this is understandably driven by purpose.
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