Many high-achieving adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are shocked when they are first diagnosed. Everything comes together, and they now understand why they excel at complexity, but struggle with the day-to-day.
Perhaps what’s even more confusing to them and those they love is how they were able to achieve so much even though they struggle with focus, getting things done, or managing their time. The truth is, it’s entirely possible for an adult with ADHD to have found ways to compensate for their ADHD in childhood. In fact, ADHD is often a superpower for many adults and can actually be part of the reason they excel. Here are some ADHD facts that can help clear things up:
Adults with ADHD can still do very well in school (like, top-of-the-class well).
First, we can all acknowledge that childhood is, well, complicated. Lots of folks are motivated by a variety of factors. For example, some parents demand perfection from their children, others are willing to let their kids parent themselves, and others will “helicopter parent,” hovering over their kids and providing an abundance of structure. Whatever the scenario, homelife can cause a kid to be motivated or supported in such a way that ADHD goes overlooked.
Another factor with school performance is intelligence. It’s not uncommon for super-smart kids to be able to just show up without doing homework or studying and problem solve their way to an A on a test.
Simply put, school performance is not the only indicator that someone has ADHD.
Adults with ADHD can hyperfocus.
What is hyperfocus? Hyperfocus is an intense fixation on a preferred topic, interest, or activity that can last for an extended period of time. Due to low levels of dopamine in the brain, ADHD can make it hard to “shift gears” so to speak. That’s why ADHD is not a disorder of no attention, it’s a disorder of uneven attention. Many adults with ADHD are simply able to block out the world as a result of their ADHD symptoms.
How might hyperfocus impact someone? Maybe by spending late nights coding a new program, Googling a new business idea, or organizing your office (if that’s your thing), to name a few examples. The point is, give someone with ADHD an interest and tie that interest to income, and you can see where ADHD would be a superpower more than a “symptom.”
Adults with ADHD are often passionate, creative, and outside-the-box thinkers.
Whether they know it or not, everyone wants someone with ADHD in the room where it happens. Why? Because often adults with ADHD see the world in color, while everyone else sees it in black and white. Just ask ADHDer Bill Gates. Microsoft didn’t come from an inside-the-box thinker, that’s for sure.
ADHD and entrepreneurship is…a very good thing.
Adults with ADHD are 300 times more likely to run their own business. Surrounding yourself with a life’s passion? Creative and outside-the-box ideas? This can be a match made in heaven for any adult with ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are often perfectionists.
It’s true. Having both ADHD and perfectionism is real. In fact, 30 percent of adults with ADHD also have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Why does this develop? Some think it’s a way of learning to overcompensate for ADHD symptoms at an early age. Many adults with ADHD have memories of their first missed assignments in class, then suddenly never missing a beat when it came to schoolwork as a reaction.
ADHD Testing for High Achievers
You might be thinking, if ADHD was overlooked as a kid, wouldn’t it be overlooked as an adult? The truth is, no. This can be for a couple of reasons. The biggest is that we have much better assessment measures now than we did ten or twenty years ago. Adults are also much better able to describe their struggles than children, adding a layer to the assessment other than just what is observable.
Begin Adult ADHD Testing and Treatment in Columbus, OH
At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer adult ADHD testing and ADHD treatment. ADHD treatment can help you stop “zoning out” and start getting even more things done. You can find the answers you’re looking for. An ADHD specialist from our Columbus, OH-based therapy practice would love to help you. To start ADHD testing, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a free 15-minute consultation
- Meet with an adult ADHD specialist
- Stop wondering and start knowing if you have ADHD (and learn to use it as a superpower).
Other Services Offered With Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
ADHD testing and treatment isn’t the only service offered at our Columbus, OH-based counseling practice. Since ADHD impacts people in different ways, we offer a variety of services. We provide ADHD testing, adult ADHD treatment, counseling for men with ADHD, depression counseling for ADHD, and anxiety treatment for ADHD. Feel free to learn more by contacting us or visiting our blog!
