My ADHD Brain is a Race Car With Bicycle Brakes (and How I'm Fixing It)

Every Saturday I share a story about my life in a way that you can hopefully relate to. I believe we are all here to share our journey, both the highs and the lows, as this is how we collectively raise the consciousness of the planet. If anything resonates with you, please share! 🙏

I had just finished a session with my therapist when the email arrived in my inbox, with links to a couple of online tests she recommended. The results were definitely eye-opening.

More on what that's meant for me below, but just a quick housekeeping note.

I'd like to preface today's letter with some guidance that is common in the spiritual community when it comes to topics that are not considered mainstream:

It's a reminder that not every message is meant for you at this exact moment. Some need to sit in your consciousness for a few days, months or even years.

I say that to encourage you to practice listening to your own inner guidance throughout your your own journey.

My Brain Works Differently Than Others

I've been pretty honest in these letters about my ongoing (and nascent) journey into self-discovery. It's been a pretty eye-opening experience to realize how many of my early childhood and persistent adult behaviors are attributed to being neurodivergent.

Neurodivergence is a non-medical term that describes a condition for people whose brains develop or work differently for some reason. This means the person has different strengths and struggles from people whose brains develop or work more typically.

While some people who are neurodivergent have medical conditions, it also happens to people where a medical condition or diagnosis hasn’t been identified.

I've shared in an earlier letter what it's like to be HSP, and what I've learned about Avoidant Personality Disorder, so that might be a helpful read if that topic resonates.

You Down With ADHD?

After a recent session with my therapist, she suggested it might be helpful to take a few online tests to see where I might fall in the ADHD scale. Turns out I'm just past the qualifying score, which prompted this week's letter.

I recently came across the book ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction - from Childhood Through Adulthood by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell and Dr. John J. Ratey courtesy of the Imprint app (if you like book summaries and visuals, you'll love it). I'll share some findings that were helpful to me.

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder. and under clinical diagnosis, those with ADHD show a persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity" that interferes with functioning. The 18 symptoms fall into 2 categories, inattention, and hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Inattention symptoms include:

• Failure to give close attention to details

• Trouble following through on instructions and failure to finish tasks (me hiding my to-do list as I type this)

• Trouble organizing tasks and activities

• Distraction (um, yup)

• Forgetfulness (can you repeat that please?)

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity symptoms include:

• Frequent fidgeting

• Feelings of restlessness

• Inability to take part in leisure activities quietly

• Excessive talking

• Frequent interruption or intrusion on others

ADHD Stats and VAST

• The prevalence of ADHD is higher in higher-income countries.

• The worldwide prevalence of adult ADHD is estimated at 2.5%.

• The U.S. lifetime prevalence of ADHD in adults aged 18-44 is estimated to be 8.1%, with current prevalence estimated to be 4.4%.

(stats courtesy of SingleCare.com)

One additional designation which I found fascinating is VAST: Variable Attention Stimulus Trait. Symptoms include inattentive and forgetful tendencies and are often brought on by the fast pace of modern life.

People with ADHD experience time differently from others, as their internal clock is often unaware of the passage from seconds into minutes, hours and days. H&R (Hallowel and Ratey) describe time for someone with ADHD as being broken down into "now" and "not now".

When someone with ADHD experiences boredom, they reflexively seek immediate stimulation, which can manifest as distraction and impulsivity.

Task Positive and Default Mode Networks

What was helpful for me in reviewing this material was discovering a better understanding of how my brain (and others) work, which is SO comforting!

When engaged in a task, a group of neurons in the brain called the Task Positive Network activates. However, when the mind isn't actively engaged, the Default Mode Network activates.

The DMN enables the mind to wander, allowing for self-reflection, memory retrieval, future-planning and imagination (AKA deep thinking). The downside is that this can lead us to overthink, daydream and become distracted from the task at hand.

In brains without ADHD, DMN & TPN are in balance. In those with ADHD show a more active DMN, which may explain why so many individuals with ADHD are so imaginative.

In addition to positive creative thinking, getting stuck in the DMN can also lead to overthinking and self-critical thoughts. What's more DMN doesn't shut off when TPN is on. Instead both networks stay activated - making it harder to stay focused.

What's fascinating as I write this is experiencing this effect first hand in my own brain.

A helpful tip from the book is, when you find yourself zoning out and unable to focus on a task, to simply look elsewhere. If you find something else to focus on, you can consciously activate the TPN and get your brain back on task.

I like how H&R describe those with ADHD as having a "race car brain with bicycle brakes". One fascinating study by Harvard Medical School neurologist, Jeremy Schmahmann, found that a dysfunctional cerebellum (the part of the brain that coordinates equilibrium) doesn't just throw off physical balance, but emotional balance as well!

The good news is that the cerebellum is adaptive and can change over time in response to experience. H&R argue that if strengthening the cerebellum enhances control over thought and emotion, it could reduce ADHD symptoms, such as inattention.

A simple way to improve cerebellar health is to work on one's balance. The book suggests exercises such as standing on one leg for one minute, standing on a wobble board, plank holds and even juggling for 30 minutes every day.

I'll definitely be trying these out in the new year. And rather than seeing this as a deficiency, I'm of the opinion that what gets measured gets managed.

People with ADHD are frequently not only artistic but also good at problem solving and entrepreneurial work. The trick is tapping into these benefits by finding an outlet for creativity that H&R have coined the "right difficult", a combination of an element of expertise with enough difficulty to hold attention.

These "right difficult" challenges fill the seeker with a type of stimulation and satisfaction that no other activity can match. Much like putting together the thoughts that make up this week's letter!

I realize today's letter is a bit of a deeper dive into my personal world but I it was the topic that was top of mind for me all week.

I rarely know what topic I'm going to cover in these letters at the start of the week. An idea begins to percolate, or something comes up in my personal or work life that requires further introspection.

I hope this was valuable. Also, if what I've described above reminds you of a friend or a family member, I'd encourage you to share it with them as well.

🙏 with gratitude,

Harry

What I Created This Week

🎧 Vertical Farming Podcast (sponsored by Cultivatd)

• Episode 71 | Consolidation, Hybridization & Regenerative Agriculture with Agritecture’s Henry Gordon-Smith

🎧 Podcast Junkies (sponsored by Focusrite)

• Episode 309 | Nick Loper, Host of Side Hustle Nation - Never Stop Failing, Never Stop Learning

🙋‍♀️ P.S. When You're Ready...

Here are a few of ways I can help…

✡️ Download a free copy of my Conscious Voice Expansion Plan. The most powerful way to transmit and elevate your voice is with a podcast. This plan will outline for you the pillars of success needed prior to the launch of your show!

🎥 Watch my free video, 5 Key Pillars of a Profitable Podcast that every business owner needs to know prior to launching their show.

🎙️ Subscribe to Podcast Junkies + Vertical Farming Podcast to hear inspiring stories guaranteed to make you a better host.

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