Again, we’re reaching for the truth. Building on last week’s look into common ADHD misunderstandings. (Here’s the link to last week’s blog where I blow up the idea that ADHD adults always like change.)
I regularly run across today’s ADHD mix up. In fact, it’s one that’s impacts me personally. The idea that if you’ve got Inattentive ADHD you aren’t hyperactive.
Sure, that’s how it seems from the outside. We Inattentive ADHD types look like we’re sitting around staring off into space. You’d think ADHD hyperactivity missed us completely.
But… there’s always a but, isn’t there? What you see is just appearance. Dig deeper and you’ll see you’ve been snagged by another one of those common misunderstandings about ADHD.
The Truth About Inattentive ADHD
Actually, people with Inattentive ADHD are awash with hyperactivity. You just can’t see it because all that activity takes place in the brain. Think of it like the brain is hyperactive and the body is quiet.
I think the label Inattentive ADHD is a misnomer. All ADHD is inattentive. Dr. Charles Parker suggests a better name. In his book New ADHD Medication Rules, he calls Inattentive Type Thinking Not Acting ADHD.
Your Inattentive friend Jean only appears to be lounging on the sofa doing nothing. In reality her brain is wildly busy. Flashing from thought to thought. Ideas churning non-stop.
Ask Jean and she’ll tell you her brain is a busy place. How in fact sometimes her thoughts and ideas fly so fast it’s painful. Jean’s problem is she thinks about doing all kinds of things but rarely does them.
Let’s set the record straight on something else while we’re talking about common misunderstandings about Inattentive ADHD. It’s not just for women. Men have Inattentive Type ADHD, too.
Inattentive type ADHD often goes undiagnosed. We aren’t disruptive. We don’t cause much trouble. Except when you need us to get something done. Will you find us working diligently? Well…not until the deadline looms. You’ll probably find us lounging and fretting about doing the thing you need us to do.
I hope you’re enjoying shining light on these common ADHD misunderstandings as much as I am. We’ve got one more to talk about next week. An ADHD mix-up that makes it harder for you to focus and get stuff done.
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Nailed it! I have compared it to being in a room with 50 televisions on tuned into 50 fascinating channels with the volume up as loud as it’ll go on all of them.
Perfect description! Brain Pain. My brain is loads quieter with better brain care and symptom control. Still gets busy in there though.