I Have New Hope for Transforming My Attention Deficit
I just read Gabor Maté’s perspective on ADHD and it made sense to me
As someone who has struggled with attentional issues since childhood, I vibe with a combo of ideas about ADHD. I want acceptance. And I also want realistic hope and tools to improve how I feel.
Gabor Maté’s ADHD FAQ page recently added itself to my “hope about improving” collection, but it did give me a self-love idea or two, too. The Canadian physician described that the purpose of ADHD meds for children—only with their consent and desire—should be to improve their inner life, not control behavior or grades. As a focus-seeking 31-year-old, this reminds me to emphasize how I can expand my personal happiness as an adult, rather than let others’ reactions to my absentminded best effort get to me.
But is ADHD just a misunderstood gift? Would my creative strengths no longer exist without my ADD? (I’m the inattentive type only, not hyperactive.)
It seems more people today would answer “yes,” thanks to growing awareness of neurodiversity. However, Gabor Maté would answer “no” to both questions. I’m inclined to agree with him. I think ADD is an unnecessary problem I have. That said, I like to see problems as gifts anyway, as I’m happier embracing the growth opportunities…
