Admitting ADHD Exists

Acceptance is Painful

Many people (particularly it seems many journalists with ADD themselves!), have a problem admitting that ADHD exists. There is more experimental proof of the existence of ADHD than of any other mental difference, evidence in genetics, brain imaging and response to medications. Yet for many it seems to be almost painful to accept the reality of ADD/ADHD, why is this?

Brave Genes
I think, to accept that ADD exists, is to admit that nature and chemicals play a far more significant part than nurture or "strength of character" in peoples personality and success. That someone who is regarded as brave, was in fact dealt some "brave genes" at birth, that someone who works hard has better connections to their frontal lobes or that someone who is funny maybe lacks those connections contradicts many peoples deep help beliefs. Admitting that ADHD exists, is to admit that much of what people give credit for, admire and value is based more on genetic chance and neuro-chemicals than on effort or determination.



Even more disturbing is for normal (Neuro-Typical) people to hear that some of the most influential people of history, the explorers, artists, inventors, comics and agents of positive change were ADD, really brings out the dissonance! State that ADD in certain cases brings special skills and abilities then watch non-ADD people desperately struggle to dispute logic- "How can ADHD have positive traits?", "ADHD doesn't exist, but if it did exist it is a disorder anyway with nothing positive about it". Many NT scientists such as Barkley seem to struggle with this too.

Playing your Cards Right
Admitting ADD exists, is to admit we are all dealt very different cards in life. Whether we are tall or short, happy or sad, determined or lazy, is mainly pre-determined by our genes - but that is not the end of our story. We can choose to rest on our laurels and kid ourselves and others that we are special and deserve recognition for the lucky genetic cards we have been dealt or we can give up and not bother because our hand of cards is weak. I cannot applaud someone for being being hard-working when this comes easily to them, anymore than I think it is acceptable to give up if someone finds work hard.

The people that I most admire are those that are honest with themselves, who accept and work with their weaknesses and embrace and maximise their strengths, for the benefit of themselves and others. If you win the game having been dealt a poor hand that shows more skill and perseverance than winning holding all the aces.