Yah the epigenetics are interesting, especially with childhood trauma.
But Hyperfocus is commonly discussed on ADHDer forums and medical literature. It’s more common symptom for “inattentive subtype”. Actually there’s one ADHD’er on Instagram who has some hilarious short videos on it.
ADHD is probably better described as not “lack of attention” but “difficulty in choosing where focus goes”. In the medical literature and American medical guidelines (DSM) there are three subtypes of adhd based on symptoms: hyperactive, inattentive, or combined. The labels aren’t quite accirate, but hyperactive is the classic “boys running around out of control” adhd. Inattentive is the “absent minded professor” type.
Sounds like you may be more of the “inattentive subtype” which is what I was officially diagnosed with at a university health center after weeks of testing, a 6 hours IQ exam, and counseling. Less experienced doctors might not know about it.
The trance you describe when hitting that hyperfocus state is probably my “biggest weakness” adhd wise; it’s also my biggest asset when I can guide it onto something useful. But yes I take Concerta largely to help me be able to break out of those states. Though it takes counseling and mental effort to take advantage of it. Lately I’ve been enjoying programming almost to the exclusion of everything else in my life. I’m trying to rebalance myself a bit. I hope you can read up on it and maybe find a counselor with experience too. Medication needs to be combined with therapy to help take full advantage of it, IMHO.
But Hyperfocus is commonly discussed on ADHDer forums and medical literature. It’s more common symptom for “inattentive subtype”. Actually there’s one ADHD’er on Instagram who has some hilarious short videos on it.
ADHD is probably better described as not “lack of attention” but “difficulty in choosing where focus goes”. In the medical literature and American medical guidelines (DSM) there are three subtypes of adhd based on symptoms: hyperactive, inattentive, or combined. The labels aren’t quite accirate, but hyperactive is the classic “boys running around out of control” adhd. Inattentive is the “absent minded professor” type.
Sounds like you may be more of the “inattentive subtype” which is what I was officially diagnosed with at a university health center after weeks of testing, a 6 hours IQ exam, and counseling. Less experienced doctors might not know about it.
The trance you describe when hitting that hyperfocus state is probably my “biggest weakness” adhd wise; it’s also my biggest asset when I can guide it onto something useful. But yes I take Concerta largely to help me be able to break out of those states. Though it takes counseling and mental effort to take advantage of it. Lately I’ve been enjoying programming almost to the exclusion of everything else in my life. I’m trying to rebalance myself a bit. I hope you can read up on it and maybe find a counselor with experience too. Medication needs to be combined with therapy to help take full advantage of it, IMHO.