The golden benefits of ADHD | Thomas Idem | TEDxArendal
Summary
TLDRThis video script uses the analogy of a bar with absent bouncers to illustrate the challenges of ADHD, affecting attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity. It highlights the varying global perspectives on ADHD diagnosis and emphasizes the importance of self-definition and leveraging ADHD traits as strengths, such as energy, focus, and flexibility, to enhance life quality and personal identity.
Takeaways
- 🎶 The script uses the analogy of a bar with absent bouncers to describe the experience of having ADHD, where unfiltered information and lack of control lead to chaos.
- 🧩 ADHD is likened to having a low functioning filter for incoming information, affecting the brain's ability to process signals and impacting behavior.
- 📊 According to the Norway Public Health Institute, 3-5% of Norwegian children are diagnosed with ADHD, with two-thirds expected to still have it as adults.
- 🌍 Geographic disparities exist in ADHD diagnosis rates, with the U.S. having higher rates than Norway, and variations within the U.S. itself.
- 👶 Children living on the East Coast and near the poverty line are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, suggesting potential socioeconomic influences.
- 🤔 The speaker, who is diagnosed with ADHD, emphasizes that the condition is not a barrier but a part of one's identity that can be leveraged positively.
- 🔑 The three main features of ADHD are hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, which can be reframed as energy, focus, and flexibility.
- 🏋️♂️ Hyperactivity is described as having excess energy, which can be channeled positively rather than seen as a drawback.
- 🎯 Inattention can manifest as hyperfocus, where individuals with ADHD can concentrate intensely on a single task, a trait that can be advantageous.
- 💡 Impulsivity is reframed as flexibility, suggesting that the ability to act quickly can be a strength in certain situations.
- 🌟 The speaker encourages individuals with ADHD to view their condition as a set of skills and strengths, rather than limitations.
Q & A
What metaphor is used to describe ADHD in the transcript?
-The metaphor used to describe ADHD is a popular bar with malfunctioning bouncers, leading to chaos as there is no control over incoming and outgoing people.
What does the bouncer metaphor signify in the context of ADHD?
-The bouncer metaphor signifies the brain's ability to filter and manage incoming information, which is impaired in individuals with ADHD.
What are the three main features of ADHD mentioned in the transcript?
-The three main features of ADHD mentioned are hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
How does hyperactivity manifest in individuals with ADHD?
-Hyperactivity manifests as physical restlessness and fidgeting, both externally and internally.
What challenges do individuals with ADHD face in terms of attention?
-Individuals with ADHD face challenges such as difficulties paying attention, getting easily distracted, and having problems following organized tasks and activities.
What is impulsivity in the context of ADHD?
-Impulsivity in the context of ADHD involves difficulties waiting for one's turn, interrupting others, and finishing others' sentences.
What statistics are provided about ADHD in Norway?
-According to the Norway Public Health Institute, between 3% and 5% of Norwegian children are diagnosed with ADHD, and two-thirds of those are expected to still have the diagnosis in adulthood.
How do ADHD diagnosis rates in the U.S. compare to those in Norway?
-In the U.S., the ADHD diagnosis rates are higher, with variations depending on the region, such as higher rates on the East Coast compared to the West Coast.
What is the situation of ADHD diagnosis in France?
-In France, the percentage of children diagnosed with and treated medically for ADHD is less than 0.5%.
What positive traits are associated with ADHD according to the speaker?
-The speaker associates positive traits such as energy, hyperfocus, and flexibility with ADHD.
How does the speaker view their own ADHD diagnosis?
-The speaker views their own ADHD diagnosis positively, emphasizing the potential benefits and skills associated with it, rather than just the challenges.
Outlines
🍻 The ADHD Bar Analogy
The speaker uses the analogy of a bar with ineffective bouncers to describe the experience of having ADHD. In this scenario, the bar represents the brain, and the bouncers symbolize the brain's filtering system. With the bouncers not doing their job, the bar becomes chaotic, much like how ADHD affects one's ability to process information and maintain focus. The analogy further explains how this lack of filtering can lead to difficulties in various aspects of life, such as maintaining order, managing tasks, and interacting with others. The speaker also touches on the varying prevalence of ADHD diagnoses in different regions and emphasizes that while ADHD can be burdensome, it is manageable and not an insurmountable obstacle.
🏃♂️ Hyperactivity, Inattention, and Impulsivity
This paragraph delves into the three main characteristics of ADHD: hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. Hyperactivity is described as a physical restlessness and an internal tension that contrasts with the ability to pay attention. Inattention is portrayed as a struggle to focus, especially when there are more interesting distractions available. The concept of 'hyperfocus' is introduced, where individuals with ADHD can intensely concentrate on a single task. Impulsivity is discussed as a tendency to act without thinking, which can be both a challenge and, in some contexts, a positive trait. The speaker also addresses the societal and self-perception issues associated with ADHD, encouraging a shift in perspective from viewing these traits as symptoms to recognizing them as skills with potential.
💡 Embracing ADHD as a Source of Potential
The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of self-definition and the potential inherent in individuals with ADHD. The speaker argues that by focusing on the positive aspects of ADHD, such as energy, focus, and flexibility, individuals can improve their life quality. The paragraph discusses the challenges of self-regulation, procrastination, and the tendency to seek novelty, which can lead to frequent changes in relationships and jobs. However, it also highlights the unique ability of people with ADHD to hyperfocus and the positive aspects of impulsivity, such as flexibility and creativity in problem-solving. The speaker concludes by encouraging those with ADHD to view their condition not as a limitation, but as a source of strength and potential.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡ADHD
💡Filter
💡Hyperactivity
💡Inattention
💡Impulsivity
💡Diagnosis
💡Self-regulating skills
💡Hyperfocus
💡Identity
💡Potentials
💡Energy
Highlights
ADHD can be described as having a low functioning filter for incoming information.
An analogy of a bar with bouncers not working properly to illustrate the challenges of ADHD.
Difficulty in maintaining service levels in the bar due to the influx of unregulated guests, similar to the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD.
The importance of proper ordering of supplies and maintenance in a bar as a metaphor for the need for structured support systems for those with ADHD.
Approximately 3-5% of Norwegian kids are diagnosed with ADHD, with two-thirds expected to still have the diagnosis as adults.
Regional differences in ADHD diagnosis rates, with the U.S. having higher rates than Norway.
The speaker's personal experience with ADHD and working as a coach to help others manage their symptoms.
ADHD characterized by three main features: hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
The potential positive aspects of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity when reframed as energy, focus, and flexibility.
Challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in traditional educational and work environments.
The concept of 'hyperfocus' among individuals with ADHD, the ability to intensely concentrate on a single task.
The negative impact of using ADHD as an excuse for lack of effort or failure.
The importance of self-definition and viewing ADHD as a part of one's identity rather than a limitation.
The potential for individuals with ADHD to excel in areas that align with their unique strengths and abilities.
The speaker's personal journey and the various roles and experiences they've had, emphasizing the positive aspects of living with ADHD.
A call to action for individuals with ADHD to recognize and utilize their 'golden benefits' of energy, focus, and flexibility.
The conclusion emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and the potential for a high-quality life with ADHD.
Transcripts
[Music]
ADHD it can be described as having a low
functioning filter for incoming
information and imagine a bar a popular
bar it's Saturday it's summer the band
is playing and it's full of happy people
there is only one problem the bouncers
the bouncers they are not working
properly they're just sitting in a
corner playing poker or something like
that I don't know so there there is no
one at the door checking their arrival
arriving guests and there is no one to
throw out the ones that are not supposed
to be there anymore
so the bar keeper's they try to maintain
a certain level on the service but after
a while it gets hard for the waitresses
to get all the glasses back into the bar
again because of all the people of
course
so they swap from draft beer to selling
bottle beer but after a few hours there
they run out of bottles up just in
desperation they gives up and started
mixing free drinks of course straight
into the mouths of the guests and what a
night what a party it isn't until the
early morning hours that the party
gradually terminates itself to run a bar
like this it's okay for a short period
of time but after a while it will suffer
ordering of supplies isn't working
properly
maintenance is bit wobbly the manager is
definitely grumpy and the rest of the
stuff well they're not quite happy
either to have a small malfunction like
in like in the bouncer department that
will give a burden to the rest of the
system and this goes for people with
ADHD too having small malfunction in the
brain causes the brain the ability to
process signals in some areas to be
reduced and this have a huge effect
sometimes
on the person's behavior ADHD according
to the Norway Public Health Institute
somewhere between three and five percent
of Norwegian kids are diagnosed with
ADHD and two-thirds of those are
expected to still have the diagnosed
when adult that means in this room today
we are approximately 500 people I guess
in this room today about 16 of you have
ADHD ish but that number if we've been
to the u.s. that number would be higher
it would be maybe 26 maybe 30 it depends
on where in the u.s. you would have been
like in the in the western part of the
United States they have much lower ADHD
rates than on the East Coast and if
you're a kid living on the East Coast
and living close to the poverty line
then you definitely you are in
definitely in the danger zone of getting
an ADHD diagnosed but there is hope move
to France yeah we're the amount of kids
diagnosed with and treated medically for
ADHD is less than 0.5% there are
mystical variations here and there are
even those who don't believe that ADHD
exists me I'm diagnosed with ADHD and I
work as a coach amongst other things of
course well as a coach my job is not to
medicate people or diagnose them my job
is simply to help people sort out their
lives existence or not ADHD can be
characterized by three main features and
these are hyperactivity inattention and
impulsivity
and these are great character traits to
have as a pupil as a student employee as
a partner president
I'm not judging anyone
hi I'm hi I'm a struggling with the
hyperactivity inattention and a low
impulse control will you be my
girlfriend will hire me vote for me
maybe not
well hyperactivity it's a physical thing
it's about being restless and a bit
fidget also on the inside and in the
tension that is the opposite of paying
attention like having difficulties
paying attention at school getting
easily distracted having problems to
follow organized tasks and activities
like a yo-yo Thomas did you not get the
message well sir actually I got the
message I just didn't know exactly what
to do with it because I didn't pay
attention in the first place but and
then we have the impulsivity you know a
little bit here a little bit there and a
little bit of having difficulties
waiting in line waiting for my turn on
the other hand it's very easy for us to
interrupt and this to disturb other
people and it's very easy for us to
finish other people's sentences ah
especially when we know what were they
what they are supposed to say anyway
ADHD can appear as having low self
regulating skills it can appear as a
procrastinating postpone mania and
generally having problems with
prioritizing and organizing we get tired
of things and we get easily bored and
quite a few of us we we have this eager
to more or less constantly try something
new something exciting which leads us
into things such as high frequency real
monogamy and us regularly changing jobs
which again leads us to well not keeping
up to date with friends or colleagues
regarding
career advances and increased income and
we can take me for a for an example I'm
only forty four years also I expect this
list to grow in the future I've done a
few thing in my life and this is a few
of them and there I I was diagnosed as
an adult and I'm fine with that
I really am because I met people great
people that have been trained by parents
and other role models they have been
trained to use the diagnose as an
argument not to try betray trained to
user diagnosed as an excuse not to fail
resulting in lack of important learning
so you shouldn't go there you got ADHD
and you with your ADHD oh no one
definitely not go and no and no and no I
know because you've got ADHD no well I'm
glad I didn't know any better and I'm
definitely glad that my parents didn't
know any better
so we're worried yes hyperactivity
inattention and impulsivity vote for me
and you'll never go hungry again and
this is this is the description of a
person with ADHD for instance me but
it's not it's not me
I mean well according to some people
it's me actually but those are just
psychiatrists and stuff I just well
anyway I mean the point is who really
wants to be something like this if any
one and one one you want it to be okay
that's you jiggle-ator hyperactivity if
we dive into this well what does it mean
hyperactivity at least it entails having
energy in some way and if I ask you what
sounds better being hyper or having
energy I am willing to bet my diagnosis
that most of you would choose having
energy
and energy is a good thing to have in
attention I
I admit that sometimes it can be a bit
hard to pay attention especially if
there is something more interesting to
do and there is often something more
interesting things to do but that kid
that 7 year old kid who until one year
ago was running freely around in
kindergarten thinking about life is
great he's now in a totally different
situation he's in in a situation where
he's supposed to sit down and shut up
for 45 minutes a time and when he or she
is not paying attention it's not
necessarily because they don't have the
ability to concentrate it might as well
be because they are 100% occupied with
something completely different that
happens hyper focus the ability to
maintain focus on one assignment and
that assignment only a lot of people
with ADHD have that ability and adults -
and that is a unique trait to have
impulsivity a little bit here a little
bit there can it be positive yes of
course it can and I just get straight to
the point and say it but it's it can be
possible possibly positive because it's
not still civilly I choose to call it
flexibility because that's what it is
and I'm not trying to swipe the dirt
under the rug here and pretend that
everything is clean because after all
dirt is dirt where whatever wherever
they it is but I do mean that we will
get more of what we choose to give
attention to and by focusing on our
potentials we will achieve good and
lasting life quality when I work with
people ADHD or not it's a precondition
for me to work with people's views of
themselves energy focus and flexibility
those are words less limiting more
positive and with great
tential and these words there are
definitely not symptoms these words
there are skills important skills of an
and being an important part of our
identity having the energy to do what we
believe in to do more what we enjoy
because that will create more of the
right kind of energy which again
increases our chances of being satisfied
so that we one day or maybe everyday can
look in the mirror and say I am a human
resource a high ability to focus on the
key focusing on work on family and to
our personal important goals in life
having the flexibility to solve problems
in the creative way to move gallantly
between obstacles that come in our way
because they will come for me well for
me is pretty simple it boils down to one
thing defining oneself defining
ourselves and why on earth should we not
define ourselves in the best possible
way
this too is ADHD this is my ADHD and for
those of you out there especially those
16 or was it 19 in this room having ADHD
please do remember that these are our
golden benefits and thank you very much
for listening thank you
you
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