Do people give you a hard time for not paying attention? Do teachers say your child is “hyperactive” and zoning out or butting in on people’s conversations?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) seems odd to those not experiencing it. Judgment toward undiagnosed adults who struggle in the workplace or relationships can be harsh.
Let’s break ADHD/ADD down so we can find out where it may come from, how it’s treated, and if trauma has anything to do with it.
The Classic Signs of ADHD
ADHD diagnoses fall into two broad camps: Hyperactive/Impulsive presentation and Inattentive presentation.
ADHD begins in early childhood; we’ll look at it through a child’s lens.
Inattentive:
This type of ADHD is characterized by frequent “zoning out,” being forgetful, or otherwise having difficulty following instructions. An Inattentive ADHD child may…
- Make careless mistakes in their school work and ignore small details.
- Not be able to focus on a single task for an extended period.
- Refrain from listening to directions even when explicitly told.
- Do not follow instructions correctly, even if they understand them.
- Possess few organizational skills, resulting in messy workspaces, missed deadlines, and poor planning.
- Lack of basic organizational skills, resulting in messy rooms, backpacks, and planning.
Hyperactive/ Impulsive:
This type is characterized by never being able to sit still and having difficulty staying silent. A Hyperactive ADHD child may…
- Fidget and squirm in situations where they are expected to sit still.
- Wander away from situations where they must be present.
- Run and climb instead of sitting still.
- Have trouble playing by themselves or staying quiet during leisure activities.
- Have a hard time playing alone or staying quiet when they are expected to.
- Always seem to have large amounts of energy.
- Interrupt other’s conversations or never be able to wait their turn.
The Origins of ADHD
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 9% (or more) of children. The condition is biological. Some believe a child’s environment also influences it.
However, it is still not precisely known where ADHD comes from. That issue is up for debate.
Here are some proposed ideas from scientists and psychologists:
- Biological sensitivity to certain chemicals or environments.
- Differences in brain anatomy.
- Hereditary factors.
- Head injuries.
- Prenatal exposure to certain substances.
- Low birth weight.
It could be any combination of these factors, making a conclusive origin hard to pin down.
Because stress plays a significant role in brain development, some research has shown that adverse childhood experiences like exposure to violence and neglect may contribute to the development of ADHD.
Some believe that the typical “zoning out” some people living with ADHD describe is a kind of trained mental dissociation from trauma. However, there are ideas that challenge this.
Let’s look at the similarities and differences between trauma and ADHD symptoms and why this matters for treatment:
The Signs of ADHD vs. Trauma — What We Can Say For Sure
ADHD and trauma symptoms can look similar in some instances. Here are some examples of what appear to be ADHD symptoms but may actually be trauma symptoms:
- Hyperarousal: Children who have experienced trauma may become hypersensitive to signs of “danger” related to their traumatic event. This results in a kind of mental hypervigilance. If a child’s mind is frequently on the lookout for signs of danger, they may have difficulty paying attention to what’s right in front of them, resulting in behavior that looks like ADHD.
- Reliving Traumatic Events: Children who’ve experienced trauma may struggle with intrusive thoughts or images related to the traumatic event. Being preoccupied with these memories and feelings can make a child appear “spaced out” and never entirely present. This can look like Inattentive ADHD.
- A Negative View of Others: ADHD children can develop symptoms associated with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), a condition marked by rebelliousness and resistance to authority. Children who’ve experienced trauma can be untrusting and aggressive toward others.
- Difficulty With Executive Functions: An “executive function disorder” is a condition that impairs an individual’s ability to make plans and follow through on tasks. Most children who’ve experienced trauma are constantly in a fight or flight level of arousal, impairing their ability to manage emotions and plan things effectively. As with ADHD, traumatized children are constantly distracted.
There are, however, plenty of aspects of ADHD that do not mix with trauma symptoms. According to the Child Mind Institue:
“…kids who are hyperactive and impulsive have behaviors that don’t map with trauma: ‘Interrupting, excessive talkativeness, running down the hallway.’ Having a variety of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms points to ADHD.
In the same way, kids with PTSD have symptoms that are not consistent with ADHD. For instance, they experience intrusive, disturbing thoughts — not a symptom of ADHD.”
It is still unclear whether trauma causes ADHD, but it can occur along with it and be exacerbated by it.
It is important to note that for ADHD or trauma, any symptoms of these conditions are cause for diagnosis and treatment. In the same way, unresolved trauma can cause significant harm in a person’s adult life; a missed ADHD diagnosis can lead to all sorts of trouble.
How ADHD Is Treated in Children and Adults
There are several effective avenues for ADHD treatment.
Here are two examples:
- Parent Management Training (PMT):
Parent coaching has been shown to be an effective treatment for children with ADHD. It is based on training parents to guide their children in the right direction regarding their ADHD symptoms.
Parents develop effective strategies for managing their child’s symptoms, such as…
- Setting clear boundaries.
- Using positive reinforcement when their child follows through on tasks and stays organized.
- Developing routines to keep their child on track.
- Addressing the parents’ stress levels and relationship with their child.
- Organizational Skills Training
Organizational Skills Training (OST) is essentially brain training. It allows people living with ADHD to master their symptoms and guide themselves and their lives in the right direction. These are practical skills that anyone could benefit from.
Here are some examples of Organizational Skills:
- Writing important things down instead of trying to remember them.
- Scheduling tasks weeks and months in advance so that you always have a fixed direction to move in.
- Keeping a planner for managing school assignments or adult responsibilities.
- Giving up multitasking and learning the power of single-minded focus.
- Clearing away clutter in your home and workspaces.
- Making rules around your technology use and reducing your screen time.
ADHD Is Treatable, and So Is Trauma
ADHD and trauma are not disabilities.
They come about as a result of our environments and unique genetic features. They can be addressed, released, worked on, or mitigated.
If you feel as though you struggle with anything related to ADHD or trauma, then you should not hesitate to seek treatment.
You are not stuck in your mental state. There are things you can and should do about it. Taking action will likely benefit you for the rest of your life.
