ADHD Why It's The Ultimate Plot Twist Brain

Ahhhh yes, ADHD—a condition that’s both a party trick and a lifelong plot twist. You’ve probably heard about it, but if you think it’s just about being a bit “hyper” or forgetful, buckle up. ADHD is like your brain decided to run every app at once, leave 50 tabs open, and forget where it put the “close all” button.

Here’s what ADHD really is, told with all the chaos and charm that it deserves.

What Exactly Is ADHD?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is basically a brain with a mind of its own. It comes with three primary traits: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Then there's all of the emotional stuff that a medical "dignosis" doesn't even cover. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. It’s like a masterclass in paradox. ADHD brains are simultaneously hyper-focused and totally scattered. You might hyper-fixate on reorganizing your spice rack at 3 a.m. yet forget to send that urgent work email for three days.

In the words of Russell Barkley:

""ADHD is a disorder of doing what you know. It’s not a disorder of not knowing what to do."

This powerful statement points out that that for individuals with ADHD, the struggle isn't a lack of knowledge or intelligence, but rather in the ability to actually do the tasks and follow through with intentions

Why ADHD is Like Having a Bunch of Apps Open at Once

Imagine your brain has a bunch of little browser tabs open: one for each thought, idea, and “Oh, I wonder if penguins have knees” tangent. Some of these tabs are useful, like, “Pick up the kids” or “Don’t forget that dentist appointment,” while others are random fun facts or fleeting ideas you’re likely to forget before you even finish thinking them. But with ADHD, your brain just can’t decide which tab to focus on, so it tries to handle them all at once. The result? You’re deep into a Wikipedia rabbit hole about penguin anatomy, and your kids are still waiting outside school. Oops.

The Hyper-Focus Magic Show

People often think ADHD means you can’t focus on anything, but here’s the plot twist: ADHD brains can be super-focused on things they’re interested in. Ever watched a show so intently you forget to eat, move, or blink? That’s ADHD in its hyper-focus mode. You might ignore the entire world while you read every page of a new book series in one weekend—but good luck finishing that boring work report that’s due tomorrow.

Impulsivity: AKA “The Foot-in-Mouth Syndrome”

Let’s talk impulsivity, the ADHD trait that loves to keep things interesting. Picture this: your friend is sharing a story, and your brain suddenly says, “Hey! You have a similar story! Tell it! Now!” And before you know it, you’re halfway through your own tale, completely derailing the conversation. Social etiquette? That’s for brains with brakes. ADHD brains are more like, “Why stop when you can talk?”

Memory Like a Goldfish on Roller Blades

Here’s another fun fact: ADHD brains sometimes have the memory retention of a goldfish on roller blades. You remember the really random stuff (like your ex’s cousin’s dog’s name) but forget where you parked, what you were just doing, or the fact that you left your coffee on top of the car as you drove off. With ADHD, the brain has a unique ability to forget everything important and remember everything unnecessary. Who needs to know where their keys are when they can recite the lyrics to every single song on the "Greatest Showman" soundtrack!?

So, What’s the Deal with Treatment?

ADHD doesn’t go away, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms. Think of it as giving your brain a bit of structure—a life coach for your mind. Therapy, medication, and ADHD coaching can be tools to help keep things a little more on track (or at least close to it). These tools don’t remove the quirks; they just help turn down the volume on the chaos a bit, making life feel a little more like a symphony and less like a rock concert in a blender.

Everyone has their own view on medication, and that's most likely food for thought for another blog post in itself (Yes that is my ADHD brain at play!)

A Final Word

If ADHD sounds exhausting, it can be. But it’s also kind of amazing. An ADHD brain isn’t broken—it’s just wired differently. You might struggle to keep your desk organised, but you also have bursts of creativity, boundless curiosity, and a knack for seeing the world from new perspectives. Living with ADHD means learning to laugh at the chaos, embrace the quirks, and maybe set a few extra alarms for things like, well you know, real life stuff.