Does 'ADHD' even feel like the right name for what this is?

The Name "ADHD" Sucks at Describing What This Actually Is

"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" sounds like I can't pay attention and I'm bouncing off the walls. But that's not what this feels like at all. It feels like having a Ferrari engine with bicycle brakes and no steering wheel.

You can hyperfocus on interesting things for 12 hours straight, but you can't focus on boring-but-important things for 12 minutes. You're not "disordered"—you're just running different mental software than everyone else assumes you have.

What ADHD Actually Feels Like

The name misses the real experience:

• Interest-based attention: You can't force attention on boring things, but you can't stop it on interesting things
• Executive function challenges: Starting tasks is hard, stopping tasks is hard, switching tasks is hard
• Emotional intensity: Everything feels more intense—excitement, frustration, rejection, joy
• Pattern recognition: You see connections others miss, but you also see problems others ignore
• Time blindness: Two minutes and two hours feel the same until the deadline hits

Why the Name Matters (And Why It Doesn't)

The Name Creates Misunderstanding

"Attention Deficit" implies you don't have enough attention. But you have plenty of attention—it's just not under conscious control. You can hyperfocus on code for 8 hours and forget to eat, but you can't focus on a boring meeting for 8 minutes.

But the Name Gives You Access to Help

The medical system requires diagnostic labels to provide treatment. "ADHD" is the official name that gets you access to medication, accommodations, and understanding from people who matter.

Alternative Ways to Think About It

Some people prefer different frameworks:

• "Executive Function Disorder": Focuses on the real challenges with planning, prioritizing, and task management
• "Interest-Based Nervous System": Describes how motivation and attention work differently
• "Neurodivergent": Broader term that includes ADHD without medical pathology framing
• "Hunter brain in a farmer world": Emphasizes different strengths rather than deficits

Living with ADHD in Tech

The Good News

Tech work can be great for ADHD brains:

• Complex, interesting problems that engage hyperfocus
• Flexible schedules that work with your natural rhythms
• Results matter more than how you get them
• Pattern recognition and creative problem-solving are valued

The Challenges

But tech work also has ADHD pitfalls:

• Endless interesting projects that lead to never finishing anything
• Boring tasks (documentation, code reviews) that feel impossible
• Open office distractions that make concentration impossible
• Imposter syndrome from inconsistent performance

What Actually Helps

Work with Your Brain, Not Against It

• Schedule demanding work during your peak focus hours
• Use hyperfocus productively instead of fighting it
• Create systems that work with your natural patterns
• Find ways to make boring tasks interesting

Build the Right Environment

• Reduce distractions during focus time
• Have multiple projects so you can switch when stuck
• Use external structure when internal structure fails
• Find accountability partners who understand your brain

Get Professional Support

• Medication can be life-changing for many people
• Therapy helps with emotional regulation and coping strategies
• Coaching provides practical systems and accountability
• Support groups connect you with others who understand

The Bottom Line

"ADHD" might be a terrible name for what you experience, but it's the name that gets you help. Use whatever language feels right to you personally, but don't let frustration with the terminology stop you from getting support.

Your brain isn't broken—it's just running different software. The challenge is learning to work with your operating system instead of constantly trying to emulate someone else's.

FAQ: ADHD and Neurodivergence

Q: Should I get formally diagnosed even if I'm managing fine?

A: Formal diagnosis gives you access to medication, accommodations, and professional support. Even if you're managing now, having resources available for difficult periods can be valuable.

Q: Will medication change my personality or creativity?

A: Good medication should help you feel more like yourself, not less. It can actually enhance creativity by reducing the mental noise that prevents you from executing on ideas.

Q: How do I explain ADHD to colleagues without making excuses?

A: Focus on practical accommodations that help you do your best work. "I'm more productive in quiet spaces" or "I work better with written instructions" communicates needs without requiring disclosure.

Q: Is ADHD overdiagnosed or underdiagnosed?

A: Both. It's overdiagnosed in some demographics (young white boys) and underdiagnosed in others (adults, women, people of color). The key is getting proper evaluation from qualified professionals.