ADHD “superpowers”
Disability? Superpower? Both? My take on the top 3 common ADHD "superpowers"
Is having ADHD really a superpower? From my own experience, I would hardly classify what I go through as a superpower; ADHD can socially be classified as a disability, but that’s sort of where this argument begins. Now, I can only submit what I know of basic research of ADHD and it’s symptoms, and the research is ongoing, so please just be aware that I am speaking from a personal perspective. I am trying to understand it for myself and it’s turning into a lifetime appointment of learning. But as an experiment in finding our strengths and not dwelling on our weaknesses, here’s my take on the top three major “ADHD superpowers.”
Creativity
The most obvious of them all is creativity. ADHDers have to lean on their unconventional minds and thought patterns to make sense of their lives and routines. ADHD is most widely characterized as a dopamine-deficiency in the brain, which means if the ADHDer isn’t doing everything they can to seek out stimulating activities to get a dopamine release, they’re most likely asleep or dead. The baseline for an ADHDer’s dopamine levels is naturally lower than the a neurotypical (someone without neurodivergent), so that means many, many daily tasks and routines don’t give the ADHDer the satisfaction that it does for everyone else. In order to get the right levels, the ADHD must “supercharge” or “reorient” their daily tasks and routines to make them consistent and doable, or even just to get them done in the first place. This means gamifying many tasks to earn a reward, or to integrate a challenge of some kind on top of the original task itself. So, ask an ADHDer and they likely have a laundry list of ideas and routines that they have devised over the years just to accomplish basic tasks. This can and usually does lead to a proficiency in unconventional problem-solving skills.
Problem-Solving
The ADHDer who’s cultivated a healthy skill in problem-solving might be praised socially because of the value those skills bring to their workplace or within their industry. While a good many ADHD tendencies can hardly be classed as productive, who out there doesn’t need a problem solved or a creative solution utilized to keep up with the competition? This is where a neurodivergent person with ADHD specifically could really shine, as long as their creative problem-solving skills can be utilized consistently. A problem-solver is a person who brings a sense of control or security to an uncertain situation; people with ADHD deal with a great deal of uncertainty in their daily lives, especially those who have lived through crises or rapidly-changing events. When there is no guarantee of success or desired outcomes, an ADHDer who’s a problem-solver might be just the person you want to lead the way toward a creative, yet tangible solution.
Hyperfocus
If you have ADHD, you’ve likely experienced hyperfocus, a flow state of intense interest or focus on a single subject. If you are lucky enough to experience hyperfocus often, you might consider this your ADHD superpower. When hyperfocused, especially when young, you find that your energy is heightened, your ability to articulate details becomes fluid, and your concerns with outside matters fade away. This means you can achieve maximum productivity in that focus area, often surpassing the layman or neurotypical person. What is problematic about this superpower is its unpredictability, at least for the ADHDer - in contrast with the autistic individual, who also has a tendency toward hyperfocus and special interests. The ADHDer receives a gratifying amount of dopamine in their brain from hyperfocus, hence the reason for the intense subject interest and above-average output.
Special Interests
Now, there is no one to one comparison that I know of between an ADHDer who experiences hyperfocus and becoming an overnight expert. There’s the possibility they might end up becoming an expert over time if that focus area remains relevant to them throughout their lives. What better why to become an expert than putting yourself through training for a subject that you cannot help but immerse yourself in? Psychologists might call this a special interest for anyone on any neurodivergent spectrum, including ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). A special interest is anything that keeps that dopamine flood rushing through their brains with consistency and predictability; it’s almost like having an addiction to a subject, in place of a substance. Anyone who has a reliable, stimulating, or better yet, marketable, special interest can easily become a successful expert in that focus area. Many ADHDers end up in fields that can contain those hyper-fixations, but not every ADHDer is lucky enough to make a large profit in those fields. Still, it’s nice to be needed and enjoy what you do.
Resilience
If there’s one thing that many ADHDers might agree on is that they are resilient. The person born with ADHD might have to resort to a certain level of resilience just to keep moving forward. School curriculum, schedules, and assignment expectations only recently take the three recognized types of ADHD and their processing differences into account. For many ADHD adults, it was common growing up to adjust their studying processes or mask to conform to those standards, sacrificing their own energy and self-esteem. Many ADHDers fall behind academically, not because they are stupid or can’t understand the lessons, but because the systems and expectations for so long did not accommodate or recognize their needs. This lead to an expectation of, if not being successful, of being resilient in the face of a challenging or inequitable reality. And yes, this can translate into a superpower, because that means an ADHDer is less likely to give up in a difficult moment.
Energy
It takes a significant amount of energy for anyone to be resilient. An ADHDer who is resilient is someone who builds a secret reserve of energy to make a difficult situation meaningful or conclusive. When many others would want to quit, there is a push that the ADHDer has stored up from many hours, or even years, of practice of being put at a disadvantage in their life. Through having to adjust, mask, and push through, the ADHDer automatically expects their energy to be at a higher level just to accomplish their tasks; they can draw upon the extra energy necessary to get them through with their heads above water. Many ADHDers do well in a crisis for this reason; some even enjoy the adrenaline release from high-stress jobs or careers, like first responders or medical workers. There can be a reciprocal relationship for the resilient ADHDer in a high-stress situation when it comes to energy. Since they have the energy reserves that neurotypical might not, they can outperform in these intense careers and can get a proportional adrenaline, even dopamine, rush to reward them for the spent energy. This superpower is a powerful and needed one, but must be exercised with care so that the resilient ADHDer can avoid inevitable burnout or sickness as a result.
Conclusion
While it’s clear to see that the most accepted and prized ADHD superpowers are born out of some kind of inequity, disadvantage, or deficiency, it doesn’t take away from their value or potential for greater good. Most superpowers can be attributed to an ADHDers need to experience a dopamine release, and that need can be a major driving force for their entire lives. When it comes to your ADHD abilities to tap into these three major superpowers, it’s important to remember that these things can be a source of strength, and not a contributor to weaknesses or low self-esteem. It takes a healthy approach to mental and physical care, and works better with a strong support system. While it is incredible to have a superpower that others applaud and rely on you for, having the space and time to decompress and disengage from these superpowers is the kindest way to stay in the game longer and live a happy life as an ADHD superhero.
