“Turns out, that whole ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ (ADHD) thing? Yeah, it might just be a superpower in disguise.
I’ll never forget that Zoom call with Blake. Witnessing their brain click into place, realising it wasn’t like everyone else’s? That’s a privilege. Five years as Blake’s psychotherapist, I saw their world from the inside out.
Blake? They’re lightning-fast, ridiculously smart, and can solve complex problems with these elegant, simple solutions. Boom, done. But that brilliance? It led to overwhelm. They needed regular mental detoxes, having spent years stuffing down emotions that felt like nuclear waste. This internal battle? It left them feeling disconnected, even from their closest people.
Then, Blake, grinning, says, with a hint of nerves, “I think I’m going to get an ADHD diagnosis.”
We dove in. Explored what that could mean, how it could unlock their life. We unpacked the support a diagnosis could bring, navigating a world that’s still catching up to neurodiversity. And then? We flipped the script. We looked at this ‘deficit and disorder’ through a whole new lens: strength and possibility.
Is Your ADHD a Superpower in Disguise?
What if we’ve got it all wrong? Could ADHD be untapped potential not a deficit? What if our families, schools, and workplaces just haven’t figured out how to harness these unique strengths?
Could ADHD actually be a sign of boundless energy, laser focus, and insatiable curiosity?
Dr. Edward Hallowell, in his book ADHD 2.0, absolutely thinks so. He wants to ditch the old label and call it VAST: Variable Attention Stimulus Trait. Dr. Hallowell’s on a mission to shift ADHD from ‘problem’ to ‘potential,’ seeing our brain differences as strengths, as extra capacity.
He sees ADHD as an abundance of attention. And like any strength, it can flip and become a weakness. Strengths-based science? It tells us we’ve got to cultivate, manage, and develop those talents to turn them into superpowers. Capabilities that work for us, not against us.
VAST brains? They’re no different. We’ve got to own that abundance of curiosity, hyperfocus, and all that extra brainpower.
But how do we pull off that magic trick when the world’s still stuck on ‘deficit and disorder’?
The World’s Still Stuck on ‘You’re the Problem!’
Look, life with ADHD? It’s tough. People talk about crushing fatigue, feeling constantly wired. Nervous systems on overdrive. Big challenges at work, in relationships.
Could some of that be because we’ve been looking at ADHD as a ‘problem’ for over 120 years? Dr. Hallowell wonders if that constant negativity from childhood onward has taken a toll.
In my practice, I see it. Stories of harsh childhoods, trying to navigate families and schools with a brain that’s different. I wonder if that’s created a harsh inner critic in some of my clients, that voice that judges, second-guesses, attacks.
Personality science tells us those inner voices might be there to protect us, to shield us from judgment. Maybe it’s a protective mechanism gone into overdrive, judging ourselves before anyone else can.
So, how do we navigate a world that thinks we’re the problem, when we want to unlock the strengths in our neurodiverse brains?
Claiming Your ADHD as a Strength
How do we find our own path to tapping into the potential of our neurodiverse brains?
Your Strengths Awareness
How can you start decoding your natural talents? Maybe journaling, mindfulness, or feedback from friends has helped you see how your brain fuels your success?
Or, are you ready for a deeper dive with a scientific approach? These tools can help unlock the hidden treasures of your VAST brain:
- Wingfinder: Discover your unique strengths.
- CliftonStrengths: Identify your top talent themes.
- VIA Institute on Character: Uncover your core character strengths.
- Strengths Profile: Gain a comprehensive understanding of your strengths.
Once you know your strengths, integrate them. Use them to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and create a life of purpose.
Assemble Your Circle of Support
Our wellbeing? It’s tied to our connections. People with VAST brains need that support, too. We all need a constellation of people to help us grow, learn, and turn those weaknesses into strengths.
- Who are your therapists, psychologists, doctors? Do they see your ADHD as a strength?
- Are you connected to a neurodiverse community? Online or in person?
- What conversations can you have with family and friends about seeing your ADHD as abundance?
What Could My VAST Life Look Like?
Imagine a world where families, schools, and workplaces are built to maximize our strengths. Where we can access wellbeing and productivity from day one.
Blake’s building that world. By understanding their ADHD as a strength, they’ve learned to manage their energy, harness their hyperfocus, and channel their creativity. They’re surrounded by support, and they’re thriving.”
More articles by Andrew Sloan on Conscious Breaths here.
