One of the biggest pitfalls with having ADHD is feeling like 1) you’re not doing enough, 2) you’re living too slow, 3) you don’t have time. There are a number of things contributing to this. People with ADHD are hypersensitivity to peer pressure and rejection. The feeling of not working hard enough or fast enough can lead to the feeling of failure. People with ADHD can often suffer from cognitive dysfunction – where they want to take action but their brain/body won’t let them so they spend a minute or even days not doing anything while simultaneously being internally screamed at for not doing the task. People with ADHD often live a fast and short life and there is evidence published in various journals – including Euroneuro (2018).
That indicates people with ADHD have a lower life expectancy than those that don’t. Now headlines can be sensational and the article does give some probably causes; depression, addiction and a reward system that operates on dopamine rather than reward/punishment can contribute to wreckless short living. People with undiagnosed / untreated ADHD are more likely to self medicate on substances that may do more harm than good. The dopamine fueled reward system in the ADHD brain may increase the likelihood of unprotected sexual activity and other risky behaviors. That said – having ADHD is NOT a terminal illness. ADHD does not automatically mean a early demise.
There are ways to extend your lifespan whether or NOT you have ADHD and it’s simple; take your time. We all have the same 24 hours. 8 hours in bed, 8 hours in work/school and 8 hours of freedom; 1-3 hours with friends & family, 30-60 minutes of exercise and the remaining 3 hours and 60 minutes to take care of whatever else or enjoy our time. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. No need to run when you aren’t being chased. If you miss a deadline or a window of opportunity there will always be another. Don’t be so busy that you forget how to live. Life isn’t high school, there is no reason why you should feel like you have to “keep up with the Jones”. There is a direct correlation between time and speed. The fast you move, the more you move in time. You’re not being chased. Theres no need to be busy (which is not the same as being productive) and in a rush.
I will leave you with this poem by Dr. David L. Weatherford:
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,or listened to rain slapping the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun fading into the night?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
Do you run through each day on the fly,
when you ask “How are you?”, do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores running through your head?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow,
and in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,
’cause you never had time to call and say hi?
You better slow down, don’t dance so fast,
time is short, the music won’t last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere,
you miss half the fun of getting there.
it’s like an unopened gift thrown away.
Life isn’t a race, so take it slower,
When you worry and hurry through your day,
hear the music before your song is over.
#270magic 