AD(H)D Is an Observational Mistake

Have you ever closely observed a child with AD(H)D and a child without it?

A child with AD(H)D approaches every task with maximum intensity, with their whole body.

Children without AD(H)D are much more moderate; they take a “longer stroke.”

If you were to translate this into sports, AD(H)D children are kickboxers (short and explosive), while children without AD(H)D are marathon runners.

This has nothing to do with the brain. The mistake in thinking is that it seems to be about the brain, because:

• The brain does actually look different on a scan

• It runs in families, which makes it appear genetic

But brains do not operate autonomously. Brains serve an entire body, or an entire environment. Brains don’t exist in isolation—they are connections.

You could better turn it around. Some children teach themselves from an early age to approach every task with maximum intensity. This is difficult for outsiders to imagine. You do certain things with every fiber of your being; you forget your surroundings.

The downside is that you burn through all your energy much faster and then end up exhausted. You also get bored more quickly, because 1) you learn faster, and 2) you only want to invest your energy in things you truly enjoy.

People without AD(H)D are much more moderate in this regard. They work less explosively per minute without even noticing and spread their energy over the whole day. This makes it easier for them to stay focused throughout the day.

To be clear: AD(H)D still “exists,” but more as a strategy and intensity of approaching life. It is about living at maximum intensity. It is the equivalent of learning to drive an exceptional car: if you can handle it, nobody will ever catch you.