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Carlos Vivanco

Mr. Powers

ENGL 1302

19 Apr. 2023

Challenging Misconceptions: Acknowledging the Struggles of Living with ADHD

Introduction:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition

which affects about 7.1% of children under 18 years of age and about 4.4% of adults (Adamou et

al. 1). As inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are characteristics of ADHD, functioning is

vastly hindered and the ability to perform well in everyday tasks without diversion (Adamou et al.

1). Furthermore, medication administered to mitigate the effects ADHD has on concentration;

however, the response to ADHD medication––like Adderall, a stimulant––is highly individualized

and the occurrence of adverse effects prompt individuals to discontinue its use. Without the aid of

stimulants there is a lack of dopamine binding to dopamine receptors in the brain which shortens

interest; Oscarsson et al. state, “Recurring...monotone and repetitive tasks...caused under-

stimulation, boredom, and subsequent dejection” (“Specific challenges” para. 2). Therefore,

individuals with ADHD are easily distracted and always looking for something outside of their

focus. People with ADHD face many struggles in carrying out everyday tasks; the particular

reason: being more prone to distractions. Individuals with the cognitive disorder may find ways to

cope with ADHD; however, since everyone is unique, not all coping mechanisms work for

everyone. As a result, some people affected by ADHD may feel compelled to turn to external

stimuli to maintain their focus and interest.

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Effects of Background Sounds on ADHD:

Reading proves difficult with noise present in the background, as individuals with ADHD

have difficulty in selective attention. In a study by Bubl and colleagues, they discuss, “elevated

background noise suggests a compromised neuronal information processing and could explain why

patients with ADHD are easily distracted” (7). The presence of background sounds in the

environment poses a challenge for individuals with ADHD when trying to concentrate on reading,

hindering their ability to learn effectively through this medium. Moreover, Seery and colleagues

argue, “caught between the horns of a short attention span...for content, offer variety...an optional

(well) recorded voice for a long read, like a podcast with a transcript” (“The first round” para. 8).

Background sounds can pose an extreme burden to those with ADHD as sounds can create

bothersome interruptions while attempting to complete a task. People with ADHD may find it

extremely difficult to concentrate due to the distracting interruptions that background noise can

provide. According to studies, people with ADHD are more susceptible to being distracted by

background noise than people without the condition (Bubl et al., 2015). This might make it difficult

to finish tasks for work or school and impede social connections.

Emotional Distractions and the Impacts on Attention and Focus:

With ADHD, frequent distractions while attempting to complete a simple task, such as

reading, trigger intense emotions that ultimately steer an individual's attention away from the task

at hand and towards the emotional response. Oscarsson and colleagues state, “Also

prominent...emotional dysregulation” (“Specific challenges” para. 2). To add, a study conducted

by Thorell and colleagues states, “diverting one’s attention to something else to change the

emotional impact of a situation,” (“ADHD and emotional dysregulation” para. 2). Individuals with
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ADHD redirect their attention away from the current situation to manage unwanted intense

emotions, according to research. In a study conducted by Lee et al. (2015), researchers examined

16 adults diagnosed with ADHD and 16 healthy adults, drawn from a larger sample of 243 adult

students (with a mean age of 21), using gaze-emotion recognition tasks (Latifoğlu et al. 1623).

Participants were instructed to perform an antisaccade in the opposite direction of the gaze

direction when the cue face was not emotionally neutral (Latifoğlu et al. 1623). The findings

showed that individuals with ADHD made more errors overall than the control group, highlighting

the role of emotional dysregulation in ADHD and its impact on attention during task completion

(Latifoğlu et al. 1623). This research supports the notion that emotional dysregulation further

digresses the attention of individuals with ADHD. Matza, et al. state, “In adults, ADHD symptoms

are associated with impairment in… emotional adjustment” (1512). According to Matza et al.,

individuals with ADHD experience a multitude of challenges, and emotional dysregulation is one

of the most prominent and difficult to manage.

Basic Distractions in Line of Sight:

Moreover, it is challenging for people with ADHD to focus when there are simple

distractions in their line of sight. Distractions raise the risk of accidents, and attentional control is

essential for workplace safety. Distractions increase the challenges people with ADHD experience

in daily life and decrease productivity, which can result in job loss. Cohen et al. suggest, “Many

jobs are potentially affected, but the detrimental effects most often occur during time-critical and

supervisory-level work activities” (“Managing Interruptions” 32). Even minor distractions, such

as movement or clutter, might divert their attention and make it difficult for them to concentrate

on the activity at hand. Additionally, ADHD can affect a person's capacity for visual attention,
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particularly when there are visual distractions present in their environment. This may make it much

more difficult for those who already struggle with ADHD to finish activities (Lee et al., 29). This

can result in lower productivity and a higher risk of accidents, especially in time-critical or

supervisory-level work activities. To add, Cohen et al. also state, “Irrelevant distractions are not

related to the task at hand; they include... an object seen along the roadside when driving

(“Distractions” 29). Irrelevant distractions are defined as anything that is not related to a person's

current activity and can make it more difficult for a person with ADHD to complete the task at

hand. Individuals with ADHD frequently struggle to sustain interest in tasks that are not

sufficiently demanding and are effortlessly distracted by their environment, resulting in lower

productivity. However, individuals with ADHD can't help but be curious about what's happening

around them, hindering their capacity to focus on the work.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is evident that people with ADHD experience considerable difficulties

finishing activities because of their higher propensity for being sidetracked. Background noise,

emotional instability, and even distractions in line of sight can all impair their ability to concentrate

and finish activities effectively. While some may contend that willpower or discipline may be used

to control these distractions, the truth is that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts

cognitive function and cannot be solely remedied by effort. Individuals with ADHD tend to be

highly misunderstood and frequently overlooked; however, it is important for them to receive

recognition as ADHD is a very common condition in both children and adults. Furthermore, the

negative impact of ADHD is not limited to the individual with the condition; it can also affect their

family, social, and work life. Therefore, addressing the needs of individuals with ADHD can lead
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to not only improving their quality of life but also reducing the burden on society. Despite the

difficulties brought by ADHD, it is crucial to understand that those who have the cognitive disorder

can also exhibit special qualities and abilities, such as creativity, hyperfocus, and multitasking

skills. People with ADHD may boost their self-esteem and confidence and, as a result, be better

able to handle the problems associated with their disease by recognizing and utilizing these

qualities through a combination of medication, therapy, and accommodations in academic or work

settings to help minimize distractions and promote focus.

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Works cited

Seery, Christina et al. “What Adults with ADHD Want to Know: A Delphi Consensus Study on

the Psychoeducational Needs of Experts by Experience.” Health Expectations, vol. 25,

no. 5, 2022, pp. 2593–2602.

Bubl, Emanuel et al. “Elevated background noise in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

is associated with inattention.” PloS one, vol. 10, no. 2,

Latifoğlu, Fatma et al. “Using electrooculography with visual stimulus tracking test in

diagnosing of ADHD: findings from machine learning algorithms.” Turkish journal of

medical sciences, vol. 52, no. 5, 2022, pp. 1616-1626.

Cohen, Joseph et al. "Attention Interrupted: Cognitive Distraction & Workplace Safety."

Professional Safety, vol. 62, no. 11, 2017, pp. 28-34.

Thorell, Lisa B. et al. “Emotion Dysregulation in Adult ADHD: Introducing the Comprehensive

Emotion Regulation Inventory (CERI).” Journal of Clinical & Experimental

Neuropsychology, vol. 42, no. 7, 2020, pp. 747–58.

Adamou, Marios et al. "Advancing services for adult ADHD: the development of the ADHD

Star as a framework for multidisciplinary interventions." BMC Health Services Research,

vol. 16, 2016.

Oscarsson, et Martin al. “Stress and Work-Related Mental Illness among Working Adults with

ADHD: A Qualitative Study.” BMC Psychiatry, vol. 22, no. 1, 2022, pp. 1–11.

Louis, Matza S. et al. "Responsiveness of the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Quality of Life Scale (AAQoL)." Quality of Life Research, vol. 16, no. 9, 2007, pp. 1511-

1520.