Do You Ever Find Yourself Struggling to Pay Attention?
Steven Craig Semones II - PCA-Intern

July 7, 2018

There was a long-distance runner that was diagnosed with ADD that stated, “my mind is a great sprinter, but it is not a good long distant runner”.

Many people can pay attention easily to things that they are really interested in, and if something is important even when the interest is not there they can force themselves to pay attention.

When someone truly has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) it is very easy for them to stay focused on the things that interest them, but they aren’t able to focus on the things they do not find to be interesting.

According to Dr. Thomas Brown a leading researcher and clinician that specializes in ADD/ADHD states “It has usually been seen as essentially a behavior problem.

Yet many with ADD/ADHD suffer not from behavior problems so much as from chronic problems with focusing their attention, organizing their work, sustaining their effort, and utilizing short-term memory.

It presents a new definition and model of ADD/ADHD as essentially a problem with executive functions, the management system of the brain”.  

What are Executive Functions?

Executive functions are very important to understand because these core skills help people manage their thoughts, actions and emotions in order to accomplish tasks.

These skills are how we as individuals plan, manage time and organize are day to day activities.

The three areas of executive function are working memory, cognitive flexibility (flexible thinking) and inhibitory control (self-control).

Working memory is when you are able to retain information and then recall it to use it in some way.

Cognitive flexibility is all about being able to utilize your thoughts in many different ways.

Inhibitory control Is all about being able to ignore distractions and implement self-control when it comes to any temptations that could cause you to go off task.

There are five skills that the executive functions aid which are: paying attention, organizing and planning, initiating tasks and staying focused on them, regulating emotions, and self-monitoring.

Do I Have ADD/ADHD?

Everyone from time to time will struggle with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity which are the signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD.

It is normal for all of us to have some of those symptoms from time to time, but it’s when it starts to become prevalent in your everyday life.

When these symptoms start to become a norm, it can begin to start to cause problems in your relationships, work, and everywhere else you have some kind of vested interest.

Let’s not self-diagnose but if there is concern let’s not wait one more day.

It is better to find out for sure, so you can implement new skills to help better stay on task and find ways to improve your life.  

Call today so that our office staff can help match you with a counseling professional that can help you.

Reach out today by calling (803) 254-9767 or you can go to our website to pick a counselor to set up your first appointment by clicking palmettocounseling.com .