As a clinician I see my share of clients who are in various stages of dealing (or not dealing) with ADHD. Some are diagnosed, some are un-diagnosed, some manage with medication, some aren’t managing well at all. There have been many anecdotal articles on the prevalence of ADHD and the corresponding “over-prescription” of stimulant medications to manage these symptoms. The 1990’s saw a rise in diagnoses and a rise in options for medications to treat symptoms and many people found some much needed relief, but there still seems to be an epidemic of sorts.
I am not quite sure what to call it, but for now let’s just call it Situational Distraction Syndrome (SDS). So what the heck am I talking about? Well I am talking about a generation of people who have more to attend to than ever before in the history of humanity. We are expected to multitask and be in multiple places at one all while responding to every ding, chime, buzz, and vibrate that penetrates our senses.
Hallowell and Ratey’s Driven to Distraction has been a resource for people who struggle with ADHD and their supports, but now the title is a more apt description of the impact that this modern world has on it’s inhabitants. Anxiety and depression is frequently comorbid with ADHD and many of my clients frequently report feeling “overwhelmed”. Is the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress in part due to Situational Distraction Syndrome?
Trying to take a sip of water from a fire hose.
Someone I know with ADHD described it as feeling like “trying to take a sip of water from a fire hose.” If that doesn’t describe the world today and the onslaught of information and communication then I don’t know what does.
On a final note, someone might say in response to this that it is a choice to be plugged in or not, but I would argue the the choice is slowly being taken away. Not only can we be accessed 24/7, but people expect to be able to have access to us 24/7. People frequently expect to have a real time conversation via text which is based on the expectation of instant access. I know that I am guilty of texting someone and 2 hours later noting that I have not heard back. What the heck?! Where are they?!
I am not sure if there is a way back from here, for there is a lot of good that comes from the same technology that plagues us and deteriorates authentic human connection. I do however, encourage you to question whether you and the people around you are “distracted” or “scatter-brained” or are we just asking our brains to pay attention to too much at once.