Incredible as it sounds, I still am amazed at how often I hear people say “I don’t believe in ADHD.” You probably have heard it too. And if you are like me, the moment those words come out of their mouth, every hair raises on the back of your neck, the fire starts to churn in the pit of your stomach and your mind feels like it is going to explode. No matter how many times it happens, no matter how many times I hear the words “I don’t believe in ADHD” I am dumbfounded as to how it is even possible to live on this planet and doubt the reality of ADHD.
Not believe in ADHD? Not believe in ADHD??? Bear with me here… isn’t that like saying you don’t believe in the sun or the wind or the stars, or growing older…or love? We can’t “touch” any of those things either, but we know they exist because we see evidence of them. The warmth and shadow of the sun, the movement from a strong breeze, the wrinkles appearing on our face, and the miraculous indescribable feeling of love. Do people not understand that believing that something is not real, doesn’t make it not true? Not believing in ADHD doesn’t make it not real.
Knowing what to say and do in these moments has taken years of understanding and practice which I am hoping to pass on to you here. First, it helps to understand that these people are CHOOSING not to believe in ADHD despite the evidence. Despite the percentages, studies or personal stories that support the existence of ADHD they really don’t want to hear that. They really don’t. In fact, I bet if you tried to share with them this logic, they will start answering back with “evidence” of their own. Second, don’t go there. Keep away from the bait of getting hooked by their remarks into trying to defend the existence of ADHD. Remember, it takes two to have an argument. Instead, practice staying in the perspective of curiosity. Be curious about how “interesting” it is that they don’t believe in ADHD in this day and age. It’s almost impossible for someone to not be engaged when we are asking them about themselves. Learning this has spared me from wasting oodles of energy that I have then been able to use to make a difference in the very real lives of people with ADHD.
You see, most people who don’t believe in ADHD either 1) probably have ADHD themselves and it’s scary as all heck to take a look at that, 2) they know someone very close to them that has ADHD and it’s scary as all heck to think that they or their loved one is anything like that person or 3) they have just landed on earth and are from another planet and are really confused. Being scared or confused doesn’t allow someone to be open to learning or hearing the radical possibility that ADHD is real.
Instead try this:
Practice taking three deep breaths and then responding with:
“Really? What do you know about ADHD?” or
“Really? Who do you know that has ADHD? or
Stay away from convincing, advising or trying to get them to see your point of view. It will just be frustrating. Rather remain curious, about how in the heck they ever came to that conclusion (sorry, I couldn’t help myself), works much better to open up the possibility for new ideas to emerge. Try it. You will be amazed at how often the “non-believers” are just like we were at one time. Trying to make sense of this ADHD thing. Scared, confused, unsure.
Laurie Dupar, Senior Certified ADHD Coach and trained Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, specializes in working with clients who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and want to finally understand how their brain works, minimize their challenges and get things done! Through individual/group coaching, live speaking, and her writing, she helps clients and their loved ones use effective strategies to minimize their ADHD challenges so they can experience success. She is the co-author and editor of the ADHD Awareness Book Project Series including More Ways to Succeed with ADHD and upcoming Inspirational Ways to Succeed with ADHD, and author of Brain Surfing and 31 Other Awesome Qualities of ADHD. For more information, please visit http://www.coachingforadhd.com.