What does it actually feel like to have ADHD?

Extreme boredom. It's not just feeling a little bored, it's feeling the most bored that you have ever felt in your entire life and you would do almost anything to not feel this bored. Take a moment to think about a time you felt bored before and what that was like. You want to touch something, you feel restless, you want to move your body around, and/or do anything but the activity that is making you feel this extreme boredom. You may provoke or annoy someone to get a negative reaction from them or get extremely frustrated when you have to wait in a line. While these hyperactive/impulsive behaviors provide temporary relief from the intense feelings of boredom that is part of the ADHD experience, they tend to have long-term negative effects on their relationships with peers and adults. 

Why can’t my child with ADHD just focus in class and do his homework? 

Imagine that you feel extremely bored when any type of math problem is put in front of you. You try to focus on the teacher writing the math problems on the board, but your brain literally will latch on to any thought or thing in the room that is not related to math. Imagine trying to read a book, but you are so extremely bored reading the book that your brain attaches to any thought that is unrelated to reading material. 

Why do ADHD people feel extremely bored? 

People with ADHD often feel extremely bored because their brains have difficulty regulating attention and engagement, especially with tasks that don't provide immediate stimulation or interest. This can be tied to differences in the brain's reward system, where neurotransmitters like dopamine play a crucial role. In individuals with ADHD, there may be lower levels of dopamine or a reduced ability to use it effectively, making it challenging to sustain attention on tasks that aren't inherently interesting.

How do stimulants help with ADHD? 

Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall), are commonly used to manage ADHD symptoms by addressing this neurotransmitter imbalance. These medications work by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This improved availability facilitates better communication between neurons, which can lead to reduced feelings of boredom, improved focus, increased attention span, and reduced impulsivity and hyperactivity.