ADHD is NOT an Excuse for Laziness - ADHD Myths and Facts
- Cheryl Gigler
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
Myth: ADHD is just an excuse for laziness.
Fact: ADHD is really a problem with the chemical dynamics of the brain and is not under voluntary control.
Are People with ADHD Lazy?
Those of us with ADHD have no trouble focusing on tasks that we are interested in. When we are interested, we are able to pay attention, prioritize tasks, get started, sustain effort, manage emotions and keep several things in mind at once.
The same types of brain functions do not work effectively for tasks that are more challenging. A person can hyperfocus on video games or other hobbies, but be unable to find the same kind of focus for schoolwork or a job. There is such a sharp contrast that an onlooker may think; "why can’t they do this, they are just lazy!" This is especially true for very bright people who drop the ball with certain cognitive tasks. "Anybody can be lazy," says Tom Brown, PhD, "but it doesn’t explain the symptoms."
“ADHD is not an excuse, it is an explanation.”
Why is an interesting task different?
ADHD can make it harder to complete tasks. When a task is interesting, activity in the brain is increased, as if a light switch is turned on. When tasks are not seen as interesting, neural pathways in the brain are much weaker and make it hard to get going and to take action on very important areas of life.
“It’s not that we don’t know what to do, it’s doing what we know to do.”
-Russell Barkley
ADHD and the Brain
The brain develops differently in people with ADHD. We must remember that ADHD is not an intelligence deficit, but a performance deficit.
Individuals with ADHD struggle with executive functions. These are the mental skills that help us organize, plan and stay focused on tasks we’ve started. Challenges with executive skills make it difficult to start and finish certain tasks, unless there is interest. Some parts of the brain are a little smaller and research shows that the brain takes longer to mature in children with ADHD. This is not a matter of being smart. People with ADHD can get over the finish line, but it might take a little longer. The differences in the brain's management system play a role in emotional modulation and working memory.
What the research shows
Research in 2019 suggests that there are differences in brain structure of people with ADHD, which play key roles in low motivation.
A study using mice showed certain neurotransmitters, mainly dopamine, play a key role in motivation for people living with ADHD.
Lower levels of dopamine affect reward centers in the brain, causing a lack of enthusiasm for starting and completing certain tasks.
Altered patterns in dopamine pathways is the reason people may have difficulties with motivation.
Researchers found in a 2015 study that those with ADHD had difficulty with both selective attention and divided attention.
“ADHD is not a choice, it is a pattern of brain wave activity.”
- Joy Lunt, RN
A different brain wiring, not laziness
Understanding the challenges a person with ADHD faces helps to separate fact from fiction. We want to offer support to people with ADHD instead of blame. Negative messages in formative years can stay with a person throughout their life.
It is not about trying harder, it's about trying differently. Different brains need different solutions that resonate with their unique wiring.
ADHD is not an excuse, it is an explanation! Schedule a FREE consultation with an ADHD coach for support in trying differently!
“It isn’t about trying harder, but trying differently.”
Resources:
ADHD is not an Excuse for Laziness- Thomas Brown, PhD
ADHD and the Myth of Laziness- Tara Drinks, http://understood.org