Why Some People with ADHD Shine in Stressful Times: The Surprising Superpower of Hyper-focus
Saturday, October 26, 2024.
We all know that feeling when stress hits: heart racing, palms sweaty, mind racing through your to-do list at warp speed.
For some, it's sheer panic.
But for others, particularly some folks with ADHD, it’s like a magical door swings open, revealing their inner superhero.
A new study suggests that for some people with ADHD, periods of high stress aren’t just manageable—they’re actually where they thrive.
When Stress Becomes a Superpower
Dr. Maggie Sibley, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Washington, has been on a mission to understand ADHD. She is one of the top thinkers in the field.
Her latest study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, explored how adults with ADHD cope under various life circumstances.
And the results?
Well, let’s just say they might surprise you—especially if you’ve always thought the path to managing ADHD meant finding inner calm and zen.
In her earlier research, Sibley combed through a 16-year-long data set from the National Institute of Mental Health that tracked 600 folks with ADHD from childhood into adulthood.
Her goal?
To see if people could recover from ADHD. Spoiler alert: the answer was a mixed bag. The data showed a rollercoaster of symptoms—up, down, then up again. It’s like ADHD plays a game of “Now you see me, now you don’t.”
Stress: Friend or Frenemy?
Sibley’s most recent study dove back into that same data, but this time, she wanted to know when ADHD symptoms took a back seat. She expected that low-stress times would provide the most relief. After all, doesn’t everyone feel better with a piña colada in hand, stress-free on a beach?
But, in true ADHD fashion, the reality was a bit more complicated.
Sibley discovered three categories among the participants: those who experienced full-on symptom remission, those with partial improvements, and those whose ADHD stayed steady like a stubborn old mule.
The twist?
Those who managed to kick their symptoms (temporarily) to the curb were more likely to do so during periods of—you guessed it—high environmental demand. That’s science-speak for “life was throwing a lot at them.”
Deadlines, Pressure, and the Magic of Hyperfocus
So why would people with ADHD thrive when life feels like it’s set to “hard mode”?
Arij Alarachi, a psychology Ph.D. student at McMaster University, offers some insight. Alarachi, who has studied ADHD and anxiety, explains that the ADHD brain doesn’t necessarily change much—it's more about adapting the environment to make things work. Think of it like turning chaos into a productivity hack.
“ADHD comes in all different shapes and sizes,” Alarachi notes.
But one thing is clear: when there’s a sense of urgency, people with ADHD can flip on their hyperfocus like a superhero cape.
Suddenly, that looming deadline doesn’t just feel less terrifying—it feels motivating. It’s like ADHD gives you a laser-sharp focus, but only when it’s under pressure.
As Sibley puts it, “ADHD patients may do best when they have to rise to the occasion. Deadlines and high stakes might just be the adrenaline boost they need to channel their energy and get things done.”
Meet Sara: Hyperfocus in Action
Sara Vranes, diagnosed with ADHD at 36, sees her ability to hyperfocus under pressure as a sort of superpower.
And she’s got the track record to prove it. With 15 years of experience as a midwife and doula before moving on to work with homeless communities, Sara says she’s at her calmest during a crisis. It’s like her brain becomes a command center, buzzing with clarity and direction.
“I don’t want anyone to be hurt,” she says, “but in those moments, I could see everything clearly, process it all, and act on it in real-time.” Downtime, on the other hand? That’s when her mind feels like a pinball machine—lots of lights, noise, and not much focus.
Anxiety and ADHD: A Double-Edged Sword?
Here’s where things get a bit more nuanced: over half of adults with ADHD also deal with anxiety.
For some, it can feel like juggling flaming swords. But Sibley’s study suggests that this anxiety might actually serve a purpose—at least in some cases. Sure, nobody likes to feel anxious, but that little extra dose of “Oh no, what if I don’t finish this?” might be the secret sauce that pushes some people with ADHD to harness their hyperfocus when it matters most.
In other words, it’s a bit like taming a wild horse—you might get bucked off a few times, but with the right approach, you can use that energy to your advantage.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
ADHD isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience.
While some people find relief in calm, others seem to come alive when the pressure’s on. It’s like being at a high-stakes poker game: for some, the thrill of the risk sharpens their focus, while others might just prefer a quiet game of solitaire.
If you or someone you know is navigating ADHD, it might be worth exploring what environment helps them shine. And if that environment just so happens to involve tight deadlines, high pressure, and a little bit of chaos—well, maybe that’s just where their superpower lies.
So next time you see someone with ADHD thriving in a crisis, remember: it’s not just the stress—it’s their inner superhero, coming out to save the day. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit of urgency is all they need to turn their kryptonite into their strength.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.