Cite
Hey, Alex. Catholicism and ADHD: Finding Holiness Despite Distractions. Reset ADHD, LLC, 2019.
Jeremy
Synth
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FirstAuthor:: Hey, Alex
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Title:: Catholicism and ADHD: Finding Holiness Despite Distractions
Year:: 2019
Citekey:: heyCatholicismADHDFinding2019
itemType:: book
Publisher:: Reset ADHD, LLC
ISBN:: 978-0-578-54462-5
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Abstract
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Notes
# Jeremy’s Review
A result of personal study done by the author when trying to understand how ADHD and Catholicism could work together. He is an ADHD coach trained with the ADD Coaching Academy. He holds a professional license from the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches. Helpful in exploring what it really means to lead a life of holiness with ADHD. It asks some tough questions like “do I have to confess when I lose focus during prayer?”
# Reading Notes
Introduction for Non-ADHDers
If you deny ADHD exists, you deny science, and you deny Church teaching, which clearly states truth cannot contradict truth. Bottom line: ADHD exists, and it makes no sense to refute it.” (Hey, 2019, p.11)
“Yes, therapy, coaching, educational accommodations, and other interventions can help manage symptoms; but those symptoms will still exist and will continue to cause your loved one’s difficulties.” (Hey, 2019, p.11 )
What is ADHD?
“There are demonstrable differences between ADHD and non-ADHD brains, and as the technology that allows scientists to study the brain improve, we are able to see the differences between ADHD brains and neurotypical brains better.” (Hey, 2019, p. 16)
“One way to describe what ADHD feels like is “floating attention.” The term “floating attention” is what some experts use to describe the way the brain works when it is trying to pay attention to as much as possible.” (Hey, 2019, p. 17)
“Hyperfocus can also take place with just our own emotions and thoughts. We can hold on to and focus on our emotional thoughts too much. This could lead to troubles with others if we cling to an argument too long, More tragically, it could lead to spending too much time criticizing one’s own faults.” (Hey, 2019, p. 17)
- Hyperfocus can be seen as a good thing if used in a passion area, but it can also lead to a focusing and relentless thought pattern of negativity against oneself.
“It is not that those of us with ADHD cannot focus; it is that we cannot regulate where our focus is placed.” (Hey, 2019, p. 17)
- Our attention can be more like buckshot than a rifle shot. It goes all over the place.
“Moreover, our fickleness causes those of us with ADHD to struggle to maintain already established friendships. When a new relationship begins, we can put a lot of effort into the relationship or even hyperfocus on it, but then, as time goes on, the newness wears off, causing it to be less exciting than it once was. The relationship may still be important, but the focus (and, in some cases, hyperfocus) has shifted to other relationships and/ or activities, leaving the other party feeling neglected,” (Hey, 2019, p. 20)
- Relationships are hard with people because once the newness of it wears off, ADHDers are onto the next focus. Even if we really like someone and want to continue to be friends, we lose focus.
What ADHD Is Not
“It is imperative that myths about ADHD are busted, so the Church can better serve her people.” (Hey, 2019, p. 25)
- Amen.
“There is little scientists know about ADHD, and when ADHD is treated as a joke, it becomes difficult to organize serious efforts to study and learn more about this disorder.” (Hey, 2019, p. )
“Give me the accommodations I need to have a level playing field, but do not coddle me.” (Hey, 2019, p. )
- The paradox of accommodating someone with ADHD is to give them all of the support they need to focus the right way, but not to do it in a way that treats someone like a child. It makes sense that that happens when the only experience many people have with refocusing someone is when address children who haven’t learned to be functioning members of society yet.
Get a Diagnosis
“If I truly loved God above all else, should not my focus have been on Him and Him alone:” (Hey, 2019, p. 29)
“Through my ADHD diagnosis, I came to understand that God does not condemn me for my lack of focus in prayer. I am the person He made me to be. He made me with ADHD. Therefore, I am not ashamed to have ADHD.” (Hey, 2019, p. 29)
- Having ADHD does not have to be a shameful experience in the presence of God or anyone else for that matter. It is simply how our brain works and how we address God will look different than most.
“A person of high intelligence an perform so well in school that they are seen as too high functioning to have ADHD,” and under the right circum stances, a person with ADHD can thrive. The symptoms can be hidden by well-developed coping strategies. If : person with ADHD can find ways of dealing with the symptoms of ADHD before seeking a diagnosis, there ma be no noticeable signs of ADHD until those coping strategies break down.]” (Hey, 2019, p. 30)
“One of the stranger facts about ADHD is that many times a person is not diagnosed with ADHD until their child is” (Hey, 2019, p. 34)
- Adult diagnosis of ADHD is relatively new, so when a kid is seen for the symptoms of ADHD, then adults can be screened as well. This is in line with many areas of research.
A Cross, Not a Superpower
“It is easy to see the cross of having ADHID as something wrong with you. God wired your brain different on purpose. You and I struggle with ADHD, but everyone else has something different about them that is a cross f them. There is a specific purpose behind every part of the way God created you.” (Hey, 2019, p.38)
- Acceptance of ADHD is liberating because you know how to deal with it (or have the capacity to understand it. It doesn’t need to be turned into a super power to be conquered, it simply needs to be acknowledged.
“What this means for those of us who have ADHD is that we are not to prefer having a neurotypical brain to having an ADHD brain. We should prefer the brain God gave us, for He gave us our brain for our sanctification. We were created for Him, and we ought to choose what will bring us closer to Him. Therefore, we are to embrace the gift of the cross of ADHD.” (Hey, 2019, p. 38)
Unwanted Tag-Alongs
“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 11.9% of adults with ADHD” (Hey, 2019, p.40) (ref. xvii)
“When distinguishing between ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, one must look at the social activity of the individual. Those with ADHD exhibit social dysfunction and peer rejection; whereas, those with autism spectrum disorder disengage socially, isolate themselves, and express indifference to facial and tonal communication cues from others.” (Hey, 2019, p. 41)
Emotional Struggles
“ADHD brains are often overwhelmed by emotions, which impairs logical thinking. When your brain works as fast as an ADHD brain does, it can be hard to slow thoughts that increase stress and emotional responses. The anterior cingulate cognitive division, a functional subdivision within the anterior cingulate cortex that is key in complex cognitive/ attentional processing, has been found to be dysfunctional in adults with ADHD and cause problems with emotional self-control.” (Hey, 2019, p.47) (ref. xlix)
- ADHD brains too fast to process logic, they are living moment to moment and experiencing emotion.
“The intense emotions of ADHD can lead to extreme responses when an ADHDer is rejected or perceives that they are being rejected by someone close to them. This has been termed rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) by Doctor William Dodson, an ADHD expert.” (Hey, 2019, p.47) (ref. li)
“Allegedly smart and successful people like to talk about how failure is good and helps people learn. They might even go so far as to state that everyone fails and that everyone should fail. That may be true, but those with ADHD fail far more often than the average person. That takes a toll on us. The” (Hey, 2019, p. 48)
- Amidst all of the other struggles with ministry, extra failure can often ties be overcome by resiliency and the ability to move onto the next thing pretty quickly, but it only takes one failure to sneak past to break someone in ministry down. That’s where the onslaught of failures has a better chance of wearing an ADHDer down.
Shame
“There is something to which I keep returning whenever shame tries to re-enter my life. I remind myself that I am who God made me to be. If God did not want me to struggle with ADHD, He would not have allowed me to have ADHD. If He allowed it, there must be some way I can grow from it. If you are experiencing what I have experienced in my life because of ADHdD, feel no shame. You are who God intended you to be.” (Hey, 2019, p. 52)
""How much is ADHD to blame for my distractions, and how much am I responsible?” is a debate I have every time I go to Confession or any time I examine my conscience. I am not looking for a free pass or an excuse to not pay attention. I want to pay attention, but I know I have my struggles. I want to know when I have done something wrong and when I was simply a victim of ADHD.” (Hey, 2019, p. 52)
- There must be a lot of grace given to oneself as they wrestle with their attention and the quiet space that we can experience The Divine.
Trust
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” ~2 Corinthians 12:9
Prayer (Or Lack Thereof)
“Another definition I like comes from Saint Eugène de Mazenod. He said, “[Prayer] is the furnace to which one comes to draw fire from the divine love.” Prayer has a benefit. We receive from God in prayer. Some people refer to prayer as a conversation, but that has never quite felt right to me. In my mind, a conversation involves speaking to others using words. God rarely speaks using audible words. He communicates through the heart. Prayer is not the communication of words but the communication of hearts.” (Hey, 2019, p. 57)
“It is important to remember that God accepts us as we are. If all we can muster is a short, little prayer, that is what will please God most. We” (Hey, 2019, p. 57)
- Prayer doesn’t have to be grand or amazing, but a simple sacrifice of yourself to the presence of God around you to the best of your ability.
“People like to say that God makes use of our brokenness. It is possible that God can take our wandering thoughts and make them prayerful. I do believe God has spoken to me through my crazy ADHD trains of though This is the reason I like Lectio Divina” (Hey, 2019, p. 58)
- This reminds me a lot of Madame Guyon’s approach to prayer and reading scripture
Everyday Life Struggles
“The biggest concern with ADHD and sleep is not the sleep issues themselves; it is the effect the sleep issues have. One of the best things a person with ADHD can do to help control their ADHD symptoms (aside from taking medication) is to get a good night’s sleep.” (Hey, 2019, p. 69)
Suffering Sucks, But That’s Ok
“In short, if you can suffer it, Jesus suffered it too. Jesus did not have ADHD, but He did suffer mental anguish. He was frustrated at times, and He was often misunderstood by those closest to Him.” (Hey, 2019, p. 78)
“The important thing to remember with ADHD or any disorder/illness/ disease/disability is that God allows these sufferings to open up pathways for grace to enter into our lives. According to the DSM-V, 5% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD. This means that, if you have ADHD, you are in a small minority. God has given you something few people have. Therefore, the graces you will receive by embracing this cross will be much different from the vast majority of other people who receive graces from embracing more common crosses. These graces allow us to do amazing things for the kingdom of God that hardly anyone else” (Hey, 2019, p. 80)
Created in God’s Image
“We do not find our identity in ADHD or any other disability, nor in our height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin color, or sexual orientation. Our true identity comes from the one who created us. Being created in the image and likeness of God gives the human person a special dignity.” (Hey, 2019, p. 87)
- The traits that make us up are important, and they shape how we interact in this world and how we interact with God, but ultimately our identity is found there, and the manifestation of the fruits of the spirit must be evident.
Medication
“To deny a person with ADHD the option of medication is to refuse the best defense a person against the nasty symptoms of ADHD.” (Hey, 2019, p. 89)
“As much as I want it to do so, medication cannot entirely remove the symptoms of ADHD. It is not a cure, it is an attempt to level the playing field between ADDers and neurotypicals. To expect a cure is unreasonable.” (Hey, 2019, p. 90)
- Medicine is an important tool in the tool belt, but you can’t build a house with just one tool.
Meditation and Mindfulness: Modern Mumbo Jumbo?
“Doctor Gregory Bottaro, founder of the Catholic Psych Institute and author of The Mindful Catholic: Findn God One Moment at a Time, 88 teaches a class on Catholic mindfulness. He defines mindfulness as “paying attention to the present moment without judgment or criticism."" (Hey, 2019, p. 96 )
“Honestly, one of the best practices I have learned in my training to become an ADHD coach for slowing down and approaching life in a calm and more mindful way is simply pausing,” (Hey, 2019, p. 98)
- The pause between impulse and action goes a long way.
Prayer Tips
“You are allowed to move as you pray.” (Hey, 2019, p. 102)
“I have found seeing the words that are spoken during the Mass helps me stay on top of what is happening.)” (Hey, 2019, p. 105)
- An accommodation is providing an outline and key readings.
“The most important thing a person with ADHD can do for their prayer life is to persevere. Nothing I mentioned above is a surefire method for overcoming ADHD while praying, but it is important to never give up. The Lord knows that you did not choose ADHD, so He understands your struggle to focus. God still loves you, no matter what. The key is to keep trying,” (Hey, 2019, p. 106)
- Resiliency and perseverance are important tools for anyone to learn, but especially those with ADHD.
How Does God Speak to You?
“When prayer is discussed, four of the most common recommendations are: Sit still, be quiet, listen, and be patient. All of these appear to be steps one needs to take before learning and understanding God’s will. These are all excellent suggestions…for neurotypicals.
The ADHD brain works differently from typical brains. Therefore, those with ADHD will need to pray differently. Advice telling us to sit still, be quiet, listen, and be patient does us no good. We struggle to sit still. Our minds only grow quiet when we finally are able to fall asleep. We can often hear without listening. Patience is also not our strong suit.” (Hey, 2019, p. 109)
“God speaks to us in everyday life, and we need to be on alert in order to hear how he speaks to us.” (Hey, 2019, p. 110)
Saints for ADHD
“A common misconception about those with ADHD is that we are not smart individuals. The truth of the matter is ADHD affects people of all levels of intelligence. In fact, there is a great number of ADHDers who are extremely intelligent. When faced with suggestions, either from others or within ourselves, that we are dumb, lazy, or otherwise not good enough, we can ask for the intercession of Saint Thomas Aquinas to bring us comfort.” (Hey, 2019, p. 117)
Strengths
“Strengths are useless unless they are developed and used to their full potential. When one identifies a strength, it is imperative to develop it. Take the time to grow your strengths” (Hey, 2019, p. 122)
How to Helps Someone with ADHD
The Role of the Clergy in Ministering to Those with ADHD
“Those with ADHD need help from the clergy to grow in intimacy with God. I am not proposing every parish should have a ministry specifically for those with ADHD. However, there are things the clergy can do in the ordinary course of their ministry to help those with ADHD” (Hey, 2019, p. 128-129)
“The Good Shepherd knows His sheep intimately. How can priests represent Christ if they do not possess an adequate understanding of a good number of His flock” (Hey, 2019, p.129)
- This ties into the woefully inadequate training we give our future clergy members (vanderbilt study)
“Also, hardly anyone teaches how to pray. Everyone expects you to know how to pray, but how are we to know if no one teaches us? I would love to hear priests talk more about how to pray and how to improve one’s prayer life. This would be beneficial for everyone, but it would help those with ADHD even more, especially if the lessons are specifically intended for those with ADHD and/or how to deal with distractions in prayer.” (Hey, 2019, p. 129)
“Those of us with ADHD are incapable of stopping thinking. How are we to achieve the silence that is often promoted in homilies, books, and lectures if we cannot halt our thoughts? We are told to be silent, but no one ever explains how to become silent.” (Hey, 2019, p. 129)
“Shame is an ever-present dark cloud in the life of a person suffering from ADHD.” A priest can do a tremendous amount of good by offering words of encouragement in the confessional. However, he needs to be prepared for this. No canned messages will do. Only true empathy will suffice,” (Hey, 2019, p.129)
Reasons for Hope
“When the Devil tries to remind you how much you have and will fail him because of your ADHD, persevere.” (Hey, 2019, p. 132)
# References
xvii
Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Barkley, R., Biederman, J., Conners, C. K., Demler, O., … Zaslavsky, A. M. (2006). The Prevalence and Correlates of Adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(4), 716-723. doi: 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.716
xlix
Bush, G., Frazier, J. A., Rauch, S. L., Seidman, L. J., Whalen, P. J., Jenike, M. A., … Biederman, J. (1999). Anterior cingulate cortex dysfunction in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder revealed by fMRI and the counting stroop. Biological Psychiatry, 45(12), 1542-1552. doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(99)00083-9
li
Dodson, W. (2018, April 03). How ADHD Ignites Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.Retrieved May 23, 2018, from https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-how-to-treat-it-alongside-adhd/