I read an article celebrating not only the increased diagnosis of ADHD in women, but also the increase in medication. Citing the CDC (Center for Disease Control), between 2020 to 2021, ADHD medications for women, according to the article, apparently rose nearly 53%. Reading this reminded me of Gillian Lynne’s story.
The Girl Who Couldn’t Focus
I first heard of Gillian Lynne from Sir Ken Robinson (I linked to the video below with the specific time stamp). Gillian was a famous choreographer and dancer. She didn’t quite do well in a traditional school and the school notified her parents that Gillian may have a learning disorder. She couldn’t concentrate and fidgeted. She was always “disturbing people” at school and her homework was always late. Sir Robinson argues that now, we would diagnose her as having ADHD. But Gillian grew up in the 1930s, and ADHD wasn’t an “available condition” and “people weren’t aware they could have that.”
Gillian and her mother went to see the specialist and her mother explained to the doctor what was wrong with her behavior. After the discussion, the doctor asked Gillian’s mom if both of them can leave the room. But before leaving, the doctor turned on the radio. He asked the mother to observe Gillian. And as soon as they left the room, Gillian was on her feet, moving to the music.
The doctor’s diagnosis: “Gillian isn’t sick, she’s a dancer. Take her to a dance school.”
Gillian found her place. She was with people like her. People who “couldn’t sit still” and “had to move to think”. Gillian became a soloist at the Royal Ballet School and founded her own company. You might be familiar with her work. She’s the choreographer of Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. One of the lessons of this story for Sir Robinson: “someone might have put her on medication and told her to calm down”. This would have snuffed out who she was, her creativity, and what she’s capable of.
Do Schools Kill Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson | Section (15:12) Epiphany.
But Gillian grew up in the 1930s, and ADHD wasn’t an “available condition” and “people weren’t aware they could have that.”
Sir Ken Robinso | TeD Talk
Gillian isn’t sick, she’s a dancer. Take her to a dance school.
Comfort in Sickness
Talking about mental health is important, but a consequence is the many ways to medically label and categorize behavior. Putting us in buckets is one thing. It’s making these categories a form of illness that requires a pill to fix—that’s the problem. I am not a doctor. And I genuinely believe there are cases where you need medical intervention for certain behavioral problems. But the ability to take a pill when you can’t focus or not behaving the way people expect you to is dangerous.
It’s Not Just ADHD
In an interview with People Magazine, Bill Gates claims that he would have been diagnosed with autism in today’s medical guidelines. But he believes that his “deep concentration” and his non standard behavior became his strength. The point: some behaviors do no need to be fixed or cured.
I know that ADHD and autism are clearly not the same, but they share the same trajectory. We have more diagnoses, more pills, and more side effects. I understand that getting a diagnosis can be a source of clarity and solace for people. You finally get an answer to the what. But my hope is that the pill is not the first resort because it doesn’t always answer the why and the how.
One of the best decisions I ever made in my life is not taking anti-depressants. Figuring out why I was depressed when I was younger took time, but it was worth it. It allowed me to understand who I am and what I’m capable of. Like depression, ADHD diagnoses can be very subjective. And as I have gotten older, I realized that most of my friends experienced depression in one form or another. Feeling down, lonely, sad, all the heavy stuff is not that uncommon.
The Why
Inability to concentrate? Cant’ finish tasks? Sounds like Gillian Lynne. Sounds like ADHD. Now more than ever, our world is full of distraction and noise. I’m not surprised that more people have a hard time concentrating. I do too! But this is an opportunity to get to know who we are and what we need. My hope is that we don’t always take the quick road on this. Because if you do suffer from ADHD, it’s possible that it’s your mind and body trying to tell you something.
I would start with these questions if I want to know more about behavior related to ADHD:
- Are there particular instances when I can’t focus? Is it when I’m doing a task that I love or that I hate?
- Is there a time when I can focus? What am I doing at that moment? When I’m playing video games? Or maybe watching a movie? When I’m dancing? Yoga? Hanging out with friends?
- How is my inattention linked to stress? How is it linked to worry? Do I feel it more when I’m feeling sad or depressed?
- How does my diet and exercise affect my ability to focus? Do I find it harder to focus after eating certain types of food?
- Do I have any activities that allow me to focus? How can I do more of these?
