Rethinking ADHD as FastBraiin

Today I want to revisit something central to our understanding of how some of us – myself included – navigate the world: FastBraiin. Our way of describing that quick-thinking, adaptable mind that often gets labeled as ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The traditional view of ADHD presents a real challenge. We're talking about a diagnosis made without a definitive test, and certainly without a cure. This begs the fundamental question: what is this "disorder"? And perhaps more importantly for parents out there: can my child with FastBraiin thrive, even become a leader?

I'll be blunt: I believe it's time we consider the possibility that what we call ADHD isn't a disorder at all, but rather a distinct way of thinking, a unique wiring of the brain. As someone who lives with this label myself, I can attest to this. I remember standing before 300 psychiatrists, sharing my successes in both sports and medicine. How could someone with a "major mental health disorder" achieve such things?

Think about the founders, the CEOs who built groundbreaking companies. Many were risk-takers, individuals who thought outside the conventional box. Many faced struggles in traditional academic settings and often challenged established norms. My own father, a man of traditional thinking, cautioned me against expanding my medical practice, believing it wouldn't work. I went on to build it into seven offices, serving 10,000 patients a month – the largest in North Carolina.

Consider the sheer speed of thought, the remarkable adaptability we see in top athletes, race car drivers, even a rabbit darting through a field. Does a rabbit process information at the same pace as a turtle? Of course not. Would we ever consider medicating a rabbit to "slow down"?

Years ago, I used to share a compelling study with my patients. Children were individually placed in front of a television monitor. When presented with math and reading lessons, their attention wavered; they fidgeted and turned away. The diagnosis? ADHD. Yet, when the same child was shown Star Wars, they sat completely still, engrossed. Same child, different context. Was the issue a deficit of attention, or simply a lack of engagement – boredom?

In my parent conferences, where I met with 70 parents twice a month, the initial concern was always the same: "My child has trouble focusing and paying attention." Yet, when I asked if their child enjoyed video games, the answer was a resounding yes. Could they play for 30 minutes? An hour? Two hours? Again, a unanimous yes. Where, then, was the attention deficit?

I'd encourage those parents, and you reading this now, to try this exercise at home. Ask your child to list all the reasons they enjoy video games or a different ‘distracting’ hobby. You'll likely find a stark contrast when you ask them to list reasons they enjoy school. Think about it: fast-paced action versus slow, immediate feedback versus delayed, the ability to retry instantly versus the pressure of a single grade, clear goals and progression versus often abstract concepts and rigid structure. I have lists from kids with 30 or more reasons they love gaming and dislike school.

If attention issues were truly a medical diagnosis, wouldn't they be present across all activities, not just those deemed less engaging? There's no genetic marker for ADHD, and despite the hefty fees some psychologists charge (like that $1200 assessment), there's no definitive medical test.

So, can your "ADHD" child, your FastBraiin child, become successful, become a leader? Absolutely. Because this diagnosis, as it stands, isn't supported by robust scientific evidence. The FastBraiin individual possesses the very qualities we often see in successful leaders: quick thinking, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

This is just the beginning of our conversation. In the future, we'll delve deeper into practical strategies and what we can do to support and nurture the FastBraiin mind. Even the armed forces are recognizing this shift in understanding, with some branches discontinuing the routine prescription of Adderall to soldiers. The way we think about FastBraiin is evolving, and it's time we embrace a more empowering perspective.