Why Smart People with ADHD Make Poor Decisions

Parents, friends and spouses can become confused and frustrated when someone with ADHD can appear to be so smart in some situations, but still make such poor decisions in other situations.  The problem is that people with ADHD have an impairment with the executive functions.  Some of the executive functions include task persistence, sustained attention and emotional regulation.  Often, individuals with ADHD can reason adequately to solve a problem.

They know what to do. BUT, they just don’t do it when it is time to execute their solution or plan needed to reach their goal!

ADHD is not a knowledge or skill deficit.  It is an execution and self-regulation deficit.  This is why  explaining alone will not be helpful.  Neither will lecturing, nagging or yelling.

When it is time for  ADHD individuals to execute their plan so they can reach some future goal, their reasoning brain becomes hostage to their emotional brain.  The stimuli in the environment trigger thoughts and feelings that override their reasoning brain.  The promise of immediate gratification  which is calling to them right then and there, overrides the part of the brain that had a longer term goal in mind just moments earlier.

An ADHD coach can help  individuals with ADHD overcome their executive functioning weaknesses.  The first step is to have a good understanding of why the problem is occurring in the first place. It is important to take a disability perspective and to work to develop new habits and environmental accommodations that will help  ADHD individuals actually execute what they know they need to do. Review some of these strategies in more detail in future posts.

ADHD Coaching is available online, by phone , and in-person.