Leveraging an Invisible Disability to Enter a Super-powered State
The Case for Flow State Training as ADHD Treatment: Part 1
In a previous post, I began outlining how I think ADHD naturally gravitates toward seeking & thriving on “Peak Experiences”, especially the Flow State. I’d like to more explicitly draw some of the connections I’m seeing here, based on the understanding of the Flow State training outlined by Steven Kotler1 in his book The Art of Impossible2.
To do so, I’ll start with an infographic.
NOTE: Below the infographic, I’ll type out the text included in the infographic, to make it more accessible for those with screen readers. (As I receive additional feedback from users who leverage screen reading technology, I’ll edit that portion of the post to make it more accessible).
Image Text:
ADHD Challenges & Flow Training Benefits
ADHD CHALLENGE:
Dysregulated Neurotransmitters (Dopamine & Noradrenalin).
FLOW TRAINING BENEFIT:
Characterized by increases in 6 neurotransmitters (including Dopamine & Noradrenalin).ADHD CHALLENGE:
ADHD folks have significantly increased likelihood for being diagnosed with Anxiety disorders.
FLOW TRAINING BENEFIT:
Teaches how to leverage states of fear & anxiety.
Both increasing tolerance for fear and anxiety, as well as growing through and beyond those fears and anxieties.ADHD CHALLENGE:
Paradoxically, both thrives in structure & resists structureIdeal structure incorporates the right kinds of
Novelty
Challenge
Opportunities for creativity, autonomy, spontaneity, &/or improvisation.
FLOW TRAINING BENEFIT:
Requires a strong foundational structure regularly feeding you the right kinds of:Challenges that stretch & push you without breaking you3
Novelty & Creativity
Opportunities for Autonomy, & Mastery.
As of the writing of this post, I have no direct affiliation with Steven Kotler. These are merely my reflections on the correlations between the neuroscience & neuropsychology of ADHD (as understand them) and Flow State training & neuroscience as described in his book The Art of Impossible
Note: I get commissions for purchases made through some links in this post.
ADHD expert Dr. Ed Hallowell often talks about finding “the right difficult”.
I highly recommend checking out the latest book he co-authored with the prolific ADHD author & Neuropsychologist, Professor John Ratey: ADHD 2.0
While you’re at it, finding the right kind of regular Movement or Exercise is a key way for many folks in finding their Flow State. If you’re looking for an incredible resource on ADHD & Exercise, you should check out John Ratey’s book SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.