It know it's really anecdotal and I don't have the Hyperactive portion of ADHD but I was diagnosed with ADD and my experiences are completely different from this doctor's explanation. From my experience the issue is that all stimulus have an equal priority in my brain. If I'm having a conversation with my boss, the ticking of the clock and the buzz of conversation in the hallway have an equal priority in my brain and my brain struggles to absorb all of the information. Therefore it takes a lot more energy to make myself focus. I've learned some adaptive skills like repeating each word/sentence that someone is saying in order to give it priority.
Sounds like you may have an auditory processing disorder. Which isn't to discount the ADD diagnosis as they can go hand in hand. My dad has ADD and a diagnosed auditory processing disorder that sounds like the exact problem you have. He can't have talk radio on or even songs with lyrics, if he's also trying to have a conversation. His brain does not differentiate between the immediate conversational dialogue and whatever is coming out of the speakers. They are treated with equal importance.
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u/itismyjob May 30 '17
It know it's really anecdotal and I don't have the Hyperactive portion of ADHD but I was diagnosed with ADD and my experiences are completely different from this doctor's explanation. From my experience the issue is that all stimulus have an equal priority in my brain. If I'm having a conversation with my boss, the ticking of the clock and the buzz of conversation in the hallway have an equal priority in my brain and my brain struggles to absorb all of the information. Therefore it takes a lot more energy to make myself focus. I've learned some adaptive skills like repeating each word/sentence that someone is saying in order to give it priority.