Our brains are intricate networks of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) that influence our behaviour, attention, and overall mental state. Understanding the role of key neurotransmitters like dopamine and noradrenaline can help illuminate the experiences of hyperfocus, distraction, hyper and hypo activity, particularly in conditions like ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).

The Role of Neurotransmitters

1. Dopamine:

- Often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, dopamine is crucial for motivation, reward, and pleasure. It drives our desire to seek out experiences that bring us joy and satisfaction. This reward-seeking behaviour is why dopamine is essential in learning and reinforcing actions that lead to positive outcomes.

- In hyperfocus, dopamine levels can spike, leading individuals to become intensely absorbed in an activity they find rewarding. This can be a double-edged sword; while hyperfocus enables deep concentration, it may also lead to neglect of other important tasks. And while a useful sword when pointed toward what’s liked or needs doing, it can also point toward what’s feared and worried about.  The consequences can be  diminishing.

2. Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine):

- Noradrenaline plays a significant role in arousal and alertness, acting as a critical component of the body's "fight or flight" response. It prepares the brain to respond to stimuli and enhances focus during challenging situations, making it easier to react quickly and effectively.

- In periods of hyperactivity, there may be excessive noradrenergic activity, resulting in heightened levels of arousal that can make it difficult to sit still, concentrate on a single task, or the underlying feelings of panic. Conversely, during hypoactivity, insufficient noradrenaline can lead to decreased alertness, engagement and a prolonged apathy.

The Spectrum of Attention

Hyperactivity:

- Characterised by impulsive behaviours, excessive talking, and difficulty remaining still. This state often results from an imbalance in dopamine and noradrenaline, leading to a need for constant stimulation and engagement.

Distraction:

- Difficulty maintaining focus on tasks can occur when there’s a lack of dopamine activity. This leads to distractibility, where individuals may struggle to complete tasks, especially if they find them uninteresting or monotonous.

Hypoactivity:

- This state is marked by a lack of energy and motivation. It can be triggered by factors such as stress, fatigue, or a deficiency in dopamine and noradrenaline. When stress levels rise, cortisol can inhibit dopamine signaling, leading to feelings of lethargy and disengagement.

The Impact of Stress Does Not Help

Stress significantly influences the balance of neurotransmitters in our brains. When under stress, the body activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (complex system that helps reduce stress), releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While these hormones help us respond to immediate challenges, prolonged stress can lead to:

- Elevated cortisol levels, which may result in fatigue and decreased motivation.

- Dysregulation of dopamine and noradrenaline, worsening symptoms of hypoactivity and distractibility. High stress can trigger the "fight or flight" response, leading to an overproduction of noradrenaline that may contribute to hyperactivity, while simultaneously affecting dopamine levels and reducing overall motivation.

Neurochemical Reflection And a Healthy Self Acceptance

Understanding the neurochemistry behind hyperfocus, distraction, hyper and hypo activity provides valuable insight into our mental processes and the substances that move us, move us too far, or stop us before we’ve even started. By recognising the roles of dopamine in driving reward and motivation, alongside noradrenaline's function in the "fight or flight" response, or the cocktail resulting in “freeze”, we can better notice and navigate our experiences and develop effective strategies for managing our attention and energy levels. Compassionate self-understanding, acceptance and the courage to no longer ‘mask’ are essential to getting on with (or not getting on with) whatever is required to accept or make the moment, task, day, week or life, and all those accompanying feelings more welcome and better managed.

Reframing: From Medical Definitions to Neurochemicals to ‘Flipping the Narrative’

Rather than the ‘disorder’ diagnosis, Dr Jane Sedgwick Müller recommends a reframing that focuses on the dynamic character of ADHD.

You might better imagine that you are responsible for managing a person (self) who is super-observant (distractable), rich in imagination (internal distractions), has a high capacity to concentrate (hyper-focus) , is capable of quick responses (impulsive), has high levels of energy (hyperactive), can see the bigger picture (inattention to detail), and has an incredible capacity for innovation (easily bored). It’s a rich interpretation and reframe, and might well be the true one. You’ve got  this!