It is often assumed that a sign of ADHD/ADD is loosened/lack of focus or complete attention deficit. In a lot of people's experiences, there is a demonstration of 'hyperfocus'—intense and complete absorption in a task to the point of neglecting & tuning out everything else.

It is a state of 'frozenness'. Gazing at a blank word document for hours. Making and unmaking a single day's to-do list. Reading the same line or page repeatedly because you are afraid you didn't understand it the way you think it should be understood.

Most neurotypical people (who don't have any signifiant cognitive struggles) will likely experience a hyperfocus-like state at some point in their life. However for neurodivergent folks (e.g. autism, schizophrenia, ADHD) this can cause mild to severe attentional disabilities.

Since we are often deductive in our reasoning, when someone displays such a tendency or behaviour, we are quick to make judgment calls as opposed to understanding the underlying context. Engage with people's struggles from a place of curiosity+compassion instead of criticism.

Attention deficit and hyperfocus are not signs of 'laziness' but a combination of neurological+psychosocial variables that complicate performing cognitive (particularly attentional) tasks. If someone struggles with focus, please avoid labelling them as 'lazy'.

For those who experience these challenges, quick tips that help—
1. Color Compartmentalization - Use colourful sticky notes while reading/ coloured pens while making notes
2. Try to sound off what you are reading
3. Set up timers
3. Try the pomodoro method of task completion