ADHD: Understanding Attention and Focus Challenges
A comprehensive guide to ADHD in South Africa—what it is, how it's treated, and alternatives to lifelong stimulant medication.
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What Is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's diagnosed when someone has persistent problems with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily life. Many people with ADHD also struggle with anxiety.
There are three main types:
Inattentive Type
Trouble focusing, easily distracted, forgetful, disorganized. Often called "ADD" (without the hyperactivity).
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
Restless, fidgety, talks excessively, interrupts others, acts without thinking.
Combined Type
Has symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. This is the most common type.
Common ADHD Symptoms
Inattention Symptoms
- • Trouble focusing on tasks or conversations
- • Easily distracted by external stimuli
- • Forgetful in daily activities
- • Loses things frequently (keys, phone, wallet)
- • Avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort
- • Makes careless mistakes
- • Doesn't seem to listen when spoken to
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
- • Fidgets, taps, or squirms constantly
- • Can't sit still for long periods
- • Talks excessively
- • Interrupts or intrudes on others
- • Has trouble waiting their turn
- • Acts without thinking about consequences
- • Always "on the go" or restless
ADHD in South Africa
ADHD is increasingly diagnosed in South Africa, especially in children. Estimates suggest 5-10% of South African children have ADHD, though many cases go undiagnosed.
The diagnosis rate has exploded in recent years. Why? Is there really an epidemic of ADHD? Or are we medicalizing normal childhood behavior and the effects of poor education systems?
The South African Context
Several factors contribute to ADHD diagnoses in South Africa:
- • Overcrowded classrooms: 40-50 students per class makes it hard for any child to focus
- • Poor education quality: Boring, irrelevant curriculum leads to disengagement
- • Trauma and stress: Crime, poverty, and family instability affect children's ability to concentrate
- • Screen addiction: Constant stimulation from phones and tablets reduces attention span
- • Quick diagnosis: Doctors often diagnose ADHD after a 15-minute consultation
The Standard Treatment: Stimulant Drugs
The first-line treatment for ADHD in South Africa is stimulant medication. The most common drugs are:
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
This is a Schedule 6 controlled substance—the same category as morphine. It's chemically similar to cocaine and amphetamines. It works by increasing dopamine in the brain, which improves focus and reduces hyperactivity.
Common side effects:
- • Loss of appetite and weight loss
- • Sleep problems (insomnia)
- • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- • Mood changes (irritability, anxiety)
- • Stunted growth in children with long-term use
- • Addiction potential
Amphetamines (Adderall, Vyvanse)
These are literally amphetamines—speed. They have similar effects and side effects to methylphenidate, but are even more potent.
Here's what doctors don't always tell you: You're giving your child (or yourself) a drug that's chemically similar to cocaine. And you're told to take it every day, possibly for life. For a comprehensive comparison of medication versus alternative approaches, see our Dianetics vs. Medication guide.
The Problem with ADHD Medication
1. It's Not a Cure
Stimulant medication doesn't fix ADHD. It temporarily improves symptoms while the drug is active. Stop taking it, and the symptoms return. You're dependent on the drug indefinitely.
2. Long-Term Effects Are Unknown
We don't fully understand the long-term effects of giving stimulant drugs to developing brains. Some studies suggest it may affect brain development and increase the risk of substance abuse later in life.
3. It Changes Personality
Many parents report that their child becomes "zombie-like" on ADHD medication—quiet, compliant, but emotionally flat. The child's natural personality and creativity are suppressed.
4. It's a Controlled Substance
Ritalin and similar drugs are Schedule 6 controlled substances because they have high abuse potential. They're sold illegally on the black market as "study drugs." Is this really what you want to give your child?
Is ADHD Even Real?
This is a controversial question, but it needs to be asked: Is ADHD a real medical condition, or is it a label we put on normal behavior that doesn't fit into rigid school systems?
Consider these facts:
- There's no objective test for ADHD. No blood test, no brain scan. It's diagnosed based on subjective observations.
- The symptoms of ADHD are normal behaviors that everyone experiences to some degree. The line between "normal" and "disorder" is arbitrary.
- ADHD diagnosis rates vary wildly between countries and even between schools, suggesting cultural and systemic factors rather than a biological condition.
- Many "ADHD" symptoms disappear when children are engaged in activities they find interesting (video games, sports, hobbies).
This doesn't mean children (and adults) aren't struggling with attention and focus. They are. But maybe the problem isn't a "disorder" in their brain. Maybe the problem is:
- Boring, irrelevant education systems
- Trauma and stress from difficult life circumstances
- Overstimulation from screens and constant digital input
- Poor nutrition and sleep
- Lack of physical activity and outdoor time
The Dianetics Perspective on ADHD
According to "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health" by L. Ron Hubbard, what psychiatry calls "ADHD" is often the result of unresolved trauma, stress, or painful experiences stored in the reactive mind. These create mental and emotional barriers that make it hard to focus and stay organized.
For example:
- A child who experienced trauma (abuse, family violence, loss) may have trouble concentrating because their mind is preoccupied with unresolved pain.
- A child who was constantly criticized or punished for making mistakes may avoid tasks that require sustained effort because they associate them with failure and shame.
- A child who grew up in a chaotic, unpredictable environment may have developed hyperactivity and impulsivity as survival mechanisms.
Instead of drugging the child to suppress these symptoms, Dianetics helps identify and process the underlying experiences that are causing the attention and behavior problems.
Dianetics: Addressing the Root Cause
Dianetics offers a different approach to ADHD. Instead of suppressing symptoms with stimulant drugs, it helps you (or your child) locate and process the experiences that are creating the attention and focus problems.
Through auditing, you can examine these experiences in a safe, controlled way. As you process them, their hold on you dissipates. Your ability to focus and stay organized improves naturally, without drugs.
How Dianetics Helps with ADHD
- • Addresses the underlying causes of attention and focus problems
- • No medication, no stimulant drugs, no side effects
- • Doesn't suppress personality or creativity
- • Improves overall emotional well-being, not just symptoms
- • It's a finite process with a clear endpoint—not lifelong medication
Practical Steps Before Medication
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, or if you're struggling with attention and focus yourself, consider these steps before starting medication:
- Rule out other causes. Sleep problems, poor nutrition, vision or hearing issues, and learning disabilities can all mimic ADHD symptoms.
- Reduce screen time. Constant digital stimulation reduces attention span. Try a "digital detox" for a few weeks.
- Increase physical activity. Exercise improves focus and reduces hyperactivity naturally.
- Improve sleep. Many "ADHD" symptoms are actually symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation.
- Address trauma and stress. If there's been trauma, loss, or ongoing stress, address it before resorting to medication.
- Explore Dianetics. It offers a way to address the root causes without drugs.
You Have a Choice
If you or your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you're not obligated to accept lifelong stimulant medication. You have a choice. You can explore alternatives that address the underlying causes without drugs, without side effects, and without suppressing personality.
Dianetics offers a path to improved focus and organization that doesn't involve giving children (or adults) controlled substances. It respects the individual's potential and helps them overcome the barriers that are preventing them from succeeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps
If you want to explore a different approach to ADHD—one that addresses the cause, not just the symptoms—learn more about Dianetics.
Break free from medication dependency. Order the Dianetics book for R400 with free delivery across South Africa. Discover how to improve focus and attention without stimulant medications.
For individualized support, Dianetics auditing services are available in major South African cities.
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Tony Peacock
Humanitarian & Mental Health Research Advocate
Published: 2024 • Updated: November 2025
Tony is an Australian who moved to South Africa and made it his home. At 25, he overcame drug and alcohol addiction through Dianetics after trying alternative healing approaches. He served as Church staff in Australia for 12 years before moving to SA in 2022. As a humanitarian and philanthropist, he has made significant contributions to mental health infrastructure across Southern Africa. His mission: help the able become more able using technology that makes people causative.