“But They Can Focus on Things They Enjoy” – Can You Still Have ADHD?

One of the most common things I hear during ADHD assessments is:

"If they can spend three hours playing a video game, how can they possibly have ADHD?"

Parents ask it. Teachers ask it. Adults seeking assessment often ask it about themselves.

It is completely understandable. On the surface, it seems contradictory. If somebody struggles to focus, surely they should struggle to focus on everything.

What many people are surprised to learn is that ADHD is not really a difficulty with paying attention. It is more accurately a difficulty with regulating attention.

That distinction can help explain a lot of experiences that otherwise seem confusing.

ADHD Is Not a Lack of Attention

Many people imagine ADHD as someone who is constantly distracted and unable to concentrate on anything. In reality, the picture is often much more complicated. One person may spend an entire evening absorbed in a hobby they love but struggle to start a homework task that should only take ten minutes.

Another may become completely immersed in researching a topic of interest but forget appointments, lose track of time and struggle with everyday organisation.

The difficulty is often not whether attention exists. It is whether attention can be directed where it needs to go at the right time.

Many people I meet describe feeling frustrated because they know they are capable of concentrating. They can see it happening in some situations. The challenge is being able to access that focus consistently when life demands it.

The Difference Between Interest and Importance

One of the ways I sometimes explain this during assessments is that ADHD brains often respond more strongly to interest than importance.

Most of us can make ourselves do tasks that are important even when they are not particularly enjoyable.

For somebody with ADHD, a task being important does not always create enough momentum to get started.

Paying a bill, replying to an email or completing coursework may be extremely important. Yet beginning the task can feel unexpectedly difficult.

At the same time, something interesting, novel, creative or rewarding may capture attention very effectively.

This is not laziness.

It is not a lack of motivation.

It is not a character flaw.

It reflects the way attention and motivation systems are working in the brain.

What Hyperfocus Looks Like

Another reason people sometimes doubt ADHD is because of something called hyperfocus.

Hyperfocus describes periods of very intense concentration on a particular activity or interest.

Not everybody with ADHD experiences hyperfocus and it is not unique to ADHD, but it is something I hear about regularly.

Parents may describe a child who appears unable to listen when asked to tidy their room but can spend hours building with Lego.

Adults often tell me they become so absorbed in a project that they forget to eat lunch or lose track of time completely.

The challenge is that hyperfocus is not always under conscious control.

People do not necessarily choose when it happens.

In many ways, it is another example of attention regulation rather than attention deficit.

Why School and Work Can Feel So Difficult

This can be particularly confusing in educational settings. A teacher may see a pupil who produces excellent work on a favourite topic but struggles to complete routine classroom tasks.

Adults often describe a similar experience at work. They may excel when solving complex problems, responding to crises or working on projects they find meaningful but struggle with paperwork, administration or repetitive tasks.

From the outside, this inconsistency can sometimes be misinterpreted.

Comments such as "They can do it when they want to" or "They are not applying themselves" are often deeply upsetting for individuals who are already trying very hard.

One of the most important parts of assessment is helping people understand that inconsistent performance does not necessarily mean inconsistent effort.

The Emotional Impact

Something that receives less attention is the emotional impact of these experiences. Many adults who come for assessment have spent years wondering why everyday tasks seem harder for them than for other people.

Many children become frustrated when they are criticised for difficulties that they do not fully understand themselves.

Over time, repeated experiences of struggling, forgetting, procrastinating or feeling overwhelmed can affect confidence.

One of the most powerful moments during assessment is often when somebody realises there is an explanation for experiences they have carried for years.

Not because everything suddenly becomes easy, but because the difficulties begin to make sense.

The Strengths That Often Come Alongside ADHD

While conversations about ADHD understandably focus on challenges, it is equally important to recognise strengths. Many people with ADHD are exceptionally creative, curious and imaginative. They often bring energy, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to situations.

I frequently meet individuals who are wonderful problem-solvers because they approach situations from angles that other people may not consider.

Many have a remarkable ability to think quickly, adapt to changing circumstances and become deeply knowledgeable about areas that interest them.

These strengths are just as important as the difficulties when understanding the whole person.

Looking Beyond the Stereotypes

Perhaps the most important message is that ADHD rarely looks exactly like the stereotypes many of us grew up with. Some people are highly active and visibly restless. Others are quiet, thoughtful and spend much of their time daydreaming. Some struggle to focus on almost everything. Others can focus intensely on the right things while finding everyday tasks surprisingly difficult. The ability to concentrate on something enjoyable does not rule out ADHD.

In fact, it is often part of the story. When I meet people for assessment, my aim is not simply to decide whether a diagnosis fits. It is to understand how their brain works, what challenges they experience and what strengths they bring with them.

Understanding those patterns can be incredibly empowering.

For many people, the question changes from "Why can't I do this?" to "How can I work with my brain rather than against it?"

That shift in perspective is often where meaningful change begins.

Dr James Glass
MBChB MRCPsych
Medical Director, WMI Psychiatry