What is Wrong with Me?!

ADD/ADHD in Relation to Romans 7:15-25 (specifically 15,19)

7:15 “For what I am doing I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate that I do.” (NKJV)

It’s not the sin that separates us from God (it only took one sin), but the sin nature passed genetically to each individual through the parents, beginning with the first parents (Adam and Eve, relate to Romans 5:12-21). So Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Paul in Romans chapter seven have a problem associated with their nature (all of man has this problem, but with the ADD/ADHD individual it can be intensified and multiplied, especially recurring issues of substance abuse). It’s not the action or repeated action of failure to do right which condemns them, rather they are born into condemnation. “a dog returns to his own vomit, and a sow, having washed, to her own wallowing in the mire” (2Peter 2:22) This is even intensified with one who has ADD/ADHD, much like Paul with his problem in Romans seven. ADD/ADHD individuals are not “sinful” in and of themselves and the disorder is not due to one being punished for their sins, hence receiving divine punishment for a sin or a sinful lifestyle, no more than the man in the Scriptures born blind (John 9:1-11). Modern advancements in technology and medicine have shown that it is a physical problem, impairment, disorder or disability that clearly displays the result of the Fall of Man. It is a “disorder of performance” (Russell A Barkley, PhD and leading researcher).

With this group of individuals we need to show much more understanding of their condition and much more patience. We do not condone the sinful tendencies or excuse it, rather we coach, and support them through it with the goal of they eventually being victorious regardless of the previous failures. We do not excuse moral failure or give a free pass, especially for repeated acts. (One primary symptom is impulsivity) However we do not cast them aside or just put them out and guilt them. The problem is they and the disorder (which they may have not known existed for many years and so lacked treatment) have been misunderstood due to a lack of knowledge which resulted in the disorder being considered behavioral rather than neurological! Did you just read that right? Not behavioral, but neurological. It is not that they want to do wrong, they want to please and do what is right, but like Paul, they just don’t always do right, and continually find themselves failing. Yes, like all us men, they also willingly sin, but here I am discussing this neurological condition that up to 10% of the population has. Hence, they have lived with guilt and they do not need any more guilt heaped on their depressed souls (depression is a comorbidity of many of these individuals), so many feel guilty, sad and depressed as it is through 1.) not understanding themselves and many beat themselves up over it (like Paul, bewildered at his propensity to do wrong rather than right) and their condition and 2.) they being judged negatively so often because of their failures. Think of the consequences and the inner turmoil that creates so regularly in their lives. What they need is continual daily reminders and insights along with someone (or community) willing to be in it with them for the long haul. It is a disorder that does not go away, though some of the traits of it may diminish at least visibly (it does carry with it the possibility of many comorbidities) but can like an illness such as diabetes be managed daily with proper treatment, neurologically through psycho-pharmaceuticals, therapy, coaching, perhaps support groups (for the individual and parents if a child) and of course spiritual insights through proper biblical counsel and of course much grace and understanding.