ADD (Adoration Deficit Disorder)

Keeping a focus in life is so critical to our identity, family roles, social interactions, career goals and objectives and, most importantly, spirituality. Hyperactivity and distractions of many kinds have a tendency to blur our visions and blind us to our true nature: union with God. This may be referred to as Adoration Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Being a clinical social worker with an insatiable appetite for deepening my own relationship with God and to encouraging others to do the same, this column will address how to better manage hyperactivity from a spiritual perspective for both adults and children.

According to CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [AD/HD]), all of us may have difficulty sitting still, paying attention or controlling impulsive behaviors. But for some people, the problem is so pervasive and persistent that it interferes with their daily lives, including home, academic, social and work settings.

While sometimes helpful, all too often, the 4th “R” to reading, writing and arithmetic is Ritalin; a very critical aspect to anyone’s life that helps us keep focused is Religion. The structure, discipline and example that such practice instills are immeasurable.

Unfortunately, according to recent Gallop surveys, only 25-30% of identified Roman Catholics attend weekly Mass. Participating in church worship provides an environment conducive to adaptive learned behaviors – on both practical and spiritual levels.

One clear exception, however, are “Crying Rooms” at churches, which actually may, at times, encourage maladaptive behaviors. Likewise, less of an emphasis on quiet and reverence in churches has not been helpful for focusing one’s attention on God. Is the Blessed Sacrament/Tabernacle at the center of attention in the church or rather relegated to the side? Do people genuflect before the Real Presence anymore?

What are some things that we as parents and children can do to counter ADD to sharpen our focus on God? John Rosemond, a Family Psychologist with a syndicated “Parenting” column that appears bi-weekly in The Advocate has noted the need for family balance in activity planning, less television and video games, as well as clear disciplinary structure.

“The Cross of Life” noted by the psychiatrist Carl Menninger also highlights this in clarity for our spirituality needs:




WORSHIP
+

WORK + + + + + + + PLAY

+
LOVE

Worship: we have to acknowledge God in our lives; without Him, we become our own God;

Love: the willingness on our part to sacrifice for others – to even lay down one’s life for another - in whatever manner that this may be manifested in our own particular state of life;

Work: we all need a purpose for why we live – to use the gifts and talents that God has given us to build His Kingdom;

Play: recreation is important for us to experience the joy of the Lord, and this also gives us relief from stress.

Thus, it is critical that we keep a balance in all of these areas for our overall emotional growth and well being. Any over emphasis in one area will create ADD or AD/HD.

Finally, may we consider giving particular concentration, focus and recognition to our Lord Jesus Christ per the availability of an Adoration Chapel, as are available throughout the community. As Jesus noted in the Garden of Gethsemani, “You could not stay awake for even an hour? (Mt. 26: 40, Mk. 14: 37, Lk. 22: 46).

Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LCSW, MHA