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Ageing Sci Ment Health Stud, Volume 5(1): 1–2, 2021 ISSN: 2002-7850
Ageing Science & Mental Health Studies
Volume 5 Issue 1
Is it the case that our hopes and wishful thinking about the state of
aairs lead us to lose our analytical gaze and shortcomings in analysis?
In the article on ADHD and entrepreneurship that was published
in e Journal of Applied Psychiatry, [1] the authors Frummerin
and Lindström [2] emphasized that ADHD would not oer any
special conditions for entrepreneurship and were critical of some
article authors who emphasized that ADHD would provide favorable
conditions for entrepreneurship.
To avoid a discussion characterized by seeing things in black and
white, the article tried to describe the limitations that ADHD entails
in a nuanced way with an insight that in exceptional cases there are
designated ADHDs that could function entrepreneurially if there was
support for them in other ways.
I.e., the article brought up:
“ADHD linked to restlessness and diculty paying attention.”
“ADHD. Diculties in concentration and not being able to focus
on performing tasks for a long period of time”
“A person with ADHD is oen exposed to a signicant challenge
in enduring and reaching all the way until the task is completed”.
It is interesting to note that some of those who read the article
appreciated it because they perceived it as that ADHD can be an
asset in entrepreneurial work. We the authors become self-critical
and thoughtful about how we have expressed ourselves and how the
readers have drawn conclusions from the article. In what way can we
interpret these, albeit minority, reactions that for us are not in line
with the message we hoped to convey?
ere are certainly a variety of reasons why several readers of the
article have not embraced the article’s message about the limitations
associated with ADHD.
To note is that is that several entrepreneurs or self-employed
people with their own ADHD diagnoses who have claimed that
they have read it, mention they perceived the article directly positive
and ADHD as an asset, this which in itself is interesting due to the
examples above mentioned, as well mentioned in the article about
mental health and challenges in functioning in everyday life.
Short Commentary
Clarication of Research Study: ADHD Does Not
Provide Special Conditions for Entrepreneurship
Hans-Olle Frummerin1 and Stefan Lindstrom2*
1Management Consultant and Licensed Psychologist, Sweden
2Management Consultant and Entreprenologist, Stockholm Country, Sweden
*Corresponding author: MBA. Stefan Lindstrom, Management Consultant and Entreprenologist, Stockholm Country, Sweden; E-mail: Stefan@stefanlindstrom.com
Received: March 17, 2021; Accepted: March 22, 2021; Published: March 25, 2021
We cannot interpret this in any other way than that some debaters
and trendsetters for several years have tried to convey that ADHD
would provide conditions for entrepreneurial action without drawing
attention to the limitations and problems that ADHD can bring to
individuals in terms of mental health and challenges in functioning
in everyday life.
In Sweden there has been a strong eort to nd opportunities for
everyone, and this is an extremely positive desire. Every individual
should be able to have the opportunity to realize their full potential.
But when it comes to giving ADHD diagnosed individuals extra
ordinary hope to act as entrepreneurs, it may approach the unrealistic
and possibly raise more hopes than realistic possibilities.
In the quest to nd new types and varieties of management,
and looking for new ways to lead where creativity and focus could
add new qualities and energy for entrepreneurship. Which is fully
understandable but also possibly contains more visionary approaches
than being realistic. Entrepreneurship if it is to have a long-term
viability oen includes more trivial components such as stability and
organizational ability.
It is interesting to note that the message we tried to convey did not
reach everyone and because of that we feel compelled to supplement
our argumentation. We have some comments.
Is it the case that the discussion that has taken place, not only
in Sweden, has not taken into account that ADHD oen aects and
limits an individual’s opportunities to function in an optimal way. In
some articles, ADHD has been highlighted in such a way that one gets
the impression that ADHD would provide special conditions to be an
entrepreneur. What is the background to this?
Is it about wishful thinking and perceptual defense mechanisms?
at one has a picture and wishful thinking that it relates in a
certain way. Or one does not have the patience and composure to read
a text and analyse and draw conclusions.
Another factor that may possibly explain why one so reluctantly
claims ADHD as a positive factor in this context is the image one
makes of the entrepreneur. It is an image of an entrepreneur who leads
an uncomplicated and clear business.
Ageing Sci Ment Health Stud, Volume 5(1): 2–2, 2021 ISSN: 2002-7850
Stefan Lindstrom (2021) Clarication of Research Study: ADHD Does Not Provide Special Conditions for Entrepreneurship
Certainly, ADHD characterized have oen been able to lead
activities of this nature.
Having that said, it can be easily confused or even mixed
together what is entrepreneurship, and what is entrepreneurship. Or
what is self-employed and running its own business versus- what is
entrepreneurship? [1,5].
A 2020 survey shows, [3] among other things, that the traditional
image of the entrepreneur is no longer really adequate. Oen one has
had a simpler picture of entrepreneurs.
We can therefore not avoid stating that there has been and still is
a general picture of the entrepreneur that can lead to mistakes with
quick conclusions within the area.
We would like to emphasize that it is extremely commendable
that we jointly try to create as favourable conditions as possible for
individuals with ADHD behaviours. A variety of measures are needed
at dierent levels that can make it easier for individuals with ADHD
to develop their potential.
In the current debate no higher attention has been paid to the
facts that say that ADHD oen limits an individual’s opportunities to
function in an optimal way.
is can lead to the creation of a notion that ADHD would provide
conditions that are not fullled in reality. As a consequence, this could
mean that individuals with ADHD are expected to perform commitments
that they do not in fact have the conditions to perform. e consequence
could be that people with ADHD would end up in professional roles in
which they feel great frustration or that they simply fail.
As we judge it based on the response to the article, [1] the
opportunity thinking about ADHD that has developed over time has
led to a wishful thinking that overlooks realities regarding professional
roles and interactions in the workplace [4].
is requires a more analytical approach without wishful thinking
and defense mechanisms. It benets those with diagnosed ADHD the
best.
References
1. Do Typical ADHD Traits Oer Advantages to Entrepreneurs? (sciaeon.org).
2. About us – Entrepreneur prole test.
3. New research about the entrepreneur in Sweden/Ny bild av den svenske
entreprenören, (researchgate.net).
4. Do Typical ADHD Traits Oer Advantages to Entrepreneurs? (researchgate.net).
5. About the test – Entrepreneur prole test.
Citation:
Frummerin HO, Lindstrom S (2021 Clarication of Research Study: ADHD Does Not Provide Special Conditions for Entrepreneurship. Ageing Sci Ment Health Stud
Volume 5(1): 1-2.