ADHD – a time specific time disturbance? Timework among Danish families living with ADHD

Abstract

Based on fieldwork in Danish families, this article examines the management and meaning of time in families living with the diagnosis Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We argue, that an aspect of ADHD can be regarded as a time disturbance, and examine how this is managed in a modern Danish everyday life marked by many structural temporal conditions. Inspired by the Danish anthropologist Mikka Nielsen (2016), we interpret everyday life with ADHD from a time perspective, with ADHD being regarded as an illness, that seems to be particularly visible in temporal clashes with its environment. We describe how significant aspects of ADHD can be perceived as being caused by a disturbance in the experience of the normal structure of time as past-present-future. Using the sociologist Michael Flaherty’s concept of time work, we explore how the use of objects, activities, medicine and support from others help the person with ADHD to navigate in time. We contextualise the analysis with structural perspectives on the conditions of modernity, thereby highlighting the fact, that temporal requirements from institutional frameworks influence family life with ADHD. The article thus argues for a double temporal perspective on family life with ADHD. The research indicates that fieldwork in families living with ADHD may contribute important knowledge which may help to improve the counselling given by the health system, to patients with ADHD and their families. We encourage further research on temporality in families living with ADHD.