Viewing ADHD as a defense system appears to be radically different, but in actuality it is a logical extension of traditional theories of psychopathology.

Traditional theories, despite their differences, embrace Sigmund Freud’s notion that psychopathology is the result of an earlier emotional trauma. The adaptation to that trauma results in the psychopathology.

ADHD works by the same processes and serves the same function as traditional psychological defense mechanisms. In fact, it is best thought of as a defense mechanism favored by children.

Freud talked about how repression, suppression, or denial, are ways of keeping noxious thoughts and memories out of one’s consciousness. That is, they are attentional avoidance mechanisms that work just like ADHD.

Freud saw defenses as the patient’s active efforts to adapt, but that ultimately, if overused, backfired. So too, it is with ADHD. Framed in terms of Conditioned Attentional Avoidance Loop Model, the patient is as an active, skilled adapter to the environmental stimuli, just as Freud saw his patients. However, in both cases, defense mechanisms have gone awry.

Like all defense mechanisms, avoidance behavior functions as a way to spare the ADHD child the unpleasant emotions — whether they are triggered by internal or external experiences. It does this by keeping annoyances out of consciousness. But the defense strategy suggested by the Conditioned Attentional Avoidance Loop Model is more obvious than traditional defenses since: