Did you know that several first responders are diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Around 20% of first responders show signs of ADHD (Sachs, 1997).
David Berez is a retired Connecticut police officer and drug recognition expert who has also written a couple of articles about adult ADHD. Mr. Berez wrote, “Personally, I would always thrive in the chaos of work, and it was the ‘downtimes’ that seemed to get me in trouble, specifically by looking for trouble. These moments often led me to operating on the fringes of the law, my own safety, and at times the safety of my colleagues. At times — ok often — I would bring these harmful traits home with me and create chaos at with my family because I always felt lost in the calm.”
People with ADHD are also considered part of the neurodivergent community and there are common characteristics between autism and ADHD. You can read more about this in an article written by Dr. Megan Anna Neff: ADHD and Autism: How ADHD and Autism are Related.
Both articles written by David Berez are attached below:
- Dopamine Detox Part 1: Concept, Evidence
- Practice and Dopamine Detox Part 2: Law Enforcement Officers Should ‘Practice the Pause’
1997 Sachs study: Dealing with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in the Emergency Services