A year ago, I was captivated by AI, seeing it as a revolutionary tool for creativity. I thought it was the bee’s knees! Since then, much has been discussed about its limitations, especially in the realms of emotional support and therapy. However, I want to share my enriching experience using AI as a generative assistant in my practice as a therapist with ADHD.
The Challenge of Writing with ADHD
For many individuals with ADHD, writing can present unique challenges. While some harness their tangential thoughts to create brilliant pieces, I, like many, often find myself grappling with executive functioning and working memory, when putting fingers to keyboard. The desire to express myself and connect with clients, peers and other is strong, and to reach that audience and market myself in the therapy world it is an essential venture. However, organising my thoughts into coherent writing can be a struggle. Discovering AI felt like a game changer; it became a supportive ally that helped with grammar, sentence structure, and expanding my ideas.
Reality Check
Growing up in the 1960s, I was inspired by science fiction and the promise of the future. I vividly remember being mesmerized by the big red Routemaster buses, convinced they represented the future of self-driving technology. The reality—that there was a driver hidden away—taught me how easily we can romanticise technology.
Today, we are entering a new era with self-driving vehicles becoming a reality. However, as highlighted in a recent Netflix documentary, we still are a long way from achieving reliability. This contrast echoes my feelings about AI: while it has immense potential, we continue to learn how to navigate its limitations effectively.
The Need for Honest Feedback
AI can sometimes be sycophantic; I appreciate its ability to help me identify mistakes rather than fawn and flatter my writing. My ADHD brain thrives on tangents, which can be both a strength and a challenge. While written AI sometimes connects disparate ideas in ways that don’t feel true, in the same way it might add an extra leg or too in a retouched photo, I’ve learned to craft better prompts and parameters. This has allowed AI to become a valuable tool, helping me refine my thoughts and enhance coherence.
The Value of AI in Writing
People rightly want credit for their original work, but there’s a risk of shaming those who find AI helpful for inclusion. That is a form of gatekeeping? For me, AI has become an essential tool, akin to the DSA award I received as a student for extra resources. It provides vital support, empowering those who struggle with writing to share their thoughts.
Change can be daunting, during the Industrial Revolution fearful workers threw clogs into machinery to slow down the march of innovation. Just as saboteurs and artisans adapted to the rise of new technology, we can embrace AI while celebrating the uniqueness of skilled wordsmiths. Great writers and artisans are, and will continue to be revered, I don’t doubt. I am inviting a bit of budging over and making room for a wider range of previously marginalised voices.
The Role of AI as a Co-Creator
AI acts as a teacher and co-creator, enriching my writing process with its insights. It doesn’t do the work for me; instead, it enhances my authentic voice. I input my ideas, and it returns a more coherent version, which I continue to edit to ensure my thoughts shine through. It’s a collaborative process.
As I write, I’m reminded by a dear friend that the creative process is never solitary. And that I stand on the shoulders of giants—brilliant thinkers throughout history. AI grants me access to that vantage point, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.