A person can have white skin or black skin or yellow skin

or a person can be caucasion or african american or oriental

the glass can be half full or half empty

The question is

Do you feel that "You Have ADD"
or
Do you think that "You Are ADD"

I am not really sure. I think this question has plagued many people with the condition and those who dont have it and are studying those that do. I think it is a constant battle in terms of how we define ourselves and its an interesting question whenever it comes up depending who's involved in the conversation (is this open to those without ADD?). At some level, I think it would be detrimental to consider ourselves as ADD as though that is the only determinant of our personalities...I do feel that it determines all aspects of our lives, but does not define our entire being...at the same time, some people think that oh, you'll just outgrow it if its something you "Have"....its one of those catch 22 things...I am not really sure I even want to know the anser some days...I am sure others will have their own opinion on this and I look forward to reading everyone else's ideas...

correction: I meant to say that it affects all aspects of our lives....but does not determine our entire being,.....hopefully that makes more sense....

Thank you for a enlightening response missing.

I always thought of myself as being normal but have run into the typical ADD problems that we all have and are facing. I have been put down kicked used and abused so many times that I can't remember them all. But through it all I have come out stronger from it as I have been fortunate to be able to hyperfocus on any thing I decide I want to learn. My career background ranges from 4 different areas of construction, auto mechanics, factory maintenance, computer repair and programing to driving a big truck.

I consider myself to " Be ADD" and dam proud of it.

Don't get me wrong as I have many shortcomings just like all ADDers but I am learning to deal with them in a suitable way that corresponds with the level of the people that I am dealing with.

My answer is both, but MORE I HAVE than I AM....when I do share about my ADD I will find myself saying "I am ADD"....somehow I don't think I say "I have ADD" to others....just doesn't come out that way....BUT I don't think I really AM ADD. That implies that ADD is who I am..and I don't think I AM my ADD...anymore than I AM any other condition, or challenge....I simply cannot define myself that way....(like I also have diagnoses of bipolar and OCD..and would also conclude I have these challenges..I am NOT those challenges). I think the answer lies in the extent I wish to make ADD my identity....and for me I do not wish to make it my identity at all...it is simply part of my make-up...and so I HAVE ADD makes more sense to me.....now other things in my life....yes I will say I AM...I AM a woman, I AM a dietitian, I AM caucasian...yes those are part of my identity...but I feel as though with ADD I need to keep it separate...:) or it will be SO internalized, I will use it in ways that will not suit me.....for example, try to make myself different from others....and I'm really not....:)

Thank you for your view on the question Joan.

I understand what your saying there and that makes total sense to me.

Garry

I like what Joan said, yeah, that's my answer.

But seriously, I think that is a difficult question. I think it may be the type of person I am, sort of like personality type, but it is not the totality of my identity. Heck, I don't even have a diagnosis, but it very clear to me and my wife that I have the symptoms of ADD. You know what I think? The name of it is ALL WRONG!!!!
I find it hard to define myself in terms of negtives. Deficit AND Disorder. How Attention Difference. That is one of my biggest problems with ADD, is the Name. It does not acurately describe it for me. I do like Thom Hartmans use of Hunter Vs Farmer anaolgy.
There is a site I had bookmarked that I didn't even remember bookmarking that has a very good description about the naming thing and also, descrbes very what it feels like to have ADD, under the section, "What it feels like...."
http://www.randomthought.addr.com/adhd.html

Another site I like is Bouncing Brains, by Carla Nelson Berg
http://www.bouncingbrains.com/
I especially like the Into page with the definition of Bouncing Brains!

So I still stay with my poll answer, I am not Sure.

I've been avoiding anwsering this post till I really thought about it....

When talking to someone I say"I have ADD" and I've said "I'm ADD".... "I have ADD" sounds like I'm saying I have a disease.

"I'm ADD"sounds more, like how I'd like to describe myself........
ADD is why I am, friendly and talkive. ADD about my job,my relationship with my children,my friends,how I drive my car,how I shop, how I clean,how I take a shower,how I eat,sleep and love. And how I'm thought of by others..... I'm ADD, because that's part of my personality....

Does that make sense ?

That makes perfect sense Fasttalkingmom

I am much the same way

and "I am ADD"