After browsing thorugh a lot of the forums, its obviuos to see that a lot of

people share the same traits, i.e. racing thoughts, distractions, incapabilty to

finish a task, the list goes on. But now, i am not saying this is my own opinion

but just to raise a point. Some things people are describing could be traits of

what non adhd people have. Where is the line, and is this line between adhd and

no adhd becoming blurred because with all the media speculation behind this

disorder i think it has become blurred. Just rasing a point, not staring an

argument or anything. what do you think. sorry speling is **** and i can't be

bothered to correct it so ia m gonna keep on writing!

OH YEAH, because it bothers me when people without adhd say they are

having a adhd moment. its like using torrets as an excuse for when you

swera, bad example i know but you get the point I HOPE!

Excellent question.

Welcome to the Forum btw.

Currently there are 15 different (operational) definitions for ADHD; all of which apply.

One of those is that it's a "dimensional disorder" of human behavior in which most people display some of those symptoms at some point in their lives.

The best operational definition for a Disorder (any disorder not just ADHD); is that it creates "impairments in major life activities that cause harmful dysfunction."

For kids, "major life activities" are school and friendships.

The "clinical threshold" for ADHD is "IMPAIRMENT:NO IMPAIRMENT,NO DISORDER."

ADHD is also a development disorder or developmental disability.

The reasons for that are the symptoms cause problems (impairments) for the person with ADHD, while the non ADHD person has no problems from the symptomatic behaviors.

For an ADHD person, the symptoms are actually developmental delays (compared to same age peers).

I didnt get into the criteria for diagnosis, but I hope that helps you understand it better.

take care
mctavish23 (Robert)

I've always thought that if these difficulties cause problems in normal daily functions, then they can be thought of as "disordered". For example:

- difficulty with paying attention leads to poor performance in academics
- poor attention to detail leads to poor work quality and low job performance
- chronic tardiness leads to getting fired or passed up for a promotion
- difficulty in impulse control is perceived as major behavioral problems, which leads to getting into fights or in trouble at school/work
- difficulty with organization leads to a messy home, desk, car and piles of everything
- difficulty with initiation (i.e., procrastination) results in missed deadlines, late bill payments, becoming overwhelmed and overstressed at work or school

In addition, I believe that most people will have some of the above difficulties when sleepy or drunk, but ADHD folks have these difficulties when fully awake and fully sober. A normal person might also exhibit the above characteristics now and then, but a person with ADHD might exhibit them all the time.

Then, all of the problems listed above found together in one person can mean ADHD and one big mess! Of course, if you have family history and a conclusive MRI scan, then you're really pegged.

I bet you that someone here will find the NIMH or DMSV definition and criteria for diagnosis and paste it up as a response, if they haven't already done so in a sticky! :) Anyway, that's my take on why ADHD differs from "normal".

P.S., refer the above response! :D

oh k thanks, no i know i have adhd, um i was just saying that in the media somne people are complaining that adhd is used as an excuse which really aggrivates me, i hate those people, why do't they try living with add and see what it feels like doing just the simpliest things to us like siting still in class is hell for me! among other things!

That was very well put.

Thank you.

i hope so, it made no sence to me, i wish they made computers that wrote down the things in your head, make writing stuff like essays a lot easier.

I was just diagnosed with ADD and tried to explain what it is to my parents, who are pretty old school (e.g. no need to go to a doctor unless your arm is falling off). They reacted as expected -- "there's nothing wrong with you." My father's main point was that all of these symptoms exist in everyone to some degree. I tried to explain that some people's symptoms are extreme and the result of differences in the brain, as opposed to others who don't have any condition and just might e.g. procrastinate from time to time. The conversation wasn't very productive and I ended it pretty quickly. I welcome his opinion, but only if it's an educated opinion. Just wondering -- can anyone point me to an article or e.g. handout that addresses this distinction? I guess I'm looking for an ADD for DUmmies er....em....doubters...
Thanks.

yeah my mum is in denial about my adhd as well, she use to tell me off for saying i was

bored. or tell me off for being too impatient.

"SHUT UP MUM my idea of five seconds is totally different to yours so leave me alone!"

thats what i use to think.

oh k thanks, no i know i have adhd, um i was just saying that in the media somne people are complaining that adhd is used as an excuse which really aggrivates me, i hate those people, why do't they try living with add and see what it feels like doing just the simpliest things to us like siting still in class is hell for me! among other things!
Personally, I'm MUCH more irritated by the "backlash" in the media and elsewhere, which suggest that NO ONE has ADHD, and EVERYONE is using it as an excuse.

Ideally, everyone would have an accurate diagnosis the first time they went to the doctor...but that just doesn't happen. My ex, for example, has been to 10 therapists in as many years, and only recently been given what we feel is the RIGHT diagnosis, i.e. Borderline Personality Disorder.

If I had to choose, I'd rather someone was falsely diagnosed with ADHD, than that someone who needed help was missed.

Obviously, if someone goes for help because they think they have ADHD...they have SOME problem. Maybe it's not ADHD. Maybe it's depression. Maybe they're just in a very stressful point in their lives.

But I wouldn't begrudge them the wrong help, because I wouldn't begrudge them help at all.

A number of researchers are starting to say that ADHD may be on the normal continuium (sp?) of human behavior. But it's no picnic being on the very low end of the continuium and treatment is warranted and helpful. We're talking something like the bottom 5 - 6 percent on behavioral inhibition, attentional consistency, and so forth. That can create very real problems.

High blood pressure is on a normal human continuium too, but we treat that condition with medication and behavioral changes because it can cause heart problems, stroke, etc

Scattered

The dimensional nature of the disorder serves to reinforce that.

What does that mean

It means that the symptoms of ADHD are exhibited by nearly everyone at some point in their lives.

What distinguishes ADHD from other possibilities is that the symptoms create problems in major life activities; occurring across the life span of the ADHD person

i hope so, it made no sence to me, i wish they made computers that wrote down the things in your head, make writing stuff like essays a lot easier.They don't have that yet, but how do you do with dictating? My ADD/dyslexic husband dictates and I type and it comes out really good with a bit after we've revised a bit. When he tries to write it, well ... There are even computer programs now that will type as you talk, if that method works for you.

Scattered

But you know charges in fact I am doing is now but it doesn't Clients exactly what I say

Just wondering -- can anyone point me to an article or e.g. handout that addresses this distinction? I guess I'm looking for an ADD for Dummies, er....em....doubters...
Thanks. Well, what you discussed reminds me of one good article I have kept track of:

under-diagnosis of ADHD may be just as common as over-diagnosis, ...

"To some extent, we all have a little ADHD," Hinshaw said. "In fact, the symptoms are very much like being a very young child. All 2-year-olds are inattentive and hyperactive."

Even most adults experience some trouble focusing and staying on task.

The difference, [leading ADHD researcher] Hinshaw said, is this:

"Today, the term ADHD reflects the strong scientific consensus that there's a preponderance of kids, as well as adults, who have way more than the usual problems that we all have."

ADHD, Hinshaw said, should be thought of as a Bell curve, in which everybody has a little of the disorder, but some people have too much — so much, in fact, that it interferes with their social and academic lives and renders them dysfunctional. " I had a link to the article on insidebayarea.com, but unfortunately it's no longer available.:(

Ah well; you can always get the basic facts on About.com (http://add.about.com/od/basicsofaddadhd/a/whatisadd.htm) or the like. They have other interesting articles like 12 Things High School Students With ADD/ADHD Would Like Their Teachers To Know (http://add.about.com/cs/forteachers/a/12things.htm), but for now I'm having trouble finding precisely what you're looking for. On the positive side, they have a sizeable ADD.About.com (http://add.about.com) to search for info. :)
(http://add.about.com/cs/forteachers/a/12things.htm)

I was just diagnosed with ADD and tried to explain what it is to my parents, who are pretty old school (e.g. no need to go to a doctor unless your arm is falling off). They reacted as expected -- "there's nothing wrong with you." My father's main point was that all of these symptoms exist in everyone to some degree. I tried to explain that some people's symptoms are extreme and the result of differences in the brain, as opposed to others who don't have any condition and just might e.g. procrastinate from time to time. The conversation wasn't very productive and I ended it pretty quickly. I welcome his opinion, but only if it's an educated opinion. Just wondering -- can anyone point me to an article or e.g. handout that addresses this distinction? I guess I'm looking for an ADD for DUmmies er....em....doubters...
Thanks.I don't know of a pamphlet or handout that would be good, but you can always get them a copy of one of Dr. Edward Hallowell's books. They are very well written and easy to read even for those who don't neccessarily care to read something of that nature. You can also point them to one of the many websites such as CHADD or ADDA. Good luck with it. I hopeyou manage to get them to see your dx your way.

Oh, almost forgot. I love ADDittude mgazine. It has great articles on ADD in all ages. I'm certain you'd like it, but your parents might also.