it sucks having ADHD because for me, there's nothing else wrong with me. I mean, if I had Down Syndrome, I would have something visual to show people I'm "challenged" but if I tell someone I can't do something or understand what they're telling me because of my ADD, they'll roll their eyes. To me, people with ADHD look like serial killers and child molesters - they look and act (for the most part) like everyone else at first glance.

I'm not equating having ADHD with being a serial killer or a child molester. Just saying the guy who rides the bus with you on your way to work might be a child rapist or have human heads in his freezer and he looks like any average Joe.

i am very happy that my ADD doesn't come with physical abnormanlities. I'm not a shallow person but at the same time those "visual" things can put a person at a disadvantage. Social acceptance will likely be lower and this just adds on to the internal challenges they face. I am not hyperactive and i know what you mean when you say you cant show people what your facing but I'm content to deal with the problems i do have and am glam to not have to deal with problems coming from someones ignorant opinion of my physical appearance. I would also encourage you to reread your post,
"it sucks having ADHD because for me, there's nothing else wrong with me"
----that statement is crazy, and you should rethink whether you would be better off with more problems

I think Digger's point is that ADD isn't one of those 'disabilites' that may generate a lot of support because it's not easily identifable, such as a physical disability. Also, the symptoms are seen in everyone. I mean, everyone procrastinates right? Isn't that a sign of ADD. Well yes everyone does procrastinate, but not to the extent that people with ADD can. And of course there are the other symptoms that accompany that..

Digger, it's unfortunte that you aren't recieving the kind of support you should be. And it would be easier on all of us if ADD were to come with some kind of 'physical' aspect to it, so that we could get the help we need. Doesn't quite work that way. Hopefully, you know what accomodations you do need and you're getting it. Whether or not you get personal support from those around you.. well, that's another thread.

it sucks having ADHD because for me, there's nothing else wrong with me"
----that statement is crazy, and you should rethink whether you would be better off with more problems

I do not see it as crazy, it is noting like keeping people's heads in your freezer. The analogy made by the portion about child rapist and serial killers is the condition is invisible. . .no one can tell you have ADD {or serial killer desires} just by looking at you.

I believe the point the initial poster was trying to make is if he didn't have ADD he would not have any "deviations from normal" or the social concept thereof.

If he looked physically defective people would believe there was a problem. . . because we do look and many times outwardly seem to function like every one else some people do not even believe ADD exist. .

I do not believe he is asking for more problems just wishing some would believe his problems are due to a difference in neurobiology and not laziness or lack of desire.

Well, let's fix that.... lets all agree right now on some deformity we can all live with, and rush off to the plastic surgeon. Lol.

Some people won't believe in this, no matter what. Find a more congenial group of companions, is all I can suggest.

I think the OP is making the point that ADHD is a completely invisible disability. Nobody would look at someone with a broken arm or someone in a wheelchair and accuse them of being lazy when they are unable to carry a heavy box of books up 2 flights of stairs.

Yet we ADHD/LDer's are constantly facing the "oh, you could do x y or z if you only put your mind to it" . . . "everyone has strengths and weaknesses, stop comparing yourself to everyone else" . . . "you're a smart person, why did you think that was a good idea?" . . ."there's no way you have that, you're smarter than I am" . . . "I don't believe in diagnoses like that" . . .etc,etc ad nauseum. It sucks, and leads, in my case, to huge whopping helpings of self-doubt. . . wondering if I actually did get a free ride through school which cost me coping skills in the long run. If there was some physical marker as such, even a blood test, we wouldn't have to deal with that crap on a regular basis; a physical, tangible sign of the disorder is incontrovertable evidence that it exists.

Well, let's fix that.... lets all agree right now on some deformity we can all live with,

Okay a hang nail. . . .LOL!


I guess that isn’t considered a physical deformability is it.




If there was some physical marker as such, even a blood test, we wouldn't have to deal with that crap on a regular basis; a physical, tangible sign of the disorder is incontrovertable evidence that it exists.


You have a point and to a certain extent I agree; however even the obvious wheel chair bound, blind or hard of hearing have their fair share of crap to put up with . . . . .where there is life there will be feces.

I'm glad tygersan mentioned coping skills. That is one thing that is wrong, at least relative to your mental health and ability to comfratably function within society.

Of course you have no visable physical abnormality, but you do have a an abnormality in terms of what society expects from you. You have difficulty meeting those expectations, and it has a negative effect upon you.

What options do you have? Well, as a cleft pallet can be improved, and a lost leg can be somewhat replased by a prosetic, coping skills can be learned. Learning how to interact and accomplish in ways that suite you. There are books on this, and therapists/councilors can support the development of life skills.

As much as those conditions that you mentioned can be seen visibly, attitudes and emotional standing are just as easily seen. If you're depressed, people see it in your face, in your speech, and how you conduct yourself. If you're manic, people see that too. Angry, etc - people see the whole spectrum.

I can relate to your frustration. Not wishing to be confined to a diagnosis, but wanting the world to understand that you struggling and fighting with something that isn't easily seen. Always questioning if the diagnosis is valid.

-- jolt

I feel this way with my aspergers, and people wonder why i never look people directly in the eye, it sucks having these disorders.

I think it is harder on the younger people because you still care what people think, if you are lucky you will mature out of it. . . . .then it will more like _ _ _ _ 'em if they can't take a joke.