I've had occasional spells since I was thirteen where I gradually go blind in one or both eyes for a period of 10-40 minutes to varying degrees. It's been diagnosed as the very rare "retinal migraine without history of headaches." It happens most often when I hyperfocus on something stressful (I tell people it's like blowing a fuse in my brain) but occasionally I have other triggers. The exact condition I have is apparently very rare, but when on a hunch I posed the problem to the gifted/special needs mailing list, I got four or five responses from ADD individuals who'd had the same problem, a startlingly high number. Out of curiosity, does anyone here ever have a similar problem? I read that one of the latest theories on migraine disorders is that they are triggered by very high amounts of norepinephrine, which if I'm not mistaken would be present during hyperfocus for us, so I've been thinking maybe there is a logical correlation.

Interesting... hasn't happened to me... anyone else? :confused:

I don't know if there's a connection, but I've had two of those ocular migraines in the past. I lost large areas from my field of vision ... they turned white, which was very odd. I didn't experience the pain I would have had from a regular migraine, but did have one localized area of pain next to the bridge of the nose.

I don't know whether migraines are more common in those with ADD, but I wouldn't be too surprised.... I know migraines occur more often in people who have allergies and various other ailments that are, in turn, more common in ADD folk. (Did that make any sense?)

Yes it did to me anyway's; Yes I get ocular migraine's too; especially when hyperfocused on a problem or task that bring's alot of stress. Research, studying etc. I just take it as a sign I need to step away and let my mind rest.

I don't get migraines, and I've never gone blind, possibly due to my innate knowledge of when to go to the bathroom.