Hi. I'm sort of new to this whole ADD thing.

I guess I'm sort of a ADD newbie, but i've learned a lot within the last month about my condition. It's truly a cery unique and it has a lot of traits.

I'm still questioning a lot of things. I mean is ADD really as severe as a person makes it? For one, Since i started highschool (20 now) i've always noticed a difference in me compared to others. I mean, i seemed to be more Emotional, Forgetful,Knowledge able (about life in genral mostly), and over all things just seemed to be "complicated" with me. But what gets me is, sometimes (When my mind is at peace, whatever that means) I seem to function fine. This means when i'm not stressed or worried about anything.

This doesn't happen too often, but when i feel "fine" it seems like i can do ANYHING, and other days, it's like wow, life SUCKS! I just don't understand what it really takes to control this thing. Does it take a good understanding of yourself, and when you finally reach this advanced stage of enlightenment that you can "Accept" the way you are and go on doing what you need to do in life? Or is it a hopeless dead-end where you must rely on meds to get through life? I'm sort of confused but I'm not the one to quit.

I find it really difficult to find whats really the "proper" way to go about it. I Also feel like i have a more "Heightend" understanding of Life, and Right & wrong than other people. Anyone else ever get that feeling? Like your actually Genius, but can't comprehend your abilities? nd people look down on you and think your a *******? lol, it makes me so mad! I can read people so well, (I think) and it feels like i can't use my abilities to my advantage and use these abilities ii have to making myself into someone productive.

GRRR I feel like I'm just babbling on, but does anyone understand what i'm saying.:o:o lol?

I understand you.

Keep in mind you can be both Gifted (high intelligence) and have ADHD, which carries all the problems, gifts and difficulties of both traits.

Also keep in mind that AADD (adult ADD) is considered by some to be distinct from child ADHD, with child ADHD a prerequisite for AADD. This is because many ADHD symptoms dissappear/change/shift as one grows up and the brain matures. Often the hyperactive symptom appears to dissipate entirely, whilst the other symptoms are often subtle and hard to notice because the adult is more capable of controlling them somewhat through willpower.

But it would be a mistake and to everybody's detriment to palm off ADHD as problem of willpower and self-control.

And yes, people with ADHD, on average have personalities that lean towards:
- Idealism
- Empathy
- Strong sense of right/wrong
- Understanding
- Kindness
- Hard working
- Forgiving

Further, a controversial ability of ADHD is 'hyper-focus', which is the ability for intense focus and concentration (more so than even a normal person) on tasks which are personal, interesting, or entertaining. This can include things as diverse as a boring tasks which somebody challenges us to do (usually implicitly), with the perception of dishonour/disrespect if you fail, through to computer games or mathematics.

I certainly have hyperfocus, and I've heard of lots of others, especially adults with ADHD, who mention this ability in terms of gaining an edge on normal people in the workplace.

Fuse hit it on the head!
But I'll just add another thing to take into consideration- depression. It often goes hand in hand with ADD and can really exacerbate the symptoms. When compared to a "bad" ADD day, a good one can make you feel on top of the world.

Fuse hit it on the head!
But I'll just add another thing to take into consideration- depression. It often goes hand in hand with ADD and can really exacerbate the symptoms. When compared to a "bad" ADD day, a good one can make you feel on top of the world.

That's it in a nutshell, a good day puts you on cloud 9 after a bad ADD day. That can be a problem too, one day was o good that I forgot about my responsibilities and never remembered a dentist appointment:o, just got too caught up into the enjoyment of a good day.

josh, its almost like you have described my lifestory.
I also have my up days and down days. im smart and looked down on, also. I understand..
Fuse, you are right about controlling it with willpower. Routines definitely help. Also having goals and knowing how to reach them. Just knowing that things are going well and heading in the right direction is very encouraging.

Yeah I think everyones situation is different. In my case, I've been exposed to a lot of negativity all of my life, from my own family. So in a way this is all i know. It's hard to overcome my downfalls with all this negativity and to top it off Having ADD. Work for one is hard. It's hard keeping up and trying to move forward and meet the expectations of a hectic and past-face society with these 2 things paired together. I often Have great ideas & goals that i would like to pursue as if i have LOTS of willpower, but i never follow through with my goal fully, and this leads to just failure and anxiety and stress about failing someting you pretty much had a gread plan about!


I am trying a new approach though, I'm trying to make a habit out of being Positive about things, instead of the other way around. I should see my downfalls as a oppertunity to REALIZE why i failed, and to figure out what i can do to make it a success the next time i take a stab at it. I'm trying to instill that perception of things, but I always seem to get discouraged to all of the negativity i'm around. ARGG it's so complicated, but hopefully those who can relate, can just keep it movin'.

I feel like in my case i'm gifted but i use need the "drive" to do what i know i should be doing. It's gonig to be a lot of work though. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

im sorry u have so much negativity happening in your life, that makes things very hard ay. Encouragment is so important. If only your family knew how discouraging it is for us ADHD people when all we hear is negative remarks, when really we are trying so hard.
You have a really good attitude though, thinking positive helps lots.
I understand the frustration, frequently I wish people could feel what I feel, that they could see how hard I really do try!
All the best Josh, Im no expert but I think your on the right path mate :)

I am trying a new approach though, I'm trying to make a habit out of being Positive about things, instead of the other way around. I should see my downfalls as a oppertunity to REALIZE why i failed, and to figure out what i can do to make it a success the next time i take a stab at it. I'm trying to instill that perception of things, but I always seem to get discouraged to all of the negativity i'm around. ARGG it's so complicated, but hopefully those who can relate, can just keep it movin'.

I feel like in my case i'm gifted but i use need the "drive" to do what i know i should be doing. It's gonig to be a lot of work though. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Just keep up the positive thinking, recognizing what you can do, and acting on it is a great way to go. We all know it can be tough, but turning it around changes the outcome.:)

I am trying a new approach though, I'm trying to make a habit out of being Positive about things, instead of the other way around. I should see my downfalls as a oppertunity to REALIZE why i failed, and to figure out what i can do to make it a success the next time i take a stab at it. I'm trying to instill that perception of things, but I always seem to get discouraged to all of the negativity i'm around. ARGG it's so complicated, but hopefully those who can relate, can just keep it movin'.

I can relate man. And I definitely agree with you.

Can I make one suggestion? Buy the book "Power of Empathy" by Arthur P. Ciaramicoli. It's so very worth it.

I can relate to living with a negative family.. everytime I wanted to quit my mom let me quit. She also has adhd while I have a.d.d. Not a good pair. The only way I could be most successful was moving out and finding a completely new environment to live in. I had a really really bad semester: learned my a.d.d was so much worse by trying so hard, got so depressed, and almost quit. Since I've been surrounded by a lot of supportive, caring, and positive people; I have pulled through.