Why My ADHD is a Gift, Not a Handicap

[ginniebean]

Right, I knew what you meant, but somehow the whole peace thing made me think of the ongoing battle...

[fracturedstory]

I like this thread because I barely read a page of it a day.

I wish I was the risk taker but I'm not even what sure what context it's used. I risk a lot by following my dreams so maybe I have a little bit of that. But I'm extremely cautious in other ways.

I was just thinking (and people will probably hate me for this) that there is a personality of ADHD. Something that looks like ADHD but doesn't have as many impairments to be diagnosed. I believe Joe had impairing ADHD when he was younger but if went into a doctor to get diagnosed he'd have a hard time with all of his coping strategies.

I'm happy that Joe has been practising these methods since high school and stuck to it and achieved much from it. I think we have that same driven personality type. I was just reading on my QI app about driven people in history and few of them did stick out as ADHD-like. William Morris for one. He was just able to do many things instead of struggling to do one thing because you want to do so many. Where is the harm in believing you're like these people who have achieved so much? It's inspirational to me. As long as you keep in mind that people can still be very impaired by this disorder. I think people can still be successful but still very impaired. Many of the great writers, scientists, artists had depression, very poor social skills (which comes with it a myriad of issues) and spurts of mania. The fact is they didn't know what was wrong with them so they didn't know they had any limits. Even my least favourite person in history Francis Galton became exhausted from taking on too much in university. It's funny to me, he screams out AS and he was the grandfather of eugenics.
Things are starting (or have been for some time) working out for Joe so there's less of that negative feeling of having ADHD. And sometimes looking at the positives works for people. Also, he doesn't take meds so he gets none of that 'crashed' feeling when the meds wear off and doesn't know what it's like when they don't work. That's one thing I remember when not being on meds, although unlike him I barely tried until I wanted to be a writer and my brain on its own couldn't do it on its own. But he doesn't have to depend on them like we do. I hope people understand what I'm saying.

Sorry if I'm not talking about anything of much relevance but I can't even read this page. Tomorrow I may be capable of it.

I suppose everyone's problem is that Joe is trying to get people to see ADHD as something positive because to him you're either positive or negative about it, and not just living with it with barely giving it any thought. There are some people that get miserable about it but they are hardly to be found here.

I don't know how much longer this argument will go on for but let's be honest this has got to do with each person's personal experience and failure to see how another person feels about their own. I wrote my last blog about that, how every person will have their own interpretation about the way a disorder should be, relating to their own experience. I don't think I put in the positive thinkers in there though. Maybe in part 2 after I brainstorm and write these three other blogs.

Even in my half-comatose-like state I can see where Joe is coming from and everyone else. I hope in a few years I'll be closer to where Joe is. When things are finally working out for you at least financially there's less strain. I've actually dubbed this period of my life as being 'In the Wilderness' and one day it's just going to be nothing more than a memory and a chapter in my autobiography.

[fracturedstory]

Maybe instead of calling it 'positive thinking' think of it as 'positive action.' A strategy or strategies that helps overcome ADHD symptoms. If you keep doing it every time you slip (which is really hard and frustrating) you will train yourself into doing this new habit fluidly.

Even if it hasn't happened to you there's no reason why it doesn't happen to other people. That Fasttrack school of nueroplasticity (or whatever it's called) claims to have helped children with attention deficit problems overcome them. The Brain That Changes Itself is a really good book and will open your mind up about how much an adult brain can be changed from what could be thought of 'hard wired habits'. Or you can wait for the neuron activating light sensitive switch I was talking about earlier.

I think what's happening here is the literal minded are getting on the defensive, and I accuse myself of that too.

Joe doesn't want to see ADHD as just a negative thing because of his own experience. If psychology tells me anything it's that childhood is the time where our experiences shape our personalities and our decisions. You've heard me going off on gifted people who thought they had such a terrible life because in my experience it was the opposite. And it took me ages to see their point of view as it took me awhile to see his.

Now what did I say I see my ADHD as? A mischievous kitten that must be controlled before it breaks something or makes a mess. That's how I see mine. I mean, I do take advantage of my energy especially when it makes it impossible for me to sit down and focus, and I attempt to take 10 minute breaks. Although that's like dangling a piece of fish in front of the kitten's nose and taking it away. My brain doesn't like taking breaks.
I have a bit of an ego too. Thinking I think about more things, faster and deeper. As much as I want to believe NTs are just like that I'm not sure where they are hiding. Facebook reveals many things about family and friends. Mostly, they fit the NT stereotype snugly.

Anyway, I must walk the dog.

[JoeB]

Originally Posted by fracturedstory

I like this thread because I barely read a page of it a day.

I wish I was the risk taker but I'm not even what sure what context it's used. I risk a lot by following my dreams so maybe I have a little bit of that. But I'm extremely cautious in other ways.

I was just thinking (and people will probably hate me for this) that there is a personality of ADHD. Something that looks like ADHD but doesn't have as many impairments to be diagnosed. I believe Joe had impairing ADHD when he was younger but if went into a doctor to get diagnosed he'd have a hard time with all of his coping strategies.

I'm happy that Joe has been practising these methods since high school and stuck to it and achieved much from it. I think we have that same driven personality type. I was just reading on my QI app about driven people in history and few of them did stick out as ADHD-like. William Morris for one. He was just able to do many things instead of struggling to do one thing because you want to do so many. Where is the harm in believing you're like these people who have achieved so much? It's inspirational to me. As long as you keep in mind that people can still be very impaired by this disorder. I think people can still be successful but still very impaired. Many of the great writers, scientists, artists had depression, very poor social skills (which comes with it a myriad of issues) and spurts of mania. The fact is they didn't know what was wrong with them so they didn't know they had any limits. Even my least favourite person in history Francis Galton became exhausted from taking on too much in university. It's funny to me, he screams out AS and he was the grandfather of eugenics.
Things are starting (or have been for some time) working out for Joe so there's less of that negative feeling of having ADHD. And sometimes looking at the positives works for people. Also, he doesn't take meds so he gets none of that 'crashed' feeling when the meds wear off and doesn't know what it's like when they don't work. That's one thing I remember when not being on meds, although unlike him I barely tried until I wanted to be a writer and my brain on its own couldn't do it on its own. But he doesn't have to depend on them like we do. I hope people understand what I'm saying.

Sorry if I'm not talking about anything of much relevance but I can't even read this page. Tomorrow I may be capable of it.

I suppose everyone's problem is that Joe is trying to get people to see ADHD as something positive because to him you're either positive or negative about it, and not just living with it with barely giving it any thought. There are some people that get miserable about it but they are hardly to be found here.

I don't know how much longer this argument will go on for but let's be honest this has got to do with each person's personal experience and failure to see how another person feels about their own. I wrote my last blog about that, how every person will have their own interpretation about the way a disorder should be, relating to their own experience. I don't think I put in the positive thinkers in there though. Maybe in part 2 after I brainstorm and write these three other blogs.

Even in my half-comatose-like state I can see where Joe is coming from and everyone else. I hope in a few years I'll be closer to where Joe is. When things are finally working out for you at least financially there's less strain. I've actually dubbed this period of my life as being 'In the Wilderness' and one day it's just going to be nothing more than a memory and a chapter in my autobiography.

You're pretty on point with what I am saying, and maybe what others are saying too.......And yeah, I've never had one of those crashes while on the meds because I never use them. There is no harm in using them of course, use if you need to. I just never did on the regular after the 4th Grade is all.

Could there be an ADHD personality? I shutter to think of that, but who knows?

[tazoz]

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[ginniebean]

Originally Posted by JoeB

You're pretty on point with what I am saying, and maybe what others are saying too.......And yeah, I've never had one of those crashes while on the meds because I never use them. There is no harm in using them of course, use if you need to. I just never did on the regular after the 4th Grade is all.

Could there be an ADHD personality? I shutter to think of that, but who knows?

I don't think there is an adhd personality, rather there is a demographic. That feels the repercussions of their adhd the least, and is the least self aware to notice. This demographic is notorious for saying, my adhd is no problem, in fact I've out grown it.

This demographic tends to be between 14 and 28.

[Lunacie]

Originally Posted by ginniebean

I don't think there is an adhd personality, rather there is a demographic. That feels the repercussions of their adhd the least, and is the least self aware to notice. This demographic is notorious for saying, my adhd is no problem, in fact I've out grown it.

This demographic tends to be between 14 and 28.

My granddaughter has always been precocious, walking at 6 months,
talking at 12 months.

She entered this demographic at the tag end of school this past spring.
She was only 13.

For now, we have convinced her to take her meds but she'll probably take
a meds break during the summer once again.

[mctavish23]

Once again, there's NOTHING wrong with a positive belief system; as long as

it's rational.

u r welcome

[Conman]

not gonna lie, you have pulled off quite the feat here: youve single-handedly managed to rile up most of ADDF with this thread. im not being critical or mean about this, but that's awesome

[DvlsAdv0c8]

Originally Posted by Conman

not gonna lie, you have pulled off quite the feat here: youve single-handedly managed to rile up most of ADDF with this thread. im not being critical or mean about this, but that's awesome

I almost mentioned that in an earlier post - talk about knowing what buttons to push!

[Conman]

agreed. there's nothing wrong with thinking positively (is that how to word it?), but as a mod said eariler, mightve been tazoz, too much can make things illusory until it all hits the fan and comes down like a hammer after a while.

yeah there can be benefits, depending, due to some effects of AD/HD, but this is almost a whole paradigm shift in referring to it as a 'gift' as opposed to the frequently viewed form as 'a curse', Disorder, or at the very least an inconvenience/obstacle

[Flory]

(derail....conman i love your avatar)....imo i feel adhd is no gift of mine

[kilted_scotsman]

Originally Posted by JoeB

Now in my experience, I found that there were 7 things I could do a bit better than my college peers

• Creative Thinking
• Instant hands on learning
• Big picture seer
• Improvisational master
• Risk taker
• Energy
• Intuition

I would say I have those seven things in spades.....

and I have used them to be at the leading edge of 3 big booms...
1) Property
2) Internet
3) Renewable energy

plus I inherited and fell into enough capital and opportunities to make a poor man weep.

So how did it all go so wrong??

ADHD means I'm impulsive, easily distracted and easily bored, plus I have difficulty relating to people so ADHD means I lack the ability to convert my strengths into income... and now I have the kind of CV that makes HR drones break out in cold sweats.

It doesn't matter what ones gifts are.... if one doesn't have the emotional and relational intelligence to go with it ones chances of fulfillment are much reduced.... unless one learns to accept ones ADD and find ways round ones impairments.

So ADD could be said to be one of the ghastlier of the neurological impairments....

on one hand it gives gifts, but takes away the means to utilise them fully..

it gives a little awareness one has gifts, but not enough awareness of ones impairments.

it places one amongst peers who have the first hand experience that could help one understand ones issues, if only they understood their own.


Some ADDers will be fulfilled and successful.... my half century of experience indicates that fulfillment and/or success is mainly down to chance for both ADDers and NT's.... but ADD means the deck is stacked against the ADDer regardless of their gifts.


kilted

[meadd823]

Originally Posted by Fortune

These two statements are not identical, nor mirrors of one another, so it is not possible to logically conclude that if someone's positive experiences with ADHD are false, then another's disordered experiences with ADHD must also be false. Logic would point to the possible correctness of either statement as being independent of the possible correctness of the other statement.

The question is not whether the OP has had positive experiences, but whether those experiences and traits can truly be identified as ADHD traits. Existing evidence would suggest that the majority of these traits he describes do not, in fact, have anything to do with ADHD. On the other hand, people describing their negative experiences and impairments describe things that are consistent with existing evidence regarding the consequences of having ADHD - thus, someone who says they have negative experiences due to their ADHD is significantly more likely to be correct than someone who says they have positive experiences due to their ADHD, due to simple statistics.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I was not wallowing in the "impairment self-pity molasses" and I didn't see anything I would describe as such in this thread.

I am not sure why you would make such an insulting and wrong generalization and then say that you do your best to be respectful and accepting. Telling people that they're wallowing in self-pity is not respectful and accepting by any definition of either of those words that I am aware of. It's dismissive.

Apparently there are only two possible ways to talk about ADHD - either you explain it as a gift or you hate yourself for having it and only care about hating yourself. Who needs nuance when we can have false dilemmas? No one's allowed to be honest about the problems they have due to ADHD without being told they're wallowing in self pity?

When the only kind of posting actually supported here are those that complain about how horrible being ADHD is then it has become support forum ONLY for those who agree with the majority consensus regarding ADHD as a impairment.

I am assuming other people read the same accusation and proclamation of danger is seeing ADHD as a gift?

Now the example of the gift being used to feel superior as given by fracturedstory was extremely well written, an excellent point. No problems with questioning the reasoning behind one's point of view.

I am being accused of being insulting for stating my point of view as my point of view in a generalized manner while those who are accusing the OP specifically of being delusional are "concerned" okay wtf ever - I'm not sure discussions of reality can actually be pursued seeing as we at this moment do not even have a starting point of common ground -Did it ever occur to you that calling some one's point of view delusional is INSULTING !

When people not just this one member but any one who dares to see any aspect of their ADHD in a positive light are accused of being delusional it is no longer a support forum for those whose lives are effected by ADHD but an exclusive community of complainers - if that is a problem so be it.

I am not responding to be mean but to point out the obvious that way to many have missed. Constantly reading a bunch of threads about how horrible ADHD is much like trudging through molasses - if that is insulting well I guess you have every right to feel as you see fit but frankly that is how it feels. This is why I don't post much any more.



To see members who have a point of view different than the main stream flavor of impairment get jumped on by a gang of community regulars out of concern is disheartening. It is not with in my nature to just let the person drown in a sea of criticism without standing up for their rights to see their ADHD as they see fit.

If my standing up for some one's right to see ADHD as a gift or a good thing is a problem then so be it - It is not up to me to determine what you find insulting and what you don;t You have every right to feel insulted mad or what ever. It was not my intent to insult any one but to be open and honest about the implied community expectation and unfair punishment inflicted upon a minority who do not see their ADHD as an impairment.


Any time some one even tries to be positive the same thing happen to then that happened to this OP , a bunch of folks get in there and stomp it out asap. The message here is positive thinking is not welcome here. I think that is a problem that needs to be addressed.

If I want to be accept despite being different then I should be willing to accept those who are different from me. Acceptance is not the same thing as agreement.

Harshness well the last three folks I have had to jump in and take up for I have been nice but here I am again not a week later - It seem that being all nice isn;t really getting the point across very well

How many get upset when ADHD is said to be a delusion an excuse for bad behavior but damned if a bunch of folks who have been at the receiving end of being called delusional excuse makers jump on that same accusatory band wagon the minute they are in the majority and a minority does not see life from the collective predetermined mode of impairment.

Life is an illusion the general conses does not make it any less so - Research is subject to the interpretation of the researcher and peer review well so it is reviewed by a bunch of folks who think the same way -

Pardon me for simply refusing to strap on their label and live my life according to their inferior branding. I applaud any one who dares to break free of the inferior mold and do all within their ability to find positive productive out lets for their ADHD traits.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by meadd823

When the only kind of posting actually supported here are those that complain about how horrible being ADHD is then it has become support forum ONLY for those who agree with the majority consensus regarding ADHD as a impairment.

I am assuming other people read the same accusation and proclamation of danger is seeing ADHD as a gift?

Now the example of the gift being used to feel superior as given by fracturedstory was extremely well written, an excellent point. No problems with questioning the reasoning behind one's point of view.

I am being accused of being insulting for stating my point of view as my point of view in a generalized manner while those who are accusing the OP specifically of being delusional are "concerned" okay wtf ever - I'm not sure discussions of reality can actually be pursued seeing as we at this moment do not even have a starting point of common ground -Did it ever occur to you that calling some one's point of view delusional is INSULTING !

When people not just this one member but any one who dares to see any aspect of their ADHD in a positive light are accused of being delusional it is no longer a support forum for those whose lives are effected by ADHD but an exclusive community of complainers - if that is a problem so be it.

I am not responding to be mean but to point out the obvious that way to many have missed. Constantly reading a bunch of threads about how horrible ADHD is much like trudging through molasses - if that is insulting well I guess you have every right to feel as you see fit but frankly that is how it feels. This is why I don;t post as much any more.



To see members who have a point of view different than the main stream flavor of impairment get jumped on by a gang of community regulars out of concern is disheartening. It is not with in my nature to just let the person drown in a sea of criticism without standing up for their rights to see their ADHD as they see fit.

If my standing up for some one's right to see ADHD as a gift or a good thing is a problem then so be it - It is not up to me to determine what you find insulting and what you don;t You have every right to feel insulted mad or what ever. It was my not may intent to insult any one but to be open and honest about the implied community expectation and unfair punishment inflicted upon a minority who do not see their ADHD as an impairment.


Any time some one even tries to be positive the same thing happen to then that happened to this OP , a bunch of folks get in there and stomp it out asap. The message here is positive thinking is not welcome here - I deal with death and dying every day so poor working memory is a necessity to get out of bed in the morning.

If I want to be accept despite being different then I should be willing to accept those who are different from me. Acceptance is not the same thing as agreement.

Harshness well the last three folks I have had to jump in and take up for I have been nice but here I am again not a week later - It seem that being all nice isn;t really getting the point across very well

How many get upset when ADHD is said to be a delusion an excuse for bad behavior but damned if a bunch of folks who have been at the receiving end of being called delusional excuse makers jump on that same accusatory band wagon the minute they are in the majority and a minority does not see life from the collective predetermined mode of impairment.

Life is an illusion the general conses does not make it any less so - Research is subject to the interpretation of the researcher and peer review well so it is reviewed by a bunch of folks who think the same way -

Pardon me for simply refusing to strap on their label and live my life according to their inferior branding. I applaud any one who dares to break free of the inferior mold and do all within their ability to find positive productive out lets for their ADHD traits.

Unless i have missed the point entirley, I dont think is the positive thinking issue but more of invalidating others who do not share the same beliefs. I can acknlowledge somes positive thoughts I just cant acknlowledge those same positive people saying that to see it as negative is equally as wrong as people not acknlowging that its that its wondeful, full of blessings and joy. I have seen in multpile threads saying "good for you but...". I have yet to see the same thing in return which in fact makes both partys at fault.