Re: Is your IQ so high it can't be measured? ADHD superpowers

[Bibliophile]

Once again, ADHD describes symptoms not cause or degree of impairment.

For example, dogged determination would never make sense to me as an ADHD trait unless it is meant to convey perseveration, i.e. the inability to stop doing a task even when it is logicial or beneficial to do so. This includes those times that one should walk away from something as it is complete, but is unable to do so. The impulsivity of the condition never allows me to stay on something for very long once the “hyperfocus” has worn off. If this is a skill someone has that they can turn on like a switch, I fail to see how I can be considered in the same disorder as them.

I don’t see how being stubborn is an ADHD trait? Does it derive from having to develop coping strategies to compensate for the deficits that leads to a reluctance to change a mindset? It would go against the mutable nature implied by impuslivity. I don’t think it can be attributed to lack of attention or restlessness/hyperactivity. Is it just a personality trait?

I am very good at coming up with a meal from things I find the fridge. Is this creativity? It might be labelled as such given that many culinary endeavours are, but I know that the skill was developed by a desire to eat, not having someone to cook for me since an early age, and a lack of variety of items. We adapt and our coping strategies become our strengths. Other traits are simply that, personal traits, e.g. high IQ, swimming ability, throwing a ball fast with accuracy, etc.

What is important is that you all have found something positive that strengthens your self esteem. I fail to see the value of lumping it in with the mess of ADHD.

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