Re: Now I'm just mad

[Bibliophile]

I still reject the notion that all ADHDers are gifted in terms of creativity and abstract thinking. The latter may come more naturally to us, but there is a difference between controlled brainstorming and including every thought or idea. Some have higher IQs, others don’t. We are all different people with gifts in a number of areas. Perhaps, ADHD people focus on their creativity because they have not excelled in other areas, i.e. the creativity is unconsciously developed as a coping mechanism to find some measure of success.

The world is what it is and we are the minority. I don’t like the term “linear” as it is saying that all non-ADHDers think the same way, which is equally as bad. It is not an us vs. them scenario. Instead of imposing a rigid framework on our lives, what is happening is that they can operate and succeed under these conditions and we, the minority, cannot. Now for some things this is not important, but if it is a question of getting work done and not meeting deadlines, we are the ones with the issue rather than it being the system’s fault for imposing dates at all.

Different ADHDers react to different learning strategies or workplace scenarios. Same applies to learning disabilities and other cognitive impairments. That being said, most workplaces are only going to accommodate so much or tolerate unrestrained behaviour to a certain degree. We cannot expect every school and workplace to customize the job/education curriculum to our personal needs to the very detail.

The impulsiveness is the key, I believe, in understanding the harm that ADHD can have versus a “linear” view. People will tolerate forgetfulness (except in the most extreme cases), and you can mitigate much of that through tricks, but impulsivity hurts people directly, including yourself. It causes financial, emotional and possibly even physical harm. For example, it is one thing to forget to bring sheets to a work meeting every time and another to say whatever is on your mind, whether it is rude or unhelpful at a meeting.

I like Tiddler’s comment about persevering in spite of the ADHD and adapting as best we can to what is expected from us from the rest of society and our employers. I put it slightly differently by thinking that I just have to try my best and pick myself up when I fail, which will likely be quite often, and repeat ad infinitum.

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