The Forums › Forums › Emotional Journey › Venting! › A Gift? › Reply To: A Gift?
I’ve said it elsewhere on this site, but “gift” is the perfect word for what ADHD is. This is because both “gift” and ADHD have 2 very different meanings, depending on how you look at them.
In English, a “gift” is a good thing. It’s a present, a bonus, a talent. ADHD has so many positive attributes…once you learn to recognize them, and how to work with them.
For example, we may be easily distracted by shiny objects, but that means we often find money on the ground, when we’re out walking!
Last year, I found a £5 note on the floor at Heathrow, a $10 bill on the ground near a supermarket, and (a month later) another one on the sidewalk outside a pub, and a Toonie on New Year’s Eve. Plus numerous other dimes, Loonies, and Toonies.
In German, “gift” means “poison”. Something that will destroy life. That’s what ADHD is when it’s undiagnosed, untreated, sapping your energy, and making you miserable.
I’d had so many years of that, until I was diagnosed, 3 years ago (at age 41). And it was truly poisonous.
Looking back, I’ve come so far since then, but I still have bloody awful days, when I have to really struggle to remind myself that, overall, things are a lot better now. And that, everyone will have good days and bad days. Eventually, they all balance out.
However, I must admit that, when I’m in the depths of despair, and someone says to me what I’ve just said to you—my natural impulse is to tell them to stuff their advice somewhere incredibly painful!
REPORT ABUSE