What if ADHD is a Skill Set?
Introduction by Ava Green, TotallyADD Co-Founder, “ADHD as a skill set” is a thought that Stuart Lloyd Cohen introduced us […]
Introduction by Ava Green, TotallyADD Co-Founder, “ADHD as a skill set” is a thought that Stuart Lloyd Cohen introduced us […]
‘Oh, everyone thinks they have ADD nowadays. It’s over-diagnosed. It’s the internet. And cell phones. And everyone’s trying to do 9 things at once. Fifty years ago there was no such thing as ADHD.’
There are definitely benefits to having ADHD, but first things first: A Caveat. A Clarification. A Disclaimer. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not a gift. It is not a blessing. And I’m not suggesting it is wonderful.
I’ve mentioned recently that at my lowest moments, despairing, I thought, “I wish I’d never been diagnosed.”
That’s not true, of course. Having an explanation for some of my challenges, an explanation that I can work with, has been hugely helpful.
I have been thinking about the misuse of adult ADHD medication. I’m referring to the official, approved, doctor prescribed, legally obtained medications, stimulant and otherwise.
By Rick Green
Which aspect of your ADHD do you dislike the most? Which trait, or if you prefer, ‘symptom’, does the most damage?
It’s a valuable question to ask. For several reasons.
One payoff for identifying the trait that undermines you the most? It requires you to focus, and you won’t drown in good intentions, trying to manage every symptom at once. (A recipe for overwhelm as I found out after when first diagnosed.)
Another payoff? Mastering the bugaboo that most sabotages you…
I’ve been writing about all those helpful lists that seem to be everywhere right now. Lists like “5 Things Your Dog Should Know”. To Do lists with no directions, no list of practical steps, no immediate actions, no ideas or …
They all begin with a number. “12 Things You Should Know…”; “8 Ways Your House May Be Killing You…”; “15 Things That Turn Guys Off…”; “845 Ways To Make Sure…”[That last one was written by an ADDer.] Magazines, the internet, and newspapers are full of lists
Until I knew that I qualified as ADHD I struggled. The limits it put on me were invisible. I knew I was screwing up. But not always. I was inconsistent, but not consistently. Even my unreliability was unreliable.
Now, looking back, I’ve had a kind of epiphany and it has to do with structure, habits, organization…
Recently diagnosed with ADHD? I want to offer three ‘truths’ you should know. Had I been told these things 17 years ago, when I was first diagnosed, I would have avoided a lot of upset and frustration. And I’m big on avoiding upset and frustration.