ADHD can be an advantage, but only in small specific settings. In the general world it's a curse, but if you find that little spot in life where you just click with the place and the people and the work, it isn't quite a blessing, but it can be an advantage.
Many people view the benefits of ADHD as “superpowers” because they are additional skills that their neurotypical counterparts do not have. ADHD gifts people a unique perspective on the world that those without ADHD are unlikely to understand. For example, not everyone has the ability to hyperfocus.
It's easy to focus on the negative impacts of ADHD, but there are benefits to the condition, as well. People with ADHD report being energetic, creative, courageous, and resilient. Learning how to lean into these strengths while controlling symptoms can help you reach your full potential, despite ADHD.
ADHD is not, in and of itself, a gift. It is a disorder that often leads to significant challenges in various aspect of one's life. And each person with ADHD has a unique profile of symptoms and difficulties.
What is “The Gift of ADHD”? People of all ages who have the diagnosis of ADHD can reliably be observed to share a set of gifts including creativity, exuberance, emotional expressiveness, interpersonal intuition, ecological consciousness, and leadership.
In fact, about 50% of gifted children also have ADHD which adds complexity and additional challenges. When both are present in a child, they are considered to be 'twice-exceptional. ' Self-esteem and self-efficacy are other areas of functioning that are impacted in individuals with ADHD.
Basically, individuals with ADHD care about other people. They want to make the people around them happy, whether it's by sharing a lunch box or providing a shoulder to cry on. They make it a point to shed happiness and love for other people.
It's all about the natural extremes of ADHD brains. They are both extra good at forgiving (or maybe it's actually forgetting) but can also have an exceptionally difficult time of it as well.
On the podcast, we discuss that even though ADHD people tend to be more forgiving, there isn't hard science as to why that is.
It means you can easily relate to other people, have a natural empathy to how they are feeling and are able to act accordingly. It also means that you are a good judge of character, which in turn has many benefits too.
Regardless of your recommended treatment plan, it's important to take A.D.H.D. seriously. Untreated, people with the condition have a higher risk of early death, both from accidents and suicide.
Research has shown that, if left untreated, ADHD can destroy a person's mental and physical health for decades before they even know they have it.
Autism is very distinct from ADHD, but the core symptoms of ADHD-Combined type, i.e., attention deficit, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, would appear to also be features of autism. ASD and ADHD are neurobiological disorders characterized by similar underlying neuropsychological “deficits”.
Hyperfocus. The ADHD brain's ability to hyperfocus is a powerful thing. ADHD brains can zone in on something and not let it go even when other things (and people) are calling for its attention. When it's in hyperfocus, it is incredible the things an ADHD brain can accomplish.
“Opposites Attract”: People with ADHD are attracted to “organized” and joyless workers bees who can keep the trains running for the both of them and who in turn are drawn to their free-spirited ADHD partner's spontaneity and sense of fun.
Whether ADHD is a gift or a disability depends on the severity of the ADHD symptoms and how the person experiences his or her symptoms. It also depends on opportunities and environment. Someone with ADHD who thrives in school will have a very different experience than an ADHDer who finds school to be unbearably boring.
People with ADHD have the tendency to fixate on things. Instead of apologizing outright, they may spend far too much time trying to find a way to do it just right. They might dwell on what they've done, going over and over what they could have done differently or better.
Usually, the most difficult times for persons with ADHD are their years from middle school through the first few years after high school. Those are the years when students are faced with the widest range of tasks to do and the least opportunity to escape from the tasks that they struggle with or find to be boring.
ADHD disrupts one's ability to generate accurate awareness and regulate one's thinking and actions. ADHD and related executive function challenges actually inhibit our ability to build awareness and ultimately boost emotional intelligence.
Regrets for things that you've done or things that you wish you had tried? If so, you are in good company. Many adults with ADHD carry around feelings of sadness, remorse or disappointment over something that happened in their lives or something that they did.
Do you have trouble accepting compliments? If you have ADHD, you're definitely not alone. Many people with this disorder feel uncomfortable when someone gives them praise.
Empathy – Many children with ADHD display an abundance of compassion for others and an ability to understand a variety of perspectives. This makes them great friends and companions. Energy – When given a project or mission they are passionate about, children with ADHD can have boundless energy and ambition.
High IQ may “mask” the diagnosis of ADHD by compensating for deficits in executive functions in treatment-naïve adults with ADHD.