Conclusion

It’s really a blessing, Scott. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

Wow, you are right. ADD comes with an aggravating side effect: social problems. It’s cliche, but never say “never”. It is possible to fit in. People learn to value your differences rather than criticize them. It just takes time for them to recognize and understand your angle. I wish you the best…and no, you are not alone.

I’m so glad, Nichola. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

I completely understand what you are saying. It does make the social aspects of life tough. Stay strong and stick with the ones who “get” you. Those will be your lifelong friends. Best of luck. Oh, and thanks for taking the time to comment.

Right. That’s why the article contains this sentence, “Most of these people have been officially diagnosed with ADD while others prior to the early 1900′s are suspected to have had ADD based on evidence of apparent traits.”

Go for it, Cory. There are other ways to help you focus with school. I stopped taking medication at age 12 and had to learn how to cope without it. It was difficult, but eventually I adjusted.

I doodled a lot. I found that I heard more of what was being said in school, if I occupied my brain while listening. If I just sat idly and listened, my mind would wander.

For most of my life since then, I have carried a backpack EVERYWHERE. I call it my security blanket, but what it really does is quell any worry that I might get stuck somewhere with nothing to do. My nephew with ADHD does the same thing.

Try different things and find what works for you. I wish you the best!

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I maintained a C average too through much of my schooling even into college. Once I got past the core curriculum and more into the classes that engaged my creativity, my grades soared.

One of things that I used to do during class to help me pay better attention was doodle. It occupied the portion of my brain that was prone to wandering and helped me absorb more of what was being said in class. Maybe this will help you too. I wish you the best!

It’s quite easy to “become your diagnosis”, but this prooves that you can become quite successful if you learn to use your ADD/ADHD to your advantage. 

I mean really, how many times have people told me I’m so awesome at coming up with things or solve problems with new exciting methods? Surely a billion times by now.

Usually we have a huge pool of creativity. Let’s use it!

I am so happy to know I am not alone. i am 28 year old guy and i have been geting ssi now for years now and all thats its doing is tying me down they are telling me that i cant work or if i do it will have to be part time and that i wo them 25 hundred dollars for there mastake (><). so i am going back to school to become a massage therapist and droping the SSI crap for good i dont need it

Well, having dealt with ADD for 26 years, I’d say I know a lot, and yes, I’m aware of the differences between ADD and ADHD. Did you know that ADD is an antiquated term? It is no longer used. Quoting from this post: http://prowebwriter.com/attention-deficit-disorder-the-gift-of-thinking-fast/

“Individuals classified with ADHD/ADD must meet the DSM IV criteria for impulsivity, hyperactivity and/or inattention…The new name for ADD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Inattentive Type.”

I have ADD, and while I find that it causes me to think differently, I have always considered it a blessing. It helped me pay for college, it allows me to hyper focus, and it allows me to share my experiences with others in hopes of helping them.

Think differently…and maybe consider reading my other articles about ADD. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

shocking how many famous people have ADD.

Hey Pedro, it’s all how you look at it. If you make it an obstacle or think of it in that respect, then there’s no room for it to be anything else to you. ADD is a blessing for me because I view it not as a problem, but rather a different evolution of thought and learning…perhaps the next plane. It also paid for a generous portion of my college tuition through Vocational Rehabilitation. If you’re in the US and of college age, check into it. Thanks for your comment.

Love this information.  I’m going to share it with my 8 yr old that Hates the fact he has ADD.  This will make him hopefully feel better about the whole ADD thing! 

so galileo and isaac newton had add huh? Why is it that all of their laws go right over my head in physics class then? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5urmUKSdo8M&feature=related (About A.D.D witch i also have, this guy made me think about my “disability” and it opened my eyes to all the + sides to A.D.D)

Siting with my son… 10 yrs old… as he complained about having ADD.  I was explaining to him how good it actually can be once controlled…. think this may have changed his mind about having ADD… pretty sure he’s going to be on to GREAT THINGS!  (P.S.- it’s hereditary… as I have it too)  Thank you!

 This was something that I learned on my own when I was in college. When I was in school, I wasn’t allowed to listen to music or anything like that while doing my homework and I struggled so hard with it, and my mom struggled so hard to make me do it. It was a daily battle.

Once I was in college, I would leave the TV on something mindless or play music while I did my homework, and it was miraculous. I used to doodle in my classes as well when possible because it allowed me to absorb what was being said in the lecture.

Like you say, it occupied the busy part of my brain while the other part was able to focus. I’m glad you have discovered ways to help your daughter. ADD is a gift and that fast brain will take her far. Learning ways to focus and deal with it now will help her immensely in the future.

All the best,
Ava

 Thank you for taking the time to comment. I was considering removing this content so that my site focused only on writing. I get that my site is too all over the place all the time. Gee, I wonder why….your comment changed my mind. People like you and your son are why I write…so thank YOU! No doubt he will do GREAT THINGS.

All the best,
Ava

Thanks for this information. This really gives me motivation!
I’m 20 year old male that comes from a wealthy family where everyone has done a very high education, except me. My teenage years were dramatic, because no one understood me. I had to do school on a low level, till now.  I received “dexamfetamine” and that makes my life a lot easier. Also becoming an adult changed my ways of thinking in a very very positive way.

I can’t read and study as good as my parents, but Im better in any sport than them or most people that I know. My mind goes 50 times faster. My decision and reaction time is 50 times faster than all the people I know. Because of this I feel/am smarter than a lot of people. 
I can read body languages like almost no one else. I know what people think with just 1 look. 

20 years I thought ADD would kill me, because in that “unfocused” state it was almost impossible to do anything like school or work. Now I think of it as an advantage that makes me more a “superhuman”. I know it sounds a bit like I’m exaggerating, but this is my opinion.
Ofcourse there are things that are harder for people like us with ADD, but there are so much more things we are better in, like I said before. 

Make ADD your strength, instead of your weakness. Don’t blame kids if you have a child with ADD/ADHD. As a parent you have to do research on the internet and read information like this. In my opinion teenage years are the worst for children with ADD/ADHD. I always tought things couldn’t get better, but I feel stronger and smarter than ever now and I believe it all will go upwards. 

In the end it is kind of cool to be a little special  

 Scott, I love your comment! I run several websites…all in varying stages of development. I have a horrible time focusing on just one subject hence the reason there are ADD posts on my writing website! Oh well…hehe. I’m definitely interested in everything! If it’s shiny, sparkles, and it’s green…I have a hard time looking at anything else! Thanks for sparking the discussion.