Advantages of ADD

The thread "what are you proud of " sparked me to start this thread.  A lot of times we end up focusing on the "bad" things about ADD.  Well, what about the good things!

Now, for me, memory is a real problem.  So just now while I was cleaning and thinking about the movie I watched last night called "Sabetour" (a Hitchcock movie . . . my favorite director!) and as I was watching it a couple scenes seemed somewhat familiar but I really didn't "remember" the movie.  So I guess one of the advantages, for me, of ADD is I can watch movies that I love over and over and each time is like the first time I saw it cuz I don't remember it, especially the ending! 

My hyperactivity gives me tremendous amounts of energy. Which is sometimes a good thing. I can exercise five days a week with no problem. I can spend all day walking around town and still have energy to go out all night. It's also a plus in the bedroom, at least according to my partner.

My creativity knows no bounds in any project I have considerable interest. I dive intensely and passionately into every project I do.

The Hyper Cheekydeeky

I think over the years with all the hit and misses on various interests... every once in a while I find something I can hyper focus on and go far and beyond my expectations.

Right now my current hobby - backed by my current work is my favorite accomplishment yet. Credit, I am not bad with my finances as others, but I think that comes from a total adversion to being dependent financially on anyone.

And actually my current obsession really helps me learn as I go on making more smarter personal finance choices as I continue in this field.

Years ago it use to be handwriting analisys which I was hooked on, had a pretty good run at it, of course always liked shocking people with what I could rely just looking at handwriting... I have kind of let that go to the side, but it is still a subject I like very much.

Sometimes I wish I would distribute that talent for a few areas to cover more, but I am not to down about it.

I'm proud of my intuitive ability to learn some things.  Especially dealing with computers.  I work for a company where 33 out of 36 of the people in my department have college degrees.  Even though I don't, I am quickly becoming one of the more senior members.

My company used to have a highering practice which favored college educated as well as talented applicants.  We even have some doctoral level employees at the executive level.  (Doctors in the semi-conductor sector...come on.  This is a little pretentious, I think).

Anyway, up until about a year ago, we used to have a policy that in order to actually have the title "Senior Engineer", you had to have at least a BA.  This policy has since then been removed.  So now since I think I'm reaching a level where I may have surpassed most of my colleagues, which is evident with how often I am answering their questions, offering guidance and outright mentoring.  I think it's time I step up to the plate and speak up.

I hope to finally reach that goal.  Along with the title and a bit higher pay, I would be EXTREMELY proud of reaching such a level for once in my underachieving life!

BTW, I beleive the Wellbutrin that I have been on for the last several months has been helping with my ability to keep a clearer head in the work place.  With less of the scatter brian affect, I think I'm coming accross more confident and able.

Since starting Adderall, however, I've been a little too social and often find myself distracted in a different kind of way which causes me to hyperfocus on one task for hours upon hours.  I think I just need to work on getting the right dosage down.

Kimo,

Me too! My thing is books. I can put one down for a couple of months and read it again. I have to read one 3 or 4 times before I start to feel like I've really read the whole thing before.

For me, the best part of ADD is the creativity. I'm not artistic but when I want to come up with a costume for my son or make a special gift for a friend, I will let it "perk" in my mind for a while and then I come up with something really unique. I not only know what to make but how to make it and what it will look like. Its like everything is suddenly all in place without my having to bother with figuring out the details. I rarely have to make a concious effort to figure out anything. The only hard part is if I can't find or make a portion which I can see so clearly, like a specific ribbon or piece of cloth. Then it takes me longer to decide on the "replacement part" than getting the idea and assembling it combined! I have literally spent 2 hrs trying to choose a ribbon for a small part of a large project!

I can say if I knew now what I do, I would of stayed on medication back then when they first were trying to get me straightened out,

I really regret not having finished my college classes, and which I had my education tucked away earlier then just now wanting to make things right at 32.

mel17, I totally agree with Sumi! Try the meds since you are having so much trouble with it! If you are on meds, maybe you should talk to your dr about being depressed. You are the only one who can take charge of your life, even at 17! If you take the steps now, your future will be much better.

You need a support structure around you and the only way your friends can support you is for them to know. If they are really friends, they will want to help. They can help you to remember the important things and point out some things which make it hard to deal with you at times. I'm thinking about things like annoying behavior which is something we all do but its hard for us to spot and know how to find an appropriate change to replace it. Friends can help you with that!  Barb

I must say that I have the same problems I can be hyper for hours on end,talk non-stop,but the memory is the worst.Sometimes I will be in mid-sentence & say to the other person''What did I just say''as I can not remember,I often go upstairs to get something but have to go up & down the stairs as what I was looking for had gone from my head it can be so annoying.I will be 18 next month,but my sleep pattern is slowing down as I often get tired before 1am latley before I could be up untill 4am in the morning & still be hyper next day! I don't see any advantages of ADHD as I live everyday through a condition.There will be things I say or do which I know if I didn't have ADHD I would not say or do so such things.But Ive come to realise this is me for my life just the way it goes I guess,theres people worse off than US,some have Cancer & only have months to live so I guess we can thank ADHD for not life threatening illness