Does Bush have ADHD?
But has anyone besides me wondered from what you have observed or know of GB if he isn't ADHD? Here are some of my observations of the past and from the debates last night:
1. Cocaine and alcohol abuse. Was marijuana known to be one of his issues also?
2. Troubles with his speech--bungled words, etc. He had a difficult time with subject/verb agreement at one point, "We is...."
3. Seemingly disjointed thoughts.
4. He seemed like he was losing his attention while up there and have heard several commentaries to this effect today.
5. Quirky accidents (choking on bagel, falling off bike, etc.) I am known for having these types of strange incidents too.
6. Kind of a spaced out look. I have a relative with ADHD and she has that same look. I tend to have staring spells at times.
7. Impulse control issues? (Note: It is totally understandable if you support his Iraq decision and think I am being unfair--again, don't mean to offend.) But, if you happen to think that he rushed into this and ignored significant advice like some think, it could be an indication of impulse-control stuff, couldn't it?
8. Some have also said he laser-beamed in on Hussein at a time when he should have followed through with Osama (even against the advice of his father). Again, if you happen to agree with that, then it seems like it could make a case of overfocus, obsession, and lack of follow through...getting easily sidetracked.
9. His reactions, the smirks, the impatience he seemed to be showing...seemed to be kind of an impatient thing that I recognized as something I might have struggled with. It was like he wasn't fully in control of himself.
10. He has kind of a juvenile, boyish demeanor. From what I have read, this is quite common. A few other known ADHDers I have met seem to kind of be a bit immature (or, put a nicer way...youthful) too.
If there's any possibility of this, it's amazing that someone hasn't approached him about it and at least encouraged him to try something like Ritalin or Adderall just to see if it would help him to be more calm and possibly methodical in his speech?
I happen to think that the way people form sentences (especially those who are educated) indicates something about the way their mind is ordered. It's quite true for me anyhow. I tend to skip words in my wriitng more often or go on tangents in my speech--"I forgot what I was saying" is a very common statement from me when I don't take a stimulant.
He did graduate from Harvard, didn't he? So, maybe it doesn't fit, but I see a lot of qualities in him that seem quite ADHD to me. What do you think?
[QUOTE=bluebird38][QUOTE=Rae70]Well a lot of great presidents etc have been - ADHD is not only a 'handicap' if you like, but a reason of brillance and success.[/QUOTE]
I haven't really heard the list of presidents with suspected ADHD (did they know about this then?), but I wouldn't be surprised at all about the number of people in politics with ADHD at all. It seems like it would be an ideal fit in some ways...just like with journalism or something like that.
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When history quotes Whinston Churchill, they say he had the 'traits' of ADHD!
marks, that doesn't necessarily mean they don't have ADD. [QUOTE=spaced]HARVARD?!?
Bush went to Yale.
[/QUOTE]
Oh, sorry, I could have sworn I read that he went to Harvard. The other night during the debates he said, "I'll try not to hold it against him (Kerry) that he went to Yale." I thought he was insinuating that they had gone to rival schools.
I haven't really heard the list of presidents with suspected ADHD (did they know about this then?), but I wouldn't be surprised at all about the number of people in politics with ADHD at all. It seems like it would be an ideal fit in some ways...just like with journalism or something like that.
It would be exciting, continually dealing with novel situations, the pressure of being "on" would be motivating and possibly calming, having to know a little about a lot, etc. I can see that debates might be tough for some people with ADHD though without medication.
I had to take 3 people to small claims court. I took Ritalin and completely organized my file, and then again when I went to court. HUGE difference between this experience and when I have given talks in school or at work (pre ADHD diagnosis). With Ritalin, I had amazing access to my memory and very logical reasoning. I won the case against all three, and my mother said that she felt embarrassed for the people b/c she said I didn't miss a thing and completely exposed them in a calm, methodical way.
Normally, I would get sort of lost in a situation like that. I forget who said what or what I was even going to say. Plus, I have a hard time organizing papers without some kind of help. Also without Ritalin, I can BS on my feet pretty well, but with Ritalin I give very substantive arguements and my speech is very definite.
That's kind of what I mean about Bush. He seemed about like me how I would be in a debate without something like Ritalin or Adderall if he's having these sorts of issues. Seems like SOMEONE in his party would recognize this and get him to try something. Even if you don't agree with his arguments, with one of these meds he might at least possibly not be at a loss for words or seemingly clinging to fallback, almost panic answers.
Well a lot of great presidents etc have been - ADHD is not only a 'handicap' if you like, but a reason of brillance and success.HARVARD?!?
Bush went to Yale. In a NY Times Magazine article wherein the admissions officers for Yale were interviewed, they said that many of the people they admitted in the 70s would not be admitted today, and some would even be encouraged to persue opportunities available to them at community colleges. No offense to community colleges - some are quite good, if you're willing to engage your teachers.
But back on topic, I wish there were some rational explaination for the decidedly absent-minded aura the President projects.
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