Is ADHD "diabetes for the brain" | ADHD Information

I'm not sure if thats a very good way to explain it. It requires too much imagination.

Trying to think how to explain ADHD to someone who doesn't really understand it, especially when I don't always display obvious symptoms of the condition, especially (a) as treatment is becoming quite effective, (b) you tend to see it much more when you've known someone for a while and (c) much of the time, I just look clumsy / tired / like someone who likes waffling!

Without any intention of disrespecting what is a serious physical condition, how reasonable is a parallel between ADHD as a brain disorder, and diabetes (type 2)as a chronic condition?

Namely:

Both are serious conditions, but with treatment, few symptoms are immediately obvious to the casual observer / acquiantance, and a "normal life" can still be lived.

Both are widely missed, or under diagnosed

Both are perceived as "lifestyle" conditions, often resulting in feelings of "blame" on either the patient or parents.

Both appear to have a genetic element which is just as significant as any other causal factors.

Both require constant monitoring and feedback, however:

Neither present an immediate and accute / life threatening health risk if not treated, or if treatment is missed (I'm referring more to type 2, not insulin dependent type 1 here)

 

 

You say initially that you are looking for a way to try and explain ADD to someone who doesn't have it and you propose helping them understand it by comparing it to Type 2 diabetes.

I have to agree with floofthegoof. That's pretty confusing. As I read over it, I agree that all those statements are true, but how does that help explain what ADD is? I happen to have both ADD and Type 2 diabetes. After reading that, I'm apt to wonder if my symptoms aren't all caused by my diabetes after all!

I agree that it is very useful to have a metaphor that works to explain ADD to people who cannot comprehend ADD (because they can't possibly experience it.) That's why Thom Hartmann's Hunter vs Farmer metaphor is so useful. Most people, ADD or not, understand the differences between hunters and farmers.

By comparing ADD and Type 2 diabetes, you haven't helped anyone better understand ADD... you've just pointed out that the two things have certain characteristics in common. Of course, I could have misunderstood what you are trying to accomplish, but...

OK, maybe my analogy wasn't that good, I suppose what I was really trying to relate to was the efforts I take to try and keep my mood "stable" and distraction free. Although I tend to be pretty upbeat most of the time these days, I went through some low patches last year, and had a previous diagnosis of bipolar seven years ago. I was wondering if the physical changes in blood sugar levels, could be equated with the mood swings or other changes in attention span, which we have to focus on.

I think it is in our nature to try and draw analogies and comparisons, this comes from having minds which keep on asking new questions, and within which an infinite range of thoughts are constantly being bounced around!

I did a post a few months ago about song lyrics, so I guess the following comes to mind:

"Every answer found begs another question, the further you go, the less you know, the less I know" - Five-O by James

ideaspring - maybe you should just tell people to "look it up - if they are really interested" LOL

Then you could be saving yourself infinitesimal amount of energy

But good for you !  I am like that too - always trying to find analagies etc.

god you confussed me there lol

you cant really describe it to someone that dont have it as they wouldnt understand you anyway!
i could try so here goes

 just imagine you having a remote control in your hands turning over the tv without stopping, well thats me  without meds, if something grabs my attention anywhere im all over the place!

hope this helps? lol

Here is another take on the TV theme.

You are sitting in a room with three TVs and three radios, all on very loud, on different stations, and automatically changing stations every 5 seconds. Someone (boss, spouse, etc.) bursts into the room demanding to know the weather. You don't know, so you start listening and looking at all of them and try to pick up bits of a weather report. Then the person comes in again and you know the weather, but they ask you for the football score. So you try to pay attention to all six for weather and sports scores. Then the person bursts in again wanting to know what color shirt the man on the cooking show advertisement was wearing.

The stations keep changing, what you are supposed to be paying attention to keeps changing, and everyone is always angry with you for "just not trying hard enough to pay attention".

[QUOTE=ideaspring]

Any suggestions for 4-5 words to describe adult adhd (inattentive type) as opposed to the more commonly understood children's condition?

[/QUOTE]

um, I could come up with a whole list of words that describe me and my adhd

unable to focus

easily distracted

hyper

fidgety and unable to sit still at times

speeding thoughts and speech

rambling from one topic to another

scatterbrained

ditzy

forgetful

incompleted tasks and chores

panicking when overwhelmed with too much to do (ie- cluttered house and not knowing where to start, etc.)

procrastinating these tasks like uncluttering

and the list could go on and on and on for me.

Oh, and lets not forget that I am somewhat OCD and a perfectionist (what a combo huh!) For me, its either all the way, perfectly, or not at all, LOL!

Sometimes I have several of these symptoms present while at other times I can be more gathered and controlled. I guess you could say I have my good days and my bad days.

When I do get into something, like web or graphic design, or any of the various crafts I tackle and learn, I tend to get into an extreme state of hyperfocus.  When I can trully get into something, I am totally engrossed and involved in it to a point of being just outright anal about it, over analyzing every last detail until it is perfect or as close to being perfect as it can be.  

I am a woman of many talents, and am always looking to learn new things (guess that is one of the perks to my being adhd) I have been told I should pursue many different talents I have, but the trouble is, I am too easily bored. I will tackle something, learn it, perfect it and then become bored and move on to another new project or craft...

sooo, in a nutshell, that is the best I know to describe adhd and me.

aside from that, this page has some really good info on adhd in adulthood and how the symptoms sort of evolve: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_signs_symptoms.htm

Sorry for Rambling, but then again, Im sure you all know alllll about rambling, and understand it completely. If not, watch out...better get used to it FAST! LOL!

Amy

Ok, maybe it would just confuse people - after all, how many people really understand diabetes, or any other medical condition for that matter? How much do doctors really know about many of these conditions? My GP here at least had the decency to look up adult ADHD, as I was his first patient (to be diagnosed!) with the condition.

Still not sure if the hunter / farmer does it much for me either, and just going by dictionary definitions seems to lump us all with the kids, and never being able to sit still!

at·ten·tion deficit disorder (-tnshn)
n.
Abbr. ADD A childhood syndrome characterized by impulsiveness and short attention span, and sometimes by hyperactivity that often leads to learning disabilities and various behavioral problems. See minimal brain dysfunction.

Source: The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary

 

Pick up the book, Journeys Through ADDulthood by Sari Solden. This book will help you to understand ADHD so you will have your own unique definition that fits you best. It is very hard to define because it affects each individual behavior in a multitude of ways. Hope this helps   ~K

LOL,

I ordered 4 books on ADHD last year. They are all in different parts of the house, but I haven't manage to read any of them, beyond a quick scan!

Any suggestions for 4-5 words to describe adult adhd (inattentive type) as opposed to the more commonly understood children's condition?