Being "Visual" | ADHD Information

I know I've been visual all my life. I learned from a counselor that visualization is very much an ADHDer thing. That non-adhders seldom are as visual. And that may be a reason we think so fast on our feet.

I understand now why I frustrate my friends when I'm not clear on a chosen word they may use. If the word has different meaning(s), I may visualize the wrong word/meaning, and get stuck on visualizing what they're saying because it doesn't make sense to me, or it's totally off from what they actually mean. When I respond to them using the word or thought they didn't mean, they look a me, what are you talking about?!

May also want to see post "Are you misunderstood?

I also, like many of us, have difficulty getting words from my brain to my mouth. I need to first visualize the word(s) or thought.

What do you do when someone mentions a State of Country? I visualize the shape, location in the US or World. Then, the terrain, the weather, etc.

So, I'm curious....what about you folks?

I visualize allot, although I do not make mistakes as you describe.

I have a very high spacious intelligence... or what it is called in english... I visualize allot of things. Although I usually cut people short because I allready know what they are going to say after they have said two words. And then I jump subject all the time... hm, you see? hehe

Visualization is very valuable. I usually visualize my mopeds engine, and take it apart in my head, to find out what's wrong with it hehe...

[QUOTE=Taag Man]

I visualize allot, although I do not make mistakes as you describe.

I have a very high spacious intelligence... or what it is called in english... I visualize allot of things. Although I usually cut people short because I allready know what they are going to say after they have said two words. And then I jump subject all the time... hm, you see? hehe
[/QUOTE]
So that's what it's call that I have...very high spacious intelligence. I like that expression. Yeah, I do hate when I misunderstand what someone is saying because I also take things very "literally," by literally seeing the wrong meaning of a word they use. Which then sends me off to somewhere else than they intended. I don't personally see this as making a mistake. But I hear ya, TaagMan.

Yes, knowing what someone is going to say (99.9% of the time) and cutting them short...something I'm working very hard on not doing. I hate when someone does it to me, so I suppose I'm being rude when I do it to someone else.

Jump subjects! I don't think you'll find anyone on this board who doesn't! Really makes us popular to our friends. We even do it in our posts. I know I do when I'm Instant Messenging. My sister hates it.

[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]So that's what it's call that I have...very high spacious intelligence. I like that expression.[/QUOTE]

It is used about people who are good at thinking in 3D :)

[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]Yeah, I do hate when I misunderstand what someone is saying because I also take things very "literally," by literally seeing the wrong meaning of a word they use. Which then sends me off to somewhere else than they intended. I don't personally see this as making a mistake. But I hear ya, TaagMan.[/QUOTE]

I see, I do the same thing. I also have a tension for detail. But I usually know what it is that they really wan't to say, and then I either correct them, or makes fun following their word litteraly. Like, please toss my mobile over here. People learn, not to say those things to me. hehe

[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]Yes, knowing what someone is going to say (99.9% of the time) and cutting them short...something I'm working very hard on not doing. I hate when someone does it to me, so I suppose I'm being rude when I do it to someone else.[/QUOTE]

It pisses allot of people off, I think... but they are just going to have to live with it. I can't wait 5 minuts for them to be done hehe

[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]Jump subjects! I don't think you'll find anyone on this board who doesn't! Really makes us popular to our friends. We even do it in our posts. I know I do when I'm Instant Messenging. My sister hates it.
[/QUOTE]

Oh yea, when me and my dad speaks to eachother, no one can follow us. We change subject all the time, and without any warning. And we both think fast enough to keep track hehe :) It's quite anoying for other people.

[QUOTE=Taag Man] It pisses allot of people off, I think... but they are just going to have to live with it. I can't wait 5 minuts for them to be done hehe[/quote]

Although we get impatient for others to finish what we already know they're going to say....I know many don't have the patience to wait for me to even get the words out!

A big problem for me and other w/ADHD.

[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]
Although we get impatient for others to finish what we already know they're going to say....I know many don't have the patience to wait for me to even get the words out! A big problem for me and other w/ADHD. [/QUOTE]

At that point we are very different. There is TO short from my brain to my mouth... allot of wit... I speak allot, and i like to hehe... maybe the sound of my voice makes me calm? hehe kidding.

It seems that i have ADHD combined types... maybe that have something to do with it?

Well, of course I have the problem of talking too much, out of place, interrupting, inappropriate times, without thinking first, etc. But, especially when I'm asked a question, I have a difficult time thinking of the proper words, or I think of them, but I can't get them out. Or I forgot a word for certain things, simple things, so I hmm and haw. I've read many posts from others here that they have the same problem. I'll end up trying to describe the word, which can be sorta funny at times, using my hands, or going into a detailed description of the word, but can't find the actual word.

But believe me, it can be a real short trip to mouth also, I just may not always use my brain.

That's actually a very prominant "symptom" of ADHD, talking too much. So many of us were always in trouble in school for talking, non-stop. I laugh a lot, at everything, whether it's funny or not. It's a nervous laugh, and covers up a lot of my ....see I can't find the word even now.

It's somewhere in there! I'll never forget my teacher putting tape over my mouth in second grade.

I think we might feel the same way about our discussion, just have different ways of expressing it.

Now, where are some posts on vizualization from others!??? (Not that I don't enjoy posting w/you, TaagMan)GypsyWomyn38417.6557291667WHOAH.... this is spooky. It's like you're reading my mind!!!

I can 100% relate to everything said so far.

I always know what people are saying before they've even finished it. I remember reading somewhere that ADDers think "spatially" or "circularly" (3D), and normal people think linearly. This is also why I don't see ADD as a disorder, but rather more as simply a different way of thinking. I believe this explains why some of the world's geniouses were genious.. they could think "out of the box" and come up with ideas that others would struggle with.... all because of different ways the ol' gray matter works.

Of course, I too believe it pisses some people off, when I finish their sentences for them. Maybe it makes them feel dumb or something (just kidding). Of couse, on the flip-side, it also annoys me when people explain stuff to me, because I know what they're saying even when they're still trying to think of words to describe it.

There are times, in my college classes, when I really have to grin and bear it! My pet peeve is when professors ask simple questions the answer to is obvious... I like to think of it as an idiot over-using the Socratic method. I think to myself "what's the use of taking up time to ask that question - the answer is obvious... get on with it please!"

Well, back to the post's initial topic now, LOL.

I find that I am predominantly a mentally visual person. The things I've noticed the most are maps, directions, and people's faces. I can't remember facial features (hair color, eye color, etc.) but I immediately am able to recognize a face just by seeing it. I also shop for groceries like that... I can't think of what I need (and never make a list), so I'll walk to aisles until something just pops-out that I suddently remembered I need. Also, when I navigate, I don't remember street names or landmarks... instead I automatically form a mental over-head map of exactly what the streets and locations look like. My passengers are usually stunned, LOL.

There are SO many things like that, that I can't think of for the moment, too!

Let's keep this thread going... very interesting stuff [QUOTE=bcgirl1978]
I could never describe a place, object, or direction without drawing a map or diagram. I used to do this all the time. My sister always used to say "you and your diagrams!" whenever I started reaching for a piece of paper after getting frustrated with using words to describe something. LOL.

I totally visualize a country/state/province on a map when someone says the name too. Or if someone mentions ANY place or thing... hearing the words "the Statue of Liberty" automatically puts a picture of it in my head.
If someone says they are going to go read a book, an image of them lying down and reading a book pops into my head.
[/QUOTE]
Right on BC! I've always been told what wonderful directions I give (better than receiving them, eh?) Both written and spoken, but better writing them, usually a little map/diagram like you. Maybe we should be mapmakers.

And I'm still thinking how flabbergasted I was when that counselor told me not everyone thinks visually. How presumptuous of me!

But it explains a lot to me, too. BTW, I bet you visualize the Statue of Liberty much larger than she really is. What a disappointment when I finally saw she was such a petite gal!

GypsyWomyn38418.5301041667 [QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]BTW, I bet you visualize the Statue of Liberty much larger than she really is. What a disappointment when I finally saw she was such a petite gal!

[/QUOTE]

I know! I went to NYC in 1998 with my sister and best friend. It was only for 3 days but we had a blast. I couldn't believe how small that statue really is! I used to think it had an elevator.... little did I know we'd be climbing that awful spiral staircase - LOL! It was fun though.

Too bad we couldn't just communicate telepathically. No more fumbling with words - we could just transmit the image directly into the other person's head! [QUOTE=bcgirl1978]

Too bad we couldn't just communicate telepathically. No more fumbling with words -we could just transmit the image directly into the other person's head![/QUOTE]

Yeah, I've thought the same thing at times. But then I think, hmmmm I hope they didn't hear/see THAT!

No privacy at all!

Hey, I heard that, bcgirl!

GypsyWomyn38418.5590162037

Taag Man... me too! Always in my own little world, but somehow I could always figure out what the teacher wanted and give an appropriate answer.

And I visualize everything. My best friend understands this about me and will purposely say certain combinations of words/phrases because she knows I'll summon up a picture in my head and start laughing. Even street signs will get me going. Like "Dangerous Driveway" or "Dangerous Curve"... every time I see one of those there's immediately a picture in my head of the driveway getting up and attacking random cars!

[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn] What do you do when someone mentions a State of Country? I visualize the shape, location in the US or World. Then, the terrain, the weather, etc.

So, I'm curious....what about you folks?
[/QUOTE]
Yes! As I said before, I get a visual representation of a place in my head, exclusively. When someone gives me directions, I'm lost. But if I look at a map before a trip, I totally understand the route.

I agree with Taag Man on the school being easy. All the way up through 8th grade, I attended a rather simpleton school system, where I quickly grew bored with getting straight A's with NO effort at all. I decided to better myself and move up to a better private school. Let's just say that up until that point, I was rather smug and arrogant about my superior academic abilities! LOL My first year at the better school was ROUGH. But after I adjusted, things became better (though still challenging).

Anyway, back to the subject once more! (sorry for jumping around to different stories, lol)

I could never describe a place, object, or direction without drawing a map or diagram. I used to do this all the time. My sister always used to say "you and your diagrams!" whenever I started reaching for a piece of paper after getting frustrated with using words to describe something. LOL.

[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]That's actually a very prominant "symptom" of ADHD, talking too much. So many of us were always in trouble in school for talking, non-stop. I laugh a lot, at everything, whether it's funny or not. It's a nervous laugh, and covers up a lot of my ....see I can't find the word even now. It's somewhere in there! I'll never forget my teacher putting tape over my mouth in second grade. [/QUOTE]

Thats the fun part, I actually never said anything in school. I actually almost never spoke with anyone when I was young. I allways thought, what's their to be said? I just sat still on my chair, daydreaming all day. And when spoken to I caught the thread in 2 secs and came with the answer. School was not stimulating for me. It was to easy.

Taag Man38418.1346412037