Are there any wealthy ADDrs? | ADHD Information

I make a high six figure number.

I got there by learning to use my ADHD in positive ways related to my work (which is executive management).. took MANY years.
Hmm... ADHD runs in my family on my dad's side and as many generations as we can cout have had ADHD... We have also noticed that when used properly your ADHD can be used to your advatage... Using certain techneques(sp? my spelling really stinks >.<) can help you be sucsecful in your respective field. ^_^ I know it has worked for my dad so far and it's working for me in high school.Oh my God-Ty Pennington-you are right-has he ever come out and said he has ADHD? My husband and Ty could be twins separated at birth!

Are there any wealthy ADDrs?

....and if so..exactly what is the formulae to achieve said results?

Well there's that guy they mention in all the books and examples (maybe bc he's the ONLY one) that started that JetBlue airline.

I know I certainly havent met any. I've only known a handful of people with add, and none of the ones I've known have topped an hour. One guy was in school, so maybe he ended up with a well paying job, who knows.

My husband has ADHD, suffered horrible in school and floundered for many years(in fact he waited on tables at night and surfed during the day until he was 30 years old) Then he started his own business, is extemely successful and we are very well off (and things keep getting better-knock wood). From where I stand this is how he makes it work for him.

He can only work for himself-he has more energy than three people put together so he can log long hours. His job is physical-although not so much any more. He is an awesome multi tasker and doesn't sit behind a desk, he can plan his day to be moving for most of it. He is very outgoing and loves people-a definite people person (I call him Chatty Bobby and sometimes it makes me crazy but most people like him and love his energy) He mostly just keeps on going like the energizer bunny!

I didn't mean to imply that the surfing and waiting tables was floundering-that was where he wanted to be then and when he retires he'll be doing the same thing. My point was to show you that he didn't start getting serious about his career until he was 30 ish-he is 43 now. He has achieved a lot in a short period of time if you ask me!

I have the motivation to start a business, but no ideas, no cash for startup & bad credit from ex's 8(

I still wanna do the Willow thing but just haven't the money right now. I can sell a person a bridge if was tangible property to sell. 8 )

I've read somewhere that Prince Charles, the future king of England has ADHD*. If this is so, then he will probably be the worlds richest ADHDer... the magic formula being to be born with that silver spoon in your mouth - or in his case a diamond encrusted platinum spoon.

*Personally, I'm not convinced he's got ADHD - I think he's just a buffoon.

Mark -

I'll be a wealthy add'r someday. So you might as well count me among those. floofthegoof38490.4190046296

All:

There are a lot of actors and personalities that have been reported to have had ADD. Ty PEnnington is the one that stands out to me.

I started my own business almost 6 years ago and the ADD gives me an edge. While working for others, I found my level of dedication, creativity and knowledge of lots of topics helped tremendously. My old boss used to say I knew a little about everything but didn't master anything. He thought it was an insult, I took it as a compliment. The key was that I didn't have to do it all myself but could rely on others to help. When it was up to me, it took severe concentration to get the job done but financial motivation is a powerful tool.

In my own business, the experience in diverse fields made it do'able. I dabbled in marketing, sales, radio, day laborer, retail, management and alot more. All of these jobs gave me the knowledge needed to do it on my own. I also came to the realization that in my own business, I could pass off alot more and concentrate on what I wanted to do.

Don't dwell on all the negative aspects of ADD, make some lemonade!

Cool Floof..make me your secretary. 8)

Let's all go out tonight and get them lotto tickets..cuz if I win I will be sharing with my buddies. :)

1. Famous Athlete, Author & world leader with ADHD ADD Magic Johnson is a world class athlete with attention deficit disorder. Agatha Christie a famous author is said to have ADHD as well. Winston Churchill, English Prime Minister and World Leader is in this company as well. 2. Famous ADHD Scientists & Inventors Here are a few people who changed the world and they had ADHD. Thomas Edison, Albert Einstien, Alexander Graham Bell and Benjamin Franklin. Just think what the world would be like today without thier discoveries? I for one am a proud happy mother of an ADHD, Dyslexic, Dysgraphic child. Sure there are challenges but its all worth it. 3. Famous Business people with ADHD Henry ford had ADHD. Henry Ford invented mass production and started the Ford Motor Company.
Richard Branson, founder of the hudge Virgin business empire. As a child in the United Kingdom in the 1940s it is unlikely that his childhood behavior would have formally been diagnosed as ADHD but he is almost a textbook case of a youngster with learning challenges. In his offical biography he was a slow learner and at the age of 8 could barely read. "High-spirited" "headstrong" and "a handful" are words used to describe young Branson. His daredevil, rule breaking behavior as a youth served him well as an adult businessman. Even today is office is described as "cluttered" and his desk "virtually invisible under a sea of papers". His hyperactivty seems to know no bounds.
As unlikly as it could have been for young Branson to be diagnosed with ADHD in 1940s Britain, it would have been out of the question for him to be prescribed stimulant medication like ritalin or adderall. 4. Famous Comedians and actresses with ADHD ADD Here are a few famous successful people that have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Jim Carey, Henry Winkler, Whoopie Goldberg, Mariette Hartley & Robin Williams. All of these people are creative, innovative & successful. They all have the trademark signs of ADHD. It also comes without the hyperactivity as well. 5. Famous composer Mozart had ADHD ADD A review of Mozart´s life for instance, shows that he displayed many of the hallmarks of ADHD. He was a whirwind of energy, agitated, impatient, impulsive, easily distracted, creative, innovative, provocative, irreverent,and a maverick. He had all the classic signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He also has given the world the most complex beautiful music ever written. 6. Mozart and ADHD A review of Mozart´s life shows that he displayed many of the hallmarks of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He was a whirlwind of energy, agitated, impatient, impulsive, easily distracted, creative, innovative, provocative, irreverent and a maverick. He has composed some the world´s most complex beautiful music.Tamaraw196938490.7080208333

There was a special on ADD on one of the morning talk shows (Jane Pauley? I don't remember) and they had the dude from JetBlue and mentioned a slew of other famous people that had ADD.

Someone else said it, but the key seems to be to use your "abnormality" to it's advantage. There are many,many things I can do dramatically better than others because of the way my brain works. I wish more therapy and research was dedicated to this rather than just medicating the masses.

Some, if not all oriental cultures give their students aptitude tests and based on the results that will be their career regardless of their interest or not. I am assuming this would prevent any issues arising from ADHD. I guess they would just end up being something below what their mental capacity is.Ha! I took one of those in High School, we all had to. I got all really impractical things...like actress, painter, writer, professional athlete. It was lame...but if I lived in Japan I might be a movie star by now. How sad Yeah, I took one of those too. The three suggestions they gave were dental hygenist, fashion designer and animal trainer. I never did figure out how they came up with those three because they seem entirely unconnected. [QUOTE=Tamaraw1969]...
Here are a few famous successful people that have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Jim Carey, Henry Winkler, Whoopie Goldberg, Mariette Hartley & Robin Williams. All of these people are creative, innovative & successful. They all have the trademark signs of ADHD. It also comes without the hyperactivity as well.[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure about Jim Carey not being 'hyperactive' and definitely think Robin Williams must be!

I'll take this brief opportunity to state a theory of mine: With the hundreds of ADHD message boards around the world and the thousands of adult members on each and not to mention the children with ad/hd..(and those are only the one's who have been dx'd or at least are aware they might have it)...and many are being added each day! I'm truly beginning to believe AD/HD may be the "NORM!" I mean, it could be possible, don't you think? Interesting thought, eh?GypsyWomyn38491.5093055556

I also always wonder tremendously about the way American culture plays in. Like did such a fast paced environment slowly screw up our chemistry? Just seems interesting that back in my parents day (born in the 50's) nobody complained of these 'symptoms' but now they are all over the board. I would love a study regarding AD/HD in our country and maybe Japan compared to those in more laid back cultures like Brazil or France. If I win the lottery I'll fund research on it.

BTW, I'm not sure there is a corollation between income and ADHD, I make more than my friends who are unaffected, and we all graduated the same year from the same college, with similiar majors...also would be a good study though, as I may be an exception...I usually am. HA!

wickedmeowmer38491.5307175926I was 'raised' in the 50s, and had all the symptoms, but no one knew or recognized they were even 'symptoms.' And the environment/world was very slow in comparison with now. So I, personally, don't think that theory really works. That's the sad thing about all of us who weren't diagnosed until adulthood

...or even older!

We DID live with the symptoms. We grew up being told we were stupid, lazy, not trying hard enough, etc. Or you're just a hyper kid, you'll outgrow it. Yeah, right! You all know what I'm talking about.

So, since adult adhders had to have had adhd as a child, even in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70, etc....there were still the huge number of ADHDers...only unrecognized, like with Mozart, Albert Einstein, etc.

Anyway, we did digress from the original topic, didn't we. Only being AD/HD!

I'm not weathly; in fact, I'm downright poor!

At least monetarily.

this is in response to the posts about ty pennington 3 pages back because I missed this conversation until now, but he does talk about his ADHD a lot. check out:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/extrainformation/050205_ex_a dhd.html and http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/medicine_cabinet/adhd/adhd_ex perts_on_call.html

[QUOTE=chocoholic]Yeah, I took one of those too. The three suggestions they gave were dental hygenist, fashion designer and animal trainer. I never did figure out how they came up with those three because they seem entirely unconnected. [/QUOTE]

Are you serious? If so that is hysterical!

Chocoholic, you said that you did not know any ADHD people who topped 10 bucks an hour? Com'on!

I have heard of some computer people who are ADHD and they make decent money. When I was teaching, I was making at least 25 bucks an hour. I don't know any who are millionaires, but I am sure there are plenty of actors who have ADHD. And what about President Bush? He may have ADHD and dyslexia combined. I make about / hour...

My high school app test came back with clown, social worker and something else that I don't remember. At the time I was hurt but now I look back that's funny as heck!

By the way I'm a systems administrator...somedays I feel like a clown, some days I feel like a social worker. Go figure
I know it's hard to believe, but Terry Bradshaw speaks openly about his Adult ADD.

I must have created at least 50 businesses in the past 20 years. Almost all of them were innovative and ground breaking and "suceeded" if i had the right type of support struccture. If i caould delegate, they were fine. Where i worke dwith poeple who could relate ot my life, they destroyed my finances by making me out to be a lazy...etc.

I turned to inventing and now have loads of designs, many ready up to prototype stage and have gathered intereest. University innovation centres, business services, etc have all passed the business plans.

Guess what - i cant get them off the ground ! My family is totally unsupoprtive and refuse to be educated about ADHD. As far as they are concerned, it just another wacky tihng im doing. Despite concrete proof.

I just realised i am very strongly ADHD and suddently at 47 my life begins to make some sense. I am only using managment techniques and as i am strong in PC tech i use pda's calenders etc to try make my life better.

Its not much, but its making an impact.There is pain and suffering everyday as i try to explain to my family, who are not well educated, but in vain. They will keep holding me back until i break through this crazy barrier.

My attitude Our Creator made us like this to allow us to make special contributions to the world.

Love fixes everything, even ADHD

MisterMagic-UK

not wealthy by any means but I think I am on the right track. I am the most unorganized lawyer you will ever meet, but for some reason I got blessed with a mega competitive gene that kicks in when I go against another unsuspecting lawyer. I would be a complete failure if I wasnt competitive...

I make a very decent living (not rich, but i guess it comes to about +/hour) and I'm ADHD up the wazoolah. Struggling right now, but I'll come out of the situation ok (I hope!)

My formula for success: find a medication that helps you, but don't take so much that you become a zombie. Use it as a kick start for your day. Be motivated. DOn't let anyone or anything tell you what you can, or cannot do, especially your ADHD. Take responsibility for your actions, the good and bad, and know that only you can change them. Not your mom, not your dad: you are responsible for your future. And accept nothing less than success. No partial credit. Acheiving goals is REALLY tough, but the real world doesn't pay you for your efforts, just your acheivements.

Of course, without medication (like I am right now due to trying to have kids of my own) throws quite the wrench into the works. BUt I'm trying really, really hard - not succeeding is very frustrating. I'm gonna keep trying. No one else is going to try for me.

galagirl, have you tried supplements in the place of your medicine? I believe you can take DHA supplements, and those helped before I was on meds.

I'm not even trying to strike it rich -- I'm just trying to get by.
HeidiMarie, I get a lot of DHA through my diet, I eat eggs fortified with omega 3s and use an omega 3 buttery spread. I think my ADD is a little severe for that to help too much. I have heard of some expensive vitamins to take, but I don't know if they will do anything either, has anyone else had positive experiences with it? Thanks so much for the suggestion though. Perhaps I'll try additional supplementation. Today I'm trying out green tea.

it almost seems that making wealth requires a few characteristics i don't enjoy.

1) heightened sense of self-worth.you really have to believe in your ability and absolute right to amass wealth.

2) you have to complete things. either yourself, or have people along with you that can wrap things up and get them together when they need to be done.

3) stability. the kind i'm talking about is the stability to go after it day after day until the project is 'in the can'. (a film reference, not toilet talk.) my experience is that my shifting moods hurt me more than help me. at any random point in any day, i'm ready to take off in a new direction, drop whatever i was doing, just change course for no apparent reason. other than a sense of boredom.

these are just three areas that i believe i struggle with. and i am not wealthy, nor do i think that will change without a miracle.

btw- mozart, while a musical genius, could not manage money at all. he wrote many pieces just to pay his debts. also, he could memorise complex musical pieces after just one exposure. he could see it, or hear it once and reproduce it faithfully.

it might have been to his advantage that his talent was recognised early on, and that his family was in a position to foster it. otherwise, he would have just been another half-crazy, hyperactive, kid that would have grown up to do nothing but be a victim of his impulses..

[QUOTE=galagirl]

Thank Heidimarie! Hmm, thats very weird and interesting. I was definitely an early walker. Actually, I was unable to crawl for a time when I was a baby because of a cast on my right leg, to correct a femoral introversion. I went practically straight to walking, before 10 months of age. I knew my ABC's and could sing and talk at 16 months, so my parents just thought I was an early at everything child. I might want to give that book a try. What an incredibly weird coincidence.

[/QUOTE]

I had casts on my legs, too. I had club feet, or pigeon toes. I wore casts from 3 to 9 months, then a bar on my shoes. So I never really crawled. The exercises in the book are helping me in such a great way. I remember to do so many things I never remembered before, and this is without meds. I hope it will help others, too. The book says you should crawl for 6 months and you have to crawl properly, no dragging a leg for example, to mature the reflex.

I think it is a totally amazing answer to many people's dx of ADHD.

With ADHD you can be wealthy - but damn it takes so much self-control (or someone with you that can handle the control part). I did very well with my corporation for a while handling several thousand kilometers of territory doing computer repair, consulting, training and sales. In my best year I brought home an after-tax income of 177,000 CDN (about 154,000 US).

My big problems? I had a non-Type "A" personality. I didn't have the inner strength to keep up with what needed to be done. I drank Pepto like Pepsi. Also - I was so involved in trying to make my personal relationship work I let everyone else slide.

If I'd had a strong partner who could have kept me on track and a good home life - I could have tripled my yearly income. And made a gastro-enterologist extremely extremely rich on my ulcers.

It can be done - just not by me. Good luck all who try - and hope your stomach is stronger than mine was.

I think Ty has a site at:

http://www.adderallxr.com/ty [QUOTE=EastWest]Oh my God-Ty Pennington-you are right-has he ever come out and said he has ADHD? My husband and Ty could be twins separated at birth!

[/QUOTE]

I saw an ad for...some ADHD med or other...in my therapist's office with Ty on it as the spokesman. I'd never heard anything about him having ADHD, but it didn't surprise me.

GlenW - exactly.

I'm a chemical/computer engineer!!! I'm programming chemical processes to make medicine and plastics for people and companies from australia to taiwan to the US. Its hard, hard work. My first few years I had the determination to prove that no one could tell me what i could and could not do. And I was doing great. One of the top engineers in the division. Now without the meds, I find the work soooooo exhausting... staying on track is physically painful... and you can bet that my reputation is gonna start to suffer soon.

my point is, that I can do it, but should I? shouldn't i just change to a career that will be easier on my body? I think i will. If i can gather the courage for a career change, which is scary enough in itself.

Reizende, why don't you get a job in sales? There's lots of money in it if you have that talent -- ad sales, real estate, whatever. Dealerships are always looking for people to sell cars -- the hours are bad, but it's a place where you could get sales experience.

I sometimes wonder whether with wealth, many of the problems associated with ADHD would disappear, or perhaps just be considered quirks instead of impairments. Maybe that's just me, though, because I find the work world so troublesome (though I do make a professional level salary -- no, not everybody with ADHD makes under an hour).

That list of famous people with ADHD is all over the internet -- personally, I don't buy it (no offense to the person who cited it here -- I know it's a popular theory). Along with the fact that there's no evidence cited (all you ever see is a list of names) I wonder if the originator understands that ADHD is an impairment -- diagnostically, if you are not impaired in two or more major areas of life, it is not ADHD. Agatha Christie? Magic Johnson? I just saw a list that included Steven Spielberg (surely one of the most focused people on the planet). I don't see how somebody with that level of drive and productivity suffers from adult ADHD.

WW, have you ever seen the HBO show "Curb your Enthusiasm" with Larry David? I think he has ADHD but being rich just makes him very quirky :P

gala, are you pregnant yet or still just trying? Did your doc say your meds would be unsafe to use while trying? I know Adderall is an in-and-out thing; At the end of the day, it's out of your body.

I wasn't on meds before I was pregnant with my son, because it wasn't until afterward I had him that I really began suspecting ADHD, but I found out while I was pregnant I seemed to have some natural remedy or something, sounds weird I know, as a result of the pregnancy. I was pretty relaxed and level headed -- I miss pregnancy! But no more kids for me, though.

Check out the alternative treatments board, gala -- if you can find the right mix of supplements you may be able to make it while off meds and trying to conceive :)

Also, I don't know if this would work because you said you're an extreme case of ADHD -- but the book "Stopping ADHD" claims that about 75% of ADHD can be 'cured' with its crawling exercises. Sounds bogus, but if you get the book and read it, it makes a LOT of sense. The authors believe ADHD to actually be an immature reflex that was supposed to mature as a baby -- so when you do get pregnant and have a baby, keep in mind -- baby needs to crawl!! Atleast for 6 months he needs to crawl, and crawl correctly -- no encouraging early walking! ADHD'ers are infamous for being early walkers!! Or even alot here were ADHD'ers with leg braces as infants, or like me, one of many children so put in a playpen all day -- I didn't walk til I was 16 months, but I sure didn't crawl, either!
You can check out the crawling thread on the alternative board, too -- there's a bunch of us trying it and there is a teacher (annidigastoni) who has done it and has had good results so far!

I hope this helps, and hope you were able to finish it!! I have a soft place in my heart for pregnant or hope-to-be pregnant adhd women :)

We are actually a little pre-trying. We haven't started trying yet. I'm letting BC get out of my system first. ;-) My doctor agreed that its best to not be taking stimulants (i was on ritalin) when trying to get pregnant. BUt I can't WAIT to be pregnant. I'm dying for a little one. Can't wait. :-)

I tried some green tea this morning and it could be a placebo effect but I feel a little more focused than i have been this week.

The guy who owns Jet Blue has Adult ADD and so does the guy from
Extreme Makeover...Ty something or rather is his name.

[QUOTE=EastWest]Oh my God-Ty Pennington-you are right-has he ever come out and said he has ADHD? My husband and Ty could be twins separated at birth! [/QUOTE]

Just FYI about Ty:

Ty Pennington to Host ADHD Program

(21 Sep, 2005) - Contributed by Tom Harrison

Celebrity carpenter Ty Pennington, who was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a child, will host

ADHD Experts on Call on September 22 from 8 am to midnight EDT. The program is sponsored by

Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc.

"I know what's it's like to grow up with ADHD and how important it is for parents, caregivers and patients to have access

to accurate information," said Pennington, who hosts ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

"I hope that by ... sharing how support and treatment has made a difference in my life, I'll help other kids and families

understand that there are people out there ready to help them, and that it's possible to live a productive life with ADHD,"

he added.

ADHD experts, English- and Spanish-speaking physicians, school nurses, educators and advocates, will answer calls at

the toll-free telephone hotline, 1-888-ASK-ADHD. In addition, a confidential, one-on-one forum will be available on the

Internet at http://www.adhdexpertsoncall.com/ throughout the day.

Real Handicap

ADHD affects approximately 3 to 7 percent, or approximately two million, school-age children in the US. A neurological

brain disorder, it manifests as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and

severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable age and maturity.

ADHD symptoms can have a profound effect on a child's quality of life and can be serious enough to interfere with

academic accomplishments. Children with ADHD also may have problems maintaining friendships, focusing on sports

and other after-school activities, and relating well within their own families.

A diagnosis requires that these behaviors create a real handicap in at least two areas of life, such as school, home or

social settings.

Untreated ADHD may have long-term adverse effects on academic performance, vocational success and socialemotional

development. It also may heighten risk for drug abuse, antisocial behavior and poor self-esteem, research

suggests. Genetics are thought to play a role. Many children diagnosed with ADHD have a first-degree relative with the

disorder.

There is no cure for ADHD, but physicians, parents, teachers and nurses are finding ways to help children with the

condition adapt to their academic, social and work environments.

Adults with ADHD

ADHD is not confined to children; an estimated 4 percent of the US adult population also may be affected.

Its repercussions may have limited adults from reaching their full academic and occupational potential, and diminished

their satisfaction with themselves and their relationships, according to a recent national survey.

Among its findings:

http://www.dailynewscentral.com- Health News - Daily News Central: Powered by Open Source Created: 11 November, 2005, 19:15

- Adults with ADHD are three times more likely to suffer from stress,

depression or other problems with emotion;

- Adults with ADHD are more likely to engage in harmful or antisocial

behaviors, like smoking and drug use;

- Adults with ADHD have less stable relationships than those adults

without ADHD, as reflected in higher rates of divorce and/or separation

(twice the likelihood); and

- Adults with ADHD tend to report lower educational achievement and are

less likely to be high school or college graduates.

- US household income losses due to ADHD total nearly billion each

year.

Where to Turn

The experts participating in ADHD Experts on Call cannot provide specific medical advice for patients or parents, or

recommend a particular course of action, but they will provide helpful information on a variety of related topics:

- How teachers may approach parents if they suspect a student has ADHD;

- How parents can approach teachers about their child's ADHD-related

needs;

- How to manage ADHD as an all-day disorder -- before, during and after

school;

- Proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment of ADHD in children and

adults; and

- Common myths and misconceptions about ADHD.

"While this program doesn't replace a physician visit, parents and adult patients can learn valuable information about

ADHD symptoms, diagnosis, support groups and treatment options that can help them better understand the disorder,"

said Dr. David Goodman, Director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Lutherville, Md.

"Despite the widespread prevalence of ADHD, many parents, patients, and caregivers are confused by conflicting

information about the disorder and don't know where to turn for help," he noted.

http://www.dailynewscentral.com- Health News - Daily News Central: Powered by Open Source Created: 11 November, 2005, 19:15

I guess i can consider myself 'wealthy', i have a job that pays six figures, own a number of very profitable apartments and the stockmarket hasn't been bad to me.