Hi Rachel,

Good luck, very proud of you! Please check in with the specialist once you get there, introduce yourself and talk about your goals. Share your enthusiasm, the more you have, the further you will go! It’s fantastic to hear about this.

Hi Melinda,

Guess you haven’t read my book yet Yes, it does take a little extra something to write about these situations, after all, I am not hiding behind a mask, I do reveal who I am. However, I do have a positive impression of human nature. I am glad you have come so far – that’s awesome!

Hi NM… indeed!

That’s where all of the self-loathing and feelings of failure come in – because we are, in simplest terms, the square pegs looking at a world full of round holes. If the holes were square – we’d fit right in.

In my eyes, the ‘disorder’ itself is not the curse – it’s the reaction of a left brained society to right brained thinkers that is the curse. If anything, we were cursed only by not being in the majority! If the tables were turned, and 90% of the population was right brained – guess who would have the ‘disorder’ then? I wonder what they would call that? I have a few ideas, none of which are appropriate here, LOL.

Bottom line, perception is reality. Non-Adders perceive us as having a disorder – and so, as they are the ruling majority, we have a disorder. You and I and mostly every other ADDer buys into that – and we try to conform, we try to change our ways, we beat ourselves up for acting like ADDers. At some point, you have to ask yourself though – how do they know that WE are the ‘broken’ ones? It’s all a matter of majority.

It’s fun though, to imagine a world where the non-ADDers have to take medication to be more creative and impulsive, more intuitive and to be able to think on a non-linear plane…..

Great post, as always….

That has got to be one of the most inspiring posts I have ever read concerning ADHD. I am going to print this out and keep it next to my desk so I have it to remind myself that I can do it and will.

I am attempting nursing school for the 2nd time. The first time I was 19 and far from being diagnosed with ADHD. You can probably guess what happened. I ended up quitting after 3 months because I was constantly criticized by my instructors and just felt I was too stupid to be a nurse anyway. Fast forward to the present and I now know that I am not stupid, I have ADHD. There is a reason for why I did the things I did. So I now know that I am smart enough to be a nurse, although it will still be just as challenging as it was 13 years ago. The school I am choosing to attend has a learning disability specialist on campus who works with students with ADHD, so that gives me some comfort knowing that help is there for when I need it.

But, like I said, this was, by far, the most inspirational post I have read for someone like myself and I thank you for sharing your optimism. Let’s hope it becomes contagious.

Sincerely,
Rachel

This is a great post and perspective on ADHD as gift or a curse. You raise a number of really solid points and arguments many people with ADHD face – as well as those who are “labeled” as ADHD simply because of the public scrutiny and “over-awareness” of the main symptoms of ADHD.

So what I am saying?

According to the DSM-IV, ADHD must cause significant impairment in an individual’s life. But what then are these cluster of symptoms if they do not cause “significant impairment?” Some call it giftedness… Some find another label or diagnosis…

But what does it really mean or suggest?

I really identify with your “Brilliance” in everyone. For me, I try not to focus so much on a diagnosis or any diagnosis (on this topic). I know that doesn’t sit well with some people, but once we understand what is affecting us, we can focus on what we want and what we need to get there. That’s just my experience. I know some have it differently — and I respect their space.

I’ll stop here because I could go on and on with this particular topic. All I came to say was that each individual has brilliance, and the challenge is finding that brilliance and having support to believe in it.

Have a great weekend.

Rory