You have answered this self-report questionnaire in such a way as to suggest that you do not likely currently suffer from an attention deficit disorder.
What are some positive aspects of having ADD / ADHD?
Adults with ADD can be very fun to be with! Some of the positive traits are:
Creativity – Daydreaming and attending to many different thoughts at once can be just the right trait for creative problem-solving. People with ADD are often excellent at brainstorming ideas. Because they do not choose which ideas to focus on too early, they are more open to considering all ideas, to engaging in divergent thinking. Such thinking allows for rare insights in such fields as art, music, and science. Creative thinking is especially useful to inventors, entertainers, comedians, and medical doctors.
Enthusiasm, spontaneity, liveliness, flexibility – Attending to a lot of thoughts at once can provide lively conversation for others who associate with the person with ADD.
Hyperfocus, high energy, tenacity and drive – If something is interesting to a person with ADD, there may be no way to distract them from the task! This is particularly true of interactive or hands-on activities.
Intelligence – Some adults with ADD are extremely bright or gifted.
Could ADHD actually be a gift?
In 1993, Thom Hartmann proposed that the “condition” of ADHD is actually a gift, a 10,000 year old leftover of hunters in a farmer’s world. According to his explanation, the problem lies more with our current cultural expectations and with our schools (designed by and for “farmers” – those who plan ahead tend their fields carefully) than with the child whose brain, for whatever reason, is more like that of the hunter:
scanning the environment (for prey)
the ability fall into a dream-like state for long periods (during down periods)
the ability to become suddenly hyperfocused and thrive on danger and excitement (the hunt)
The modern hunter “… is hunting in a metaphorical sense. Hunting for excitement. Hunting for the prize: the cure for cancer or the truth in the theory of global warming. Hunting for the mental or physical stimulation to mimic the hunt of our ancestors. Entrepreneurs are a good example.”
Part I of this series addresses the symptoms and diagnosis of ADD / ADHD. Part II is filled with practical non-drug tips and suggestions for parenting and teaching a child with ADD / ADHD and for managing your own adult ADD. It also addresses the controversies surrounding medications for children. See Series contents
What are some positive aspects of having ADD / ADHD?
Adults with ADD can be very fun to be with! Some of the positive traits are:
Creativity – Daydreaming and attending to many different thoughts at once can be just the right trait for creative problem-solving. People with ADD are often excellent at brainstorming ideas. Because they do not choose which ideas to focus on too early, they are more open to considering all ideas, to engaging in divergent thinking. Such thinking allows for rare insights in such fields as art, music, and science. Creative thinking is especially useful to inventors, entertainers, comedians, and medical doctors.
Enthusiasm, spontaneity, liveliness, flexibility – Attending to a lot of thoughts at once can provide lively conversation for others who associate with the person with ADD.
Hyperfocus, high energy, tenacity and drive – If something is interesting to a person with ADD, there may be no way to distract them from the task! This is particularly true of interactive or hands-on activities.
Intelligence – Some adults with ADD are extremely bright or gifted.
Could ADHD actually be a gift?
In 1993, Thom Hartmann proposed that the “condition” of ADHD is actually a gift, a 10,000 year old leftover of hunters in a farmer’s world. According to his explanation, the problem lies more with our current cultural expectations and with our schools (designed by and for “farmers” – those who plan ahead tend their fields carefully) than with the child whose brain, for whatever reason, is more like that of the hunter:
scanning the environment (for prey)
the ability fall into a dream-like state for long periods (during down periods)
the ability to become suddenly hyperfocused and thrive on danger and excitement (the hunt)
The modern hunter “… is hunting in a metaphorical sense. Hunting for excitement. Hunting for the prize: the cure for cancer or the truth in the theory of global warming. Hunting for the mental or physical stimulation to mimic the hunt of our ancestors. Entrepreneurs are a good example.”
Part I of this series addresses the symptoms and diagnosis of ADD / ADHD. Part II is filled with practical non-drug tips and suggestions for parenting and teaching a child with ADD / ADHD and for managing your own adult ADD. It also addresses the controversies surrounding medications for children. See Series contents
References and resources
Whew! I thought I was going to have to take the test again!
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