Top 10: ADHD Things
2008-06-16
By D. E. Herrod, B.Ed.E, M.Div
Life with ADHD can be interesting, at times challenging but mostly it is just normal. While talking with a friend I came up with the idea for writing a list of Top 10 ADHD Things.
#10 Easily distracted
Sometimes it is just hard to concentrate. Yes, I can choose to concentrate but there are days I just am tired of fighting to keep my mind focused.
#9 Easily Bored
Growing up one of the most difficult problems I had with ADHD that is easy to get bored. Boredom and an ADHD kid are not a good combination.
#8 Finishing a task
Sometimes is just hard to finish a task. Some things just seem too hard and I’m already defeated before I start.
#7 Poor Organizational Skills
Poor organizational skills and time management are common problems for people with ADHD. Thankfully, my mom forced me to learn organizational skills. It did take a long time and she often wondered if I was actually learning anything. I have learned that structure helps make sense of my sometimes chaotic world.
#6 Hyper-creative not Hyper-active
Comedian Mark Lowery prefers to call himself hyper-creative not hyper-active. I agree with him. Growing up it was just that my creativity was not always channeled in appropriate directions.
#5 Multi-tasking
I enjoy being able to read a book, watch a movie and carry on a conversation or carry on multiple conversations at once.
#4 Always on the move
I just don’t like sitting still and I always have to do something with my hands. Guess, this is one of the reasons I can multi-task.
#3 Think differently
Apparently people with ADHD think differently. Recent studies indicate that people with ADHD think three dimensionally. Personally, I think in words and pictures. I can visualize what I’m thinking about as I am thinking. Maybe this isn’t that special or different; of course for me it is just normal.
#2 What is normal anyway?
Growing up I just wanted to be normal. I wanted to be able to sit in my desk at school and not get in trouble. I wanted to be like other kids. One day in one of my education classes in college we were given a description of someone with ADHD. Finally, after all those years I was normal. I was a normal person with ADHD. The concept of normal is relative to the standards used to define it.
#1 Secret Weapon or Worst Enemy
When controlled ADHD can be my little secret weapon, it is that extra edge or energy I need to go a little longer and do a little more. However, when not controlled I’m defeated before I even get started. Usually it gets out of control when I choose not to do the things necessary to be successful.
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