Brainscan of brains with and without ADHD (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Today’s lesson. What did I learn today and how did it improve my life?
Today, I learned that I may have a touch of Adult ADHD. I don’t know if there is such a thing as a “touch of ADHD”. Also, I should note that there was no diagnosis. However, it would explain a lot of things.
I’ve heard that adults can have ADHD. Personally, never thinking that could be me, because I struggle to keep my energy up. Apparently, you can have ADHD and not be outwardly hyperactive. As stated in this article: http://helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm
You don’t have to be hyperactive to have ADD / ADHD
“Adults with ADD/ADHD are much less likely to be hyperactive than their younger counterparts. Only a small slice of adults with ADD/ADHD, in fact, suffer from prominent symptoms of hyperactivity. Remember that names can be deceiving and you may very well have ADD/ADHD if you have one or more of the symptoms above—even if you lack hyperactivity.”
Whoa! That was a huge shock to me. Afterall, it is called Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. When I think about people I’ve known to have this disorder, they were bouncing off the walls or fidgety. That about summed up what I knew about ADD/ADHD. There is a lot more to it than that I’ve found.
For example, there is also a symptom known as Hyperfocus. This really caught my eye. When I’m working on a task or project, I can become engulfed with only that and nothing else. To me, this is good. To those around me, it can be quite annoying. From the same article listed previously http://helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm, here is an excerpt explaining it:
Common adult ADD / ADHD symptoms: Hyperfocus
“While you’re probably aware that people with ADD/ADHD have trouble focusing on tasks that aren’t interesting to them, you may not know that there’s another side: a tendency to become absorbed in tasks that are stimulating and rewarding. This paradoxical symptom is called hyperfocus.
Hyperfocus is actually a coping mechanism for distraction—a way of tuning out
the chaos. It can be so strong that you become oblivious to everything going on
around you. For example, you may be so engrossed in a book, a TV show, or your
computer that you completely lose track of time and neglect the things you’re
supposed to be doing. Hyperfocus can be an asset when channeled into productive
activities, but it can also lead to work and relationship problems if left
unchecked.”
The thing is, this happens to a lot of people and they don’t all have ADD/ADHD. The question is, how many of the other symptoms do they experience and how long has it been going on? Obviously, self diagnosis is not a good idea. I will speak with my doctor about this. As should anyone else. Especially, if one feels things are out of control.
In my case, I’m going to start with improving my lifestyle, as I have no interest in medications at this point. Anyhow, improving lifestyle could only be positive regardless of whether I have ADHD. When there are things I can do to help myself, why not? Continuing exercise, working harder on sticking to a routine, trying to curb those cravings for midnight snacks, and lots of alarms. Ultimately, creating better habits.
Dreamzncolor 
The idea of adult ADHD has always fascinated me. I definitely have the hyperfocus thing, just ask my husband! Great post!
Thanks! I’m sure my husband would say the same! Hahaha
I know exactly what you mean as my yoseungt son (age 28) has ADHD and he has Asperger Syndrome .. the two together are a nightmare .. let alone having one of them.. He is trying his hardest to fit in, find work, support his two children , (he does not live with them now) .. but sees them every week .. It is frustrating for him and everyone else ..xoAnne\’s last [type] ..
I have done a lot of homework on this topic. I found no quantitative statistics that convinced me that medication is the way to go. I feel that parents with children and persons suffering from ADHD/ADD should seek alternatives to the current medications available. I have a child with ADHD. I tried the Ritalin with little to no success. I found the drug made my child lethargic and once it wore off she would either crash or become even more hyper-active. Believe me, I tried it for a period of time to see if it would build up in her system and alleviate not only the behavior but the side effects. It did not. After doing much research I found a program that is working for my child and my family. I use Play Attention. Play Attention is a program that builds behavioral shaping. Since investing my child’s mental health into this platform I have now learned that they are using this program at nuclear power plants, nascar mechanics use it. Personally, I just want my child to live a normal, loving life and enjoy life to the maximum. Jnystrom
That is some great information Jnystrom! I’ve never heard of Play Attention, but it sounds like a great plan. I’ll pass it on. Good for you, for finding an alternative way to help your child! May you have continued progress and lots of happy moments with your child!!!
I understand exltcay what you mean. There are so many things that interest me and I bop from one to the other. I’ve always had a hard time choosing what I want to do. Translating at least keeps my interest since I always get different subjects to work on. Not that I care to diagnose myself or give myself a label, but I wonder if it includes people who can’t resist the urge to look up every little tidbit of information in order to learn more about it. If so, I’m there To quote Popeye, I yam what I yam .Mary\’s last [type] ..
I found a website for Play Attention. http://www.playattention.com/ It looks as though they have a Facebook page as well.
The just got written up in the Portland Tribune as well written by a teacher, very interesting.
http://portlandtribune.com/lor/108-education/112720-have-fun-and-learn-to-play-attention
It is interesting. Thanks for following up and sharing this!
Being aware of yourself is the first step in any big change, sounds like you know what you’re doing!