ADHD and Me

Of the two of us, I think I definitely have it easier in terms of life strain and suffering, although my dear friend has intelligence that far surpasses my own, and qualifies himself easily as a true intellect both in learning capacity, and in personality type. My academic feat of making it into the world of Orthodontics has more to do with my ability to hyper-focus, than on sheer intelligence. I can focus on something that matters to me, and persist with robot-like persistence, digging and plowing away endlessly if needed. It can cause as much trouble as good; the ability to 'hyperfocus', as there are often trails of unfinished important tasks that are neglected while in the state of hyperfocusing. Many people wonder how I was able to become an Orthodontist without medication. I wonder myself sometimes, but it should at least partially uproot the perception that adults with ADHD just can't succeed. I wasn't diagnosed until after I graduated from Orthodontic School, and am medicated now, but know Orthodontists who have ADD who are not medicated. I also know medical doctors who are unmedicated ADDers who are enjoying life. It doesn't mean they don't suffer, and that it doesn't affect their lives, or the lives of those around them. It just means that they are able to succeed in the work force and at home.

What does it mean for ME to have ADD?
1) I have to (by choice of course) take medication - Strattera and Ritalain LA, twice a day. Without it, life is much more difficult. I will elaborate how in later blogs, but it has to do with blocking out the distractions that slow me down. ADDers often don't have a choice about what stimuli enter their head. If I am unmedicated, and under stress, I will start to hear everything people are saying around me, someone clicking his pen, water dripping, and so forth, all at the same time, and with equal intensity. It is fascinating for studying the mind from the inside, but rather annoying when trying to get something done.

2) In general, impulse control is an issue. Like so many others with the condition, I have my favorite distractions that can pull me away from things that need attention. This blog counts as one of them at the moment, and realizing that for me (at this moment) means that I now have a chance to translate my self-awareness into self-management by limiting how much I type tonight. I have several other things to do before going to bed, and I need to catch up on sleep. We OFTEN will do a few things WAY over the top, and leave the rest of what we should and could be doing in sore neglect. I have reached a plateau in my management for the last half-year, and would like to get to the next level of success in my battle. That is part of the reason for starting this blog. Emotional Intelligence is usually not very high in ADD folks because our self-observation tends to be terrible. By journaling, blogging, talking to a counselor, meditating, learning relaxation techniques that free up the turbo-powered mind, anyone can raise their emotional intelligence. For some it comes easier than for others.

3) I have a hard time keeping my thoughts from making it to my mouth. This has gone way down since I started medication, and have become aware of this habit, but it still haunts me at times, and entertains me at other times. Often things will come to me very quickly, and before I've had time to completely think them through, they will find their way to my mouth. I have the toughest time when I'm really tired or bored. Boredom. We will have to talk about that one next time, but there is a stimulation thing about ADD that is a large part of both the problem, and solution to much of the pain of ADD.

4) I am great with ideas for things that I love. I lose most of my ADD traits when I am enjoying whatever it is that I'm doing. I am only "ADD" with the things that are less than really fun (or stimulating)

Well, I said I would stop, so I'm stopping. Goodnight. So much more to say. We'll keep the thoughts for later. They will still be there when I come back. Goodnight!