ADHD stereotypes?

people seem to think if you have ADHD you must be some crazy, stupid, trouble-maker, in my experience people with ADHD seem to be more creative and smart. Some of the most important people had ADHD like me, how do i explain to people that this isnt a character flaw but more of a gift?

The "hunters and farmers" theory of ADHD actually agrees with you that it is a gift. Back during early civilization, we needed both hunters and farmers to survive. The ADHD brain is ideal for hunting the way we did back then. There are lots of jobs where the ADHD brain thrives but for the most part, it is mostly a farmer world.

We needs meds for us hunter-brains to fit into a farmer world.

Its not that I'm not paying attention, its that they are boring.

We are smarter and more creative. We can find other avenues to a solution...it may be a solution for some of those farmer brains to follow and succeed but they need us.

Gifts dont need meds

To face reality, it's really not a gift.

The world doesnt care for your creativeness,they want you to work.Thats why your here,to help out society one way or another,so just take ur meds.

It may make you feel better to say it is a gift, but it is a neurological condition.

i think adhd is very over diagnosed
i mean i was diagnosed with adhd in 7th grade, i did not have trouble paying attention, and was not extreamly overactive, i outgoing, not over active, i was diagnosed with adhd, because my mother complained to the doctor that i bickered with my sister...now im not sure about u but fighting with your siblings is normal...not signs of a mental disorder

Some people that do not have a handle on their "gift" can get really frustrated and act out. Mainly with kids, they act out and get into trouble because the people around them do not know how to handle the behavior properly.

Yes, people with ADHD can really have strong gifts, but they have to recognize how to bring out the gifts in a positive manor.

My son, who is 8 years old, tends to have a slight ADHD. However, instead of medicating him, I've worked hard at being able to connect with him at his level. He loves one-on-one attention and does well when he's working with his hands. The things that he can draw and make with his legos and such are beyond my imagination.

I've learned that food coloring can enhance the ADHD behavior and have cut all food coloring and artificial flavorings out of his diet. I also learned on Paul Harvey that getting less sleep can worsen his behavior. So It's amazing when he doesn't have those additives in his body, and gets a good 11 hours of sleep (in bed by 7pm, and he's usually up by 6am), he can be a real easy boy! I have to listen to him when he gets upset, and have him talk it out. Slow him down and explain things to him in steps - having him repeat them back to me.

He has a gift.. and when treated properly, it shows!

However, medication is also a good alternative for people with more unmanageable behaviors. Some people don't enjoy having their minds racing, not being able to sit still, and getting into trouble because they CANNOT control their bodies. It's a hard thing to deal with... so that is when medication plays a huge role. They can control their bodies and minds better... allowing them to use their talents in a better physical and mental environment.

If you are someone that cannot control yourself and act out your frustrations without the medication.. not allowing you to show your gifts as best as you can, I would suggest getting something that could help! Taking medication doesn't mean that you are flawed, or not normal... You are someone that just needs a little more attention! If people get into your personal business about your ADHD, or ask you why you act the way you do... it's really none of their business, and you have no requirements to explain your situation if you don't want people to think of it as a disease or mental issue.

However, if people can see that your gifts are something that really stand out, beyond your ADHD, it could be a good teaching lesson, to show people that even though you might have ADHD, the gifts you've received are because of it... and your happy that you can give what was given to you back to the world! It's a positive thing!

I was diagnosed as an adult. I know that a lot of mental health professionals are trying to change the name to ADD with or without hyperactivity to address the fact that some people only suffer from the inattentiveness and not the physical overactivity. I think that would help with some of the stereotypes. If people think it is a character flaw, then that is really their problem. I am very open with people about my ADD and they are always very surprised, because I am intelligent, was successful in school, do well at work, and am not all crazy and fidgety. I figure if I change a couple of people's perceptions about people with ADD, then it's a start.

As an aside, my doctor believes that ADD is actually more of a tendency to hyperfocus on certain things which causes us to be incapable of focusing on anything else at the same time. I think I may agree with him.

it isnt a gift but just because you have ADHD doesnt mean your stupid or anything. you may just have to apply your self more and ask for help. without meds they can be hyper and stuff but i disagree with the sterotype
i have ADHD n im smart n sometimes when i tell people they dont believe me @ first because I dont fit the sterotype