Is ADHD a bad thing?

Question

I have ADHD and it's messing with my life. Sometimes I can't remember things, other times I can't concentrate, and sometimes I daydream about nothing. So far it seems like a bad thing, but is it really?

Answer 1

Hmm, so your question is "is ADHD a bad thing?" Well, that depends. It can be a bad thing if you don't learn to manage it, but you can work it to your advantage.

First off, do other people tell you things like, "Whoa man, slow down" or "Geeze you're weird" or "You are sooo hyper!" If they do, then others are noticing your ADHD symptoms, and there is room for improvement.

If people don't say things like this to you, then you are probably doing an okay job managing your ADHD.

Let me tell you a story. I willingly married a guy with ADHD. He is energetic, funny, and can mult-task very well. He has learned to manage his ADHD so he is in control of it, not that it is in control of him.

The first step to controlling your life is realizing that you are different. I mean different not in a negative or bad way, but that you have what could become a unique gift, if used wisely.

The second step is noticing what your symptoms of ADHD are. My husband usually can't sit still for long periods of time, and he wanders when he can't sit still. He has a hard time waiting and is very adventurous. You mentioned thta you can't remember things and you can't concentrate and you often daydream. Those aren't necessarily bad things, and you can manage those symptoms very easily.

You said you have trouble remembering things. My favorite quote is that the faintest ink is better than the strongest memory. If you can write it down, you don't have to worry about remembering it. My suggestion is to find some kind of day planner or organizer to write your daily plans in and get some sticky notes to write little notes to help you remember things. Getting in a daily routine is good too. (That helps you know what you do each morning to get ready for work or school so you don't have to try to remember what to do.) The daily organizer is good because you can write down everything that needs to be done. Be sure to check it often! Write down your appointments, plans, and important dates. (I've found that many cell phones have a scheduler in them, and you can usually set an alarm to go off when you have an event coming up!)

The difficulty concentrating and often daydreaming is often misconcieved in people with ADHD. What I believe is actually going on is that your brain is working much, much faster than most people's, so you need lots of stimulation to keep from getting bored. This is good for when you need to multi-task or work in a high stress enviroment. This does make it hard however when you have to focus on one boring thing or listen carefully to someone who is talking slow. Use your ADHD to your advantage. do multiple things at a time if you need to. My husband always listens to music when he writes papers or does homework. The added stimulus helps him focus on the work at hand.

Just know that ADHD is not a disability, it is a chance to have an ablity! It is a gift, when you use it wisely.

Good luck with everything you do, and I hope you are able to see the blessing you have of ADHD, and you are able to control it, instead of letting it control you.

Answer 2

No, some very intelligent and brave people have ADHD. There is even a theory that ADHD is only maladaptive in today's society and that in earlier times ADHD was actually beneficial in times when taking a risk was a way to survive. Surprisingly, many ADHD people are able to concentrate completely for very long periods on things that interest them. They may be perceived as being able to not concentrate because they don't often multi-task well. Also, if you are recently in puberty, not all of these symptoms you are experiencing are related to ADHD. Puberty will affect all teen's concentration and memory. Relax, that will get better. When your brain develops as you enter adulthood, you will get better at managing your ADHD symptoms. Don't let yourself get sidetracked while young from the importance of your education and making appropriate friendships. Think about your future and what you would like to be. Chances are, you are not a good candidate for a desk job such as a CPA. Maybe forest ranger, firefighter, soldier, entrepreneur, etc. would better suit you. My son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was in second grade. He is highly intelligent with an IQ of 136, but he had to choose careers where his energy and skills would be put to good use. He is a soldier and a firefighter for the FDNY. He excels at those things. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

NO. Read "Driven to Distraction" by Edward M. Hallowell. You'll learn all you need to know and have a laugh or two along the way. There are/were many famous and intelligent people with ADHD. People who have it are usually very creative and imaginative. You are, aren't you?
You don't say how old you are, but you have to have had some of the symptoms from a very early age, say around first grade.

Italian princess: You REALIZED that ADHD doesn't exist? How did you come to this conclusion? If you have the symptoms only as an adult, then YES, you are correct...BUT (and that's a big but), if you've had them, as I said in the above paragraph, since an early age...then you probably have it. Looks like you need more than 2 years of school research, dahling.

Answer 4

Let me tell you something about ADHD! I studied about it in college for about two years when I was a Psych major and I realized that ADHD does not exist. The things you described above happen to everyone (sometimes less to others or more). Human being are not robots....We do forget to do some things, or lose our focus. Oh, and daydreaming happens to everyone I know. All I am saying is this....If you have medications for it, throw it away and if sometimes you cannot concentrate, just go swim, jog or something for exercise, then return to that tast with a fresh mind. Good luck!

Answer 5

Alternatives are looking for the connections with foods and ADHD. Look online for "ADHD and food allergies." If you do well in school, I am not certain what your parents would find to feel embarassed about. If it is your behavior, then the foods may make a difference. You are probably pretty smart, so look up the food connections. If it makes any sense, then discuss this with your parents, or show them what you have found in your investigations. Do your best to control your behaviors and other things, but you will be O.K.

Answer 6

Its an inconvenience and a challenge. But its not the worse thing that can happen to you. The best thing is to be as informed as possible, read some books on dealing with ADHD. Also eat a healthy diet and take vitamins there are some that are good for improving memory. You learn to deal with it but you'll be fine.

Answer 7

Many people who have ADHD are very intelligent. It is not a bad thing, but you need to learn to harness it so that you can get things accomplished. Some use either medication or natural remedies to help them to do this.

Answer 8

ADHD is hard to live w/. I know there are medications that help tremendously and also certain therapy techniques. Go to a good psychiatrist, get some good meds, then go to a good psychologist, P.h.D and figure out a copping strategy.

Answer 9

Most people who think they have ADHD, don't. Their doctors just want to have a quick and easy solution, and push pills on them, rather than actually treating them.

Don't be a victim. Take charge of your life and just do your best.

Answer 10

You can control your ADHD with medication and lead a normal life.ADHD is more common then you might think.It's not bad just something you need to learn to deal with