Do I tell them that I have ADHD? I’m pretty confident that this is a question that many of us ADHD’ers have asked ourselves. However, we all end up making a decision that works best for us. Some of us have no issues with telling people and some of us would rather not tell people for one reason or another.
I have only just realised I probably have ADD - after assuming I hadn't because I really hyperfocus and did not know this was a symptom. My traits are extreme hyperfocus or super distractibility (either/or), poor impulse control, becoming easily overwhelmed (e.g. when there's a to do list with more than one thing on it), emotional outbursts over things I have fixated on, fixating on silly things (e.g. I can't use your keys, I need MY keys) and needing to withdraw and metaphorically stare at a blank wall to prevent too much overwhelm. I can also frustrate myself by wanting everything done right now - again overwhelming and often causes a sort of background of frustration/agitation as I embark upon tasks - thus an all or nothing approach. And I just can't seem to do anything slowly - although hyperfocus means I can do it well most of the time....although there can be sloppy mistakes if I don't make myself re-visit (which I hate doing of course). I didn't even realise that everyone didn't do these things. I'm not young. The idea that I have ADD is helpful for me to explain to close people, but it made me feel sad that there was not understanding of this (from myself and others) in the times in the past when these traits (especially my 'blurtiness' got me into 'trouble'! My intentions (warmth, connectivity, bombarding others with many ideas with the hope of being helpful) and what comes out of my mouth are not always obviously aligned! It is a blessing and a curse of course. I am brilliant in a brainstorm! But again I didn't realise I was creative until I was about 30. (assumed everyone's brain could do what mine did). I can mostly be self-accepting but being often misunderstood/causing strong reactions in others always knocks self esteem. I share only because hearing other people talk about how their brains work has really helped me reflect on what it is, exactly that others are not getting about me. And with respect to sharing with others....a common response for me was 'no shit Sherlock!'
I have only just realised I probably have ADD - after assuming I hadn't because I really hyperfocus and did not know this was a symptom. My traits are extreme hyperfocus or super distractibility (either/or), poor impulse control, becoming easily overwhelmed (e.g. when there's a to do list with more than one thing on it), emotional outbursts over things I have fixated on, fixating on silly things (e.g. I can't use your keys, I need MY keys) and needing to withdraw and metaphorically stare at a blank wall to prevent too much overwhelm. I can also frustrate myself by wanting everything done right now - again overwhelming and often causes a sort of background of frustration/agitation as I embark upon tasks - thus an all or nothing approach. And I just can't seem to do anything slowly - although hyperfocus means I can do it well most of the time....although there can be sloppy mistakes if I don't make myself re-visit (which I hate doing of course). I didn't even realise that everyone didn't do these things. I'm not young. The idea that I have ADD is helpful for me to explain to close people, but it made me feel sad that there was not understanding of this (from myself and others) in the times in the past when these traits (especially my 'blurtiness' got me into 'trouble'! My intentions (warmth, connectivity, bombarding others with many ideas with the hope of being helpful) and what comes out of my mouth are not always obviously aligned! It is a blessing and a curse of course. I am brilliant in a brainstorm! But again I didn't realise I was creative until I was about 30. (assumed everyone's brain could do what mine did). I can mostly be self-accepting but being often misunderstood/causing strong reactions in others always knocks self esteem. I share only because hearing other people talk about how their brains work has really helped me reflect on what it is, exactly that others are not getting about me. And with respect to sharing with others....a common response for me was 'no shit Sherlock!'
Do I tell them I have ADHD?
I have only just realised I probably have ADD - after assuming I hadn't because I really hyperfocus and did not know this was a symptom. My traits are extreme hyperfocus or super distractibility (either/or), poor impulse control, becoming easily overwhelmed (e.g. when there's a to do list with more than one thing on it), emotional outbursts over things I have fixated on, fixating on silly things (e.g. I can't use your keys, I need MY keys) and needing to withdraw and metaphorically stare at a blank wall to prevent too much overwhelm. I can also frustrate myself by wanting everything done right now - again overwhelming and often causes a sort of background of frustration/agitation as I embark upon tasks - thus an all or nothing approach. And I just can't seem to do anything slowly - although hyperfocus means I can do it well most of the time....although there can be sloppy mistakes if I don't make myself re-visit (which I hate doing of course). I didn't even realise that everyone didn't do these things. I'm not young. The idea that I have ADD is helpful for me to explain to close people, but it made me feel sad that there was not understanding of this (from myself and others) in the times in the past when these traits (especially my 'blurtiness' got me into 'trouble'! My intentions (warmth, connectivity, bombarding others with many ideas with the hope of being helpful) and what comes out of my mouth are not always obviously aligned! It is a blessing and a curse of course. I am brilliant in a brainstorm! But again I didn't realise I was creative until I was about 30. (assumed everyone's brain could do what mine did). I can mostly be self-accepting but being often misunderstood/causing strong reactions in others always knocks self esteem. I share only because hearing other people talk about how their brains work has really helped me reflect on what it is, exactly that others are not getting about me. And with respect to sharing with others....a common response for me was 'no shit Sherlock!'
I have only just realised I probably have ADD - after assuming I hadn't because I really hyperfocus and did not know this was a symptom. My traits are extreme hyperfocus or super distractibility (either/or), poor impulse control, becoming easily overwhelmed (e.g. when there's a to do list with more than one thing on it), emotional outbursts over things I have fixated on, fixating on silly things (e.g. I can't use your keys, I need MY keys) and needing to withdraw and metaphorically stare at a blank wall to prevent too much overwhelm. I can also frustrate myself by wanting everything done right now - again overwhelming and often causes a sort of background of frustration/agitation as I embark upon tasks - thus an all or nothing approach. And I just can't seem to do anything slowly - although hyperfocus means I can do it well most of the time....although there can be sloppy mistakes if I don't make myself re-visit (which I hate doing of course). I didn't even realise that everyone didn't do these things. I'm not young. The idea that I have ADD is helpful for me to explain to close people, but it made me feel sad that there was not understanding of this (from myself and others) in the times in the past when these traits (especially my 'blurtiness' got me into 'trouble'! My intentions (warmth, connectivity, bombarding others with many ideas with the hope of being helpful) and what comes out of my mouth are not always obviously aligned! It is a blessing and a curse of course. I am brilliant in a brainstorm! But again I didn't realise I was creative until I was about 30. (assumed everyone's brain could do what mine did). I can mostly be self-accepting but being often misunderstood/causing strong reactions in others always knocks self esteem. I share only because hearing other people talk about how their brains work has really helped me reflect on what it is, exactly that others are not getting about me. And with respect to sharing with others....a common response for me was 'no shit Sherlock!'