I have had it with this whole debate among the ADHD Community about whether ADHD is a Gift or Curse! It’s not only a total waste of time but it causes way too much animosity between those with ADHD and professionals who are trying to help those with ADHD. Please Stop!!!!
If you have ADHD what’s important is to find ways to live a happy and productive life! If you are a professional helping people with ADHD you should be helping them lead happier more productive lives!! ADHD affects everybody differently! To some ADHD is a Gift and to others it is a Curse!
Those living with ADHD know what ADHD is to them and don’t need others telling them how to think!! ADHD is different to each person!! If somebody’s life is a living hell because of ADHD that person doesn’t need to be told it’s a Gift. If somebody’s is leading a happy productive life with ADHD they don’t need to be told it’s a Curse.
18 replies to "ADHD Gift vs Curse Debate"
can’t say as I’ve gotten into this debate, or seen it actually. But I haven’t really found much ADHD communities to get into other than on something like AOL boards. But I don’t think it’s either. My 6 year old has been Dx’d and I simply consider it a challenge. It is something he will have to learn live with, it does make many things in his life more challenging but if he approaches it right it will grow his character!!
I can’t agree with you more! Polarization is rarely helpful. The gift/curse issue is certainly one exmple. “Meds are always bad” versus “meds are the only helpful, modern treatment” is another.
After my diagnosis, someone I don’t know all that well actually told me right out that she hoped I wouldn’t take meds. And I’ve heard other people say that not taking meds for ADD is like not wearing eyeglasses for nearsightedness. The decision about whether to take meds is so much more complex and personal than either comment takes into account.
I consider my own ADD both a gift and a curse. My own disorganization drives me nuts at times. And I’m not happy to have underachieved in such a big way in my life (I figured out the ADD thing at age 46). On the other hand, learning about my ADD has helped me get in touch with the creative, lively, and quirky parts of myself, all of which seem to go along with having ADD.
I do think the gift idea is a valuable concept. It’s helped me better understand my own strengths. And I’ve seen the idea help others see their strengths and their children’s strengths, as opposed to just seeing problems that need to be “fixed.” Seems like there’s tremendous value in figuring out what the environment is in which your traits might be gifts instead of liabilities.
But I’m with you. Let’s not invalidate each other’s experiences.
Tara, you couldn’t have said it any better! You’re right, ADHD does affect people differently and we should not impose our views/values onto someone else. For example, I am a full supporter of someone who choses to manage their ADHD without medication. I do this regardless if that person returns the favour.
I hope your post will encourage some closure on the topic. It may not, but at least you put the wheels in motion!
Very well said, thank you!
thanks for sharin’
Bravo Tara! I have to admit, I allowed myself to be dragged into this last week and I did not enjoy it!
Thanks! You are right, the debate is not helpful.
Bryan
I think your last two sentences summed it nicely. And yes…I get the hint. 😉
Well said, Tara! Like most things in life whether ADD or any thing else is a gift or a curse mostly depends on how it’s used and in what context. Pushing our own experience or belief on someone else, only creates problems.
There’s good and bad in everything, and ADHD is no different. You win a car on the Price is Right, you gotta pay the taxes. Same type of thing.
Not having ADHD is a gift and a curse. The gift for not having ADHD is being better organized, being able to think and perform as expected by the majority of society. But then again, hard to multitask, no ability to hyperfocus, harder to be creative and think outside the box.
See, a lot of things can be considered a gift and a curse. 🙂
As for meds, come on… If you need to take them so that you remember to pay the bills on time, that’s a personal choice between you and your doctor. I would resent anybody telling me otherwise.
Maybe they need a med that gives non-ADHD the our abilities! 🙂
Hi, this is my first visit to your blog. I really like your perspective on the argument. I was only recently diagnosed with adult ADD (even though I find it hard to think of myself as an adult!) and find it difficult to talk to people about it because of this perception that it only has a negative aspect to it. I’ve just started blogging on wordpress to record my experiences managing ADHD at a prestigious university using occupational therapy but no meds- I’d love to hear anyone’s feedback on the issues affecting me, as I feel quite isolated. AS FAR AS I KNOW- huge qualifier- I don’t know anyone else with ADHD that I can talk to about everyday ADDtype things!
thanks for sharing..
well.. it’s like I knew!
that of dildos in many societies is considered almost a sin or something completely out of context
the funny thing is that other things are really bad like the mistreatment of the family simply nobody says anything that’s outrageous
Masturbation is completely natural and if this is accompanied by a product that just helps make things much more pleasant for both women and men if the case
Not having ADHD is a gift and a curse. The gift for not having ADHD is being better organized, being able to think and perform as expected by the majority of society. But then again, hard to multitask, no ability to hyperfocus, harder to be creative and think outside the box.
Oh piss off. This thing is fucked. But then, I cant stand people dramatizing it either. Get over yourselves.
Oh piss off. This thing is fucked. But then, I cant stand people dramatizing it either. Get over yourselves.
oh piss off. This thing is fucked. But then
I hate it so much. I have ADHD and i find it a living hell for me. My grades have sucked so badly. I’m a 20 year old guy, and i’m still a virgin. I have missed out on a ton of opportunities in my life. Also feel as if i’m mentally delayed. It’s making me very angry from where I am in my life compared to the other people my age. Basically, my life had been a living hell, I am patently waiting for the positive’s out of the forsaken cures of ADHD. It sucks for me, and has made my life suffer big time. The people who look at me and who don’t have any issues, and that know I have issues, ADHD whatever. They distinguish me, and they tread me as if i’m retarded or something. I’m very angry because of my mental delay, compared to others my age at 20, and it’s makes me depressed. I’m applying to colleges, I highly doubt i’ll get accepted anywhere, let alone, I think i’ll just be a college drop out. My life basically sucks big time!
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PING:
TITLE: More ADD Gift vs Curse Debate
URL: http://www.myaddblog.com/2009/01/more-add-gift-vs-curse-debate.html
IP: 204.9.178.6
BLOG NAME: My ADD / ADHD Blog
DATE: 01/21/2009 11:45:04 PM
Okay, so I know I might seem like a bit of a hypocrite after my blog post ADHD Gift vs Curse Debate but tomorrow night on ADHD Coach Talk Scott Lewis and I will be…