ADD / ADHD is not real?

[Nektaris]

I have this problem too. Can't focus on the subject even if I try with all of my will.

@Nictos Did you get some pills or what? It is not clear in your posts.

[lachlaan]

I'd say I might have it too, as a lot of stuff quickly loses my interest, and I've definetly allowed myself to sink into a pattern where I need to switch up stimuli often, both on the micro and the macro scale, to feel engaged enough. But then I can't really say I have it after having been able to focus through ~5 hour raids in various MMOs, or several hour wormhole OPs in EVE online, or burn through the last 3 dune novels in a few weeks when I felt like it.

Perhaps ADD and ADHD could be manageable by some self-discipline and self-tuning. If only we were all great theorycrafters in terms of brain pattern manipulation, there'd be no such thing as ADD on the scale it's considered today After having to deal with my own minor attention issues though, I can't imagine what a person who's got it bad enough to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD goes through. Hopefully the average level of knowledge goes up at the same rate it has so far, and kids of the future will just self-diagnose early on and fix it with some dissipriiiine.

[kai]

ADD/ADHD to me is normal human behaviour regarding the situations we are placed in. everyone likes to categorize people and like to have an excuse for what people do. lack of parental discipline is a big cause but so is the unnatural environment of the modern world such as a school classroom and computer games that feed the brain making it highly active.

[loftar]

Wasn't school like this for most people?

Some people wanted to be better but mentally couldn't, is what I'm trying to say. In my example, I used every inch of my will to keep focused on the topic, but simply couldn't. That's when I realized I had a problem.

I question your implication that "normal people" don't focus because they just don't want to. Focus can be a problem for anyone, and I've never seen anyone manage to describe a clear-cut distinction in this aspect between those diagnosed with ADD and those not thus diagnosed.

The ability to focus is something that must be learned and trained for anyone, and I would argue that there is at least a risk that saying that "I have ADD so I can't do that" just gives you an excuse not to do that. What is just as bad is that it also seems to provide parents and teachers with a similar excuse.

I also feel that psychology oftentimes displays a general tendency to classify perfectly normal and reasonable variations in behavior and attitude as "diseases" and "disorders" that I do not agree with and do not find healthy.

[Syndarn]

Well.. i just learned this recently. In my view that's your 3rd eye\minds eye going out of control and showing you stuff. So a normal person would listen what the teacher is saying.. as of the add/adhd one would think how does it look from the teachers perspective.. and constantly has your mind wander away to visualize your school hallways.. or the yard outside. Or something like that. I had a lot of this when i was younger. Didn't really know what it was though until like a couple of days ago. So i guess you need to calm your mind by meditating or something to take back control of it.

[loftar]

[Thor]

I agree with Loftar. People tend to get diagnosed with disorders way too easilly. I was a pretty wild case back in the days, but no one diagnosed me with anything or even suspected such. I was simply acknowledged as "a bit more lively than other kids". Probably a case of ADHD if I was born more recenty.

My kids will probably be diagnosed with those "disorders" in the future since it seems they have obviously inherited my wild genes.

[Nictos]

I agree with Loftar. People tend to get diagnosed with disorders way too easilly. I was a pretty wild case back in the days, but no one diagnosed me with anything or even suspected such. I was simply acknowledged as "a bit more lively than other kids". Probably a case of ADHD if I was born more recenty.

Exactly the same with me. I was known to have a "strong personality". Turns out you can use that in your favor if you learn to control it. ADHD / ADD is a gift and a curse.

Also to answer the question from earlier I was medicated very briefly, but I never took it regularly. I didn't want it to have control of me. I keep it around for the really tough days.

[Gacrux]

Well.. i just learned this recently. In my view that's your 3rd eye\minds eye going out of control and showing you stuff. So a normal person would listen what the teacher is saying.. as of the add/adhd one would think how does it look from the teachers perspective.. and constantly has your mind wander away to visualize your school hallways.. or the yard outside. Or something like that. I had a lot of this when i was younger. Didn't really know what it was though until like a couple of days ago. So i guess you need to calm your mind by meditating or something to take back control of it.

You forgot your healing crystals in your hemp jacket, kiddo.

[Nictos]

Wasn't school like this for most people?

Some people wanted to be better but mentally couldn't, is what I'm trying to say. In my example, I used every inch of my will to keep focused on the topic, but simply couldn't. That's when I realized I had a problem.

I question your implication that "normal people" don't focus because they just don't want to. Focus can be a problem for anyone, and I've never seen anyone manage to describe a clear-cut distinction in this aspect between those diagnosed with ADD and those not thus diagnosed.

The ability to focus is something that must be learned and trained for anyone, and I would argue that there is at least a risk that saying that "I have ADD so I can't do that" just gives you an excuse not to do that. What is just as bad is that it also seems to provide parents and teachers with a similar excuse.

I also feel that psychology oftentimes displays a general tendency to classify perfectly normal and reasonable variations in behavior and attitude as "diseases" and "disorders" that I do not agree with and do not find healthy.

Loftar, what exactly are your methods of focusing? I'm actually very curious.