ADHD Advantages: The Unreported Benefits Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
As a doctor who specializes in treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, I am familiar with the negative stereotypes and debilitating drawbacks of the disorder. Some ADHD traits, such as the hyperactivity and hyper-focus on some projects while seemingly ignoring more simple and routine tasks, can lead many people to dismiss those with ADHD due to a lack of understanding.
Over the years, however, many of my patients began to recognize and appreciate their ADHD. They began to understand that ADHD gave them a different view of the world. So what are some of these positive aspects that many ADHD sufferers come to appreciate? Let's take a closer look...
Intense Focus
Hyperfocus helps get things done. It is an aspect of ADHD that can be highly beneficial with respect to task completion and productivity. This skill and attribute is highly valued by employers and schools. Even if the intense focus lasts for only for a short period, a great deal can be accomplished during that time. The trick is for the person with ADHD to be interested in the task or topic at hand. If interested and engaged in the topic, their focus can last for extended periods.
Creativity And Problem Solving
The rapid-fire mind of a person with ADHD can often blurt out five great ideas before you even get a chance to analyze the first. The reason is that the ADHD brain processes information faster.
Folks with ADHD view the world differently and from many different perspectives, which makes them great problem solvers. This also makes them great at recognizing problems before they arise. For such people to be more effective, the trick is to learn to pause long enough to gather and clearly articulate their many ideas.
Abundant Energy
Those with ADHD tend to be highly active and talkative individuals. While they can wear out most people who do not suffer from ADHD, such a high energy level has positive uses. They can often do the work of two people, and can work long shifts. The trick, again, is for the activity to be interesting rather than boring or repetitive.
Crisis Management
High energy and highly focused people are great resources during any crisis. ADDers thrive on the stimulation and chaos that would scare most other people.
Entrepreneurial Pioneers
Folks with ADHD are often action-oriented risk-takers. This is a valued skill in the world of business and developing new products and innovations. It should come as no surprise that many successful business leaders such as Microsoft's Bill Gates, Kinko's Paul Orfalea, and JetBlue's David Neelman all have ADHD and attribute part of their creativity and success to ADHD.
Conclusion: Recognizing The Power Of Positive Self-Concept
So why recognize the special attributes and advantages of ADHD? For one, it helps to combat long-held negative stereotypes. In addition, it recognizes the unique strengths and resilience of each individual with ADHD, especially those ADDer's who have shaped our world. This positive self-concept can make an enormous difference in those who thrive with ADHD and those who let it negatively define them.
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