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It’s both.
When I get caught up in doom scrolling out wake up at 3 am with my brain actually zooming around and bouncing off the walls of my skull it’s a disability.
When I’m at needing to juggle 15 tasks basically concurrently for work, when I need to find commonalities and connections that others miss, when I need to envision solutions no one else sees, when I need to get into a deep, torpedo the world flow on some sticky tricky piece of work? Then it’s a full on superpower.
Thankfully the role I’m in now needs the superpower skills frequently, and I’ve learned some mitigating tactics for the less favorable parts that work most of the time.
So I generally think of it as a superpower, with some things that are kryptonite-like. But every superhero has to have a weakness…
It depends on the day. Somtimes I despise myself for it, but sometimes I can see the superpower aspect. I can start a project like no ones business and when I'm passionate about something, no one works harder.
Same here but then I realize I don't get recognition for working hard. I get recognition for being slow and not making as much money as the other techs. Even though a large majority of the cars I work don't come back with the same problem.
No, it’s a disability. Don’t delude yourself into thinking it’s anything other than that. Practice acceptance and compassion and mindfulness of your habits and propensities instead. Treat your condition while realizing it contributes to who you are and your personality. It will be okay.
Get ssi
Easy just say it makes you more creative than other people and there's no I can or won't when it comes to certain things
Can't or won't
There's a reason there's a correlation between innovation, entrepreneurship and lots of positive skills with ADHD and neurodiversity overall.
You're not disorganized, you have a different way of organization that is not acceptable in today's corporate environment.
Older generations were fine, innovation and creativity was high, vs a very rigid, obedience based work environment like the one we have today.
You have to get to know yourself, get to know what and how and why you do the things you do, create positive behaviors that circumvent the bad, and you're golden.
Also, look for environments which aren't as rigid, which appreciate you for you.
Might seem to be hard right now, but they exist
For me my neurodiversity is absolutely a superpower.
I can recognize patterns faster than NTs.
I can predict outcomes faster.
I work better under pressure.
I can get more done faster.
I am full of useful tidbits of information I can quickly connect to other knowledge.
How is that NOT a positive differentiator?
I feel like it's a superpower whenever I'm not having to fit into existing societal structure, which is not very often...
Just like the movie Limitless.
There are aspects of adhd that make us/you perhaps better at some things, but the world is designed for “neurotypical” people and it can be hard and it is ok to accept that some things are hard.
I’m not a fan of the “superpower” rhetoric because I think it puts extra weight and stress on people who are rightfully struggling.
Yes, my pattern recognition gives me a competitive edge and the way my brain is focused on processes makes me really good with operations and creating processes. I am also late diagnosed and its all in perspective and not gonna lie my meds help some. I find myself beating myself on things outside of work. Its all in your perspective, play to your strengths and get help or outsource when you need it.
Bowl Leader
I would highly recommend reading/listening to Brené Brown's work about shame & guilt. I think wrapping my head around that plus realizing that not getting ADHD treatment made me also feel like something was "wrong" with me was helpful. ADHD is just a different brain type that we share with probably millions of people on planet Earth. We can learn about it, develop strategies to work with it, and continually learn to take it easy on ourselves. Beating ourselves up for not being different than we are hasn't been effective so far. What happens when we practice loving ourselves and slow down to listen to what our brains and hearts have been trying to tell us all along?
Another vital resource for me was Thom Hartmann's book ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer's World. The hypothesis is that ADHD was an evolutionary advantage to our ancestors and that's why it's so common. So in this society, folks with ADHD often struggle because this world is designed for linear "farmers" who are good at planning and using their executive functions. But in the right environment we can thrive!
So I, personally, am trying to keep my ADHD tendencies in mind and learn to work with them, rather than against them. We are just a different shape than the societal box we're trying to fit in. When we accept that, we can start to work towards building a life for ourselves that fits our shape better.
There's nothing wrong with us, we're just swimming upstream instead of flowing with the river.
I think there are more ADHD folks now .so concept of what is neurotypical is changing with Gen Z increasing
Neurospicy - I like that!
Nope, it’s just something I’ve learned to work around. I STRUGGLED at work and life when I was pregnant and not able to take ADHD medication. But not taking medication while on was on maternity leave wasn’t an issue at all. I think it depends a lot of the type of work you do
Never. Calling it a disability is somewhat controversial, but I'll absolutely say that it can be at least a disadvantage in a neurotypical world.
Check out The Canary Code, you might find it a validating read.
the more you can align your work to your interests and work style, the more things can flow with ADHD. not to minimize the challenges, but perhaps there is an opportunity to find “work that fits” and you’ll feel better about who you are and how you get things done.
i had a series on fishbowl - Productivity for ND Professionals. you can check out the free replays and content here:
www.clarekumar.com/fishbowl
good luck!!
At my age the body does not keep up with the mind , so I am trying different things to make sure I have a productive day, when I really need to find away to sleep more and eat better . Life is hard now.