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> My experience with ADD is that it's not just "doesn't pay attention to what someone else wants"; it's "I can't pay attention to what I want to pay attention t

> My experience with ADD is that it's not just "doesn't pay attention to what someone else wants"; it's "I can't pay attention to what I want to pay attention to". So kids with ADD can't concentrate for hours on, say video games or other interests?

colechristensen 11y ago
No that's mischaracterizing what I think the parent intended. It's not "I can't focus on anything" but "I often have problems focusing on things I _want_ and try to focus on".
oofabz 11y ago
A kid might focus for hours on video games, while telling himself he really needs to write that paper for class tomorrow. Maybe you could say his id is in control of focus, not his ego.
- tomp 11y ago
  Doesn't that describe pretty much everyone? Or maybe I have ADD as well...
  - wpietri 11y ago
    If you're curious, I found the books by Hallowell and Ratey helpful. One of them contained a self-assessment quiz. It's meant to be descriptive, not diagnostic, but it was very useful to me in seeing the pattern. Here's a web version: http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/adhd-self-assessment-quiz-2/ http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/adhd-self-assessment-quiz-2/
stephenboyd 11y ago
Most people, if they could actually choose what they're able to sustain focus on, would not choose video games or other forms of idle entertainment. Wouldn't you rather do something that brings some lasting value to your life? Since video games are designed to capture attention at the expense of all other qualities, they're like a last refuge for people who want to have the experience of really getting into something, but don't have the focus control for something more substantial.
- eigenbom 11y ago
  Unless your comment also applies to novels and films I suspect you haven't got a clear idea about what games are.
  - stephenboyd 11y ago
    It also applies to films and to a lesser extent, novels. Of course, some truly great games provide more than just temporary entertainment, and the same applies to TV shows.

colechristensen 11y ago

No that's mischaracterizing what I think the parent intended. It's not "I can't focus on anything" but "I often have problems focusing on things I _want_ and try to focus on".

oofabz 11y ago

A kid might focus for hours on video games, while telling himself he really needs to write that paper for class tomorrow. Maybe you could say his id is in control of focus, not his ego.

tomp 11y ago
Doesn't that describe pretty much everyone? Or maybe I have ADD as well...
- wpietri 11y ago
  If you're curious, I found the books by Hallowell and Ratey helpful. One of them contained a self-assessment quiz. It's meant to be descriptive, not diagnostic, but it was very useful to me in seeing the pattern. Here's a web version: http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/adhd-self-assessment-quiz-2/ http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/adhd-self-assessment-quiz-2/

stephenboyd 11y ago

Most people, if they could actually choose what they're able to sustain focus on, would not choose video games or other forms of idle entertainment. Wouldn't you rather do something that brings some lasting value to your life? Since video games are designed to capture attention at the expense of all other qualities, they're like a last refuge for people who want to have the experience of really getting into something, but don't have the focus control for something more substantial.

eigenbom 11y ago
Unless your comment also applies to novels and films I suspect you haven't got a clear idea about what games are.
- stephenboyd 11y ago
  It also applies to films and to a lesser extent, novels. Of course, some truly great games provide more than just temporary entertainment, and the same applies to TV shows.