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I'm not a fan of the perspective from which this article is written. Where the author writes "X is affected by ADHD", I'm inclined toward "X has a short attenti

I'm not a fan of the perspective from which this article is written. Where the author writes "X is affected by ADHD", I'm inclined toward "X has a short attention span", or "X is hyperactive". The same perspective is taken by "victims" of ADHD, parents, and members of the media alike. I think we'd all be better off if we stopped speaking of these conditions as external forces acting upon the self, and instead, as mutable characteristics of the self.

ahknight 12y ago
What are you trying to say? Whatever it was, you kind of failed at it. Are you trying to toe the now-trite line that ADHD isn't a thing or something?
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
- dasmithii 12y ago
  I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I'm suggesting that it be considered a characteristic, and not an external force. This way, we don't grow dualistic, differentiating between oneself and one's brain. I guess it's the dualism here that I'm criticizing, not ADHD itself. See the fourth paragraph: "if you have the 'illness,' the real problem is that, to your brain, the world that you live in essentially feels not very interesting." This distinction between "you" and "your brain" is what bothers me.
  - ahknight 12y ago
    As someone with clinically-diagnosed "severe ADHD" I use that language all the time. I want to do something. My mind won't let me. It really is like a devil on my shoulder sometimes. "I want to read a book." "No." "Really! It's good! We've done this be-" "No. Look, shiny!" "Neat! Now, the book..." "No. We're going to watch a show now." Sigh.
    - rezistik 12y ago
      I think the way it has to be explained is that, sometimes I'll read a book but my phone will be there. Just near me so I'll tap the on button, no notifications, back to reading. Tap the on button. Read. I didn't check the time. What time is it? Tap the on button. Ignore the time. Read. Turn the on button. I can never just read. Its fun but not exciting.
      - ahknight 12y ago
        It's splitting hairs, IMO. One form breaks out motivations and one presents an external view. It's a writing exercise more than a useful diagnostic.
    - dasmithii 12y ago
      I'd be interested to hear what Alan Watts would think of this self dialog.
gizmo686 12y ago
We do view ADHD as a mutable characteristic. It is just that some people do not like the idea of changing ourselves through use of chemicals.
trippy_biscuits 12y ago
I don't have a short attention span and I'm not hyperactive. I spend a lot of time thinking about things. I deduce things noticeably faster than my peers as long as it's not socially related. I have intense focus as long as something remains stimulating. When things lose my interest or are pointless they become tedious and it's not about attention span. I cannot stop worrying about assigned tasks to the point of anxiety. There is a mental barrier and I cannot work on the task despite intentions and efforts to do so. Medications don't really help me. They do at first, then they become less effective. An interesting side note about meds: The first time on meds I finally could see social cues and body language. It was a whole new world. I still see them off the meds now that I know about them but I may have trouble understanding what they mean due to lack of experience in receiving those signals. Getting proper sleep, nutrition, and having regular, serious exercise help more than meds. The affliction is very real. Just because you can't see it or refuse to believe in it doesn't change the fact that it impacts the lives of others.
- ahknight 12y ago
  Something to think about: it's possible you have more than one named disorder (though they could be related in chemistry). When I first started ADHD meds I had a similar reaction as you, though I wound up in actual panic attacks from the anxiety. When I treated the anxiety with an ultra-low dose then everything came out perfect. I've since stopped the anxiety med and feel I've trained myself a little more on how to handle it. I have my moments but have the skills I need now to recognize those moments and bring myself down. Luckily one can do that with mild anxiety, unlike ADHD... The biggest non-medicinal benefits are absolutely sleep, nutrition, and exercise -- you're right. Without a good foundation, nothing can be built.
- dasmithii 12y ago
  > "I don't have a short attention span and I'm not hyperactive" I thought these were the defining characteristics of ADHD? I'm sorry, please forgive my lack of familiarity. > "When things lose my interest or are pointless they become tedious"... I don't understand how this is considered a symptom of anything. To me, this is entirely normal. Things that you aren't interested in should be tedious. The mental barrier you speak of is internal honesty - you don't find importance or interest in X, and consequently, motivation doesn't emerge.

ahknight 12y ago

What are you trying to say? Whatever it was, you kind of failed at it. Are you trying to toe the now-trite line that ADHD isn't a thing or something?

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
dasmithii 12y ago
I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I'm suggesting that it be considered a characteristic, and not an external force. This way, we don't grow dualistic, differentiating between oneself and one's brain. I guess it's the dualism here that I'm criticizing, not ADHD itself. See the fourth paragraph: "if you have the 'illness,' the real problem is that, to your brain, the world that you live in essentially feels not very interesting." This distinction between "you" and "your brain" is what bothers me.
- ahknight 12y ago
  As someone with clinically-diagnosed "severe ADHD" I use that language all the time. I want to do something. My mind won't let me. It really is like a devil on my shoulder sometimes. "I want to read a book." "No." "Really! It's good! We've done this be-" "No. Look, shiny!" "Neat! Now, the book..." "No. We're going to watch a show now." Sigh.
  - rezistik 12y ago
    I think the way it has to be explained is that, sometimes I'll read a book but my phone will be there. Just near me so I'll tap the on button, no notifications, back to reading. Tap the on button. Read. I didn't check the time. What time is it? Tap the on button. Ignore the time. Read. Turn the on button. I can never just read. Its fun but not exciting.
    - ahknight 12y ago
      It's splitting hairs, IMO. One form breaks out motivations and one presents an external view. It's a writing exercise more than a useful diagnostic.
  - dasmithii 12y ago
    I'd be interested to hear what Alan Watts would think of this self dialog.

gizmo686 12y ago

We do view ADHD as a mutable characteristic. It is just that some people do not like the idea of changing ourselves through use of chemicals.

trippy_biscuits 12y ago

I don't have a short attention span and I'm not hyperactive. I spend a lot of time thinking about things. I deduce things noticeably faster than my peers as long as it's not socially related. I have intense focus as long as something remains stimulating. When things lose my interest or are pointless they become tedious and it's not about attention span. I cannot stop worrying about assigned tasks to the point of anxiety. There is a mental barrier and I cannot work on the task despite intentions and efforts to do so. Medications don't really help me. They do at first, then they become less effective. An interesting side note about meds: The first time on meds I finally could see social cues and body language. It was a whole new world. I still see them off the meds now that I know about them but I may have trouble understanding what they mean due to lack of experience in receiving those signals. Getting proper sleep, nutrition, and having regular, serious exercise help more than meds. The affliction is very real. Just because you can't see it or refuse to believe in it doesn't change the fact that it impacts the lives of others.

ahknight 12y ago
Something to think about: it's possible you have more than one named disorder (though they could be related in chemistry). When I first started ADHD meds I had a similar reaction as you, though I wound up in actual panic attacks from the anxiety. When I treated the anxiety with an ultra-low dose then everything came out perfect. I've since stopped the anxiety med and feel I've trained myself a little more on how to handle it. I have my moments but have the skills I need now to recognize those moments and bring myself down. Luckily one can do that with mild anxiety, unlike ADHD... The biggest non-medicinal benefits are absolutely sleep, nutrition, and exercise -- you're right. Without a good foundation, nothing can be built.
dasmithii 12y ago
> "I don't have a short attention span and I'm not hyperactive" I thought these were the defining characteristics of ADHD? I'm sorry, please forgive my lack of familiarity. > "When things lose my interest or are pointless they become tedious"... I don't understand how this is considered a symptom of anything. To me, this is entirely normal. Things that you aren't interested in should be tedious. The mental barrier you speak of is internal honesty - you don't find importance or interest in X, and consequently, motivation doesn't emerge.