Comments on: You Have A.D.D. And You Can Succeed: A Rebuttal By “Paradigm Of Thought” – Part I http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm If ADD Is A Gift...Can I Return It For Something Else? Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Robin http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25250 Robin Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:39:34 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25250 I do have a somewhat-unrelated question, Tom. Concerning the old Hartman "Farmer/Hunter" hypothesis: if ADHD'ers are carryovers from the 'hyperactive hunters' in the prehistoric days, then why are so many ADHD'ers women like me? I'm pretty sure there weren't any female hunters running around with a lil' kiddie on each hip as a mastodon was taken down. Granted, this was all before the invention of Lycra, sports bras, or semi-accessible childcare. I'm sure any modern woman worth her salt can handle wrestling certain.death.for.dinner as well as any guy. But 'back in the day' I doubt the hunter's gene would've been useful, or even helpful to our female ancestors. So why do women have ADHD then? I mean, if only men have facial hair and Adam's Apples, why don't just guys have ADHD? Just a question for the masses... I do have a somewhat-unrelated question, Tom. Concerning the old Hartman "Farmer/Hunter" hypothesis: if ADHD'ers are carryovers from the 'hyperactive hunters' in the prehistoric days, then why are so many ADHD'ers women like me? I'm pretty sure there weren't any female hunters running around with a lil' kiddie on each hip as a mastodon was taken down. Granted, this was all before the invention of Lycra, sports bras, or semi-accessible childcare. I'm sure any modern woman worth her salt can handle wrestling certain.death.for.dinner as well as any guy. But 'back in the day' I doubt the hunter's gene would've been useful, or even helpful to our female ancestors. So why do women have ADHD then? I mean, if only men have facial hair and Adam's Apples, why don't just guys have ADHD? Just a question for the masses…

]]> By: Jeff http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25240 Jeff Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:49:28 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25240 Robin, you hit EVERY important point and did it wonderfully...asking all the right question. I have nothing to add to this comment except, perhaps, BRAVO!! By the time you read this comment...Part II will appear. Robin, you hit EVERY important point and did it wonderfully…asking all the right question. I have nothing to add to this comment except, perhaps, BRAVO!! By the time you read this comment…Part II will appear.

]]> By: You Have ADD/ADHD & You CAN Succeed! (Part II) | Jeff's A.D.D. Mind http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25241 You Have ADD/ADHD & You CAN Succeed! (Part II) | Jeff's A.D.D. Mind Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:32:11 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25241 [...] A Bit of Background: A lengthy comment on the blog post You Have A.D.D./A.D.H.D. and You Will NOT Be Rich and Famous resulted in a lengthy response on my part that became the blog post You Have ADD/ADHD and You Will STILL Not Be Rich and Famous. The author of the lengthy comment, Paradigm of Thought, wanted to provide a lengthy and detailed response to that second post. I asked Paradigm to email me his response (it was too long to post as a comment) and I assured him that I would post it on this blog. Because of the length of the response I am posting it in two parts. This is the second part of his response. The first part is here. [...] [...] A Bit of Background: A lengthy comment on the blog post You Have A.D.D./A.D.H.D. and You Will NOT Be Rich and Famous resulted in a lengthy response on my part that became the blog post You Have ADD/ADHD and You Will STILL Not Be Rich and Famous. The author of the lengthy comment, Paradigm of Thought, wanted to provide a lengthy and detailed response to that second post. I asked Paradigm to email me his response (it was too long to post as a comment) and I assured him that I would post it on this blog. Because of the length of the response I am posting it in two parts. This is the second part of his response. The first part is here. [...]

]]> By: Robin http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25239 Robin Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:55:15 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25239 Fact Number 1: - This may be true, but much of the data collected against/researched on ADHD is not within the realm of the social sciences, but the scientific field of medicine. Fact Number 2 - This appears to take an all/nothing view of success. Yet you give no definition of success from which to make a point of reference. Social? Educational? Economic? Vocational? And standards of success are assumed. A 'successful' entrepreneur who never finished high school may have a string of failed marriages and be completely unable to relate to his kids, or his employees. A 'successful' family man may have a string of failed jobs, a checkered academic record and no money in the bank. You take 'success' to be an all-win situation. Life is seldom this all or nothing. Also, the stigma associated with getting help for conditions such as ADHD have kept many out of helpful treatment. Are you proposing that because people who seek help acknowledge they need treatment, the people who don't seek treatment have nothing to acknowledge? 'Fact 3"' - This is presented as though self-evident. It is not fact, and cannot be proven. "Defensive pessimists" succeed all the time. Fact 4 - You made sense until mentioning "ultimate success". What is that? What is "ultimate success'? How can "ultimate success" be reached as a parent? As a spouse? As a co-worker or a supervisor? Do all your arguments center on the entrepreneurial field? And if so, how do you define success in that field? Biggest profits? Best products made? Greatest expansion in a year? I'm very curious as to how you define success. I still remember the elderly gentleman who owned a factory many years ago here in the States, through he could have easily off-shored his business. The factory had a fire and burned to the ground, and despite the extreme personal cost the gentleman owner decided to continue full pay and benefits to his workers for another 90 days. It was close to Christmas, you see. Would you define that businessman as successful? I am also curious of your introduction. I would like to know how your formulated the "myth" of ADHD. Most statistics compiled on ADHD adults focus on rates of incarceration, under/unemployment, divorce, drug addiction, school completion, wage earnings, and the like. These types of statistics consistently show a negative outlook with ADHD. Are you drawing the conclusion that because there are successful individuals with ADHD, the science must be wrong? Please explain. Fact Number 1: – This may be true, but much of the data collected against/researched on ADHD is not within the realm of the social sciences, but the scientific field of medicine.
Fact Number 2 – This appears to take an all/nothing view of success. Yet you give no definition of success from which to make a point of reference. Social? Educational? Economic? Vocational? And standards of success are assumed. A 'successful' entrepreneur who never finished high school may have a string of failed marriages and be completely unable to relate to his kids, or his employees. A 'successful' family man may have a string of failed jobs, a checkered academic record and no money in the bank. You take 'success' to be an all-win situation. Life is seldom this all or nothing. Also, the stigma associated with getting help for conditions such as ADHD have kept many out of helpful treatment. Are you proposing that because people who seek help acknowledge they need treatment, the people who don't seek treatment have nothing to acknowledge?
'Fact 3"' – This is presented as though self-evident. It is not fact, and cannot be proven. "Defensive pessimists" succeed all the time.
Fact 4 – You made sense until mentioning "ultimate success". What is that? What is "ultimate success'? How can "ultimate success" be reached as a parent? As a spouse? As a co-worker or a supervisor? Do all your arguments center on the entrepreneurial field? And if so, how do you define success in that field? Biggest profits? Best products made? Greatest expansion in a year? I'm very curious as to how you define success. I still remember the elderly gentleman who owned a factory many years ago here in the States, through he could have easily off-shored his business. The factory had a fire and burned to the ground, and despite the extreme personal cost the gentleman owner decided to continue full pay and benefits to his workers for another 90 days. It was close to Christmas, you see. Would you define that businessman as successful?
I am also curious of your introduction. I would like to know how your formulated the "myth" of ADHD. Most statistics compiled on ADHD adults focus on rates of incarceration, under/unemployment, divorce, drug addiction, school completion, wage earnings, and the like. These types of statistics consistently show a negative outlook with ADHD. Are you drawing the conclusion that because there are successful individuals with ADHD, the science must be wrong? Please explain.

]]> By: Scott Hutson http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25226 Scott Hutson Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:35:05 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25226 History does have a way of repeating itself. Most, if not all, of my "Best Friends", while growing up, started out with a fight, some phsyical, some not. But the learning from mistakes has been a way of life for me. ADD? I don't know. I'm learning......hopefully the easy way...Heh Heh..Yeah right...not. History does have a way of repeating itself. Most, if not all, of my “Best Friends”, while growing up, started out with a fight, some phsyical, some not. But the learning from mistakes has been a way of life for me. ADD? I don’t know. I’m learning……hopefully the easy way…Heh Heh..Yeah right…not.

]]> By: Jeff http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25225 Jeff Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:49:25 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25225 Surprised ya, eh? My former business partner, who I refer to in a number of posts, is also ADD and, let me tell you...when the partnership ended there was a heck of a fight. Of course...we now speak to each other once or twice a week. I had written a post about ADD being a series of perpetual "do overs" but, what I have noticed happening to myself, is I've been staying on the same path for some time now (at least in certain aspects of my life). There are still some things I'd like to start over and that just may happen. Surprised ya, eh? My former business partner, who I refer to in a number of posts, is also ADD and, let me tell you…when the partnership ended there was a heck of a fight. Of course…we now speak to each other once or twice a week.

I had written a post about ADD being a series of perpetual "do overs" but, what I have noticed happening to myself, is I've been staying on the same path for some time now (at least in certain aspects of my life). There are still some things I'd like to start over and that just may happen.

]]> By: Bryan http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25224 Bryan Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:18:39 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25224 I didn't think I would get such warm fussies over here on your blog, but I will be dog-gone! Seriously, though, you're right it will be interesting to see where we are in the next couple years. Having ADD it always seems we are starting over... doesn't it?! About 'attacks' - I think you've read my first book 'One Boy's Struggle', if you have, then you might remember that I became lifelong friends with Phil - when we first met we had a rough fight on the 3rd grade playground and the rest is history. Best friend I have ever had. That's the way of ADD sometimes! Bryan I didn't think I would get such warm fussies over here on your blog, but I will be dog-gone! Seriously, though, you're right it will be interesting to see where we are in the next couple years. Having ADD it always seems we are starting over… doesn't it?! About 'attacks' – I think you've read my first book 'One Boy's Struggle', if you have, then you might remember that I became lifelong friends with Phil – when we first met we had a rough fight on the 3rd grade playground and the rest is history. Best friend I have ever had. That's the way of ADD sometimes!

Bryan

]]> By: Scott Hutson http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25204 Scott Hutson Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:59:36 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25204 Bryan Hello! As you already know I respect you and have even devoted an entire post on my blog to you, and how quick I was to judge you, before I realized we are All fighting the same enemy.....In different ways perhaps, but the goal is still the same. I think this debate will help everyone as it unfolds. Maybe in different ways. But for me, the key word is.....HELP.( I need it for sure huh? (Chuckle)...). Bryan Hello! As you already know I respect you and have even devoted an entire post on my blog to you, and how quick I was to judge you, before I realized we are All fighting the same enemy…..In different ways perhaps, but the goal is still the same. I think this debate will help everyone as it unfolds. Maybe in different ways. But for me, the key word is…..HELP.( I need it for sure huh? (Chuckle)…).

]]> By: Jeff http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25203 Jeff Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:24:23 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25203 Bryan, Your observation is <strong> 400% correct.</strong> There's an anger and bitterness that has dissipated. I noticed that change too. I attributed it, in part, to the years of medication and so forth, but also to this blog. It has been an outlet for me and has allowed me to work through and think through so many issues. (There are many other changes, on a very personal and private level, that have also contributed to the change.) Further, the redesign of this blog is a reflection of that change and, as you'll see, more and more non-ADHD related things will be appearing on this blog. In addition, I feel that so much has been bottled up inside (positive, creative stuff) that it is pouring out of me. If I didn't stop myself...I'd have a new blog post twice a day...that's how much is pouring out...that's how much I have changed. It will be interesting to see what changes we <strong>both</strong> go through a year or two from now. Thank you for being so observant and for making the observation...and despite my sometimes acerbic attacks...thank you for remaining a friend. Jeff Bryan,

Your observation is 400% correct. There's an anger and bitterness that has dissipated. I noticed that change too. I attributed it, in part, to the years of medication and so forth, but also to this blog. It has been an outlet for me and has allowed me to work through and think through so many issues. (There are many other changes, on a very personal and private level, that have also contributed to the change.)

Further, the redesign of this blog is a reflection of that change and, as you'll see, more and more non-ADHD related things will be appearing on this blog. In addition, I feel that so much has been bottled up inside (positive, creative stuff) that it is pouring out of me. If I didn't stop myself…I'd have a new blog post twice a day…that's how much is pouring out…that's how much I have changed.

It will be interesting to see what changes we both go through a year or two from now.

Thank you for being so observant and for making the observation…and despite my sometimes acerbic attacks…thank you for remaining a friend.

Jeff

]]> By: Bryan http://jeffsaddmind.com/you-have-a-d-d-and-you-can-succeed-a-rebuttal-by-paradigm-of-thought-part-i-2008.htm/comment-page-1#comment-25202 Bryan Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:50:27 +0000 http://jeffsaddmind.com/?p=2008#comment-25202 Hi Jeff, The last remark I left was more specifically towards you and your blog. You know I don't agree with everything you write (you don't agree with everything I write either - fair is fair), but I do know where you are coming from. However, those life experiences have given you something to write about and I have noticed a more positive tone in your writing over the last 6 months or so. Unfortunately, we can't change the past - there's a lot I would love to change about my past too, or I wish had been different. Bryan Hi Jeff,

The last remark I left was more specifically towards you and your blog. You know I don’t agree with everything you write (you don’t agree with everything I write either – fair is fair), but I do know where you are coming from. However, those life experiences have given you something to write about and I have noticed a more positive tone in your writing over the last 6 months or so. Unfortunately, we can’t change the past – there’s a lot I would love to change about my past too, or I wish had been different.

Bryan

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