You Have A.D.H.D. and, Sorry to Say This, You Are Probably NOT a Genius

Very interesting, Jeff. Thanks for drawing our attention to this. I’ve always wondered how Goldman substantiated his theories, and now I see that…he hasn’t!

As the article points out:
“As Waterhouse put it, the theory is “persisting without adequate evidence” — and was likely to continue to do so, she added, because of the “good news stories” it provides.”

Happy stories sell!

The decades-long trend of “gifted” designations in elementary schools has always made me shudder. Do these educational “geniuses” who came up with that have no empathy at all for children who, according to this system, have no gifts? I’m not sure it’s better to take it to the other extreme — that all children have gifts — if it means ignoring their weaknesses.

Some teachers do understand the importance of good neurocognitive functioning when it comes to learning, and that sometimes this involve medication. Some, however, bring some dangerously romantic ideas to the special ed classroom — namely, that deficits are gifts.

I especially like this part of the article:

“By contrast, a wealth of evidence supports the existence of “g,” which, contrary to the claims (or wishes) of some people, remains a strong predictor of academic performance, job performance — particularly in highly technical careers or those requiring decision making — and other markers of “success.”

g

Oops, of course, I meant Gardner, not Goldman. And I didn’t even mean Goldman but Goleman (as in Daniel Goleman and emotional intelligence).

I’ll go back to watching the polenta now…was worried it would burn so I rushed!

Gina, thank you for your comments. And when you get a chance…share your polenta secrets. I tried it once. Didn’t care for the result.

Gina,

You will probably like this “tweet” I wrote about a week ago: “I figured out why I am an A.D.D. failure. My inner child is interfering with my inner genius while confounding my inner DaVinci.”

Ha! Very good. Tell that inner brat of yours to take a powder.

Hmmm, wish you could have enjoyed some of that dinner I made tonight — a sort of lamb ragu with shitake mushrooms and zucchini atop polenta with just a bit of chipotle peppers.

Polenta is easy (growing up, we called it “mush” — I think that’s a southern thing). If you can make oatmeal, you can make polenta. Get the water boiling, add a little salt, stir in some good-quality cornmeal (aka Whole Foods bulk bin), and keep stirring frequently until it’s thick. Let it sit with the lid for a while until it’s set. Sorry I don’t have any recipe. I’m like my mother — I eyeball it.

g

Something I have always noticed about wanting conformation about ourselves,and falling for unproven written info.>I have known people that believe in astrology/horoscopes. I have looked at horoscopes,and found out I can pick any “Sign”(libra,gemini,aquarius,etc…)and WOW!! Thats ME!!

Just an opinion about believing in what we want to be.

Scott.

Scott,

You are absolutely correct! We believe in what we want to believe in. Further, the “predictions” are usually very generic. They can be applied to most any situation.

Jeff,
I thought(predicted..chuckle) you would agree with that example of the power of the authors of many subjects we are exposed to.

I see it in the media particularly(politics,commercials,etc…).Which brings to mind, the the old saying “You can lead a horse to water…But…”

I am guilty of being too thirsty,for most of my life.It can leave a very bad taste in my mouth at times. So I am willing to concede to the fact,as Popeye says;”I ams what I ams”…And try to cull the facts out of the information I read and hear.Thats the easy part. Culling the facts out the information in my own mind…well, it’s a starting point.

Scott.

It all depends on how you define a Genius. I am 58 and was diagnosed at 56. I look back at my report cards and in hindsight is so clear that I had and have ADHD.
I can’t draw but when I sign my name, the G reminded me of a sailboat so I now paint sailboats.
I wrote a short book cause I felt like it. It is kinda about me though I changed the names.
Imemorized the smell of 500 plus aroma chemicals and essential oils.
Am I a genius? I prefer gifted

The point, though, is that there is no causal relationship between ADHD and “genius” no matter how “genius” is defined.

And, if you don’t mind me asking, what triggered the late diagnosis?

     It all depends on genius and I disagree if I may. Clever, is how I prefer to be referred to. My opinion. ADHD has good points and bad points.
     Barbara Sher defines a Genius as somone who looks at something and sees things differently. It is combined with creativity which I have. You might have heard of the term hyperfocus or superfocus. I do this for short bursts and sometimes longer stints if I am interested in something. It is called being a scanner as well. I don’t have to finish every project I start. Others can do that better. Then again I might gain renewed interest in a previous project.
     Re: late diagnosis. ADHD can present itself as many co morbidities. If a therapist does not look at all aspects then the symptoms are fragmented.
I was told medication would not help earlier on which was a crock of……as if panic attacks are a way of life and have to be dealt with…….
I was in and out of therapy with no joy as such. But I went back at age 56 and was given a questionairre that asked in excess of 200 questions. Then a second test of 65 questions. Around 2hrs of conversation and whammo. DING.
     I am on dexedrine and it works great as long as I remember to take it. Works as in slowing my thoughts and helps me sleep without continuous worrying.There are so many symptoms of ADHD, some more indicative than others and some more prelevant than others as well. If you read my report cards it would be obvious in hindsight but no one ever asked to read them.
     My career in perfumery totalling 35 years is falling apart and I am looking at options but not much interests me or if it does they require a degree and experience. I am in a jam and no way will I commit to a long course in whatever as I would lose interest.
G

I’ve argued extensively over whether there are any good points to ADHD. The science is on my side: there aren’t any good points. Dr. Barkley addresses this (I believe it’s in the fifth video…see: http://jeffsaddmind.com/resources/dr-russell-barkley-expert-adhd)

I’m just a couple of years younger than you and I, too, was never diagnosed as a kid even though my school behavior, like yours, was a real red flag that something was really wrong.

I hope you’re able to figure out how to get out of your jam. It’s a tough economy out there.

And thanks for sharing your story about your diagnosis. For me, Wellbutrin has the effect of slowing my thoughts a bit so I can intervene just in case one of the thoughts is “scream at your neighbor.”

     Wanna trade videos? I have a number of videos and documents showing that there is a very fine line between being gifted and having adhd. Maybe they blend together. Where does one start and end? No one has all the answers just as there are no good guys and bad guys.
     ADH”D” is labelled a disorder for funding at times. I resent the fact that I am labelled with a disorder.
     I draw different conclusions, see and interpret differently and yes I miss alot of social cues and say things inappropriately, I bore easily, I am not great at organizing, I am ,misunderstood, but to some degree, isn’t everyone.
     Is a person who operates a merry go round all day normal because he/she  can do one thing all day and do it well? Or are they limited by their inability to access the other 95% of their brain. To them, they may seem to be functioning at a high level.
     I immigrated to Australia in 1988 at the age of 35 and it was very enlightening to see things from another point of view.
     My psychologist bills are free.
     There are still people who would say thee is no such thing as ADHD and that it is a ploy for companies to boost sales of medications. ADHD is not flavour of the month.
     Some of us are awesome at some things and lacking in others. You can call that deficit if you wish but that does nothing more than destroy a person’s self esteem.
     I have seen alot of negativity on this site and people bashing themselves and others.
     I have tools that work for me.
     I must also be aware of my weaknesses. I carry around a piece of paper and pen and if given instructions, I ask that person to slow down while I write everything down.
     In 9th grade I scored a 61 on the math SAT and went to summer school and scored a 98. So how did my scored go from 61 to 98? Because I wasn’t connecting with teacher 1 and did with teacher 2. If I went through life with teacher 1 then I would have one diagnosis/label and if I had teacher 2′s they would say I was super bright?
     Many times we are lead down the wrong path?
     Why was it that 3 shrinks got it wrong and 1 finally right?
     It isn’t easy being me and I need reminders……..but a disorder is a bit over the top and at times insulting.
     Too much negativity on this board running rampant.
g

Let’s avoid the “dueling videos,” at least for now.

You are only a few years older than me so it is likely that the reason your adhd wasn’t diagnosed earlier is probably the same reason for me. It wasn’t until the 1990s that it became widely accepted that people did not grow out of adhd. It was, for a long time, considered to only be a problem of childhood.

You’re correct that there’s a fair amount of negativity on this blog. However, and speaking solely for me, I had to work through the negativity, I had to get it all out, in order to get to “the other side,” so to speak. For me, that other side was accepting my diagnosis, owning it, acknowledging that it will be with me till the very end of my life. However, I have not concluded that this “disorder” is a gift or a blessing or has something good about it. Instead, I’ve adopted what I call the mosquito theory of adhd: it’s annoying and all I can do is avoid its bite…but sometimes it will bite. And I can go for long periods of time when the mosquito isn’t all that annoying but then there are days when I want to smash the damn insect.

Final point. I refuse to conflate my intelligence with my adhd. It’s because of chance that “adhd” and “intelligence” occupy the same mind/body, and one can exist without the other. Furthermore, intelligence is useless if you can’t focus it and that’s exactly what adhd makes it difficult to do. ADHD is antimatter in relation to intelligence. This view is not negative or doom and gloom. It is an acknowledgement of reality as-it-is.

Jeff
(Sent via crackberry)

Have you looked at the “Hunter/Farmer” comparison by Ratey?
We seem to be left over hunters. If all we did was focusing on the rabbit and didn’t see the dear on the side, the rabbit might outrun us and we end up with no meat. But the hunter would have changed tacks and would have spotted the deer.

When I work, I get too many ideas at the same time. Now I try to write them all down and sort. I have to keep reminding myself though.

I also talk way to much to anyone and everyone and that got me into hot water at work. I was misunderstood. I had 2 talks with the owner and when I showed him my meds we kinda agreed that I need an outlet for thoughts but 9-5 wasn’t it.

I am still looking to leave this crappy company the is bleeding red ink and looking to the newer perfumer as a magic bullet.

My hours were ruthlessly halved (breach of contract) but after the talk with the owner I feel the MD’s (Managing Director aka hatchet man) rash decision was over ruled. My predicament is interesting in that my hours are halved but my pay remains full. Go figure. Meanwhile I keep my mouth shut which is hard and keep searching for something I like. Hard when I have been in the same industry for 35 years, no retail experience, and no silly degrees other than a BA in geology.

Stay tuned batfans.

Oh, if I ever need ummm a payback, the TGA will get an annon phonecall about a huge noncompliance…….

G

Since the comments will keep nesting and nesting…I’ll post a new comment that’s really my reply to your comment.

Georgenius, I’m aware of the hunter/farmer metaphor. I actually think it is wrong and misleading. You’ll have to wait for my book for the explanation of why I think the metaphor is wrong.

I also have the problem of overproduction of ideas. Since I work at home I can capture those excess ideas by jotting down some notes and putting it in a folder with each folder representing a potential or ongoing project. Though I’ve learned to shut my mouth…there are times when I just can’t do it. Depending on the situation I’ll apologize profusely and then let loose with whatever I felt compelled to say or I may say, “I’ve got to leave the room. I may say something I will regret.”

And in light of your education, maybe you can revive the now moribund “Pet Rock” business.   (For those unfamiliar with Pet Rocks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Rock )

Georgenius, I’m aware of the hunter/farmer metaphor. I actually think it is wrong and misleading. You’ll have to wait for my book for the explanation of why I think the metaphor is wrong.

I also have the problem of overproduction of ideas. Since I work at home I can capture those excess ideas by jotting down some notes and putting it in a folder with each folder representing a potential or ongoing project. Though I’ve learned to shut my mouth…there are times when I just can’t do it. Depending on the situation I’ll apologize profusely and then let loose with whatever I felt compelled to say or I may say, “I’ve got to leave the room. I may say something I will regret.”

And in light of your education, maybe you can revive the now moribund “Pet Rock” business.   (For those unfamiliar with Pet Rocks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Rock )

The problem with the ideas I have are I never finish them. I need somone to champion my ideas.
Then there is branding/marketing.
I made a great copy if you will of a mens cologne and womans perfume. offered it to the sailing club as a viable alternative to stupid raffle tickets.
1 100ml blue plastic pump bottle with sailing club label for $15 each, the club gets $10 and you get a great product. Hardly any sell though many like it.
If it said Tommy Hillfiger……….
Womans Perfume costs $22/ Liter to make. Go figure
g

I’m well aware of this type of problem. I tell all of my clients that I’m a great source of ideas but, it is up to them to figure out which are the good ones and which are the bad ones.