Adult ADD can be a tricky condition to have and talk about. I think the biggest challenge is the stigma of being ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder – often lumped in with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), followed by a personal acceptance that you have it and the willingness to do something about it.
I was diagnosed about 2 years ago and I wish I found out sooner. Accepting the diagnosis and starting medication for it transformed my life. I am impressed that I managed to achieve as much as I did before my diagnosis! I am still learning more about the condition today, mostly through other people’s experiences.
Tamaryn Shepherd has written pretty openly about her journey in her posts “On Adulting With ADD” and “On Adult ADD: 5 Things I Want Non-ADD People To Know“. Another great post is Michelle Lewsen’s post titled “9 Things People Say to People with ADHD“. I love these posts because I can identify with them and laugh at my quirks at the same time.
If you are curious about adult ADD, read these posts. If you have adult ADD, definitely read them before you get distracted!
@pauljacobson Useful posts, thanks! Diagnosed 4 years ago and haven’t looked back.
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@timkeller you’re welcome!
As it happens, I am a morning person. Our son definitely is. My wife isn’t a morning person at all and we’re not sure whether our daughter is, yet.Whether you are a morning person or not, it apparently has a lot to do with genetics. Brian Resnick delves into why this is the case on Vox in his article titled “Late sleepers are tired of being discriminated against. And science has their back”.
It turns out that this is also very much a cultural issue with the expectation being that people who are not morning people are somehow slackers. I didn’t think about it in those terms, probably because I tend to function better in the mornings (at least, once I’ve taken my meds).
Watch this Vox video titled “Late sleeper? Blame your genes” that accompanies Resnick’s article, perhaps with coffee while you wake up.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuCYyKJ0-X0?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent&w=700&h=424%5D
On a related note, it also turns out that so-called “coffee naps” are great ways to recharge during the day. I tend to nap for around 20 minutes and will do that if I have an opportunity because it works well for me.
Apparently, a cup of coffee right before a 20 minute nap could be just the thing you need to recharge and return to a much more productive state. According to Vox:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaI5LWj6ams?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent&w=700&h=424%5D
So, if you’re ever accused of being lazy or slacking off because you’re not a morning person or because you just want to have a quick nap and recharge, there is a body of science backing you up!
If you’re curious, also watch “How does caffeine keep us awake?“.
Image credit: Hernan Sanchez