Comments on: Attention Deficit Déjà Vu

By: The ADHDeer-in-Headlights Syndrome | CHICAGO CARLESS

The ADHDeer-in-Headlights Syndrome | CHICAGO CARLESS — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:49:08 +0000

[...] the worst case scenario, an ADHDer’s superhuman power of hyperfocus kicks in. Once that happens, no one could pay you to stop fixating on the potential for further [...]

By: What I Found In My (Mental) Closet | Jeff's A.D.D. Mind

What I Found In My (Mental) Closet | Jeff's A.D.D. Mind — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:22:35 +0000

[...] – What I consider the best single-post description of A.D.D. was written by Mike Doyle of Chicago Carless. See: Attention Deficit Déjà Vu [...]

By: Gina Pera

Gina Pera — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:58:51 +0000

Nice job, Mike. Explaining ADHD to the general public isn’t easy.

I agree with my friend Betsy — great to see blogs such as yours and Jeff’s. Let’s plaster the Internet with ‘em……ADHD is real.

Gina

By: Katy B.

Katy B. — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:00:29 +0000

Mike, I like the greeting card idea. I would like to propose one for when I’m in one of my frequent bouts of hyperfocus that says “(outside) My dearest friend…(inside) either kindly shut the f*ck up, or refrain from criticizing when it seems like I’m not getting anything done later.”

For when I can’t listen when people are talking “(outside) Just a little something to express my truest feelings…(inside) Maybe if what you were saying wasn’t so goddamed interesting it would be easier for me to simply listen.”

Oh dear…you may have just inspired a new way to fill the entire afternoon…

By: Mike Doyle

Mike Doyle — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:26:41 +0000

You’re welcome, Betsy. Jeff probably won’t mind if I tell you, he said the exact same thing about that sentence. Misery loves company I suppose If only humor would make those deadlines easier to meet.

I know Jeff doesn’t like Ed Hallowell, promoter of the idea that ADD/ADHD is a “gift.” But I did read something over on his site that made sense. On his “newest findings” page, Hallowell uses this metaphor to describe our plight:

“Having ADD is like having a race car for a brain, A Ferrari engine for a brain. It will propel you to win many races in your lifetime. However, there is one problem. You have bicycle brakes! So, you need to see a brake specialist…Once you get your brakes strengthened, then the race car can win races instead of spinning out on on turns.”

That makes sense to me. The problem isn’t starting the next task, it’s yanking myself away from the previous one. I think as ADDers we place a lot of effort on the wrong goal–moving forward. I think adding trying to let go of what we’re doing, instead, would allow those deadlines to be met a little more easily.

Maybe!

By: betsy davenport, phd

betsy davenport, phd — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:08:48 +0000

Your sentence, below, is so apt.

“But the occasional ability to meet a client deadline the first time I put it on my calendar instead of the fifth would sure have me feeling like a million bucks.”

Even occasionally, it would be such a profound pleasure. And I mean, profound. Your post is excellent. I am a regular over at Jeff’s ADD Mind and I am gratified to see increasing numbers (among them, yours) of blogs where intelligent, articulate people write the truth.

Thank you.

By: Handyman

Handyman — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:42:43 +0000

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