Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurologic syndrome that exhibits symptoms such as hyperactivity, forgetfulness, mood shifts, poor impulse control, and distrac...
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I "Have" / "Am" ADHD
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Alright, not to get too philosophical here...but this thought/question has been floating through my mind for nearly two weeks now.
Is it that I *HAVE* ADHD or that I *AM* ADHD? You see, the way I explain it reveals what I think about it. If I *HAVE* ADHD, then I see it as a "condition" or something that happened to me, whereas if I say I *AM* ADHD then I'm viewing this as a part of me, a component of my personality, my identity, who I was designed and intended to be when I was created. To say I *HAVE* ADHD can lead me down a dangerous path. Unfortunately, in my opinion, I think some folks say they have ADHD and they blame the ADHD on everything bad that happens to them...and everything bad that they do to themselves and/or others. If I say that I have ADHD, I want to realize that I'm still responsible for my behaviors and I should be held to the same standards that anyone else (those without ADHD) would be held to, regardless. It's my problem to deal with. To say I *AM* ADHD can be problematic as well. I don't want ADHD to be my identity. I don't want people to think of me as "that girl who is ADHD". And honestly, I don't think I want to think of MYSELF as "that girl who is ADHD". Maybe it's all useless contemplating this? I don't know. In the end, ADHD is a part of my life and it affects who I am whether I like it or not. I just have to recognize how it affects me negatively and try to change for the better, and at the same time remember the positive ways in which it has made me creative and energetic (almost to a fault?) and given me different abilities that some other folks might not have. It's a mixed bag. Thoughts? (Please don't pull out any bazookas!) Posted on 04/30/07, 08:04 pm |
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I "AM ADHD" says that it, in and of itself defines you completely. One isn't ADHD, one HAS ADHD. Recognizing that it is an important part of you, but does not define EVERYTHING about you.
I agree that some folks can use it as an excuse for everything. The inportant part is that YOU don't do that. You recognize it as an important part of you. You can either let ADHD, or anything, control you and your life, or you can control it and your life. It all boils down to one thing, "Choice". What is your choice for how you want this, or any issue, to define you and/or your life. (Yes, you could be over thinking this a bit. LOL, Live your life, don't let life live for you!) 
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I believe that my ADD is part of me and some of it makes me who I am. I use it as a tool for creative things and multitasking and other positive things. So what I tell people is that without it I would not be exactly the person I am and that the difficult bits I am working on this way people accept it more if they know you are trying. The important thing is to accept who you are and go with it, trying not to step on too many toes on the way.
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Wow. I'm not sure how to answer this. At times I feel it is a part of me and who I am, Other times it feels like just another condition I have. The only positive thing I can see comming from this is my creativity. This question has my brain working, lol! I learned to just go with it, adapt, and accept it.
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I would like to have something positive to say about ADHD and its impact on my life, nope, nothing.
Pretty much set me up for lots of heartache and co-existing disorders because of my self-loathing. I even missed out on the creativity aspect, stick men are the best I could manage in Art class. Yeh, lifes a lot better since diagnoses and symptom management. Many positives. Of course we are responsible for our actions and ultimately must face the consequences. If you have no concept that you're behaviour is inappropriate how can you stop it, like ground hog day, same mistakes over and over. Just venting at my ADHD not you TGG or anyone elses positive experience with it. I have and will continue to manage it's symptoms but I certainly won't befriend the beast. Feel better now, time for a glass of vintage Champers. lol
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Thanks for the replies to this topic....I do find it comforting, at very least, to know that there are others who have thought about the same questions.
I started this post more than one year ago. I still struggle with the life-long negative impacts of ADHD, but I feel that in the last year, I've begun to see my ADHD as both who I am and what I have. I don't have to be identified by my ADHD, but I do have to live daily life with it and with the way it impacts my thinking (creativity, impulsivity, intuitive problem solving, lack of organization...). And I have to take responsibility to recognizing how my actions (my ADHD) affect others. Anyone else out there reading, please feel free to comment. TGG
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