Prof Fitzgerald contends that some of the exact same factors that can make ADHD so difficult to manage have been turned into positives by these people. His arguments set me thinking about one of the most overlooked aspects when it comes to discussing ADHD, namely the fact that the condition can also have some very positive outcomes. This week’s article is a continuation of the discussion that I began in response to this. I already focused on the fact that people with ADHD are often noted for their creativity, drive and compassion. These traits are by no means the only positive results that can stem from the correct management of ADHD. Here are some more ‘ADHD Positives’

The proposed new edition of the DSM is attracting widespread criticism as it is felt that the psychiatrists working on it must suffer from a disorder off their own namely “Over Definition Addiction”! Many things that were previously just seen as being part of the scale of normal human behavior are described as disorders in the manual. Whatever you are struggling with, it seems that the new DSM will have a label for you:

One of the most enduring debates in the world of psychology is the one dealing with nature versus nurture. In its essence this debate boils down to the question whether your psychological state (and your thoughts, feelings and behaviors) is primarily determined by your genes (nature) or your environment (nurture). This is obviously not an issue that I will be able to solve in a short article! It is, however, interesting to note how this debate plays out when it comes to ADD/ADHD. I would also like to showcase some research that is bringing the ‘accepted’ wisdom in this area into question.

Up to now the consensus was that ADHD is caused almost exclusively by genetic factors. This is the belief that was very energetically pushed by the major drug companies as it implies that the condition cannot be effectively addressed by changes in the environment of the person dealing with ADHD. Instead, they would have us believe, medication should be used to straighten out the problems caused by nature. Pushing this belief was obviously a very profitable move by the drug companies, as is evidenced by their record profits that they have earned from drugs designed to address attention problems. However, this notion (that ADHD is all down to nature and not nurture) is being challenged by a groundbreaking new study.

The fact that ADD/ADHD can have some positive benefits has once again been highlighted by Prof. Michael Fitzgerald from Trinity College in Dublin. He addressed a recent meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists on the subject of ADHD Creativity, Novelty Seeking and Risk. Prof Fitzgerald analyzed the lives of some achievers and believes that it is possible to ‘diagnose’ ADD/ADHD in some of them on the basis of the historical record.

Certain positions require unique needs to get the job accomplished, which calls for a certain fit than others. Nothing could be more true for the ADD/ADHD person. If you are feeling that your job isn’t “you,” there may be a reason and it could be linked to your ADD/ADHD. And if your child is beginning to think about future employment
or college majors, his/her ADD must be considered, too.

Having ADD/ADHD does not mean you cannot succeed – it merely means that you are dealing with a many things that influence every aspect of your life including hobbies to your stress level to your motivation. There are close to thirty career paths that could be to be suited for those that have ADD/ADHD. In this article, we’ll look dig into what makes a job workable with ADD people and the methodology of finding where you best suited.

If you are considering a career change, or if you are a “first-timer” with regards to a career, it might be well worth your time to seek the help of a career counselor. This is a person who can administer testing to assess your interests and your aptitudes. But as well, you need to make sure your counselor has a thorough understanding of your particular brand of ADD/ADHD so that this is taken into consideration .

Studies have told us that ADD/ADHD workers need a job that has pressure, autonomy, and variety. Pressure comes in the form of the excitement from a job that causes your adrenaline to flow. Having independence does not mean you have to be in charge, but you probably prefer to work at your own pace and be expected to handle what is before you without being watched all the while. Everyone knows what it means to have variety? A job without variety is never going to work for the ADDer!

So what exactly is a ADD/ADHD-friendly job anyway?

An ADD-friendly job usually requires that a person with ADD must pay attention to the details for time segments that are much shorter than most people. The length of time depends greatly on each person person. Particularly if your are extremely stimulated by what you are doing, you have the ability to concentrate for longer periods of time.

An ADD-friendly job can include that of the role of supervisor if you can pay closer attention to other people’s work including your own. Depending on how much stress details cause you, it is possible that you might be better suited to leave the managing to someone else!

An ADD-friendly job offers a frequently changing environment along with multiple
responsibilities. The influences that bring about boredom are much less. In addition, most ADDers prefer to work independently and take a lot of ownership in their successes. When all of these things are present, the opportunity for satisfaction is not too farfethced!

If you are evaluating a career or trying to determine if it’s time for a job change, ask yourself the following questions.

- What are the duties of this particular job/career?

- How must autonomy will you have?

- Is this a detail oriented position? Will it be boring to you or can you see yourself becoming stimulated by these tasks?

- Is the position sitting at a desk all day or do you move around a lot? In other words, does it offer a lot of change in
job duties or or is it a repetivitive job long?

Will there be enough interesting activities to keep you going and hyped up about your job?

The odds are that your job will not meet all these points, but check that you find as many as you can. Everyone needs to be able to give a little degree, but the position must also be a good good fit, too! In next week’s article, we’ll begin to take a look at 30 job categories that are ADD/ADHD-friendly!