Confession/Explanation/Education Time: I get asked "Why do you do so much?" or "...stay so busy?," fairly often. Essentially you are asking, "Why do you own several businesses?" To most people it seems a little crazy, but for me the answer is simple. I thrive in chaos. I'm ADD and since so few people understand what this REALLY means, let me enlighten you. If you meet someone who is extremely successful in high stress/high pressure situations (Paramedic/Pilots/Actors (actually a massive percentage of people in hollywood are ADD- something like 30 to 40%) /Fireman/Military/Athletes/Salesmen/Entrepreneurs/Musicians, Etc.), but are slow at finishing paperwork, talk too much, are distracted easily, and have occasional or severe impulse control, then you have likely met someone with a form of ADD/ADHD. We thrive in chaos, but we fall to pieces in calm (think quiet office environments). Many successful actors, comedians, artists, salesman, and entrepreneurs are ADD. Ultra creative and impulsive, but that also means many criminals and addicts are also undiagnosed ADD sufferers. And now that you know people with ADD are prone to addictions, you know why I don't drink or use drugs. I think people assumed this had to do with my faith, but I didn't drink or take drugs before I became a Christian so, nope, my faith is not the reason.
We also tend to hyper focus on tasks, which is great when it is on the right task, but bad when it isn't and it isn't far more often then it is. For example, this explanation of ADD is a form of hyper focus on the wrong thing. I was planning to investigate something for a client, was distracted by an article, and I ended up here. The ADD/ADHD brain can be compared to driving a Koenigsegg Agera R (273mph-Fastest car in the world) with NO brakes. (Note: It took me 10 minutes to read about the fastest cars in the world for this post because, again, I got distracted) Our brains race without ever stopping. NEVER STOPPING. RELENTLESS. EVEN IN OUR SLEEP WE PHYSICALLY MOVE. It can be very painful (emotionally and physically) at times and we'll drive off a cliff over and over again because we don't have brakes (weak impulse control and little fear of taking risks). But our willingness to take chances is also that thing that makes a person extremely successful. I have no problem with failure and while most people are wisely afraid to leave their careers, I could (I'm not going to) quit everything tomorrow and start up another business without that fear of failure that keeps others stuck in their careers. To be fair, a large part of that confidence has to do with the fact that I have successfully started up 4 businesses. All of them are still running today, so I've learned how to budget, market, and develop the right connections to make them last (a skill you develop in middle and high school when you forget to do your homework because you were distracted with sports, girls, and being unmedicated ADD). I would not have taken those chances if I was "normal." Hopefully this will also clear up why I left P&G. Please stop asking me why I left. It was a mini personal hell for me.
Here are some myths that need to be cleared up about ADD:
If your child has it, he/she will never "grow out of it." If they "grew out of it," they never had it.
It is genetic. Several genes have been identified and most have to do with a dopamine deficiency and this is a world wide phenomena. This is not restricted to the US and, despite what you read, France's claims that the French population is less than 2% ADD is unscientific garbage.
It does affect your child's self image. A positive self image is the number 1 predictor of a child's future success. Not intellect or personality. If your child is struggling in school and you want to combat this, find ways to help your child feel successful in other areas of life. It is vital for a child (or adult) to feel that they are capable of being successful and to have a positive self image. Especially if you want to create the next Richard Branson (Virgin CEO) or John Chamber (Cisco System CEO) or David Neeleman (Founder and CEO of Jet Blue) (All 3 are ADD).
You are not a bad parent. You need to understand that your child is NOT capable of controlling their energy and they do not want to act out or, in my case, be "absent minded." That energy can be focused, but don't stick that kid in a pew at church and expect them to sit still and listen.
Roughly 5% to 7% of the entire world has this genetic trait. Many are undiagnosed world wide and another 3% to 5% are likely falsely diagnosed.
A child or adult can have it and not be hyperactive. This type is called the inattentive (daydreamer) type. (me)
People with ADD sometimes self medicate. I was a 4 sport athlete obsessed with tea (caffeine) so I was medicating like crazy back in the day and I have learned other methods to cope since, but I was never above Ritalin or Adderall. For the record, Adderall, in my opinion, makes people crazy and I consider it to be very dangerous for long term use. Ritalin is safe for the most part though. I have not taken either for years, and the 80 pounds I gained while self medicating with food in order to study while in college is proof. I have since lost 65 pounds of it, but I had to start living a diabetic lifestyle to get here.
Everyday is a struggle for a person living with this. Relationships, careers, and health will especially suffer if a person goes undiagnosed and untreated for years. If you know people who have a long history with patterns of suffering and shortcomings that they just don't understand, then tell them to investigate this with a qualified doctor. It will change their life. They will realize that they are not only capable and intelligent, but have the mental strength to take risks that have historically changed the world for the better.
One more thing. We hate time. We do not live by it well and we do not value it. We are not trying to be selfish, we just do not care to live restricted by it. This is a very, very common trait for an ADD individual. This part of us can not be changed. Sorry if you live with someone like this. I know it can be tough. Love you Emily! :)
