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ADDitude asked: Do you consider attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) to be a gift, a challenge, or both? Most of you said the condition is both, a handful call it a burden -- and worse! -- and a few of you haven't made up your minds yet.
"Some days, I see how creative our 12-year-old son is, and other days, the challenge of raising him seems too great." -A.J., Kentucky
"I find it to be both. It gives me more energy, and allows me to notice more details than most people do. However, it's a challenge to concentrate and get things done." -K.K., Texas
"I think of it as a gift. We have strengths, and balance out all the type-A, perfection-driven people in the world." -Maureen, New York
"ADD/ADHD is the most challenging gift God has given me. I have to wear many hats as a church secretary, and I have a hard time staying focused on long-term projects." -Joymarie, South Dakota
"Our daughter's ADD/ADHD is a great challenge, but it has drawn us closer as a family." -Barbara, Missouri
"It's a challenge that I work at every day. I struggle with organization, but one small success came when I started entering only date- and time-specific tasks in the 'today' section of my planner. I used to put down everything in that section, and it overwhelmed me." -Robert, Georgia
"It depends on the situation. Eating out in a noisy restaurant with friends is agony. But, on balance, ADD/ADHD is a gift. The obstacles ADD/ADHD puts in your path teach you to persevere after others have given up." -Candace, Ontario, Canada
"I think it's an albatross. Anyone who considers this condition a 'gift' has either been misdiagnosed or is suffering from some other mental health issue." -Brian, New York
"It is a challenging gift that I love and hate." -Clyde, The Hague, The Netherlands
"I guess it depends on the day. Most days, I think it's a gift. On my bad days, not so much." -An ADDitude Reader
"Depending on the project, it could be either. It is a gift when big deadlines are near, and every move is critical to success. It is a challenge when things are slow, and I miss my only meeting scheduled for the day." -Catherine, Ohio
"I'm a therapist, and I felt broken when I was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. But I learned to make the condition work for me." -Laura, Oklahoma
"Neither...it's just a burden. Society is built for the normal, and there's little room for us." -Chris, Indiana
"Both! I find it difficult to remain on task and to get to work on time, but my ADD/ADHD comes in handy when my supervisors need quick, creative solutions." -Heather, Arizona
"ADD/ADHD is a challenge when it comes to the job and my most important relationships." -An ADDitude Reader
"A little of each. It allows me to be more creative, flexible, and dedicated than most people are. But my poor time-management skills cause problems at work." -Lena, California
"I have suffered from ADD/ADHD more than I have gained. I enjoy the fact that I am not an ordinary linear thinker. But I work in the field of science, where accuracy and a good memory are key. ADD/ADHD hasn't helped me much at my job." -Margaret, Arizona
Overcoming ADD/ADHD Challenges and Celebrating Gifts
4 Ways to Overcome ADD/ADHD Challenges and Achieve Your Dreams
Punishing Yourself for ADD/ADHD Problems?
Famous People With ADD/ADHD and Learning Disabilities
This article appeared in the Summer 2011 issue of ADDitude. SUBSCRIBE TODAY to ensure you don't miss a single issue.
