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Is a person with add/adhd dense?...

On Health & Drugs & Medications » Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

4,246 words with 9 Comments; publish: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:13:00 GMT; (90046.88, « »)

Is a person with add/adhd dense?

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  • 9 Comments
    • It depends on what you mean by "dense"? But generally, I'd have to say no. If you mean slow to learn, it depends on the person; and how that person learns and how AD(H)D affects that person.

      SGH

      #1; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:22:00 GMT
    • Johna,

      Some of us cannot learn the details of a new skill or concept until we have learned a structure that holds the details -- we need to have a tree with all its branches BEFORE we can "hang" the leaves on it. My DH (as well as many other peole I know) can remember details and use them even before they understand the concepts behind the details. I can't.

      So it looks like we (with ADD) are slow to learn, which is true, but because we eventually have a good grasp of the structure of something and therefore know where in that structure to put the details, we often have a really good understanding of the issue -- a good overall view and a good understanding of what to do when something out-of-the-ordinary comes through. We can look at the structure, and say, hey, that new thing logically goes HERE, so this is a good way to handle it. People who just collect details often don't know what to do with something new.

      So, yes it takes us a while to get to that point (a source of frustration to our co-workers and teachers and acquaintances), but there really ARE advantages to our brain structures.

      No, we're not dense. Just different.

      --Rheanna

      #2; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:23:00 GMT
    • I left a form in my car instead of bringing it into the building because I knew I would need to complete the form at home. The principal said that I was dense.
      #3; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:24:00 GMT
    • johna,

      Just because someone calls you a rude name (like "dense") does not mean that you are what they say. It means that they are being rude. Making you feel bad allows them to feel superior to you. It does not mean that they are right.

      --Rheanna

      #4; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:25:00 GMT
    • I left a form in my car instead of bringing it into the building because I knew I would need to complete the form at home. The principal said that I was dense.

      Gosh...that principal sounds unprofessional.

      #5; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:26:00 GMT
    • Thank you for the replies to my post :) I let people's comments about me get to me to often and I shouldn't.
      #6; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:27:00 GMT
    • Johna,

      Remember the old saying: "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me!" Of course this isn't totally true, but it's a step in the right direction. People's comments affect us because humans are social creatures and naturally want to be liked and accepted by other people. One of the things we learn as we get older is that people say things for many reasons, and sometimes their purpose is to make others feel bad. Rude words will always hurt, but with practice you can learn to let them hurt less, and remind yourself that you know from other areas of your life that you are a fine person. You can learn to be hurt by the rudeness, but not hurt in your belief in yourself.

      You did good to look for someone else's view of whether you're dense or not. I hope you've chosen our "nicer" view of you, rather than the rude one!

      --Rheanna

      #7; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:28:00 GMT
    • Words can be very powerful and very hurtful. When you have ADD or some other "difference" people find it necessary to label you with unflattering names. Mostly out of ignorance and insensitivity.

      Adders tend to be more sensitive in how we react to these names and to criticism. Others can shake it off, we can't as easily. We tend to dwell on the name-calling and unfortunately take it to heart. And at times we start to believe what others say about us.

      I can't say just ignore them because I am 55 and I still have a hard time with criticism.

      Try to remember that just because you might forget something or not do something in a "logical" or "linear" fashion you are NOT dense. Adders tend to be highly intelligent and creative people. It is a gift and someday you will be glad you are different.

      WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES, even and especially authority figures.

      #8; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:29:00 GMT
    • Johna, your principal's comment was entirely inappropriate. Do NOT take it to heart. Some of the most intellligent people of all time have had ADD. Having ADD does NOT make a person dense!
      #9; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:30:00 GMT