ADD – A Curse Or A Gift In Disguise?

ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder, according to epidemiological data, covers roughly about 4 to 6 percent of the whole U.S. population. What is this ADD? ADD is often described as a lifelong developmental disability that can first be detected in infancy, early childhood or even in adolescence, and which affects a child's ability to concentrate and control impulses and behavior. It generally persists throughout a person’s lifetime and is not limited to children. Approximately one-half to two-third of children with ADD will continue to have significant problems with ADD symptoms and behaviors as adults which have deep impact on their social, family and professional relationship. The most common behavioral characteristics of ADD are:
i) impulsivity, ii) distractibility and iii) hyperactivity. In order to meet the diagnostic criteria, these behaviors must be excessive, long-term and pervasive. The behavior must appear before the age of seven and continue for at least six months.

Scientific studies for over 95 years have consistently identified a group of individuals who have trouble with concentration, impulse control and sometimes hyperactivity. The name given to this group of individuals, our understanding of them and the estimated prevalence of this group has changed quite a number of times over the past six decades. But the symptoms have consistently been found to cluster together. However, currently the syndrome has been recognized by the courts, the United States Department of Education, the Office for Civil Rights, the United States Congress, the National Institute of Health, and all major professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, and educational associations as a disability.

So is ADD a curse that affects all fields of human existence? The human genome project says ADD is genetic. And the fact lies that amongst the minor percentage of population actually affected by this disability includes some of the most successful inventors, pioneers, self-made billionaires, rock stars and innovators.

The ADD gene affects the brain’s relationship with dopamine. This causes one to feel the urge of stimulation just to feel alive. Thus it effects in seeking thrills, taking risks, discovering new ways to do things, be bolder, and have more charisma. The key to success lies in learning how to channel the creative energy into taking intelligent risks, and driving the whole energy in a positive direction. This could be done with the help of proper therapy and guidance. Rather than trying to escape from the facts and suppress the traits, more emphasis should be given on how to harness it. ADD-ers don't need to learn how to sit still and focus on details, because hyper focus is a natural asset of ADD when it's aroused. What ADD-ers need to learn is how to evoke and manage the passion that elicits hyper focus.

Thus it could be well concluded that in spite of ADD being labeled a disability, it could unleash the ability of an individual to do things a normal person might not be able to in his whole life. Once the secret of harnessing the flow of creative energy is mastered, for an individual having ADD, the sky is the limit.

To learn more about the positive effects of ADD visit Positively ADD