TeenHelp - ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

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ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

I noticed that I have to work harder than everyone else and my mom says it's because I have ADHD. Is it true that if you have ADHD, you have more trouble doing everyday activities that others can easily do? Like I have to go to work early to get things done rather than the normal time.

Re: ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

Well ADHD makes it harder to concentrate so I think that is why it would take you longer to complete activities.

Re: ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

I agree with Nicole. I do not have ADHD, but I have Cerebral Palsy, and some tasks take longer than others for me to complete. It's nothing to be ashamed of or feel bad about.

Re: ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, usually tends for people to have to work harder than others, much like ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). It's not a bad thing. You didn't ask for ADHD, but it does require a bit more work than others. You have a harder time concentrating on any one thing, and you are very hyperactive (or hyper, in order words) making it difficult to do things in general.

Re: ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

I have ADHD and yes everything does take me longer, I have found asking for extra time helps me.

Re: ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

I'm actually a very fast and efficient work, and I learn very fast too - the problem is that I can't organize my thoughts all the time. There's usually so much going on in my head that I simply have a hard time prioritizing my attention. If I couldn't organize my thoughts internally, then there was no way I'd be able to effectively articulate them, it's like trying to untangle a giant knot sometimes. Then in school, I'd get frustrated if I fell behind and completely give up, afraid that if I tried and failed then it would mean I was stupid - I was very disillusioned and thought that not trying altogether was better, not sure if this is common among others with ADD, as this type of extreme one or the other behavior tends to manifest in many different behaviors. I have awful time management skills as well.

I have noticed that medication is definitely not a magic fix-all, and comes with many cons - it makes things clearer for me, and when I first took it I felt like a near sighted person putting on glasses for the first time. However, medication won't do squat if the motivation simply is not there. I have had days on my meds where I just lock myself in my room and work on drawings completely unrelated to school work and fail to get assignments done because I'm so engrossed in it. Additionally, the use of stimulants for ADD has many, many side-effects - the biggest for me is dependency, I would even go so far to say that I abuse it, self medicate and am addicted to the stimulant high. In the end, if you have the motivation then you can do well without medication - it may take you longer, but it's doable. Medication should be a tool, not something required or depended on. I know that you didn't specifically mention medication, but it's usually the only solution sought out for ADD(despite the fact that most schools offer education support services, free tutoring, and therapists can be very helpful in helping individuals who have problems organizing their life), and it's something I have personal experience with.

Re: ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

Quote:

I'm actually a very fast and efficient work, and I learn very fast too - the problem is that I can't organize my thoughts all the time.

I have the same problem. I can do things really fast, but I'm not good in most areas of life. I have found that I have an IQ of 137, when I was younger. People expect me to do good, but I always end up failing, mainly because of my lack of organizational skills. It can be hard at times. What's important is not intelligence, but hard work and motivation. Some describe ADD/ADHD as an invisible weight that's always attached to you. I can't think of any better way to describe it. Does anybody else here have ADHD and feel this way?

Quote:

I have noticed that medication is definitely not a magic fix-all, and comes with many cons - it makes things clearer for me, and when I first took it I felt like a near sighted person putting on glasses for the first time.

I always forget to take my medicine so It doesn't help me at all. :mad:

Re: ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

I just learned about this in my child development class today. :)

It may be harder to concentrate in classes & sometimes your mood may be all over the place, but life isn't going to necessarily be harder. Also, unless you've seen a doctor, don't let your mom diagnose you. A lot of people are misdiagnosed with ADHD when really it's something else like depression, anxiety, or bipolar. Also, symptoms must be present before you're seven or else it's most likely something current that's messed with your emotions. Obviously I'm not a doctor or anything, this is just my opinion based on what my boyfriend (who has ADHD) has told me & what I've learned in class. See a doctor.

Re: ADHD Makes You Have To Work Harder

Everyone has got it dead on :)

ALLOW yourself the extra time you need :) You have a disorder, make it easier for yourself. I do not have ADHD, but I have another condition, I find I have to give myself breaks due to bouts of weakness and headpain I get, this is what YOU need to do, TIME, ALLOW YOURSELF WHAT YOU NEED!

Any questions, you can PM me :)
Jem
xx