ADHD-Told you I'd talk about it! Article by Jennifer Koretsky

Although the stigma of being diagnosed with ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, seems to be lessening, there is still be a tendency for people to focus on its negative effects. People with ADHD, which is sometimes called ADD, are often very creative. They can be driven, completing tasks far more effectively and efficiently than others, and often have a very loving side.

As we head into the holidays, following are some reasons to celebrate ADHD, provided by Jennifer Koretsky, founder of the ADD Management Group, Inc. Check out your local Albany bookstore to pick up a copy of her book, Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD. 

• Compassion - People with ADD have a tremendous power to connect with other people, but also have an advanced ability to empathize with others, and to see many different perspectives. 
• Creativity - Writers, painters, musicians, film makers, designers, sculptors, comedians—the list goes on! Artistic talents are abundant.
• Drive - When an ADDer is bored with a task, completing it can seem like torture. But give an ADDer an interesting project to work on and watch his or her productivity explode.
• Problem Solving Ability - ADDers thrive on solving problems and puzzles. If an ADDer finds an interesting problem to solve and he or she won't be able to drop it until the solution is found. 
• Hyper-focus - The ability to hyper-focus is something that ADDers can use to their advantage. When kept under control and directed towards productive tasks, like accomplishing goals and living dreams, it can be an incredible asset that allows for getting the job done, and done well.
• Sense of Humor/Comedic Flair - Most ADDers love to laugh, and many also have a knack for making others laugh.
• Resiliency - There's no denying that even though there are many great qualities that come along with ADD, there are also challenges. But ADDers have an incredible ability to bounce back from those challenges. 
• Intuition - ADDers have a sharp sense of intuition. This may be due to highly tuned levels of perception, or great insight into the human mind.
• Idea Generating - ADDers are wonderful idea generators. Not interested in being bothered with details, they can come up with ideas at lightning speed.
• That "Special Something" - Many ADDers feel that they have a unique way of looking at the world, a perspective that others just don't understand. That is, until the ADDer meets other people with ADD. There are many good aspect of being on the same wavelength!