Strengths of ADHD
In addition to the negative symptoms, people with ADD also have many strengths and positive qualities. Some people even consider a properly managed ADD as a gift. In psychotherapy, efforts are made to foster such strengths.
Key Strengths
Section titled “Key Strengths”Hypersensitivity
Section titled “Hypersensitivity”ADHD individuals perceive changes very quickly, which usually manifests in:
- Exceptional empathy
- Strong sense of justice
- Fine sensitivity to moods
Creativity and Openness
Section titled “Creativity and Openness”Their enthusiasm manifests in:
- Exceptional creativity
- Openness to new things
- Interest in unconventional solutions
Interesting Conversationalists
Section titled “Interesting Conversationalists”Properly dosed, impulsivity makes ADHD individuals:
- Spontaneous conversationalists
- People with an element of surprise
- Entertaining personalities
Hyperfocus
Section titled “Hyperfocus”The ability to achieve extreme concentration on interesting topics:
- Long, sustained work on specific topics
- Rapid penetration of complex subjects
- Absorption of even incidental details
Hyperactivity as a Strength
Section titled “Hyperactivity as a Strength”Can lead to particular enthusiasm for:
- Competitive sports
- Creative activities
- Challenging projects
What Is Hyperfocus?
Section titled “What Is Hyperfocus?”Hyperfocus is a special kind of concentration that ADHD individuals are capable of under certain circumstances.
Advantages of Hyperfocus
Section titled “Advantages of Hyperfocus”- Very rapid penetration of a topic
- Absorption of details
- Long, intense work without breaks
- Excellent for independent work
Challenges
Section titled “Challenges”- The motivation is not controllable by the affected person
- Can be disruptive in group work
- Leads to uneven performance
- Is often misunderstood (“If he wants to, he can do it!”)
The Hunter-Farmer Metaphor
Section titled “The Hunter-Farmer Metaphor”Thom Hartmann, a recognized ADHD specialist, describes in his book “A Different Perception”:
“Hyperactive children are actually good hunters, while the very calm, stable, and classroom-suited children are good farmers.”
Hunter Qualities
Section titled “Hunter Qualities”The “hunters” excel:
- In the forest or on the battlefield
- Through constant scanning (distractibility) nothing escapes them
- Immediate decisions and implementation (impulsivity)
- Response to stress-laden situations
- Enthusiasm for stimulation
Typical Positive Qualities
Section titled “Typical Positive Qualities”General
Section titled “General”- Spontaneous
- Emotional
- Ability to concentrate on strong interests (hyperfocus)
- Negotiation skills
- Rhetorical and linguistic abilities
Interesting Personality
Section titled “Interesting Personality”- Will never fit the image of the “typical woman/man”
- Develop their very own style very quickly
- Multifaceted and adaptable
- Open and authentic
- Self-determined
- Active and agile
- Demanding
Above-Average Success Possible
Section titled “Above-Average Success Possible”- Capable of extraordinary achievements with necessary external structure
- Last-minute specialists and follow-through qualities
- Ambitious
- Autonomous and independent
- Fast
- Find their way into a subject very quickly
- Multitasking-gifted
Strong Sense of Justice
Section titled “Strong Sense of Justice”- Increased fidelity in partnerships
- Fair behavior
- Loyalty to friends
- Not vindictive
Care for the Weaker
Section titled “Care for the Weaker”- Empathetic
- “Maternal/paternal”
- A heart for outsiders
- Helpful
- Sensitive (sometimes “hear the grass growing”)
Unusual Creativity
Section titled “Unusual Creativity”- Full of ideas and inventiveness
- Curious
- Diverse interests
- Imaginative
Big Dreams and Visions
Section titled “Big Dreams and Visions”- Potential for very big ideas
- Learn from childhood to fight against resistance
- Great potential for “thinking differently”
- Visionary imagination
- Can turn the smallest ideas into great breakthroughs
- Live on dreams
Unconventional Solutions
Section titled “Unconventional Solutions”- Masters of improvisation
- No longer feel bound by norms
- Innovative
- Open to new things
Intelligence
Section titled “Intelligence”- Often giftedness or above-average intelligence
- Can think extremely logically
Further Strengths
Section titled “Further Strengths”- Love of animals - probably connected to the strong emotionality
- Strong-willed - often underestimated how much strength lies behind an “ADHD life”
- Generous givers - often work better for others than for themselves
- Courage to take risks - as long as potential dangers are not underestimated
- Experience great things - seek the thrill, the extraordinary
High Sensitivity (HSP)
Section titled “High Sensitivity (HSP)”High sensitivity is a heightened perceptual ability that is far above the average level.
Characteristics
Section titled “Characteristics”The difference lies not in the perceptual ability of the receptors, but in the processing in the brain:
- More comprehensive perception of the situation
- Capturing gestures, facial expressions, clothing
- Absorbing the color composition of the room
- Perception of the mood of those present
Challenges
Section titled “Challenges”- Difficulty concentrating on partial aspects
- Sensory overload
- Often portrayed as a disease
- Little public awareness
Advantages
Section titled “Advantages”Situations that cause boredom in the average person can be experienced by highly sensitive people as pleasantly stimulating, since even the finest nuances are perceived.
Famous People with ADHD
Section titled “Famous People with ADHD”Bill Gates (*1955)
Section titled “Bill Gates (*1955)”- Founder of Microsoft
- University dropout who lived only for his PC
- Known for his “think weeks” - retreats to a spartan forest cabin
- Works through mountains of papers and develops new concepts there
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Section titled “Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)”- One of the most famous composers
- Gifted prodigy who went on concert tours as a child
- Considered extremely impatient, impulsive, distractible and disrespectful
- Unusually creative, innovative and emotional
- Only organized in his music
- Otherwise attracted conflicts
- Died impoverished despite genius talent
Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)
Section titled “Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)”- Famous American inventor
- One of the worst students in school
- At times developed up to 40 ideas simultaneously
- Registered over 2000 patents
- Shows typical ADD features: energy, conviction, willingness to take risks
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Section titled “Albert Einstein (1879-1955)”- Most significant theoretical physicist
- Nobel Prize laureate
- According to reports, showed ADD symptoms throughout his life
Dustin Hoffman (*1937)
Section titled “Dustin Hoffman (*1937)”- One of the best character actors of his generation
- Extremely versatile
- Sometimes prepares for a role for years
- Completely immerses himself in his roles
- University dropout
Other Famous Names
Section titled “Other Famous Names”- Robin Williams
- Jim Carrey
- Tom Cruise
- Will Smith
- Michael Jordan
- John Lennon