What Are the Positive and Negative Qualities Associated with ADHD?
The traits associated with ADHD can be both positive and negative. And, people with ADHD can be incredibly successful in their lives if steered in the right direction.
However, unfortunately, the standard medical community looks at ADHD as an absolute deficit. It, therefore, sometimes uses an approach that not only overlooks their positive attributes but at the same time, gives rise to a downward spiral of self-doubt, shame, fear, and reduced self-esteem.
Positive Attributes
The positive qualities of people with ADHD are likened to superpowers and include:
1. Creativity and Spontaneity
People with ADHD have exceptionally creative and versatile personalities. Their ability to “think outside the box” is one of their greatest strengths. They find difficulty suppressing their unbounded clouds of creativity and imagination coming from their brain’s "default mode network" — that has a faulty switch-off button. Their hyperactive minds are almost always busy, discovering amazing and exciting ideas.
Owing to their spontaneity and “go with the flow” nature, they usually don’t feel tied down to one plan; plus, they are more than willing to provide a contingency plan, as long as it seems intriguing.
2. Astounding Problem-Solving Skills
They tend to be great problem-solvers. If they get hooked on a complicated challenge, they resolve it in an overzealous way — not to mention, the situation may become too boring for them when it’s no longer a challenge.
They sometimes tend to come up with a simple yet effective solution to a puzzle/problem that can be mind-boggling for the other person with a relatively average IQ. Maybe that’s why people with higher IQs are at greater risk of acquiring ADHD. In fact, scientific researchers have pointed out that “there are a few downsides to having a high IQ, one of which is ADHD.”
3. Having Endless Amounts of Energy
Some with ADHD are often highly energetic. If they can channel their boundless energy levels into what they love, nothing can stop them from doing almost anything they set their minds to.
4. Hyperfocus
Though distractibility is their hallmark trait, people with ADHD can also become so engrossed in the things they love, that any form of distraction around them no longer bothers them. Being hyperfocused does make them lose track of time and become oblivious to their surroundings, but it also helps them do whatever it takes to get the task done.
Negative Qualities
People with ADHD also face a couple of challenges. Their three trademark features that we already know are:
Distractibility, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity
People with ADHD have a hard time staying in the moment, predicting the outcomes of their current actions, and learning from past experiences. Their impulsive behavior often makes them risk without thinking.
Their hyperactive minds keep switching from one task to another. They just can’t figure out how to begin a task and how to end it. They may hop in the middle of a task and start working in all directions at the same time. They have a faulty off-switch for mind-wandering, especially when they have to focus on tasks that seem boring.
As a result, meeting deadlines becomes a major obstacle and tasks that require planning and organization may be put on the back burner.
Other downsides
Losing important things too often
Inattentiveness
Daydreaming or “zoning out”
Talking excessively without stopping
Impatience
Having a hard time following instructions
But, is it their fault? The answer to this question is a resounding “NO.” This is how their brains are wired. They simply need guidance in harnessing their positive qualities to their benefit while being able to control their negative behaviors.
We should Level the Playing Field
If we are given the option to name the qualities that account for a person’s success, we would say the person should be energetic, creative, intellectual, and a great problem-solver. We would outright seek many of the qualities that are naturally gifted to people with ADHD. In our opinion, calling something a disorder when it comes with so many positive traits isn’t fair.
Our job is to foster their positive qualities and teach them ways on how to keep a rein on the negative ones. Using this approach, we'll be better able to help people with ADHD outperform in all domains of their lives.
If this is you, congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier you. You need proper evaluation, guidance, and treatment to capitalize on your strengths. So, get in touch with us by contacting the office or via our online chat.