"Oh well that's common I have ADD too"

[jackfaire]

I understand that it isn't uber rare but ADD or ADHD are not as common as you think and no you do not have it.

I have this conversation with people I meet who are like, Oh yeah I totally have that I get distracted by (insert something that would distract anyone).

I am talking about people who are like, "I am good at focusing on my homework, tv shows, work, music, etc but I get really distracted at home I must have ADD" Uhm no you have 6 kids in your family coming into your room and asking for stuff.

I understand when people genuinly have it but it feels like a person is belittling my own struggles when they talk about how they just know they have it but it was easy to learn to get past it.

Oh really you mean you learned to avoid distractions? Wow I wish I was capable of doing that. I wish my mind didn't see something and next thing I know it's 5 minutes later and I was off on some thought tangent that I couldn't tear myself away from.

[Boozy]

I think people just throw that term around because it covers a variety of behaviours they're struggling with -- usually because of disorganization or natural distractions rather than any disorder.

My co-workers will often make jokes about our boss having ADD, because she can't finish anything, constantly gets distracted by shiny things, and often makes simple mistakes that a modicum of concentration would have prevented. But we realize that she doesn't really have ADD; she just has some personal flaws (as we all do).

Now that you bring it up, I suppose joking about ADD could be offensive to those who really struggle with it. I should probably knock it off.

[Kimmik]

I have ADD, actually medical diagnosed. But I am one of those odd cases... I can not watch a movie to save my life with out doing something else. Normally when I am on the net I am playing a game chatting in four windows and listening to music/tv or something. However... give me a book... and there goes Kimmik... Try and do stuff around the house and yeah I need a herder and then it is like herding cats. Or if I am out shopping... good lord dont send me by myself unless I have a detailed list.

I joke that I have ADOS (attention deficet ooooooo shiney) because for a while they tested me for various autisms because something shiney can make me stop and well I just stop.. it is sorta odd... Also trying to carry a conversation with me at times can be very entertaining in and of its self due to I have a bajillion things going through my head and generally when I talk especially among friends... the train keeps jumping tracks.

But I hate that ADD is now a catch all.. kid cant sit still it is ADD kid throws a fit it is ADD meh... Yes like anything there are varying degrees of ADD and ADHD... but just because you never made your kid sit still doesnt mean they are ADD....

Boozy hell I joke about all my conditions... it is along the lines of you either laugh or cry... as long as you are not laughing ABOUT someone with a disability...

[jackfaire]

Now that you bring it up, I suppose joking about ADD could be offensive to those who really struggle with it. I should probably knock it off.

Genuinely joking about it has never offended me hell I make jokes about my ADD. I get bothered when people claim to have it. Sometimes to cover up inconsiderate behavior. IE someone else showed up that I wanted to hang out with instead so I got "distracted" cuz I got ADD.

Oooo or "I can't study in noisy places with lots of people running around and talking cuz it's distracting, I must have ADD"

Uhm no if your in a quiet place with no distractions and you get fricking distracted then you might have ADD.

But jokes are fine jokes are funny I mean after all jokes are what make....Hey wanna go ride bikes?

[Fryk]

My (Doctor diagnosed) ADD gets so bad sometimes, I can distract myself while I'm talking and totally forget what I was saying. Embarassing as hell.

[HYHYBT]

Part of the trouble is that it's such a vague condition to begin with; every part of any description I've ever heard of AD(H)D sounds like it could describe everyone and there's no precise way of defining how much or how often qualifies. I was diagnosed in 1983 or 4 and still don't know whether I really have it or not.

[jackfaire]

Part of the trouble is that it's such a vague condition to begin with; every part of any description I've ever heard of AD(H)D sounds like it could describe everyone and there's no precise way of defining how much or how often qualifies. I was diagnosed in 1983 or 4 and still don't know whether I really have it or not.

One part of it is an inability to concentrate not, You get distracted, but actually having difficulty focusing in the first place.

Also there is often a chemical component when your young. A stimulant will act like a depressant on your system. For example i could never drink caffeine to stay awake as a child it would knock me out like a light.

The hyperactive is an inability to sit still. Not just god this class is boring squirm but I love this movie it's awesome I should be totally into it yet I can't stop squirming.

Any stray thought can lead you on a tangent that can have you space out for 5 minutes. Instead of being able to say, "Oh interesting I will think about that later"

[Shangri-laschild]

My (Doctor diagnosed) ADD gets so bad sometimes, I can distract myself while I'm talking and totally forget what I was saying. Embarassing as hell.

And frustrating when it's you and someone who is also like that. It leads to:
"Oh crap, what was I talking about?"
"Uh...hm...crap!"
And then I'm stuck trying to remember