I was just reading an article in the main stream news system where a columnist was asking if it is really ADHD or just boredom. She basically goes on about how some people don’t have enough to do and those cooped up in a cubical are bored out of their minds with the job they have. She goes on to say that ADHD is used as an excuse. Okay, to the author’s credit she does indicate that ADHD is real, for a short sentence before going on about how folks are getting away with an excuse for boredom.
Why is it that everyone thinks they are an expert about what a diagnosis is or isn’t? The doctor says it is ADHD and the other online ‘expert’, who doesn’t even know, or has met, all the people she is talking about, is going to say it is boredom? Which one is right? Isn’t the answer a no brainer? But, alas, the answer isn’t easy, because, not every reader takes the time to dissect each and every article and after a while the messages become blurs of who said what and who is the authority.
I have ADHD, I know what it is. It’s not boredom. Boredom is part of ADHD, but boredom is not ADHD. There is a big difference between a bored person and a person with ADHD. The two can be combined etc, but who is going to know the difference between “Bored” and “ADHD”? On this one, I am going to take a stretch and go with doctors and therapists directly involved. Not just someone who has an opinion from a distant keyboard and has not been a part of the evaluation process in any way.
Everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it, but that doesn’t mean it is right or appropriate.
~Bryan
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Bryan, I have to completely agree with you on this one - I read the same article and it ticked me off. What drives me insane is when you read the comments on some of these articles, from people who know even less about ADHD than the ‘expert’ penning the article. Some of the comments are so spectacularly insane that you just have to laugh.
I too, prefer to garner my information from true and respected experts. What worries me is the vast majority of the general population reads this drivel and actually believes it, furthering the stigma of ADHD and doing a great disservice to those of us who live this life every day.
Indeed NM!
Yes, I’m bored. It’s not because I don’t have enough to do. But all the cleaning and cooking and helping kids with homework has never been anything I find very exciting. If this woman thinks just giving me more to do will “fix me” I’m afraid she’s in for a surprise.
try this for boredom. I have ADD and I learned a great way to get your visual mind working. Look at a picture or and some objects. Now with your eyes closed try to visualize those objects. This will stimulate your right side of your brain. This works great in your cubical or desk at work.
Jim, Can you tell an actual example of what you were trying to do to get your visual mind working? And how the transition feels from the picture visualizing to the visual task you wanted to do? I’d love to talk to you about that.
Letitia