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CHARACTERISTICS OF ADD
Nearly all people with ADD have difficulty with the following in a non-ADD world:
| Attention span/ Concentration | Impulsivity | ||||
| Sensitivity | Motor Activity | ||||
| Impatience | Organization (structure) |
These core ADD characteristics seem to surface in adults in
three distinct ways. Usually,
people with ADD fall predominantly into one of the three categories, but they can exhibit a
"
blend" of two or even all three forms.
Form I: Outwardly Expressed ADD – The Active Entertainer
Feelings are expressed openly and actively. Impulsivity and
activity are expressed. One with
this type of ADD can usually succeed in sales, entertainment, entrepreneurship, or another
field
utilizing quickness and high energy. Has difficulty with:
| Activity, verbal & physical | Spreading energy thin | Impulsivity | |||||
| Over-achievement | Temper control | Disruptiveness | |||||
| High risk taking | Repetitious task | Frustration | |||||
| Long term projects | Blaming others too much | Maintaining Relationships | |||||
| Wide mood swings | Wanting own way | Reactivity |
Form II: Inwardly Directed ADD -- The Restless Dreamer
Feelings and behavior are not actively displayed; they are
"stuffed" inside. Impulsivity and
impatience are subtly expressed. One with this type of ADD can find success in most
fields utilizing creativity, mechanical, technical and service-oriented jobs. Has
difficulty with:
| Under-activity | Excessive self-blame | Task completion | |||||
| Under-achievement | Burnout/Depression | Ending bad relationships | |||||
| Over-commitment | Indecision | Restlessness | |||||
| Too much empathy | Procrastination | Failure to follow dreams | |||||
| Dreaming | Distractibility |
Form III: Highly Structured ADD -- The Conscientious Controller
Must work within structure. Tends to feel out of control if
structure is changed. Impulsivity and
impatience are expressed as judgments. Often anxious and demanding. One with this type of
ADD can usually succeed in the military, accounting, or another field utilizing computers
and
attention to detail and precision. Has difficulty with:
| Excessive talking | Obsessive worrying | Perfectionism | |||||
| Unstructured settings | Temper control | A need to control | |||||
| Recovering from interruption | Over focusing | Rigidity | |||||
| Over-organization | Cooperation | Being judgmental | |||||
| Demanding own way | Negotiation |
This information used with permission of Lynn Weiss.
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| ADDA-SR does not endorse, vouch for or accept any responsibility for the materials or treatments advertised in this homepage. The ADDA-SR board strongly recommends that you consult trusted and known professionals of your choice prior to implementing any treatment or initiating any therapies suggested in this homepage |
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