(Originally Feb8th 2025/FI)

In his spare time, he is a social “open book” who talks about his things without a filter. Often has a bad memory, he remembers people and names poorly and is an incomprehensible joker who finds it difficult to see the links and networks between people. Nice, funny and friendly as well as hospitable, relaxed and warm. At work usually blunt and long-winded chatterbox, but thorough, analytical and approachable. That’s me! Adult with ADHD?

I know that I can continue like this and be happy with myself, develop, see my strengths and accept my shortcomings. I can smile at my features, and I don’t mind if they are sometimes laughed at in public. As a joke or real friend’s advise many have asked over the years whether I’ ve been tested! You really must have adhd (attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder)! And this has not been studied or diagnosed.

Through my recent general activation, the ADHD topic has become too interesting to be pushed to the background. I’m going to figure this out! The process of medical examination is already underway, but I’m not at all familiar with it yet. I know that tests and interviews are coming. Maybe my loved ones (my parents) will be digging up information and memories from my childhood. Without diagnoses, I’m already taking a little advance and write about it. Because I can’t wait!

Do I have a disorder that needs to be treated? Hardly… as I said, I could continue like this. Is it possible that I have a disorder worth treating? Yes, I believe I might have!

• Lack of listening skills – raising my own matter and topic first. Interrupting others, impatiently forming an opinion about others’ speeches
• Getting carried away by a new skill, hobby or interest without balance
• Whirling around many unfinished things and needing to structure them as a whole before getting the grip of them
• Difficulty concentrating on reading – difficulty in absorbing, needing to review immediately
• Difficulty in estimating time or the time needed
• Difficulty in staying still
• Tolerating disappointments or unpleasant feelings as they are – without needing to replace them with pleasures or quick wins that produce pleasure
  

Here is a list of at least some of my shortcomings. Being aware of these can help me manage them, and I have improved in them. I would even be surprised and embarrassed if I were never diagnosed with ADHD. As far as I understand, the cause is known to be at least partly genetic, but no single causative gene has been found.

The internet is full of symptom lists, but I will now focus on the much more interesting aspect, namely the latent potential:

My Stored Resources?

Can I strengthen my shameful superpower!? At its best, enthusiasm is a passionate attitude, devouring information and raising healthy self-confidence with the boost gained from new knowledge and skills. It can provide (like my blogging enthusiasm now) healthy content to life, certainty, understanding of the world around us and reduce the search for happiness and “quick wins” elsewhere, from vanities. Enthusiasm combined with better, more relaxed concentration can increase creativity and useful insights. If those insights don’t make me rich or successful materially, I can become rich mentally and energized!

The flip side of being hyperenthusiastic is the ability to put the most interesting things on hold until the next time when free from responsibilities. If I can find this balance, I will be much stronger!

I expect a lot from developing my listening skills. I have improved, but I am far from the goal. Whether I get diagnosed with ADHD one day or not, this is what I intend to improve. To learn to be calm and to learn to trust that I remember what I just heard from someone and that I can organize my thoughts in peace before I have to express them!

So far, my stress tolerance and crisis management skills have been good. Finding a performance focus mode in times of crisis has proven to be important. This has been tested at least in dealing with the injustice that has been inflicted on my daughter for latest years. On the other hand, some of my biggest crises, such as losing loved ones, are yet to be experienced, and I want to be at my best if and when those moments come. I want to stop exaggerating my own small “crises” in the future and better understand that others have actually had much greater adversity than me!

I’ve never felt like being a risk taker, quite the opposite! I could gain more courage and open-mindedness to pursue something new and big and reduce caution and uncertainty. To make decisions more effectively and reduce hesitation. Through ADHD understanding or treatment, I can grow this self-confidence. These things would of course help me succeed better in relationships, managing my finances, and maintaining friendships.

Artificial intelligence (ChatGPT) found these opportunities. People diagnosed with ADHD often have many strengths, such as:

• Creativity and innovation – They often think outside the box and come up with original solutions.
• Quick problem-solving skills – They are able to react quickly and adapt to changing situations.
• Energy and passion – When they are interested in something, they can immerse themselves deeply in it and work tirelessly.
• Risk-taking and courage – They are not afraid to try new things and can succeed as entrepreneurs or in creative fields.
• Good crisis management – ​​Under pressure, many people with ADHD perform exceptionally well and remain functional.
• Empathy and emotional intelligence – They can be exceptionally sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.
  

When the challenges of ADHD are managed, these strengths can be great advantages in both work and other life.

And finally, a little self-assessment! I think writing this was really easy! But… Sitting and writing this text now took about three hours. In the same time, my beloved got up (after me), planned the day’s schedule, made me breakfast, drank morning coffee, organized the living room, watched a few episodes of streaming series and a few other things. In my opinion, I was really focused and efficient again. 🙂