Significant Experiences and Traits of Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

As a counselor/ psychotherapist I specialized in working with teens and adults with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD and ADHD). Over the years I took anecdotal note of a number of characteristics and tendencies that were shared by many of my ADD / ADHD clients; behaviors and characteristics that were less often mentioned or emphasized in the standard lists of ADD / ADHD symptoms.

Please note: The list below is meant to supplement the more standard lists of Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms. It is not meant to be a basis of diagnosing ADD or ADHD, a process which requires a long series of interviews and testing with a professional. If you are an adult who has already been diagnosed with ADD /ADHD, however, you might recognize yourself in this list and it may surprise you to know that some of these traits are quite common to folks with these disorders.

1) A tendency to fall asleep while reading or watching movies: People with ADD/ADHD are often overwhelmed by stimuli which they cannot process as quickly as others. For some reason, this sense of overload often tends to trigger the sleep system and results in the person very quickly nodding off to sleep.

2) An attraction to beverages with high levels of caffeine such as Mountain Dew and Jolt Cola (as well as Coca Cola and coffee, of course)

3) A tendency to get irritable and develop a "bad mood" when spending extended periods of time with other people. Again, this has something to do with the senses being overstimulated. The person often needs some quiet time to "decompress."

4) A tendency to count ceiling tiles or floor boards when sitting and waiting-- for instance while in a waiting room. This is a trait better known in people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). There are cross-over symptoms between ADD / ADHD and OCD

5) A tendency to be nocturnal: Many ADD people are night people who have improved focus and ability to be productive at night

6) Having had, as children, some form of sleep disorder including bed-wetting or hypnagogic hallucinations: hearing sounds or noises or seeing things when falling asleep.

7) A tendency to concentrate best on a task when there is a background noise that they can half-listen to, such a as a radio talk show, but one that is not too compelling or too boring.

8) Having a mild form of dyslexia in which words seem to "swim on the page"

9) Having problems with math

10) Having extraordinary natural musical talent, such as having perfect pitch or an ability to play instruments by ear

11) Having a natural ability at visual art

12) A tendency to excel when praised and wither under criticism

Again none of these are, by any means, definitive traits or tendencies of those with ADD or ADHD. However, for folks who have already been diagnosed, this list may provide some insight.