The Pros and Cons of ADHD

ADHD (sometimes referred to as ‘ADD’), or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, has received increasing attention in recent years. This is mostly due to the conversations on mental health opening up, which is a great thing but isn’t without its own downfalls.

The condition brings a lot of negative associations with it because people misunderstand it. People who have ADHD are labeled lazy, less smart, less hardworking, and can often be the butt of jokes. 

However, these associations and labels are largely misconceptions. Many even wonder, can ADHD be a good thing? 

The truth is, many adults with ADHD have gotten treatment and learned to live without letting this disorder take over their lives. And yes, ADHD has its positives! 

If you have ADHD, this article on the pros and cons of ADHD is for you. It can help you to understand how to channel your condition positively, and also learn how to manage its more negative side effects. If you think you have ADHD, then read on, but also make sure to take an ADHD assessment at the end to be sure. 

We’ll start with the cons so that we can end on a positive note. 

The Cons

1. Thoughts that just don’t stop
   People with ADHD find that their thoughts don’t really go at a gentle pace, and rarely stick to the same train of thought. Thoughts race and jumble, with focus skipping from one topic to another. Thoughts are sometimes unfiltered and even skipped over.
   

2. Conversations can be hard
   Because of the way thoughts are for a person with ADHD, conversations can be difficult. When talking to someone, thoughts are already focused on something else entirely out of the current context or situation. This can make neurotypical people frustrated, which in turn makes the person with ADHD have even more difficulty conversing.
   

3. Inability to hone a certain talent
   People with ADHD find it difficult to focus on one thing for an extended period of time. This means that mastering a certain skill or talent can prove incredibly challenging for them.
   

4. ‘Bad’ listeners … ‘bad’ friends?
   Although usually good at helping others, those with ADHD struggle to listen. In some people, their auditory focus is seriously impaired and renders them unable to focus in lectures, or in everyday conversations. Often, they can’t even recall a conversation that has happened a few minutes ago. Many times, conversations that happen through text are far easier for people with ADHD to manage.
   

5. TMI (too much information)
   The lack of ability to filter information means that oversharing is a very real and common instance. Oversharing can refer to sharing something that others don’t wish to hear, or to sharing irrelevant parts of a story. Stories and anecdotes shared by someone with ADHD often feel incredibly long-winded and can have multiple side stories as well.
   

6. Boredom comes easily
   Due to the speed at which their brain works, people with ADHD find themselves bored often. This usually leads to restlessness as well, and the combination of the two leads to the next con.
   

7. Problems with education and careers
   Interest can’t be retained for long. Especially when left untreated, ADHD renders learning and keeping a job very difficult. Paying attention, remembering information, and trying to keep track of small details all amount to an incredibly difficult time.
   

The Pros

While that may have been difficult to read, don’t lose hope. The positives of ADHD exist as well. ADHD symptoms can often present in ways that people find charming instead of a bother, and with ADHD treatment, most ADHD symptoms will not ruin a person’s life.

Many adults with ADHD have said that with treatment, they’ve learned to live not only peacefully, but happily too, because they know how to manage their disorder. 

1. Multi-talented
   People with ADHD often channel all their energy and bouncing thoughts into multiple avenues. They will usually have far more than one hobby, and be good at it too.
   

2. An abundance of thoughts and ideas
   Having thoughts that are all over the place and don’t stay still isn’t always a bad thing. When neurotypical people see no other way to approach a problem, a person with ADHD can usually find multiple new solutions and approaches that no one else would have thought of.
   

3. Creativity
   Following the point above, there is a lot of creativity in these individuals. When producing art, like paintings or written works, there will be a lot of fresh, exciting content. When problem-solving, figuring out what to do for a date night, or even what to make for dinner, people with ADHD always have something exciting to add.
   

4. Hyperfocus
   Some people with ADHD can actually hyperfocus. When given a task, they become so intent on completing it that the world just passes around them. Some people may literally work at a task until it is completed without regards to time, hunger, or whatever may distract a neurotypical person. Hyperfocus can be a good quality, of course with regard for healthy breaks for self-care and other important matters.
   

5. Career
   The above abilities make people with ADHD great entrepreneurs and enjoy success with creative careers. Some areas in which they excel are music, drama, the visual arts, scientific discovery, and more.
   

Having ADHD isn’t the end of the world. We’ve listed out the pros and cons of ADHD, and want to note that while medication for ADHD is available, it isn’t always the only solution. 

ADHD treatment really helps, so if you think your ADHD symptoms are worsening and negatively impacting your performance and productivity, we’ve got your back. Take our free online ADHD assessment to book an appointment with one of our ADHD experts.