Posted by wayne on June 27, 2000, at 14:51:10
In reply to Re: Yes, Wayne, I'm just like you. , posted by Dwight on June 27, 2000, at 13:12:37
> Dear Wayne,
>
> I have been diagnosed with both social phobia and ADD w/out hyperactivity. For me ADD can make conversation difficult because I am not always able to concentrate on what the person is saying. Sometimes I am thinking about something else or I am distracted by something, for instance, I am noticing something about the person's face or their gestures. ADD is closely linked to creativity and higher levels of intelligence. You may think of it in some ways as a blessing. But it depends on what you do with it. It is important to become aware of how you direct your attention. Do you, for instance, notice the sounds, smells, tastes, the feelings of things in your everyday environment? Or are you so caught up in internal thinking about yourself that you are oblivious. We may direct our attention outwards or inwards. One is not better than the other. They are different realms to be explored. Just ask yourself, what is my habitual tendency. Where is my attention usually directed? Or does it jump all over the place? I have found that asking myself these questions, just becoming more AWARE, is half the battle, half the cure. Once you become aware of how you direct your attention you can start to redirect in more productive ways. When you are with people just observe where you direct your attention. Meditation and/or deep relaxation can help. In order to watch yourself, in order to become aware, you must slow down. If your thoughts are racing, you will be aware of nothing but the thoughts. When you converse with someone try to direct your attention on them. Notice all you can about them. This will put you in a different place and you won't feel as if you are being watched or judged because you are the one who is watching. Yes, I have difficulty in conversations sometimes. But I am becoming more and more aware of why it happens. It can be very exciting to redirect your attention in new ways.Dwight thankyou for the information I will start putting it into practice.Today funny enough because I am a relatively newy diagnosed adder I went for a walk and just started to listen to all the sounds around me.Its a new experience and yes very exciting. Funny I saw a dog and I decided to whistle to get a reaction from the dog.I noticed immediately the dogs ears pick up. The point Im making is you are right when you say you have to notice where your concentration is going I notice that my thoughts are inwards full of worry instead of focusing my attenion on the person I am talking to. I never knew I did that thanks again. Last night I never slept and found myself getting excited finding out all these gifts we as adders have got. If only I had known earlier on in my life man o man how much of my personality would have blossemd. My brother lovely person that he was commited suicide because he couldnt get his life together. He had ADD through and through. I can go on all night its amazing how I am now understanding my whole family whom I know suffers with add. Yes life is a gift its great to be alive. Knowing I have add is a real shift in thinking.
poster:wayne
thread:37939
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000619/msgs/38459.html