Balto, I don't think I'm completely following you. If you don't think there's anything wrong with taking something that improves quality of life even without a diagnosis of a medical condition, then what is your issue with the "ADD industry?" Do you think they are preying on people, or getting rich on others' misfortunes, or expanding the power of the pharmaceuticals? Just trying to understand your point.
Other thoughts....
It was the GMAT that I took for business school. Just popped into my head this morning.
It occurred to me that each of the tests the other day was fairly short and there was a lot of variety. I found myself getting impatient and feeling ready to move on right about at the time that I finished some of the tests. If they had dragged on for longer time periods my focus and attention would have dropped off.
I remember the SAT being grueling. It was LONG and I had a hard time staying focused. I remember getting to the point where I was practically guessing on some questions because I just couldn't maintain focus and had a feeling that I just couldn't do it anymore and knew that I was running out of time. I wanted desperately to get into college, so I took it quite seriously, but it was like my brain just reached its limit.
I also can hyperfocus for long periods of time on topics that interest me. I love genealogy and can spend hours poring over old vital statistics records at a town hall or compiling and inputting collected data into my database. I never feel bored, and LOTS of things bore me. Usually I stop because my other life as SAHM intervenes, and it really feels like an unwelcome interruption.
Fran,
My son shares has some ADD symptoms too, so I'm going to keep a close eye on it. He is highly distractible and it is a challenge getting him out the door in the morning. I have to break everything down to the nth detail and help him stay on task. He also can hyperfocus on topics of interest. He thrives on structure and routine, doesn't handle change well and has trouble with transitions. He also has social issues. These symptoms may be caused by sensory processing disorder, for which he is being evaluated by the school district.
