Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder

by Edward M. Hallowell

but I never had understood why I came up with different ways of solving problems, why I had an intuitive approach to so much, why I tended to think outside the box, why I could be so impatient so often, why I was so quick to draw conclusions, why I had an oddball sense of humor, and on and on.

Often the person with ADD doesn’t pick up on these cues. This can lead to real social gaffes or a general sense of being out of it.

People with ADD often do not pick up on the subtle social cues and messages that are crucial in getting along with others.

Many projects going simultaneously; trouble with follow-through.

Tendency to say what comes to mind without necessarily considering the timing or appropriateness of the remark.

he just wanted some space and some freedom to be himself, to compose his music, drink his wine, cook his food, and think his thoughts.

the feeling that gibberish is being passed off as coherent conversation, the fear that the world is engaged in meaningless discourse masquerading as meaningful exchange—these

You mean to do it, you want to do it, you are not afraid of doing it, indeed you are eager to make the call and feel confident about doing it. And yet, as the day progresses, you never get around to making the call. An invisible shield of procrastination seems to separate you from the task.