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I’ve been wondering lately, had I been born later, would I have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). I don’t think hyperactivity (ADHD) was an issue, but attention deficit seems to fit as I look at myself and my history. This came to mind again the other day when I read an article (I wish I could find it now) about people who are accident prone often having ADHD. Remember me recently cleaning my ear and organizing the bathroom closet at the same time and the punctured ear drum that was the result?
In my professional life, I would often be close to exploding when forced to spend time in closed meetings. In school, although I was a good student (until university; well, maybe not the last two years of high school either) my attention could not be long held and, again, I would come close to exploding when forced to sit for any extended periods of time. Lecture classes were a nightmare. Within minutes, I was drawing and writing out song lyrics all over my notes. Counting the number of times a professor said “um” during a one-hour lecture. Counting the number of times another professor said “the juxtaposition of light and dark.” Looking there when I should be looking here. Not staying focused. Trying to do too many things at the same time and then not getting anything done or doing them all and exhausting (or hurting) myself. Spontaneous bruises with no clue where they came from. Not that it matters at this point in my life, but it would explain a lot.
We had an excellent lunch with Lulu yesterday before she trained-bused home to Fuengirola. The restaurant is called Cébu by la Bodeguilla and we enjoy it more with each visit.
Today’s final image is a WhatsApp exchange I had with Lulu after she changed from bus to train in Antequera while on her way up. I don’t think I was too much of a smart ass.
Últimamente me he estado preguntando si, de haber nacido más tarde, me habrían diagnosticado Trastorno por Déficit de Atención (TDA). No creo que la hiperactividad (TDAH) fuera un problema, pero el déficit de atención parece encajar al observarme a mí mismo y mi historial. Esto me vino a la mente de nuevo el otro día cuando leí un artículo (ojalá pudiera encontrarlo ahora) sobre personas propensas a los accidentes que a menudo tienen TDAH. ¿Recuerdan cuando hace poco me limpié el oído y organicé el armario del baño al mismo tiempo, y el tímpano perforado que resultó de ello?
En mi vida profesional, a menudo estaba a punto de explotar cuando me obligaban a pasar tiempo en reuniones cerradas. En la escuela, aunque era un buen estudiante (hasta la universidad; bueno, quizás tampoco los dos últimos años de la secundaria), mi atención no se mantenía por mucho tiempo y, de nuevo, estaba a punto de explotar cuando me obligaban a sentarme durante períodos prolongados. Las clases magistrales eran una pesadilla. En cuestión de minutos, estaba dibujando y escribiendo letras de canciones por todos mis apuntes. Contando la cantidad de veces que un profesor decía “eh” durante una clase de una hora. Contando la cantidad de veces que otro profesor dijo “la yuxtaposición de luz y oscuridad”. Mirando allá cuando debería estar mirando aquí. No mantenerme concentrado. Intentar hacer demasiadas cosas al mismo tiempo y luego no hacer nada o hacerlas todas y agotarme (o lastimarme). Moretones espontáneos sin idea de dónde vinieron. No es que importe en este punto de mi vida, pero explicaría mucho.
Ayer tuvimos un excelente almuerzo con Lulu antes de que regresara a Fuengirola en tren-autobús. El restaurante se llama Cébu by la Bodeguilla y lo disfrutamos más con cada visita.
La última imagen de hoy es un intercambio de WhatsApp que tuve con Lulu después de que cambió de autobús a tren en Antequera mientras iba hacia arriba. No creo que haya sido demasiado listo.
• Lulu y yo pedimos tacos de pollo y ambas coincidimos en que estaban deliciosos y eran abundantes.
• Jerry comió noodles con rabo de toro. Su favorito en Cebú by la Bodeguilla.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Yeah, seems like everybody’s ADHD these days. Or autistic. Or some other version of neurodiversity. Who can keep up?
Debra,
I agree. I wonder if I would have been classified if I were growing up now. And would it have made a difference?
That’s what I thought the chicken was doing with the worm, too. Hm. Yes, I think you’re on the money with that self diagnosis. But what can a person do about it? Boud
Boud,
I thought maybe the chicken and worm were two separate giffs. But, no. So weird.
I think everyone has ADD and/or ADHD these days not becuase it’s a condition but because everything moves so fast with internet and phones and websites and all that shiz that we can’t keep up and we can’t see it all so we’re always jumping to the next “thing.”
Thanks for coming to my TED talk
Bob,
FAX machines and Tekex were still cutting edge when I joined the corporate world. Mimeograph was the standard when I was in school. I don’t think I can blame technology.
I thought you were describing, for a moment there, the person I live with.
Having worked with ‘kids’ who had ADD/ADHD I am amazed just how prevalent it really is in our society . Can be very difficult for some to get through our rigid school systems.
LOVE that wall mural.
Jim,
I wonder how different my education might have been had anyone known.
That’s a chicken?! The worm, I can see that.
I think it’s less that everyone has some sort of syndrome but more that there is more than one way of being ‘normal’ but our society tries to force all us square/triangular/star/etc pegs into round holes because it’s easier than accommodating all the different ways people learn and conduct their lives.
Ellen Abbott,
So true.
I’m reading at work while I eat lunch and I burst out laughing at your question about shitting out the worm! The receptionist looked at me funny! 😅
Jennifer
Jennifer,
Did you explain?
That is the weirdest little cartoon I’ve ever seen. I still don’t quite know what it means! The ADD theory is interesting. We had a book in our library called “Does Everyone Have ADHD?” I think it’s a valid question.
I think everyone is somewhere on the spectrum. We just have such a narrow definition of “normal”. Olivia
Whoops! Answered in the wrong place! Sorry, Steve.
Olivia:
I agree.
Steve,
Yeah, that little gif was and is lost on me. I too think that’s a valid question. I can think of so many people I know well who clearly have issues.
What were you saying? Oh yes…
The food looks delicious!
As for chickens and worms – Tom Jones certainly packs quite a bit more than “a worm”, and he knows how to shake it! Jx
Jon,
And Tom Jones loved to display his snake in little Speedos.
I’ve never heard this version of The Funky Chicken. I have to say, as much as I’ve always loved
Tom Jones, I prefer the original version by Rufus Thomas. Takes me back to my youth. I can still bust a funky chicken move or two. Of course, the chicken is elderly and infirm now, but it’s still pecking away.
As for ADD and other conditions, I believe that they’ve always existed. They just weren’t identified or named yet. I was basically a klutzy daydreamer. Now it has a different name and I’m still a klutzy daydreamer. Works for me.
Deedles:
Of course I started with Rufus Thomas but I really wanted a video that presented the dance steps well and this one I thought did that. I went through three with Rufus Thomas until I settled on Tom Jones. Yep, we klutzy daydreamers need to stick together.
That worm is obviously not paying attention to the chicken’s twerking, LOL!
Tundra Bunny:
Exactly! That was all I saw.
I saw Tom Jones in Las Vegas in the mid 70s, but I don’t remember this song being in the show. My doctor brother told me years ago that he believed most people have OCD to a certain extent. I sure do. One of my adult daughters recently got an ADHD (or maybe it was ADD) diagnosis a couple of years ago. It explained a lot.
Kelly:
I appreciated that Tom Jones had talent, but I found him uncool when I was in my teens. Then he had Janis Joplin on his show and they were amazing together. I’m sure your brother is right.
You might not believe this but in the eighth grade I had a teacher who said, “Um,” every other word and I swear to you, I counted all of them during one class period too. I can’t remember the number but it was well over a hundred. I hated that class with a passion.
Yes. I’ll take some of those tacos. Thank you.
Despite the fact that I mostly love Tom Jones, he may have been misdirected in his decision to do that particular song and dance routine.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
Oh, I would believe it. This one art history professor said “um” hundreds and hundreds of times in every lecture. I chose the Tom Jones version simply because the choreography really demonstrated the dance.
I love the exchange with the worm and chicken!!!!!! But that wall mural is spectacular in the eatery!
Mistress Borghese:
They have two restaurants next door to each other, one casual, one more formal. A number of wonderful murals.
I’ve wondered about that about myself too, but to find out from a medical professional, I think that’s the insurance companies refer to as an “elective”, i.e, out of pocket, so I’ll just stay ignorant.
Kirk:
Yeah, in this case and at this point in life, it would serve no purpose other than satisfying my curiosity.
Right there with you. I was always said to be a “daydreamer” in elementary school; no attention span. There was no “ADHD” or Autism. There was no medication other than a crack on the ass with a paddle or belt. I learned to shut up and pay attention, and I survived the public education of that generation.
I’ve come to understand that I am mildly bi-polar, and in my 40’s, learned to read the signs that a “crash” was about to happen, what the trigger was, and just plan for the depression or rage to hit and to pass and to control it when it does. Interesting, my sister suffers the same.
But now, firmly embracing my Senior Citizenship, I am experiencing a whole new bevy of possibly neurodivergent issues. I can’t be in loud environments – just completely overwhelms me. Husband and I went to a Home Depot last weekend, and it was just a nauseating echo chamber of chattering people, chattering children, barking dogs and loud noises. I was wiped out in about 10 minutes. And hey, I also just… do not like being around people, children and dogs. I savor my peace and isolation. And sorry to the dog owners out there – I had them. Loved them. Just learned I am not a dog person.
Frankly, Mitchell, I can see myself living out my life, alone as a bearded hermit, in a robe, living in a hut overlooking a thundering bay somewhere. A boy can dream…
Rade:
Paddles and belts were no longer permitted in schools on Long Island when I was a kid. I don’t know how effective they were anyway, and certainly not at all with someone on someone with a learning disability. So glad you’ve been able to manage your mood changes. Not always easy. I came from a family with anger issues. Medication and hard work for me. SG has always been very social and yet he has become more and more reclusive.
Do I dare?
ADD is a wiring system, not good or bad, and most people have gradients of the stuff, and it is only a problem in context of person’s life. I see people all the time with some/little/lots but then – is it really a problem for them? Indeed sometimes the positive assets make ADD an advantage.
There is more ADD these days as 21st century culture is emphasizing the neurons that do ADD and thus more people’s traits are more apparent and more problematic too.
There you go: ADD in a nutshell.
Urspo:
And that explains it. I wonder how many watts my ADD is.