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ADHD

Mind Maverick

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Messages
4,767
To be clear, I am not proclaiming that it is not a thing. I was also diagnosed in childhood, fwiw, and placed on medication. I vaguely remember feeling too sleepy on it (?), and thus I discontinued. I think I probably qualify for an executive functioning "disorder", as these issues are persistent throughout my life. What I am attempting to say is more along the lines of "we are pathologizing variations in personality structure because these square pegs do not fit into these round holes that we have so carefully carved out for society".
I do think there's more to it than that but to some extent I still agree. Certainly ADHD brains are different, and of course they have things they're better at than the things their ADHD impacts, but considering the "round pegs also fit into the square holes" so to speak, it seems more like a disorder to me still. It's not as if people with ADHD have any significantly greater abilities than average in other areas, so all I see is having a weakness in specific areas. On the other hand, those strengths that are there should be embraced...therefore...

We don't fit in because the majority doesn't want us to be this way. It's not because we are "wrong". Put us in a different type of environment and we will thrive, at our own pace according to our own rules.
This. So much this. Now we're getting into what taught me to love diversity and see people as different rather than "unintelligent" when they're not good at their jobs or something. It's why I will rarely say people are "stupid," saving for a few times I've regrettably strayed from this because of anger or frustration (not "you are stupid," I don't really do that, but "humans are stupid" or "that person not present is stupid," etc.), but I'm back to where I decided I want to be on that now. The experience of being different like that has taught me a lot of patience, understanding, and empathy toward others. I spent way too long being a fish judged by squirrels for my ability to climb trees while nobody noticed I can swim.

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Schrödinger's Name

Blessed With A Curse
Joined
Jul 20, 2019
Messages
1,687
I wonder if it's a typical ADHD thing to not hear someone SHOUT your name multiple times... But somehow hearing your carbonated drink sprinkle, at the other side of the room- tHroUgh YoUr HeAdPhOneS. And then of course, not being able to block the noise out and getting immensely annoyed by the sound of your soda.
 

Saturnal Snowqueen

Solastalgia 𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
6,149
MBTI Type
FELV
Enneagram
974
Instinctual Variant
so/sp
This is a general thread on ADD/ADHD. I'll pose some questions to get started but feel free to share anything you would like on this topic and your personal relationship with it.

Whichever variation you have, what have been your personal challenges with it? How did you manage those challenges? Have you come up with any coping mechanisms or strategies to better work with and manage your symptoms?

If there is at all any silver lining to being "blessed" with this animal, where do you find it to be? How has this altered your experience and perception of it upon making this realization?

Do do you feel it owns you or that you own it? If you find yourself in the category of feeling like you own ADHD and not the other way around, what strategies have you used to get you to that level?

*Oddball MBTI related question thrown in for fun :D:

There is a perception out there held by some, understandably, that ADHD is essentially Ne, or vice versa. That is, if you see someone either with ADHD or Ne high in their stacking and proficiency (I'd imagine the ENPs appear as the ADHD type, and the INPs appear as the ADD types) then the two are interchange.

So, the questions that follows are: Have you mistyped yourself or others, to your knowledge, due to the sometimes similar outward behaviors between the diagnosis and the function? Do you think there is some relationship between the two?
I was just diagnosed last month, and it was an absolute relief. I've had many struggles, silly and serious. The earliest memory I have of ADHD was perhaps drawing fae on my papers-which I suppose neurotypical kids could do as well, but I did it ALL. THE. TIME. I was testing well, so ADHD wasn't really a struggle yet that I could realize. However, I remember my mom and I having a conflict-I never wanted to clean my room, and so my mom told me to clean this first, then this and what not, and I was like nghhh. It wasn't even that I didn't feel like cleaning my room at that point, I just wanted to be able to bounce around and do what I wanted. And then, middle school. I had a messy locker, which isn't ADHD exclusively, however, I constantly forgot homework cause I could not just focus for crap. I got good grades in 7th grade, but even then while I mostly did good on my own merit I kinda BSed myself through a science fair project(didn't actually do the experiment ahaa-). Then in high school, as I lost interest in lockers, a messy locker became a messy backpack. I had some good grades and even got an A in honors English, but a lot of the time I couldn't focus on assignments because my mind was other places or I needed to be moving. And if I wasn't immediately good at something, didn't get that immediate satisfaction, heck if that was finished. I would watch everyone else focus peacefully on their assignments, and I felt like a floating head cause I just couldn't. I remember bawling in front of a professor because I got a shockingly low score on a test and her class was the hardest to concentrate on. And then, I flunked college. Having jobs and being involved in type communities is helping me get over the guilt, but even at work I've made stupid mistakes that I'm surprised I haven't gotten fired for. Having customers pay for the wrong order. Forgetting to add certain things or take off certain things. Turning a cheeseburger pizza with no onion into an onion pizza. At my new grocery job I've pressed the wrong buttons all the time and forgot to scan things(like I'll check the eggs and then forget to scan them as I check). These buttons have costed money, and I always worried I'll get fired. I also space out when talking to people, and it just makes relationships awkward cause it makes me really question my kinship with them.

Silver lining? I guess I enjoy music more than the average person, as apparently listening to the same song over and over again is a stim. My family used to call me out on it, and it was actually kinda hurtful-but also I'm the one who blasted it over the loud speaker. But also, I do like music don't get me wrong, but sometimes music feels like more of a need than something I enjoy because of this.

Does it own me or do I own it? I don't know what to say really. I kinda define myself on it, but I grew up thinking these were "quirks" for the most part. So it's a bit hard to change that mindset. But I do take medication for it now, it's not a miracle maker but it does help. I also try to give myself changes of environment to calm myself down, which generally works well.

And yes, I type as a high Ne user-INFP. I don't think it's a mistype-I've considered other types in the past, but my confidence is in Fi-Ne-Si-Te as a stacking. Is there a correlation? Mmm, probably, as Ne does not like being tied down. Then again, neither does Se, either Pe function really. But J types can have ADHD as well, they have their preferences and just can't execute them the same way. It's not type discriminatory for sure.
 

Marcel

New member
Joined
Sep 22, 2023
Messages
5
MBTI Type
ENFP
Enneagram
Ind
I can only watch tiktok for hours without being distracted, but it can be short videos. I have already taken various pills, given up caffeine, and established a regime, but this disease interferes with my life so much that I can't stand it. At work, management does not understand the peculiarities of my nervous system and they think I'm just unproductive, but I can't control it... Stress at work makes me even more distracted and I don't know what to do anymore.
 

KurtCobain

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
54
MBTI Type
ISFP
Enneagram
9w8
Instinctual Variant
sp/so
My ADHD is very severe, doesn't respond to medication, and has made me the subject of lots of abuse in my life. I just wish I could make people understand that my neurodiversity is not a choice.
 

Synapse

Active member
Joined
Dec 29, 2007
Messages
3,462
MBTI Type
INFP
Enneagram
4
I find this whole realm interesting. I haven’t been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD however I’ve long suspected I have some kind of attention deficit. I just can’t put my finger on it. I’ve also suspected I have dyslexia as I mix things up yet again never been diagnosed so it’s something that interests me and goes look up some things via AI chatbots as it’s my goto for a bit of analysis.

Especially since well I’ve gone through hypothyroidism which I had to prove to drs that’s what it was not depression and now ankylosing spondylitis with a hint of chronic fatigue/fibro. I just never talk about it as my point of reference is nonexistent.

Also for some strange reason I did a spect scan and it was so strange the drs didn’t know how to interpret it. The only thing they got out of it is that I may have ocd traits. Upon looking it up the vague reference of ocd on my spect scan was a hypothesis and not an official diagnosis either. Typical.

Story of my life.

Also since my daughter has autism and while not officially diagnosed as in I diagnosed myself I am almost certain I have Asperger too.

So yea lots of stuff going on that is totally unexplainable and a lot of it I had to actively prove otherwise I’d have simply been anti depressant medicated when it was never that until ankylosis presented itself. So I’m gonna correlate.

Anyhow upon asking AI a few questions of which I’ll ask even more later here is the result.

———-
Upon asking Perplexity found in the AppStore.

What MBTI type is ADD and ADHD most common in?

ADD and ADHD are most commonly associated with MBTI types that have preferences for Intuition (N) and Perceiving (P). Research shows that individuals with ADHD tend to have a higher likelihood of being intuitive and perceiving types, which aligns with traits like flexibility, spontaneity, impulsivity, and distractibility.
Specifically, the types most commonly linked to ADHD and ADD include:
• INFP: The individual MBTI type most likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.
• ENFP: High representation among those with ADHD (about 17.44%) and ADD (23.53%).
• ESFP and ESFJ: Also commonly found among those with ADHD and ADD.
• ISFP and INFP: Both types show significant representation in ADD populations.
Additionally, people with ADHD are somewhat more likely to be introverted than extraverted, especially in the ADHD-PI (predominantly inattentive) subtype.
In summary, ADHD and ADD are most common in MBTI types with the Intuitive (N) and Perceiving (P) preferences, especially INFP and ENFP types

——-

Upon asking DeepSeek also found in AppStore.

What MBTI type is most likely to have ADD or ADHD and why?

The question of which MBTI types are most likely to be associated with ADHD traits is speculative, as MBTI is not scientifically validated in the same way as clinical diagnoses like ADHD. However, certain personality traits may align with ADHD symptoms, leading to anecdotal or theoretical correlations:

1. **Ne-Dominant Types (ENFP, ENTP)**:
- **Why**: Extraverted Intuition (Ne) drives curiosity, rapid idea generation, and a tendency to explore possibilities. This can resemble distractibility, impulsivity, and difficulty sustaining focus on routine tasks—traits common in ADHD. ENFPs and ENTPs may struggle with organization (a Perceiving preference) and thrive on novelty, mirroring ADHD challenges with executive function.

2. **Se-Dominant Types (ESFP, ESTP)**:
- **Why**: Extraverted Sensing (Se) focuses on immediate sensory experiences and spontaneity. High Se users often seek stimulation, act impulsively, and may exhibit hyperactivity, aligning with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD presentations. Their preference for adaptability over structure (Perceiving) can exacerbate disorganization.

3. **Perceiving (P) Preference**:
- **Why**: Regardless of type, individuals with a Perceiving preference tend to be flexible, open-ended, and resistant to rigid schedules. This can mimic ADHD difficulties with time management and task completion, particularly in inattentive subtypes.

**Important Notes**:
- **ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder**, not a personality trait. MBTI type does not cause ADHD, but certain traits may overlap symptomatically.
- **Research Gaps**: Empirical studies linking MBTI to ADHD are limited. Anecdotal reports and theoretical alignments (e.g., Ne/Se traits) form the basis of these associations.
- **Individual Variation**: ADHD manifests differently across individuals, and MBTI type should not be used diagnostically.

In summary, ENFP, ENTP, ESFP, and ESTP types are often theorized to align with ADHD traits due to their dominant perceiving functions (Ne/Se) and Perceiving preference, which emphasize spontaneity and novelty-seeking. However, this correlation remains speculative and should be interpreted cautiously.

———-

Out of curiosity I also asked DeepSeek this.

What about OCD and Dyslexia is there any correlation to what type might exhibit this more or less frequently?

The relationship between MBTI personality types and neurodivergent conditions like **OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)** or **Dyslexia** is even more speculative than the ADHD-MBTI connection, as there is little to no empirical research linking these conditions to personality frameworks. However, we can explore theoretical overlaps between MBTI traits and behaviors associated with these conditions, while emphasizing that **correlation ≠ causation** and neurodivergence is not defined by personality type.

---

### **OCD and MBTI**
OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While no MBTI type is "prone" to OCD, certain cognitive functions or preferences might *theoretically* align with OCD-like tendencies (though OCD is a clinical disorder, not a personality trait):

1. **High **Ti (Introverted Thinking)** or **Si (Introverted Sensing)** Dominants**:
- **ISTJ/ISFJ (Si-dom)**: A strong focus on routine, detail, and order (common in Si) might resemble compulsive behaviors, especially if rigidity becomes extreme. However, healthy Si-users value structure without distress, unlike OCD.
- **INTP/ISTP (Ti-dom)**: Over-reliance on internal logic (Ti) could lead to repetitive mental rituals (e.g., obsessive problem-solving or checking), mirroring obsessive thought patterns.

2. **Judging (J) Preference**:
- Types with a **Judging preference** (e.g., ENTJ, ESTJ, INFJ) often prioritize control, organization, and closure. In extreme cases, this might mimic OCD’s need for certainty or ritualized behaviors, but true OCD involves debilitating anxiety, not just preference.

3. **Perfectionist Traits**:
- Types like **INFJ**, **INTJ**, or **ISTJ** may exhibit perfectionism, which could superficially align with OCD compulsions (e.g., rewriting notes, excessive planning). However, perfectionism is a trait, whereas OCD is a disorder rooted in anxiety.

**Key Note**: OCD is **not** a personality trait. These overlaps are purely theoretical and risk pathologizing normal personality tendencies. OCD requires clinical diagnosis and is unrelated to MBTI type.

---

### **Dyslexia and MBTI**
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting reading, writing, and language processing. There is no evidence linking it to MBTI type, but we can consider how certain cognitive functions *might* interact with dyslexic traits:

1. **Se (Extraverted Sensing) Dominants (ESFP, ESTP)**:
- High Se users prioritize hands-on learning, spatial reasoning, and real-time interaction. Dyslexic individuals often develop strong compensatory skills in these areas, which *could* align with Se strengths (e.g., creativity, adaptability).

2. **Intuitive Types (N)**:
- Intuitives (e.g., ENFP, INTP) may rely more on big-picture thinking or abstract ideas, potentially offsetting challenges with linear, detail-oriented tasks (e.g., spelling, grammar). Dyslexic individuals often excel in creative problem-solving, a trait associated with **Ne (Extraverted Intuition)**.

3. **Perceiving (P) Preference**:
- Types with a **Perceiving preference** (e.g., ENTP, ISFP) are more adaptable and open-ended, which might help dyslexic individuals navigate challenges with traditional academic structures. However, this is purely conjectural.

**Key Note**: Dyslexia is a **neurological difference**, not a personality trait. MBTI does not predict or explain dyslexia, though individuals may develop coping strategies that align with their cognitive preferences.

---

### **Critical Considerations**
1. **Neurodivergence ≠ Personality**: OCD and dyslexia are neurobiological conditions, not personality types. MBTI describes preferences for processing information, not neurological wiring.
2. **Avoid Stereotyping**: Associating disorders with MBTI risks stigmatizing both neurodivergent individuals and certain types (e.g., implying ISTJs are "OCD-like").
3. **Compensation Strategies**: Neurodivergent individuals often develop strengths in areas unrelated to their challenges (e.g., dyslexic engineers with strong spatial reasoning). These strategies may align with MBTI traits but are not caused by them.

---

### **Summary**
- **OCD**: Theoretical overlaps with **Si/Ti dominants (ISTJ, INTP)** or Judging types due to focus on order, detail, or mental rituals. However, OCD is unrelated to personality.
- **Dyslexia**: No MBTI correlation, but compensatory strengths (e.g., creativity, adaptability) might align with **Se/Ne dominants (ESFP, ENFP)**.

Always prioritize clinical understanding of neurodivergence over personality frameworks. MBTI can offer insights into how individuals *adapt* to challenges, but it does not predict or explain disorders.

——-

So yea it’s true while these things aren’t inherently related to MBTI personalities it’s highly speculative. As most of these things are health related not personality related per-say, still interesting all the same.

Even the AI responses warrant high degree of scrutiny and must be taken with skepticism. Yet I can’t help but incorporate them in analysis as it’s novel until the novelty wears off.
 
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