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[artistic_chaos]

I decided to post this because I've had this exact conversation with about half a dozen people, and I wanted to start a discussion with a larger group where everyone can talk to everyone else. Weigh in

Comments

[indigowombat]

Thanks, this is interesting. I understand the neurological side of the two overlapping groups you're comparing, and I have a guess about the group you describe as far as "particular social circles", but would you be willing to be more explicit about the sets of interests you're referring to, here, for the sake of discussion? If you'd rather leave some of that unspecified, I understand.

[artistic_chaos]

I left it unspecified because a) it would be hard to get a complete list of interests/traits, and b) because not everyone would fit all of those traits, and I don't want to be overly generalistic.

Having said that, though, look at the social circles... there are lots of poly people, lots of "alternative religion" people, I think pretty much everyone is of rather above average intelligence, generally geeky, of... various... sexual/gender orientations, have similiar interests in terms of (take your pick) reading, scifi/fantasy, SCA, blah blah blah...

[indigowombat]

Got it. That list is comparable to the list of neurological and/or psychological traits, I can get a good basis for comparison on that, thanks

[elisandra]

While I do think that ADD types tend to get along and stick together without realizing what the tie is, I theorize that we also have social issues that are easily mistaken for neuro issues.

[elisandra]

We meaning our social group and people we tend to be drawn to.

[dawningday]

The root cause may not be an actual neurological condition either, it could be just simply because you're "different" enough that you don't fit in with mainstream society and the stress of that causes these "symptoms".

I'm no expert, but I am aware of a DSM-IV diagnosis for "adjustment disorder." From my understanding, it's basically a situation in which an otherwise psychologically healthy person develops negative symptoms due to an external situation/pressure/environment. Adjustment disorder can be paired with "depressed mood" or "anxious mood" or the like, so there is a recognition of the symptom with a dianosis of depression or an anxiety disorder.

So, there's definitely some "official" backing for this perspective on things, at least for some individuals.

[artistic_chaos]

*nod* I was diagnosed with this about a year before being diagnosed cyclothymic and ADHD (although by different doctors, so take it for what it's worth).

[dawningday]

My knowledge of it comes from my girlfriend, who is in an MSW program. She said that a lot of therapists will diagnose adjustment disorder first, because other diagnoses will follow an individual for the rest of their lives, marking them as "diseased" and all that other jazz.

[elisandra]

OH OH! I almost forgot. Let me give you my theory on what "ADD" really means.

There is nothing wrong with us. We are not broken or challenged. We're different. There have always been ADD people and up until this century, there was a normal sort of place for it in society. Now, if you want to work in the corporate world, pay your bills, and be successful in a 'mainstream' sort of way, and you have that personality type, or way of thinking if you like, it's harder without some help.

[indigowombat]

Agreed. ADD and many other neurological conditions are simply another form of diversity. Sometimes those of us who are neurodivergent are extremely challenged in integrating into the socioeconomic structures of mainstream culture.

You may be interested to look up the term "neurodiversity" in wikipedia. I am also putting together a website based on the premise that neurodiversity is natural and positive, and that these conditions are not disorders. This will be coming soon. There are a lot of us out here working to circulate these ideas more widely.

[anthologie]

I'm developing a variety of social thoughts kind of related to this topic, such as:
- I think LJ and online fora generally attract socially maladjusted people of all sorts, from shy people to sensory-overload people to nerdy types, etc., because of the format.
- I think LJ also appeals to various disabled/chronically ill folks because it's less exhausting than having a really full social life, and it's a way to connect with people far away who might have the same rare thing you do.
- I think the Bay Area's fast pace and productivity model attract high-functioning autistic/ADD types because their brains are well-suited to that pace and work model.

Lots more to it than that, but that's the starting point.