This is the first article of yours that I have read and I find it compelling. I do not have a formal diagnosis but my grandson has and the knowledge we have gained has explained traits I have struggled with for decades. As a writer/journalist, short pieces appealed to me. Jumping from one subject to the next fit my need to look, write and move on. Now retired, the desire to write a novel allowed me to focus intently-writing everyday for hours-for months. I have no idea how to harness any of it. I recently had major surgery and find it near impossible to get back to my novel. I can't get motivated to start a completely off-the-wall shirt scene. I will be watching your column with interest!
Years ago, a well-meaning editor complimented me but asked why I had to go down so many damn rabbit holes. I thought it was obvious, but realize now it wasn’t: because that’s where the stories are!
It’s the coming back out from the rabbit holes which was tricky sometimes
I was recently diagnosed with ADHD at 62. After leaving journalism I have really struggled to fit in to jobs -- failing spectacularly at roles that are excruciatingly boring and meaningless compared with life in a newsroom. Although I didn't realize it, working on a daily deadline was a real blessing for my very short attention span. I could handle more in depth projects just barely. The freedom to decide what to investigate, subjects to interview, and a story done, printed, over, on to the next, was wonderful. I miss it every single day, especially when I'm staring mindlessly at Excel spreadsheets.....
I really enjoyed this, Ted. I especially liked flipping the script and figuring out how to harness ADHD. I have people in my family who struggle with ADHD. It's nice to recognize and even celebrate that getting distracted and the hyper focus, both part of ADHD, can both be powerful things for good.
I've not been diagnosed with a behavioural disorder but I sense I have fringe tendencies Mr.A. and I try to see the positive in my obsessions, my phase-outs, my off tangent thinking, and even my occasional Tourettes-like outbursts. My lateral way of seeing the world brings me much fun as I can create analogies easily. My unusual traits also help me be empathetic when I encounter distress in others. I was an elementary school special education teacher probably by nature as much as training. My essay writing is a perfect fit with these quirky attributes because I tend to examine words outside of organized definitions.
Thanks Mr.A., feel free to use it. A fellow writer once called me a ‘lateral thinker’. I was flattered and intrigued and have since been on the look-out for examples of that idea of seeing the world broadly rather than trying to bore down into it for why energy.
Being neurodivergent is something I've thought about a lot since leaving the AP. I'm not entirely sure if I'm neurospicy, or if it's a product of being an only child educated in slightly different and smaller classrooms. I have come to the conclusion that I was a better journalist than fiction author, but being a journalist was too detrimental to my mental health. A true conundrum.
I think about that struggle of yours quite a bit. Maybe we could do a Zoom soon because I’d love to learn from some of that. As you know, I’ve struggled with some of the same things.
This is the first article of yours that I have read and I find it compelling. I do not have a formal diagnosis but my grandson has and the knowledge we have gained has explained traits I have struggled with for decades. As a writer/journalist, short pieces appealed to me. Jumping from one subject to the next fit my need to look, write and move on. Now retired, the desire to write a novel allowed me to focus intently-writing everyday for hours-for months. I have no idea how to harness any of it. I recently had major surgery and find it near impossible to get back to my novel. I can't get motivated to start a completely off-the-wall shirt scene. I will be watching your column with interest!
Years ago, a well-meaning editor complimented me but asked why I had to go down so many damn rabbit holes. I thought it was obvious, but realize now it wasn’t: because that’s where the stories are!
It’s the coming back out from the rabbit holes which was tricky sometimes
Love this piece, sharing it w/ some friends
I was recently diagnosed with ADHD at 62. After leaving journalism I have really struggled to fit in to jobs -- failing spectacularly at roles that are excruciatingly boring and meaningless compared with life in a newsroom. Although I didn't realize it, working on a daily deadline was a real blessing for my very short attention span. I could handle more in depth projects just barely. The freedom to decide what to investigate, subjects to interview, and a story done, printed, over, on to the next, was wonderful. I miss it every single day, especially when I'm staring mindlessly at Excel spreadsheets.....
There's really nothing like it, is there?
I really enjoyed this, Ted. I especially liked flipping the script and figuring out how to harness ADHD. I have people in my family who struggle with ADHD. It's nice to recognize and even celebrate that getting distracted and the hyper focus, both part of ADHD, can both be powerful things for good.
Thank you! You see me regularly in my work environment — I hope I'm succeeding at doing this!
I've not been diagnosed with a behavioural disorder but I sense I have fringe tendencies Mr.A. and I try to see the positive in my obsessions, my phase-outs, my off tangent thinking, and even my occasional Tourettes-like outbursts. My lateral way of seeing the world brings me much fun as I can create analogies easily. My unusual traits also help me be empathetic when I encounter distress in others. I was an elementary school special education teacher probably by nature as much as training. My essay writing is a perfect fit with these quirky attributes because I tend to examine words outside of organized definitions.
I love "lateral ways of seeing the world."
Thanks Mr.A., feel free to use it. A fellow writer once called me a ‘lateral thinker’. I was flattered and intrigued and have since been on the look-out for examples of that idea of seeing the world broadly rather than trying to bore down into it for why energy.
I was really enjoying this until you said Chex mix and then I had to go eat some so what I’m saying is I also have ADHD and have solved nothing.
I view having Chex mix as a solution unto itself. Broaden your mind.
Being neurodivergent is something I've thought about a lot since leaving the AP. I'm not entirely sure if I'm neurospicy, or if it's a product of being an only child educated in slightly different and smaller classrooms. I have come to the conclusion that I was a better journalist than fiction author, but being a journalist was too detrimental to my mental health. A true conundrum.
PS. You are on my list of favorite journalists.
I think about that struggle of yours quite a bit. Maybe we could do a Zoom soon because I’d love to learn from some of that. As you know, I’ve struggled with some of the same things.
I'd love that