Since ADD hadn't really been defined when my children were growing up, I had only a cursory knowledge of it.

Just recently, it has been brought to my attention that people don't grow out of ADD, and that lots of dysfunctional people may be adults with ADD.

I began to study the traits of adults with ADD, and I find that one of my daughters, who is a drug addict, certainly fits the description. She is very bright, MENSA level, and sometimes speaks so rapidly you can't understand her. She recently took a college entrance exam, scored the highest grade ever, in the shortest time ever. When I mentioned the self medication theory to her, she said yes, when she smoked crack, her thoughts got clearer.

It's amazing that it has taken us this long to discover this. Now she is reading the material on adult symptoms, medication and ways to deal with the problem.

I am happy to share this in case it might help someone else.

This is interesting. We had an employee in a position of power. He was the best talker I have ever met. He could convince you that the accounting software was inaccurate - that we really were making a profit on projects that the books clearly showed was losing money. He used to take copious notes in meeting but failed to execute. He promised everything to everybody and delivered on almost nothing. But he always could talk his way out of it. Then he took a weekend football trip sponsored by one of our vendors. Multiple reports came back that he missed his flight, when he arrived he was falling down drunk by 10am, he missed the football game, he missed the return bus to the airport. I did some research and decided he was showing classic signs of ADD with substance abuse. When I fired him I told him that I thought he had a condition, which I didn't try to define for him, that I hoped he would recognize and seek help for. I never knew what happened to him after he left us but I do know he filed for disability. I can only assume it was mental or emotional. So sad. He was a charming guy with a robust personality. Unfortunately, he also cost our company so much money that it may be years before we can dig our way out.

THANKS DIANE AND JEFF FOR SHARING THAT . WINSTON : )<><

Hey, Win! Hope you are well, Mr. D.J.!

That also sounds like my daughter. When she was small she would do something wrong in front of the entire family, then protest so loudly and pitifully that she hadn't that we all wound up doubting our own eyes.

Seems like a terrific waste of intelligence. My son also has problems with ADD. We never knew he was seriously challenged by reading when he was in school, because he was unable to articulate his problem. Also, his sisters are so smart, he didn't want to indicate any problems with learning. He became an alcoholic and right now is struggling. He recovered (so to speak) for four years, then relapsed because of what I am guessing are underlying symptoms of ADD. I am just hoping to hear from him again soon so I can share what I've learned and maybe he can get some help.

Thanks for sharing that Diane. I'm sure there are others in our class with these types of stories to share