I don’t see a contact for you here. Could you please send me your e-mail?

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I think the arts can seem like a haven for ADHD adults because ADHD behavior is, if not more accepted, then certainly more expected of them there than in the corporate world. However, you’re absolutely right — I am far more consistent with my creative projects and far more able to focus on just one or two (not 10 that will never be finished) when I’m following my medication schedule.

Yes, I know… Bloggers always like to know that they aren’t alone.

I wish I had some suggestions for books on ADHD and creativity. I know a few expound on the “gifts” of ADHD such as creativity, but I find them largely superficial and full of sweeping generalizations. Mostly, they seem to “enable” readers’ denial of ADHD-related challenges instead of helping readers face and work through them.

The studies have been few in this area. For one thing, it’s tricky to define creativity. One study, as I recall, defined it as “divergent thinking” — that is coming up with novel ideas for problem solving. But, peppering a problem with potential solutions that might bear no relation to reality fails to jibe with my idea of creativity.

Another study examining ADHD + creativity and intelligence found both qualities fall on the same bell curve as with the rest of the population. In other words, people with ADHD don’t have the lock on creativity.

I remember the days when my pre-diagnosis husband could rattle on all day with “creative” ideas, including during our vacation hiking in the peaceful desert. I finally realized that he was simply “self-medicating” with ideas, trying to keep his brain running. He had no intention of following through on the ideas, most of which weren’t remembering. These days, he can enjoy a quiet hike without spinning his brain. More importantly, in my opinion, his work is actually more creative in the sense that his attention is more profoundly engaged instead of skipping around seeking stimulation points.

Jonah Lehrer has been making the radio talk-show rounds talking about his latest book, something to do with creativity. I find some of his arguments specious and some thought-provoking. Mainly, I’ve gotten irked when he seems to pander to “creative” ideas about ADHD. I don’t know that he talks about ADHD in the book, but maybe it’s a book you want to consider reviewing.

best,
g

I’m glad you found it so useful! I intend to post at the very least an abridged version with a link back to this page on both Amazon and Goodreads.

I hear you on the naysayers. I had consistent behavior issues as a child but got good grades (I credit being a linguistic learner and being too afraid to take home a poor grade) in school so no one ever put two and two together. Into my teenage years uncontrolled emotional reactions, driving too fast, and fighting with my parents was easily explainable as par for the course teen angst. I was assessed at age 17 or 18 but refused medication because I’d seen a boyfriend have a bad reaction to antidepressants — very misinformed but what did I know?

The real test came not with the rigidity of academia, but with career and marriage, which finally took me to a breaking point where I sought treatment. Too many adults allow themselves to reach the stage where they feel their lives are falling apart — earlier intervention and education could save them from so much suffering.

Jaclyn

Thanks so much for stopping by! Both my husband an I have benefited greatly from your book already and it was my primary inspiration for starting up a book review category on my site. I’m delighted to hear you both found and appreciated my review. Blogging can be a thankless endeavor at times but when even one person is touched by something I write it makes it all worth it.

If you have any suggestions for other books that touch (however loosely) on creativity and ADHD, I would love to hear them!

Jaclyn

“Art still requires considerable executive functioning powers, or else it’s all just potential.”

People who romanticize these disorders often mean well but still victimize those who suffer from them, by adding to the stigma of medication and “copping out” to Big Pharma.

Wow. What an energy booster, as I attempt to write an article on the complicated issues around ADHD and sleep, to read your wonderfully composed review of my book. Such interesting insights!

I am so grateful that you have found the book helpful.

And I hope tons of your readers buy the book (or anything else) via your Amazon Associates link. It costs shoppers nothing extra and helps to support the considerable time and effort that carefully written blogs such as yours require.

Best,
Gina
(I learned of the review from a Google Alert set for my name.)