Positive Turbo Thinker© Traits

One of the most exciting pieces of research presented at this year's World Congress on ADHD shifts our focus from deficits and weaknesses to positive traits and strengths.

In the study, adults with ADHD were asked to complete an online questionnaire regarding both positive and negative aspects of their condition. In total, participants mentioned 116 different positive aspects, which were categorized into five themes: Creativity, Being dynamic, Flexibility, Socio-affective skills, and Higher-order cognitive skills. The results were further confirmed and interpreted with the assistance of a focus group. One important insight from the focus group was that the positive aspects did not negate the negative aspects of ADHD.

The study also emphasized the creativity exhibited in problem-solving, as many participants displayed evidence of divergent thinking. Divergent thinking involves generating multiple solutions from a single prompt. Hello, Turbo Thinkers©! In contrast, convergent thinking starts with facts and information and leads to a single solution.

Increasing awareness about the strengths of ADHD can assist Turbo Thinkers© and those around them in better managing, accepting, or embracing their diagnosis while reducing stigma. Moreover, it opens the door for interventions that focus on leveraging strengths. These interventions help individuals discover and utilize their strengths in their everyday lives, leading to improvements in self-esteem, life satisfaction, and overall quality of life. The next step in this research will involve quantitatively investigating the strengths associated with ADHD to gain a better understanding of these new ADHD phenotypes.

If you’re interested in learning more visit frontiers.org.

If you need help recognizing the power of your own positive Turbo Thinker© traits, reach out to Mind Coach today for a free twenty-minute consultation.