IQ, Indigo & ADD/ADHD

beansrer · May 31, 2014, 12:49 PM

I have ADHD and an IQ which ranks up there at the borderline between Highly Gifted and Genius. Is this common among those of us with ADD/ADHD?

I also believe that I am an Indigo Adult. I believe that Indigo's are here to help usher in the Aquarian Age. I am also leaning toward a belief that Indigos are usually diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. I have never been treated for ADHD and I have always felt like I was never a part of any group but always on the outside looking in. Even as a child, I was the third among six children and the only boy. My mother referred to me as the "lone wolf".

Most people that I know whom also believe they are Indigo have a high IQ and also have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Are they related? I would love to receive an opinion from you on this subject!

pegasus · May 31, 2014, 03:02 PM

Hello beansrer, welcome to Psych Central.

First of all a couple of links so we know what we are talking about here - ADD Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and ADHD) - Psych Central

and Indigo children Indigo children - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia You'll see that it talks about the relationship between ADHD and indigo children and the connection that was made as an alternative to a diagnosis.

Quote:

Relationship to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Many children labeled indigo by their parents are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Tober and Carroll's book The Indigo Children linked the concept with diagnosis of ADHD. David Cohen points out that labeling a child an indigo is an alternative to a diagnosis that implies imperfection, damage or mental illness, which may appeal to many parents. Cohen has stated, "The view in medicine is that ADHD is a defect. It's a disorder. If you're a parent, the idea of 'gifted' is much more appealing than the idea of a disorder." Linking the concept of indigo children with the distaste for the use of Ritalin to control ADHD, Robert Todd Carroll states "The hype and near-hysteria surrounding the use of Ritalin has contributed to an atmosphere that makes it possible for a book like Indigo Children to be taken seriously. Given the choice, who wouldn't rather believe their children are special and chosen for some high mission rather than that they have a brain disorder Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, states that concerns regarding the overmedicalization of children are legitimate but even gifted children with ADHD learn better with more structure rather than less, even if the structure initially causes difficulties. Many labeled as indigo children are or have been home schooled.
A 2011 study suggested parents of children with ADHD who label their children as "indigos" may perceive problematic behaviors emblematic of ADHD to be more positive and experience less frustration and disappointment, though they still experience more negative emotions and conflicts than parents of children without a diagnosis.

Your question about ADHD /ADD and whether it is common for people with that diagnosis to have a higher IQ than most. As far as my knowledge no and this article here confirms this with research. High IQ Offers No Protection from ADHD Effects | Psych Central News So you are unique there!

chelsea89 · Jun 01, 2014, 06:46 AM

I would also look into Asperger's if I were you. It can be quite commonly misdiagnosed as ADHD or ADHD could be a co-morbid condition. People with Asperger's generally have high average to genius IQ's and extra-sensory perceptions or synesthesia and very good "gut" feelings about things they just "know".

PenultimatePeril · Jun 01, 2014, 09:37 AM

I have ADHD and as perges and am an indigo. i think there is something to do with ADHD and indigos too.

brainhi · Jun 03, 2014, 06:30 AM

Through my experiences I have seen individuals labeled ADD/ADHD/Autistic with very high intelligences. They may not have the same high intelligences in all areas. Some areas are more well developed than others. Many of who we have labeled "geniuses" in the past more than likely had learning struggles in other areas outside their genius.

Lemongrab · Jun 06, 2014, 05:20 AM

My younger brother has ADHD and Aspergers and he is particularly gifted in the area of mechanics and electronics. He started taking plugs apart at 2 and moved on to larger machines as he got older. He is now 18 and an apprentice mechanic who is brilliant at what he does.
However, his intellectual and social development is very lacking. He is the opposite to me, where I developed intellectually and artistically, with very little skill in maths, science or electronics. I'm not sure if he is an "indigo child" but he certainly is like no other ordinary person his age.

Petra5ed · Jun 09, 2014, 08:26 PM

My IQ is in the 150 range, and I was diagnosed with ADHD. I feel very pompous announcing my IQ, so I will just add that I have other issues, and I think IQ is vastly overrated. We are all very stupid, it's just a matter of degree I guess. I've been told I'm an indigo, and am on the fence if that is even a thing or not. My closest friend is also a diagnosed ADHD. I don't know his IQ but I'm fairly certain it's high.

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