Does Steve Jobs have AD/HD?

    AD/HD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is thought to be a both a learning and a personality disorder.  Although having AD/HD doesn't inhibit you from career or life success.  I created this web page because I believe that Steve Jobs has AD/HD.  I have self-diagnosed myself with AD/HD.  I also believe that my father is also AD/HD (he is currently a very successful business man, just like Mr. Jobs).  I have studied the life of Steve Jobs, in detail, and I feel that he shares a lot of traits with me.  Steve Jobs possess a very up and down personality, with wide mood swings.  He can be very charismatic one moment, then he'll explode in anger the next moment.  Steve is also considered a genius, and a visionary, who's creativity led him to start Apple Computer, produce the first GUI (graphical user interface) operating system in "Lisa" and later in the "Mac," as well as feed the company Pixar- which has produced many top grossing movies such as "Toy Story." 

Here are some reasons why I believe that Steve Jobs is AD/HD:
*AD/HD'ers a typically very intelligent individuals.  Also, ADD'ers in general sometimes possess high levels of creativity.
(response)  Steve Jobs is the genius who co-founded Apple Computer, as well as funding Pixar Animation Studios, and being the visionary behind I-Tunes.

*Many ADD'ers excel as salesmen.  Some ADD'ers posses charisma, and the ability to fast talk individuals.
(response)  Steve Jobs is a natural born salesman.  Along with with Steve Wosniak, Jobs originally sold an item call "blue boxes" which allowed users to make free long distant phone calls.  Steve Jobs later began selling the original Apple Computer out of his basement.  Steve Jobs is legendary for his charisma, enthusiasm, and persuasiveness.  Steve Jobs also was able to talk his was in to free housing when he was a student at Reed College.

*ADD,AD/HD'ers usually have more difficulty than typical individuals in an educational environment.
(response)  Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College after one semester.

*ADD, AD/HD'ers may have troube with social skills, and maintaining relationships.
(response)  Steve Jobs was thought to have very few friends in high school.  Steve Jobs has been through multiple marriages.  Steve Jobs claims that his only friend is Larry Ellison (CEO/Founder of Oracle).

*ADD'ers possess large mood swings.
(response)  Steve Jobs will go from charismatic leader, to yelling in his employee's ears, insulting them, and throwing temper tantrums. 

    These are just a few reasons why I believe that Steve Jobs has AD/HD.  It's well known that his rival- Bill Gates, has a form of autism (Asperger's disease).  I'm surprised that there hasn't been any commentary on whether Steve Jobs has AD/HD.  I have read books stating that Steve Jobs has split personality disorder, but I don't believe that's true. 

    My next question is whether or not AD/HD'ers make good executive level managers.  After all, Steve Jobs and my father seem to have AD/HD, and they are both CEO's of large companies (of course Steve Jobs' company is A LOT bigger than my fathers).  I feel that highly intelligent and socially skilled AD/HD'ers can possess many natural leadership/salesman qualities that will allow them to excel in the business world.  Although many AD/HD qualities may cause problems early in a management career, experience will smooth out many problems, and over time, and AD/HD has the ability to become a very powerful and successful executive level manager (remember, Steve Jobs was originally asked to step down from Apple). 

    What do I believe causes AD/HD?  (Remember, this is what I think).  No one really knows what causes ADD, or AD/HD.  My belief is that a family history of excessive substance abuse is the main culprit of both ADD, AD/HD.  Substance abuse of alcohol or illegal drugs may cause a disrupted flow of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.  A disrupted flow of certain neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin may cause individuals to act hyper, and not have the ability to concentrate.  An imbalance in neurotransmitters can also cause depression, anxiety, and wide mood swings (all common in ADD, AD/HD'ers). 

    If alcohol and substance abuse is a main culprit of ADD, AD/HD, what could this mean?  This could mean that ADD, AD/HD will increase in the future.  Many school-aged children are on prescription medication such as Ritalin.  An increase in the use of drugs and alcohol (and a society that relies on them more heavily), may be a large factor in the increasing rate of mild to moderate ADD in many children. 

    One last note, I don't recommend that children should be put on medication unless it's very necessary.  Ritalin can cause many problems in children, including anxiety.  Anti-depressants can lead to weight gain and other serious problems.  If you or your child has ADD, then it's important to contact a psychiatrist, and seriously weigh different options on how to treat your ADD.

Who else may have AD/HD?
*Marshall Mathers (Eminem)
*Will Smith
*Adam Sandler

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