Adult ADDers

July 10, 2002

Adult ADDers

It’s interesting to note that one of the studies that helped establish a biological basis for ADD was done on adults – not children. There appeared (in this study) to be a difference at the cellular level, in energy consumption, between the parts of the brain that regulate attention, emotion, and impulse control in subjects with ADD as compares with subjects without ADD. (Published 1990 in the New England Journal of Medication).

Some of the “hallmarks” of ADD in adults

(According to E. M. Hallowell in Driven to Distraction) =

Underachievement

Difficulty getting organized

Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started

Many projects going simultaneously

Trouble following through

Blurting out remarks

Search for high stimulation

Intolerance of boredom

Distractibility

Difficulty focusing

Drifting away from tasks

Sometimes hyper focusing

Creative

Intuitive

Highly intelligent

Trouble following procedures

Low frustration threshold

Impulsive – spending money, changing plans, etc.

Worries needlessly, endlessly – hunts for things to worry about

Insecure

Mood wings

Restless – pacing, drumming fingers, edgy

Tendency towards addictive behaviors

Chronic self-esteem problems

Inaccurate self-observation

Family history of ADD, manic-depressive illness or depression, substance abuse, mood disorders

Childhood history of ADD ...

(BJ’s note) If you have a child diagnosed with ADD or ADHD – there’s an excellent possibility at least one parent also has ADD or ADHD.

A family with ADD--ADHD children and a parent with this difficulty is a sure formula for dysfunction. Seek help! Get educated! Realize life probably will have more extreme ups and downs than a “normal” family.

If you’re an adult ADDer – here are some tips to consider -- from Hallowell.

Join or start a support group

Think positively

Develop a reminder system – lists, daily rituals, get organized

Practice OHIO – Only Handle It Once – referring to paperwork

Make deadlines for yourself

Do what you are good at

Understand your mood changes and find ways to manage

Expect depression after success

Be an advocate for yourself

Don’t take your “faults” too seriously

Realize ADD can affect your sex life (see Hallowell’s book for more info)

Don’t use ADD as an excuse – you are responsible for your actions

Medication helps

Consider hiring a personal ADD coach

What a coach can do –

Initially, daily or at least frequent, phone sessions discussing practical and concrete issues such as plans for the day, upcoming deadlines, physical feelings, moods and so forth giving assistance in daily living tasks and organizational issues.

As the coaching experience continues, sessions will become more infrequent and perhaps of longer duration as the ADDer and coach continue to explore life skill concerns.

Cautions =

Be aware that coaching is not psychotherapy. Also, do your homework if you decide to hire a coach. Coaching sounds easy and many “coaches” have “hung up their sign and started business” without much training and/or expertise. Some also charge quite a bit of money. Don’t be duped. Check the coach out thoroughly. Do a search on the Internet and spend some time exploring coaching before you decide on a coach.

A good coach should be able to lead you to a “happier” life filled with more positive than negative events.

A few links to explore:

Coaches listed at ADDitude Magazine

http://additudemag.com/selfhelp.asp?DEPT_NO=407&SUB_NO=1

Do YOU have ADD/ADHD? Online "test"

http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/adult1.asp

Find a support group

http://www.chadd.org/findchap.cfm?cat_id=7&subcat_id=36

IT'S YOUR CHOICE!

Consider getting a  “coach” for your child if he/she is an adult - with ADD ADHD.

If you suspect YOU might be an Adult ADDer do not procrastinate.

Find out for sure and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Email me sometime.  I would appreciate any and all feedback – positive or negative.  Thanks

ADDchoices@aol.com

IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF YOU’D SEND THIS TO OTHERS WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED.

PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE

www.addchoices.com

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

DISCLAIMER

This information is for educational purposes only. Much of the information is from classes and workshops I've taken during my 33 years of working with ADD & ADHD students - sprinkled with my own comments, thoughts and insights

Some information is acquired from the INTERNET. Be aware that not all information on the WWW is accurate. Use your own judgment. This information is not intended to replace information from your doctor, therapist, lawyer, psychologist, nutritionist or psychiatrist. Consult your child's (or your own) doctor for additional input.

Editor: BJ Madewell
Wichita, KS area
316-733-9532
FAX not available

Email ADDchoices@aol.com or ADDchoices@yahoo.com

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BJ Madewell

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