tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38736082582429385932024-01-20T16:17:04.261-08:00Sarah Gogstetter's ADD/ADHDSarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-89184595252056108222013-01-11T15:12:00.003-08:002013-01-11T15:13:29.322-08:00Confidants, non-judgmental listenersMany of us from time to time need someone to talk to, to listen to us, and/or let us process stuff. Sometimes it's really hard to find the ideal listener. The one who intuitive listens, doesn't interrupt, let us cry without having to explain the tears immediately. Sometimes it would be great if that listener would hold off giving advice until you ask for it. However, isn't the most important thing you want in a listener is to be non-judgmental, supportive and capable of not blabbing it to everyone?<br />
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My mom is that someone, who is non-judgmental, supportive and capable of keeping secrets. I can talk to my mom about <u>ANYTHING!</u> She's not always the greatest listener on the planet, but she's loving, compassionate, intelligent, very non-judgmental, open to new ideas, can keep content confidential, supportive, forgiving, and a strong individual. Yes, sometimes she interjects solutions to the problem. Yes, she doesn't always know what to say or not say. Yes, I know she's not cut out to be a coach or therapist. Yet the amazing thing is everyone comes to her with their problems and plans. The reason is she's non-judgmental, fun, and not easily shocked by life.<br />
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Do you have a person in your life like this? It doesn't have to be your mom. It's that person is human listener, who may not be a perfect listener.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-60508702661552374332012-07-25T14:25:00.000-07:002012-07-25T14:25:46.997-07:00Advocating with kidsI started advocating for myself as a kid. I learned how to stand up to adults from a very early age. I learned how to deal with bullying. I learned how to turn the other cheek as appropriate and when to fight back. I learned how to put boundaries up to a certain extent. I learned how to make decisions, important decisions from a very early age. I learned to not care what most people think of me. I learned that I generally had a better idea of what I was capable of doing than most of the adults. I also figured out a lot of adults back then didn't have a clue what they were doing with me. I had to grow up and learn to talk to adults like I was an adult. I was very fortunate that my mother backed me up and supported my efforts and decisions. I know I wasn't the easiest kid to raise, but I know I was worth it.<br />
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I was born with multiple birth challenges (aka ''defects'') and had undiagnosed ADHD, Depression and myriad of other comorbidities. I am thankful how my mom raised me, because she taught me how to make important decisions and let me make them. She started with easier decisions like would ''you like to wear this dress or that dress?" And of course I would choose the one in the closet lol. I however went on to make much more important decisions. For example, I chose to have a thumb made between 3-4 years old. I was born with 4 fingers on my right hand, no thumb, no radius bone, curve ulna, and a bent wrist. Having surgery is a big decision for anyone, but it's even bigger for a 3 or 4 year old. As time went on I made the decision to have my 3 hand surgeries I went through later as pre-teen and young teenager. I don't regret any of those decisions. In fact, I am proud of those decisions. I was given the freedom to make my hand work the way I wanted it to. I love my right hand. I wouldn't trade it in for anything. I'd rather lose my left arm than my right arm. My right hand serves as a reminder as what I am capable of doing when I do things in my own unique way. I love the fact that I am unique because my set of birth challenges are so rare. I love the fact that I can do things with my right hand that I can't do with my left hand. I also love the fact that I have severe ADHD and several of it's comorbid friends. I love the fact I have my own unique brain wiring and I love the fact I am part of a rich and wonderful community. I am part of the ADD/ADHD community. I learn from it, I receive from it, and I give back to this community.<br />
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So what in the world does this have to with advocating? The confidence in advocating for oneself starts with loving every part of yourself. Starts with developing a positive, wholesome view of oneself. It starts with parents teaching their children to make decisions and supporting them in advocating for themselves. It helps them to be less of a target for being different than having their parents do everything for them. I am not saying parents don't need to advocate, but I am saying advocate with your kids instead. This gives them more power to stand up for themselves even when you are not around. It teaches them how to not let teachers and other adults to treat them in a prejudicial, condescending, harassing way. It helps them to confidently put up boundaries and protect themselves against the abuse and bullying they might incur. For example, as a kid I would NOT LET ANYONE CALL ME "HANDICAPPED" NOR TREAT ME LIKE I WAS. I would not let people tell me what I can and can't do. I didn't let teachers keep me from doing something I knew I could do. I didn't let them make me conform. I didn't let them turn me into something I wasn't. <span style="color: red;">AND MY MOTHER BACKED ME UP! </span>She didn't tell me the school knows best or to ''respect'' authority and put up with their discriminatory actions. In fact, she knew they didn't know best. She eventually pulled me out and home-schooled me herself. <br />
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When I was 14 and half, I had my last hand surgery. When I was 14 the nurses and doctors told me I should start keeping track of my blood pressure and my health. At 14 years old! What great advice. In other words, I needed to start taking responsibility for myself now before I am 18. I feel that teens definitely need to be given that kind of permission to take responsibility for their lives while their still teens. This of course requires that you've prepared them for this by teaching them how to make decisions, allowing and if need be teach them to advocate for themselves, and backing them up when needed. Yes you will still be advocating for you kid, but you will be doing with them instead.<br />
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Because my mom allowed me to figure out how to make my body and my hand work for me and allowed me to defend my equality against adults, and because she allowed me to overcome my physical challenges in my own way I was able to step right into my ADHD diagnosis at 22 and my trip to the Amen Clinic at 23 from the beginning. Yes the past 11 years has had it's ups and downs, yes I went through a major depressive crash, but I had a framework from which to get started. I have read 50+ books on ADD/ADHD since then, gone through almost 5 plus years of ADD/ADHD coaching, I went through EMDR for my PTSD, I faithfully went to my psychiatrist monthly for close to 10 years, I dealt with everything that came my direction.<br />
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As children grow up and become adults, they need to have the life skills to manage their differences in a world that is often bent on conformity and to leave this world a better place to live. Part of managing our differences include having to advocate for ourselves in college, in the workplace, in the family and relationships, with our friends and other venues. <br />
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So remember, yes you may have to advocate for your kids at times, but also teach them how to advocate for themselves. Help them develop their decision making skills, love their differences, and to love themselves. Help them learn that they deserve to be treated with equality and respect. This is what helped me to advocate for myself as a kid and as an adult. I have learned to advocate for myself in the job, in college, and in my family, with my friends, and elsewhere. <br />Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-36435618563431618732012-02-20T19:07:00.002-08:002012-03-08T15:58:47.656-08:00Medication issues-Could your pharmacy be a factor?<div>I often here people talking about or complaining about how their insurance won't cover this or that, but could their pharmacy be a factor? Does your pharmacy just tell you talk to your doctor or leave you to fight the insurance company? <br />
I had thought many of my medication issues were caused entirely by the insurance company. However, that wasn't completely true. I switched pharmacies recently, and yes some of the issues were caused by the insurance, but the main culprit was my former pharmacy didn't do their job. <br />
A good pharmacy will make the necessary calls, contact your doctor, give your doctor the necessary resources, and advocate for you with the insurance. Plus they do there job as well. This an extra plus for those of us with ADD/ADHD. <br />
Yes my meds have to be authorized to some extent, and yes my insurance is insurance, but at least now I don't have to worry about having the right numbers. I don't have to worry about the pharmacy shorting me pills, staring at the computer with glazed eyes telling me the authorization hasn't gone through when they are the ones, who need to make a phone call. <br />
If any of these things seem familiar, consider looking around for a new pharmacy that does their job and takes care of the administrative details for you. Ask around for local pharmacies your friends recommend. Choose a wide variety of friends, from different age groups, insurance, and income levels.</div>Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-68345647794391528782012-01-16T14:55:00.000-08:002012-01-16T14:55:36.344-08:00Curiosity and medicationsI couldn't find my Focalin XR this morning, so I took some of my Ritalin instead. I later found my bottle of Focalin XR this afternoon. I have always taken my stronger stimulants in the morning and my weaker ones in the afternoon or early evening. My ADD/ADHD moment, that is, not being able to find my Focalin XR in the morning led me to a surprising discovery. That if I take my stronger stimulant in the afternoon or evening that I can get a surprising amount of things done. This leaves me to ponder about medications and biorhythms.<br />
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Would ADD/ADHD meds work even better if they are aligned with our biorhythms instead of the standard day? I noticed on Christmas eve, that when I took my Focalin XR later in the day, I was able to do my best job at accolyting ever. Today, I've noticed that I am able to plan, think, even write this blog. I for the life in me for the last 2 months kept thinking I need to blog, I need to welcome people in/on ADDer World, I need to get back on facebook and what not. I for some reason couldn't seem to do any of it. All of the wonderful tools, strategies, coaching training, and education about ADHD I have were no match for my challenge.<br />
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Nothing about my life has changed. My laptop still hasn't been fixed, I am still having issues with my netbook, my meds aren't back up to the dosages I was originally on. The only thing I changed is the timing of my strong dosages on my ADD/ADHD meds. <b>Note: I am not advocating anyone to change their meds, dosages, or timing without first talking with a doctor, </b>but I am saying consider the impact your ADD/ADHD meds might have on your life if you could take them during peak times instead of downtimes. I am definitely going to discuss this with my doctor about aligning my meds and dosages with my biorhythms.<br />
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I challenge anyone who reads this blog to observe their meds and when they get maximum effectiveness. Learning one's biorhythms is important for many aspects of living well as humans and critical for those of us with ADD/ADHD/Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-25344921863747140622011-11-23T15:09:00.000-08:002011-11-23T15:09:37.631-08:00Dealing with meds fiascoLately i have been dealing with medication issues. you see i recently discovered my insurance was changed. the new insurance decided it was only going to cover 20mg of Lexapro per day and 40mg Focalin XR. I have been taking 400 mg of Neurontin twice a day for a few months prior to that it was three times a day, Lexapro 60 mg per day, 60mg of Focalin XR ( which i took two 20mg capsules when i wake up and one in the afternoon), 20mg of Ritalin in the evening as needed, and 100mg Trazodone in the evening as needed. I have been at these levels with continued effectiveness for years.<br />
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Well I have been taking 40mg of Lexapro a day for a little over 15 days and now i am almost out, I have also been taking 40 mg of Focalin XR per day. Now fortunately the Focalin XR is closer to my normal dose, but my lexapro isn't and it is showing. Lexapro is my antidepressant and my lack of it is definitely showing up in several places. <br />
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While I am trying to get a 10 day supply of my lexapro to tie me over until I can remedy the situation with my meds, the pharmacy and the insurance, I am reviewing my strategies for dealing with depression, anxiety, and overfocused/stuck attention that I've used in the past to augment my treatment. I recently wrote a blog post about <a href="http://sarahgogstetteraddadhd.blogspot.com/2011/11/strategies-to-ease-depression.html">strategies to ease depression</a>. I realized while playing jigsaw puzzles that I have a toolbox already in place for dealing with this strategically. No i probably wont get as much done, but at least i wont spiral down or waste a bunch of time. <br />
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I have been using some of these strategies, including eliciting support, watching funnies, getting down time, asking for help and so forth. I can get through this even if my brain is functioning at 100%. At least I do have my other meds and I can work out my needs, it just might take longer than I hoped. Fortunately it is Thanksgiving Day weekend, so I have a chance to gain enough strength and momentum to solve this issue. I continue to focus on self-care and self-compassion and do the best i can do for now. Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-58963614504501279032011-11-06T19:49:00.000-08:002011-11-06T19:49:42.157-08:00strategies to ease depressionI know this blog is mainly about ADD/ADHD, however, depression is a frequent traveling companion to ADD/ADHD. I am very familiar with this companion as I treat for depression as well as my ADHD. As with my ADD/ADHD I take medication for it and I use strategies to help make it less of an issue and more of an asset.<br />
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So what type of strategies can help depression. We know that for ADHD we develop strategies to help us manage our life at work, at home, in self care, increasing our self-awareness, learning to listen to our bodies, focusing on the positive, and develop systems that work with our ADD/ADHD. Well some of those strategies also help with depression. For example, getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and breaking overwhelming tasks down to more manageable, less overwhelming bites. <br />
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Here is a list of things I have done to make my depression better.<br />
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<ol><li>drink plenty of water every day</li>
<li>eat regular health diet</li>
<li>try getting enough sleep</li>
<li>limit your exposure to depressing news stories</li>
<li>don't watch movies that are depressing, scary, or essentially traumatic</li>
<li>spend time with friends, who will and can encourage you and allow you to cry on their shoulder</li>
<li>allow yourself to cry out your emotions</li>
<li>get exercise if you can</li>
<li>watch comedies regularly or read funny jokes</li>
<li>get involved in a supportive community online and/or through an organization</li>
<li>remind yourself of your accomplishments and strengths</li>
<li>get down time </li>
<li>do activities that are creative, fun, and replenishes and nourishes your soul</li>
<li>learn to challenge your thoughts and beliefs</li>
<li>learn to have compassion for yourself </li>
<li>look for the positive</li>
<li>spend time with those who love you for who you are</li>
<li>make sure you rid yourself of abusive people</li>
<li>make sure your self-talk is empowering</li>
<li>get sunlight and make sure you have at least one non-fluorescent light in your house</li>
<li>read stories/biographies of really amazing people, who have struggled with challenges</li>
<li>take a fish oil/flax seed oil supplement</li>
<li>celebrate your achievements</li>
<li>remember to love yourself</li>
<li>take time to be a human being</li>
<li>read, draw, write poetry, listen to positive music</li>
<li>use a body double for jobs that are hard</li>
<li>ask for hugs from those really special people in your life</li>
<li>learn to breath</li>
<li>watch your blood sugar</li>
<li>don't isolate yourself</li>
<li>get support</li>
<li>learn to be your authentic self</li>
<li>separate yourself out from guilt and shame</li>
<li>don't let yourself to get too cold</li>
<li>make sure you don't get overheated in hot weather</li>
<li>Don't forget to replace electrolytes when you are sick or overheated</li>
<li>when loafing around the house or sleeping wear what's comfortable</li>
<li>know that you are worth it</li>
<li>learn how to get centered</li>
</ol>I realize these things don't replace professional help, but they can go a long way toward helping you get through the bad times and when you need to regain your strength. I also found coaching can help too. Anyways that's my 2 cents on overcoming/recovering from depression.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-73581607664869923102011-10-31T15:05:00.000-07:002011-10-31T15:05:00.363-07:00how to be successful with less money<span id="goog_79185031"></span><span id="goog_79185032"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>how do you define success? does success cost money? does it have to make you rich? In this country it seems to be the filthy rich and the rest of us. Do we need more rich people? perhaps. Do we need more money? Of course we do. No doubt we need it, but is it possible to be a success before the money comes in? is it possible to be successful if the money never comes in?<br />
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Some of my heroes and heroines, never were rich. Yet they made a huge difference in this world. They will be remembered not because of their income, but because of their powerful legacy. A legacy is more than just having kids, in fact, you don't even need to pass on your DNA to have a legacy. I have known many people, who fall into this category. Most of them had to overcome challenges, prejudice, discrimination, pain, abuse, physical challenges, psychiatric challenges, family issues. They gave of themselves to the world. Many of these people are in my life or have been in my life, but there are more famous ones, such as Marie Curie, Mother Theresa, and Bryan Hutchinson.<br />
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I have followed examples of remarkable women and men in my life and have been an example to others. I have been treating my ADHD for 10 years plus depression. I have a great psychiatrist, great coach, read 40 plus books on ADD/ADHD, create and participated online in effort to contribute to the ADHD community. In my 10 years, I have traveled through my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Journeys-Through-ADDulthood-Discover-Attention/dp/B001FA23MM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320097161&sr=8-1">Journeys through ADDulthood, </a>(this is the title of a book written by Sari Solden, a psychotherapist in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a book I recommend reading!), learning the science behind it, what ADHD is, both generally and personally, taking what I have learned and resources I discovered, the strength and wisdom is have built to help people around the world through the internet. It is the connection with others, support from others, becoming less isolated, connecting with people who can help you learn how and where to get help. Learning, educating, networking, advocating and raising awareness online through social networks and other websites. This is why I help out on <a href="http://adderworld.ning.com/">ADDer World, Social Network</a> <br />
created by Bryan Hutchinson, an ADHD hero, author, and blogger.<br />
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All of this is why I decided to become an ADD/ADHD coach. I am a student at ADD Coach Academy, created by David Giwerc, which is a great program and has taught me a lot. My coaching business is Pride and Awareness ADD/ADHD Coaching, which I have a <a href="http://prideawarenessaddcoaching.blogspot.com/">Blog</a> and a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pride-and-Awareness-Addadhd-Coaching/108349162578299">facebook page</a> named after my business. I have volunteered and supported others and by helping others out in the ADD/ADHD community and in the coaching community, have been given opportunities to help/moderate/admin groups, facebook pages, ADD/ADHD social networks, have a booth at the ADHD Awareness Expo and so forth. I have worked hard to help people, not with the expectation of getting these opportunities, but for the sake of helping my friends and colleagues. Don't underestimate the power of support, a hug, a poke, word of encouragement and community. In community, we can all succeed rich or poor, weak or strong, because we all have resources, talents, gifts, and experiences that are different and similar. And don't let your socioeconomic status keep you from succeeding or making a difference in this world, we all have our richness.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-21889798371643328102011-10-07T21:17:00.000-07:002011-10-07T21:18:08.155-07:00The Tendency to Drift Away…. (Celebrating the silliness inherent in ADHD!)By Cathy Avery:<br />
Although I am reluctant to discount the relevance of my alien abduction theory, another cause of significant time loss for AD/HDers is the tendency to drift off and get caught up in other thoughts. Cynics of the world will say: “Everyone daydreams from time to time….and now you are calling it a disorder?” Let me give you a brief example of a non-AD/HD lapse in attention, and compare that to what could be called an “AD/HD mental road trip”.<br />
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A third grade teacher alludes to her family dog while illustrating another point. Joe, the student without AD/HD, may briefly think about his family dog, or the neighbor’s dog that barks late into the night, and then will refocus on what his teacher is saying. His AD/HD classmate, Claire, however, has a slightly different flight of fantasy, which goes something like this:<br />
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Wasn’t Gizmo cute this morning in the car, the way he sat on my lap and put his paws on the window? That’s why Dad won’t ever let Gizmo ride in his car…. Mom said Aunt Liz had to put Günter to sleep, which means he won’t be at the farm this summer when we visit. So we can bring Gizmo and not worry that Günter will attack him. I wonder if Günter ever attacked a cow….he sure was big enough! Are we driving to the farm or taking the ferry with that awful karaoke singer and the smell of gasoline? Morgan threw up last time and I was really close myself. If we drove I wonder if we could talk Mom into stopping at an amusement park along the way. Too bad the farm isn’t in Ohio, then we could go to Cedar Point. Everyone’s talking about the new roller coaster that goes 120 mph…I wonder how tall you have to be to ride that. How tall am I now anyway?<br />
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While Claire is lost in a world of swirling images and a rapidly shifting memories, she is interrupted by her teacher who is asking her a question, FOR THE SECOND TIME, and Claire not only doesn’t know the question, but has no clue what topic is being discussed. When you come out of a deeply engrossing daydream, you often aren’t quite sure whether you have been out of the loop for thirty seconds or thirty minutes, and that complete loss of orientation can be startling, particularly when you suddenly find yourself in the spotlight.<br />
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Paying attention requires constant vigilance, for AD/HDers and non-AD/HDers alike. After a brief period of time everyone’s mind begins to wander, particularly if the material is boring or repetitive. The key difference between<br />
those who have AD/HD and those who do not is that non-AD/HDers seem to<br />
catch themselves more rapidly after losing focus and they reorient themselves to<br />
the task at hand. Unfortunately for AD/HDers, the ability to regroup and refocus<br />
seems to be out of whack, as if the very task of refocusing has become boring and repetitive, and without a “snooze alarm” in place, the AD/HD mind is set free to wander hither and yonder for extended periods of time. Statistics indicate that approximately thirty percent of students with AD/HD have failed or had to repeat a year of school , and one has to assume that the information that is missed by AD/HD students while daydreaming is one factor that contributes to school failure.<br />
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As adults we would like to believe that we have outgrown certain problem behaviors that we exhibited as children, but in the AD/HD world, I would argue that given the right circumstances, our behavior would be frighteningly similar. Point in fact: As a psychologist, there are times when I will visit a classroom to observe an AD/HD client “in action”. My job is to sit in a corner and unobtrusively watch the identified student with AD/HD. Not wanting to single out the child that I am observing, I will casually look around the classroom, until I suddenly realize that I haven’t been observing the AD/HD student at all; rather, I have become sidetracked by the brightly colored borders on the bulletin boards to my left. So I focus in again, trying desperately to understand the teacher’s explanation of how an inclined plane is an example of a simple machine, which makes absolutely no sense to me…And off I go on another “mind excursion”, wondering whether my poor understanding of scientific phenomenon is due to the fact that I never pay attention long enough to grasp the concepts, or whether even in a moment of great personal clarity, the logic behind certain scientific phenomenon will continue to elude me, like a pesky and whimsical fairy that materializes for a split second and then scampers off to play in more fertile<br />
territory. Based on these illustrative classroom experiences, I have come to the<br />
somewhat unsettling conclusion that if I were placed back in the third grade at the age of forty-nine, I would be passing notes back and forth with my newfound buddies within the first fifteen minutes of class.<br />
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As adults, although most of us no longer have to sit in class for hours at a time, there are still situations that force us to fall back on our early training in “sustained faked alertness”, a skill that is honed to perfection during high school science classes. Most notably is the horrid phenomenon of meetings. Every where you go, there is some bozo who says: “We better have a meeting on that”. Meetings, as I believe I’ve mentioned, are the bane of an AD/HD adult’s existence, and they seem to magnify every embarrassing and intrusive quality of this disorder. To begin with, the purpose of most meetings is to review a situation from various angles and perspectives. Reviewing anything for the AD/HD person is generally quite tedious, and therefore there is a high probability that the AD/HD adult will drift off shortly after roll call. Which brings up an important AD/HD survival tip: if you are ever asked to record<br />
minutes for a meeting, don’t do it! Despite your best intentions, there will be huge gaps in your minutes during which time you may be thinking about what to pick up for dinner, whether your colleague across the room has had breast implants, or whether there is anyone in the entire room that actually finds the meeting interesting.<br />
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When placed in an unstimulating environment, AD/HD individuals will automatically and unconsciously create their own stimulation. Daydreaming is<br />
probably the most common means of creating stimulation, and although<br />
daydreaming in the wrong setting can be downright embarrassing, I have to<br />
admit that in general, daydreaming is a highly enjoyable activity for those of us<br />
who have the capacity to drift effortlessly from one tangent to the next.<br />
Sometimes I amuse myself so thoroughly while daydreaming that I find myself<br />
grinning like a Cheshire cat -- which is not good etiquette when the rest of the<br />
group is discussing serious departmental issues.<br />
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As mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, daydreams can also be quite extensive, and the AD/HD adult may zone out for significant portions of a meeting. Although this certainly could be cause for celebration, if you are unexpectedly called on for input, you no longer have your old elementary school standby to fall back on -- “I don’t know”.<br />
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“Zoning out” is not the only method of creating stimulation in an otherwise uninteresting meeting, but given my experiences, it may be the safest (or least damaging) way to pass the time. One of my most memorable meetings took place while interning at a psychiatric hospital. Typically the staff would meet on a daily basis to discuss the progress of each patient from various perspectives. These meetings were generally quite interesting and I had no difficulty staying focused and alert. The head of this unit, however, was a psychiatrist who was not a team player, and when he took the floor it was clear that he relished his position of “educating” the rest of the group in a very long-winded manner. There was one meeting where, in my mind, he took things too far -- and while stretched out in a lounge chair, his diamond patterned gold acrylic socks in full display, he proceeded to monopolize the meeting for what became an intolerable length of time.<br />
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While stewing over my forced and prolonged state of captivity, I noticed a little ball of light bouncing across the wall. Luckily I had not yet developed my theory of alien abductions, or I may have jumped to the erroneous conclusion that they were coming in for a landing. I stared at this bouncing light, fascinated by the seemingly whimsical manner in which it danced across the wall, and upon shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I noticed that the light swung rapidly across the wall in an exaggerated fashion. I realized at this point that the ball of light was in fact a ray of sunlight reflecting off the face of my watch, and its constant movement merely exemplified the severity of my physical restlessness.<br />
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Once I realized that it was I who controlled this lovely ball of light, I began to move it across the wall in a more purposeful manner. In the middle of this exercise, I inadvertently moved the ball of light across the line of vision of the pontificating psychiatrist, who actually squinted! Unbelievable! I could create discomfort in the very person who had been torturing me for well over an hour! I tried moving the ball quickly across his line of vision -- he squinted. I moved it s-l-o-w-l-y across his eyes -- and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. This was too good to be true, and a campaign of self-righteous retribution ensued. I’d let him relax for a minute and then ZAPPO -- the light would hit him straight in the eyes once again! I was so absorbed in my efforts that I was completely unaware of anyone else in the room except for the psychiatrist and myself, until it occurred to me that I had not checked my surroundings since embarking on this game of cat and mouse. I quickly scanned the room, only to<br />
discover that a team member was staring at me, openmouthed and with an<br />
expression of total disbelief. Although I had a brief moment of panic, he<br />
quickly winked at me and smiled in a way that suggested, “Torture him some<br />
more!”, and I knew that I had found a like-minded friend on staff.<br />
<br />
Although my efforts to amuse myself in meetings are typically not so elaborate (and gratifying), I discovered after being treated for AD/HD that I had utilized a more subtle means of creating stimulation in meetings -- namely instigating conflict. What could be more stimulating than to observe your co-workers arguing over an issue -- particularly if it is a topic that would typically be quite dull? This, in fact, is a technique that young children with AD/HD employ with their siblings when things become a little too quiet at home, and I was discouraged to realize the extent of my maturational stagnation. Since becoming aware of this destructive tendency of creating stimulation through conflict, I’ve made a concerted effort to curb this impulse, along with the impulse to interrupt, doodle and pass humorous notes. My God, meetings are exhausting!<br />
<br />
Drs. Hallowell and Ratey offer a compassionate perspective on the difficulties that AD/HD adults experience when placed in a situation that creates boredom and frustration, as well as proactive solutions . They suggest that the AD/HD adult must be sensitive to the mounting feelings of frustration that develop in certain settings, and to avoid reaching a “point of explosion”. Once aware that the insidious symptoms of boredom are approaching a critical level, the AD/HD adult is advised to pull away before he or she says or does something that he or she might later regret. In my case, this would mean leaving all meetings before the door is shut, a recommendation that I could happily live by.<br />
<br />
I recently discussed the issue of meetings through a series of e-mails with a childhood friend, also diagnosed with AD/HD, who is currently a department head of a large company. Due to her administrative position, she is required to attend a large number of meetings on a weekly basis, and since I avoid meetings if at all possible, I took the opportunity to “pick her brain” and gain insight into how other ADDers manage meetings. This professional noted that if she is running the meeting herself, she has no difficulty staying focused and she is often complimented on how efficiently her meetings progress. She has assigned “time keepers” at each meeting, and if an issue gets bogged down in discussion, the time keeper will sound an alert, and they will move on to the next agenda item. (As far as I’m concerned, this should be a mandatory practice for every meeting).<br />
<br />
She noted that if she is required to attend a large meeting that is not directly related to her area of expertise, she will bring other work that she can focus on unobtrusively. However, once a week she is required to sit through a<br />
lengthy administrative meeting that is attended by four other department heads,<br />
and she admitted that she is almost beside herself with pent-up energy and<br />
frustration by the time the final agenda item has been dissected in painful detail.<br />
To my amazement, she reported that when she brought up the idea of meeting<br />
every other week instead of weekly, her colleagues overruled her. This suggests<br />
that there are people in the world who actually enjoy meetings, and for once in<br />
my life -- I’m speechless.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-13494557200286063542011-10-04T18:21:00.000-07:002011-10-04T18:21:59.821-07:00ADHD Awareness Week Expo 2011Join in the fun with others, learn, chat and expand your ADD/ADHD awareness during ADHD awareness week from October 16-22, 2011. <a href=" http://www.adhdexpo.com"></a><br />
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<!--End--->Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-23594543785497380462011-09-04T18:46:00.000-07:002011-09-04T18:46:22.778-07:00Getting beyond upbringing and achieving excellence<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know a lot of people, who have grown up with inadequate parenting, myself included. While my mom is a fantastic mother and I wouldn't trade her in for ANYONE else, but my experience with my father and other male family members has been unpleasant to say the least. I missed out on having the fatherly input into my life I seemed to need and sometimes still feel this need. My father was the most severe epileptic I have ever known, he had some many insults to his brain and nervous system, he probably had some mood related issues, possibly ADHD, and was essentially a double genius. We suspected he had Multiple personality disorder as well. He was born breech, he survived the German Measles, Polio and I believe Encephalitis all before the age of 5 years old. Two weeks after my parents got married he had a severe seizure, hitting his head hard on the driveway, sustained has basaler skull fracture. The result was he sustained serious brain damage that also in turn made his epilepsy go out of control. He was deep down a really a great man, he was loving, a great listener, professional quality golfer, naturally respected women as equals, and had all the wonderful characteristics that is stereotypically accused of being a ''gay'' men, but was straight. He tried to be a great father when he could, but as his epilepsy and brain damage got progressively worse and as the polio caught up with him in his 40's, and as he deteriorated he became more abusive. He was far more abusive to my brother Nathan than me. Although I did experience moderate to severe verbal-sexual abuse from him. I also lost opportunity as he deteriorated to have a good father-daughter relationship, having the opportunity for him to cheer me on. It was tough to experience the abuse and watch a really great man be robbed of the chance to express his true nature. It took me along time to heal, but I have and continue to heal. I even come to the point where I feel more compassion for my father. I imagine him in his right mind in heaven, watching me and is so proud of me. I share similar brain physiology to his and how I honor him and his genetics, is to used the genes he passed on to me and transform them into a beautiful masterpiece. I take my ADD meds and my mood related meds, I strive to overcome and make a difference in this world. I have friends, professors, and professional supports who are male with similar traits to my father and allow them to help me heal that void that my father was unable to do himself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To my father, my dad Greg Gogstetter: I forgive you and I love you. I know Nathan and I will and do make you proud. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To my mother: thank you for the wonderful job you did in raising all three of your kids. Thank you for being the unending support and nag. Thank you for being you. I love you so much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To Nathan: Thanks for being a wonderful brother, for supporting me and mom through the years. Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for being you. I love you. Good Luck with the job and you education. I am proud of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To my Cousin Shelley: Thank you for becoming part of my family and supporting us through the thick and thin. I am also very proud of you for being a beautiful role model to many young and not so young, but strong women. Thank you for teaching me that there is no shame in being diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and your unending support and forgiveness to the round table gang and to all who love you. You are as cool as Ada May and Edna Pope were or are. I love you very much and pray for you. Thank you for teaching me to appreciate re-entry students and long-term challenged students. Keep up the great work. I'm proud of you Cousin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To all my friends, family, and other readers: Thank you for being in my life and making it more interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">....enough of my cognitive hyperactivity and my hypergraphia. ENJOY!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-61440762277652775582011-08-20T17:14:00.000-07:002011-08-20T17:14:20.882-07:00"NOT A THROUGH STREET''<span style="font-size: x-small;">For many years in my life i always get confused by the traffic signs that read <span style="color: red;">''NOT A THROUGH STREET''<span style="color: black;">. The word <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Through <span style="color: black;">can be defined two ways. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">finished: <span style="color: magenta;">I am through with my cup.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">to pass through : <span style="color: magenta;">I went through hell and back.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: black;">I would always read it as <span style="color: lime;">"not a 'complete'</span></span> <span style="color: lime;">street'' <span style="color: black;"><u>or</u></span> "not a finished street"</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">It wasn't until I realized I had been ''misreading'' these signs since I was 8 years old. <span style="color: orange;">NOW I KNOW THAT ''NOT A THROUGH STREET'' MEANS ''THIS STREET DEAD ENDS''. <span style="color: black;">Yes you would think ''context'' would have clued me in!!! I know, I know! Yes I can read, yes I am intelligent, and yes I have always had a large vocabulary. Yes I have my AA degree. Why in the world can this intelligent young woman misread a simple sign?!? How on earth can I miss it?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: black;">I think 4 little letters "ADHD" and it's paradoxes and mysteries might be part of it. </span></span>While I can take all those biology classes , neuroscience classes, physics and math, psychology, and history, yet I can't read a SIMPLE sign? The funny thing is I did finally figured it out, it just took me 14 years. How many other ''simple'' things that I(we) miss? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Simple'' is some times uninteresting. Sometimes we are contemplating our dreams, fantasies, the things we learned in class, or thinking about how we want to write that poem, how we want to write that computer program, book, blog, novel or what ever pulls our curiosity, interest and creativity. Something new, complex, different that we can create and leave behind in this world. Finding our own way through our journeys. We keep exploring, engineering, connecting, growing, learning, making a difference until we are through with our time on this planet. </span>Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-83655497326867172802011-06-13T17:42:00.000-07:002011-06-13T17:42:17.445-07:00Failures or Successes? Let's redefine what success in college means!Is it a tragedy to fail a class in college? I don't really think so. My psychiatrist told me that he failed chemistry his first time around. My physics/math instructor failed several classes along the way, but he repeated those classes and still managed to get his masters degree. My friend, who has severe cerebral palsy and severe dyslexia, had to repeat a few college classes. Yet, she still managed to get her bachelor's degree. I heard Winston Churchill failed his first English class, and yet I believe he went on to be a great speaker and writer. Many re-entry students may have a staggered academic record, yet when they return to college, often via a community college and transfer to 4 year college/university, they get their bachelor degrees and possibly their graduate/professional degrees.<br />
<br />
I have gone to college with a wide range of students, some have passed every class on the first try and some haven't. Some graduate miraculously with their AA/AS degrees in 2 years and bachelor's in 4 years. Being able to get through depends on several factors including major, family responsibilities, working, any physical, psychiatric, and/or learning challenges a person might have, their age, and the level of support, strength, courage, and tenacity that person possesses.<br />
<br />
At a recent college graduation, where the graduates ranged from 18 years old to 73 years old. I grant you that it is a junior college, but majority of the graduates were transfering to various universities in California. The transfers varied widely and 2-3 students were transferring to Standford University, several were transferring to every University of California universities and several California State University universities. What I appreciated was that they had a re-entry student scholar award as well as the other awards.<br />
<br />
Let's help people change their idea as to what it means to succeed in college, and help them realize that it's never too late to pursue your dreams. I have several friends, who started college in their late 30's and now have their AA degrees, their bachelor's degrees and some have also entered graduate school. I also know 2 students, who started at a younger age, but because of learning disabilities and/or ADHD (as well as other psychiatric disorders) have taken longer to earn their degrees. But you know all these people I mentioned have persevered and continue to persevere no matter what. We don't let our challenges, our college marks, or our age to stop us from succeeding. Yes these hurdles come with their pain and yes it is tough to keep trying. Yes it is sometimes to difficult to find the strength, courage, and hope to keep pursuing in the face of what some people say is "bad" or when people tell us "see you can't do it" or tell us we are "failures". However, we manage to find it within us somewhere. We know we have each other to support us. We know deep down that we are smart enough, we know we have something to offer this world, we know there is something that we are called to do.<br />
<br />
These are some of the people I want to help as a ADHD/life coach. I want to see these students succeed. I want to see these students get the support they need. I see this group of students underrepresented in the ADD/ADHD literature. I see them underrepresented by coaches. I see them underrepresented by mental health professionals. Yet I see very capable people, who get very worn out by there tenacious drive. They are more vulnerable to depression, anxiety, aggravated/taxed executive function, ADHD and learning differences. What ever systems in their bodies are most vulnerable to wear and tear from stress and over working can break down. Yet a lot of them still make it through and succeed. They are the ones getting some support. The ones who aren't getting any support, encouragement, and tools to reduce the stress and make life manageable don't always go as far as they dreamed of.<br />
<br />
It doesn't have to be this way. We need to look at the struggles and challenges that these students, ie. re-entry students and the ones who take longer to get through, and work to understand what supports they need to help them succeed.<br />
<br />
Most of the information on ADHD, learning disorders and other challenges are directed at parents of high schoolers transitioning into college. Usually these students have parents to pay for college, housing, and other essentials. Yes those kids need that type of support, although I believe it would be more helpful to start prepping these kids at 13 rather than 18. However, the group of students I mentioned don't have this parental support. The re-entry and perseverant students, whether ADHD or not, have other challenges. We may have kids (some of which may have challenges of their own), significant others, aging parents, they maybe single parents. They may probably have rent to pay, bills to pay, kids' schedules to keep track of, their own schedule to contend with, work, and if they squeeze any more energy out of themselves, they study and do a few extracurricular activities. They may not be getting enough sleep, good nutrition, self care and so forth.<br />
<br />
I know I got on my soapbox about this topic, but I have brought it up before and keep getting resources designed for younger, traditional age students. I think re-entry students and longstanding/perseverant students have some different challenges to face. We need to look at what we can do to help these mature, tenacious students feel equal to the traditional students. Besides the ADDed benefit of having older college students around is that they can actually serve as great role models for the younger, more traditional students. Plus they ADD the benefit of life experience and diversity of the college community. Let's also cheer them on more.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-90821553636526911672011-06-05T00:15:00.000-07:002011-06-05T00:15:13.080-07:00Achievers and self-careMay 27, 2011 I went to a friend's graduation. The theme of the speeches given revolved around self-care and taking time out to relax occasionally. It is frequently an issue with high achievers to neglect themselves to there own detriment. They might get away with it for a season, but eventually catches up with them. They start getting sick both physically and mentally, it takes longer to recover and many times they still keep pushing with out taking a breather. Also, if you don't practice good self-care, you can end up depleted of resources and unable to be as effective at doing what ever it is you're trying to do.<br />
<br />
Be sure to eat healthily, use all-nighters sparingly, try to get 10-15 minutes of me time a day, and get what ever exercise you can squeeze in to your schedule. Make sure you learn some adaptive stress management strategies, don't ignore signals your body may be giving you such as hunger, difficulty getting to sleep or waking up, thirst, and so forth. Consider getting a life coach or an ADHD coach to help you manage your time and your life a little more easily. Be sure to squeeze a little bit of time with your friends if possible. Learn when to get help or support in areas of difficulty or lesser interest. Learn what your strengths and talents are so that you can capitalize on them and free up time and energy for other things.<br />
<br />
I have collapsed several times with pneumonia, ear infections, depression and found myself depleted on several occasions before I learned this lesson. I now make a point to take better care of myself, treat myself in a loving way, to get out with friends or at least talk to someone on facebook in a pinch, and make sure I give my body what it needs. I try to get enough sleep as often as I can, I make sure I don't let my hunger turn into low blood sugar (most of the time), drink plenty of water, and so forth.<br />
<br />
I find these things more or less help me to more focused, more involved with my friends and family, help my mood, my asthma, my immune system, and my overall health. I have looked at making the most of what I have and making the best contribution I can to my community as I can.<br />
<br />
Do you have any suggestions or ideas about how high achievers can take time to take care of themselves? And I don't just mean people, who are academically high achievers. I am also talking about people, who are high achievers in work and/or helping to make this world a better place.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-75144412216068158692011-05-13T15:05:00.000-07:002011-05-13T15:05:48.855-07:00how to break the comparison gameWell first of I stopped the comparison game along time ago. I did this by stepping back, pausing, and asking myself: what specifically is it about this person I truly admire? How can I develop this trait or characteristic in a way that works for me?<br />
<br />
Those of us with ADDult ADD/ADHD, need to beware of the comparison game that can crush our self-esteem. If you can't stop comparing your self with others, turn it around like I did. But also keep in mind these people aren't you and they don't face the same challenges as you, and realize that they might have challenges in areas you don't. We all have different genetics, different bodies, different personalities, different brains, different challenges, talents and strengths in different areas. It is in our differences we get insights and ideas, it is in our collective differences and similarities that we can solve this puzzle that we call life.<br />
<br />
This blog post was inspired by an article on ADDitude Magazine's website blog. The following link,<br />
<a href="http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/1/8760.html">Facebook, Self-esteem, and Adult ADD ADHD,</a> allows you to go read the original article.<br />
<br />
I challenge those, who read this blog and the article to ask themselves this: What trait/characteristic to I admire about this person? How can I apply this idea in an ADD/ADHD friendly manner, without beating myself up or forgetting who I really am?Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-60797628445119916782011-04-22T18:31:00.000-07:002011-04-22T18:31:41.536-07:00RAMBUNCTIOUS IN KINDERGARTEN and COLLEGEI know ADHD is a real disorder, I know that it is overdiagnosed, underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed and really poorly misunderstood. I know we have come a long way in understanding it and getting "better" and "worse" recognizing it. But do people truly know what it means to be a kid anymore? Most kids are rambunctious when they are young. Why is school set up so that kids can't move or wiggle? I am 32 years old and I still can't sit still in class or totally shut up. How many adults do you know can truly sit still let alone kids? I mean if you think about it, wiggling keeps your blood moving and pumping more than when you sit still. If we have to sit still all the time except when we exercise, do we wonder why people have trouble transitioning? Those kids and adults who fidget tend to be more alert and seem to transition to exercise and other activities better? I am in college and I still wiggle, fidget, talk in class, get distracted and what not. While I like to sit directly in front in class, I find that I wiggle to much and tend to sprawl my stuff out on multiple desks and chairs. my area in class looks like a tornado, but I take all my stuff with me 99.9999% of the time. I take notes in class in color, I have my digital recorder out, I have my books, I have my pens, paper, backpack. I used to get frustrated with this until I realized I am always going to make a mess in class. At least I clean it all up when I am done. I guess I channel my need to fidget into my note taking and reading textbooks and doing my homework. I channel my incessant talking into participating in class and/or interact with the instructor on some level.<br />
<br />
Not everyone with ADHD is externally rambunctious. Some of the daydreamers are rambunctious internally, but outwardly never bother anyone. Or they might be fidgeting with a pencil or their hair, but not running around the classroom driving everyone nuts. And some of us are eternally rambunctious or at least it seems that way to me. Albeit, the manifestation of that rambunctiousness might change it's expression. but it is almost always their. Never hold still, keep moving and keep fidgeting. It is good for the brain and good for the kid in you.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-40076130285064177552011-04-21T12:14:00.000-07:002011-04-21T12:14:04.591-07:00It's never too late to imagineIn the book <i>The Disorganized Mind</i>, Nancy Ratey talks about "when we begin to imagine" isn't what matters, but that we finally do imagine what our lives can be like. She starts off on page one going into a question a friend of hers posed to her. Here's an excerpt from page one:<br />
<span style="color: blue;"> "</span><i style="color: blue;">"Who are you, and what do you love?" a close friend once asked me. I'm outgoing and talkative by nature, and I'm rarely at a loss for words, but I was stunned into silence by my friend's question. I had no idea how to respond.</i><br />
<div style="color: blue;"> <i>"Don't Worry," she said, sensing my discomfort. "I didn't expect you to answer. I only wanted you to imagine the possibilities of who you might be."</i></div><i style="color: blue;"> It's hard to know what different roads any of us might have traveled had we early on imagined our lives shaped by our loves, by our bone-deep passions and beliefs. But I don't think that when we begin to imagine is what matters. What matters is it happens finally, that we come to believe such a life is possible, and that we determine, at last, to live it.</i><span style="color: blue;">"<span style="color: black;">(p.1)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">I dare you to begin to imagining what could be. Imagine the possibilities and maybe even the impossibilities. Whether you are 10 years old, 60 years old, or 90 years old; what are you going to imagine today. I believe that late bloomers are as awesome as early bloomers. I think that we all have something to love and something to contribute. Let's start dreaming again and enjoying life again. </span></span><i style="color: blue;"> </i>Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-65627295433225910952011-04-17T19:23:00.000-07:002011-04-17T19:23:59.094-07:00ADHD and broke?It's hard enough to manage ADHD when you are rich or if you are making a decent living right? It must be impossible to do so if you gave little or no money, right? If you are have money you can afford to eat, buy clothes, buy organizational supplies, hire a professional organizer, hire an ADHD coach. You might have credit problems, but at least you can hire some one to help you get a handle on your finances. If you need space to work you might be able to rent office space or have an extra room in your house you can use as an office. What do you do when you can't hire those you need or buy the supplies you need?<br />
<br />
A lot of the strategies offered by most books and ADHD coaches require you do one of three things. One, they require you to have money, so you can apply these strategies. Two, do without. This sucks because it might be the ticket to improving your situation. Three, think outside the "ADHD-Box", which is already outside the "non-ADHD Box". I have had to develop my creativity in order to make what is inside the "ADHD Box" work for me. I learned where to get basic essentials when I have to. What are those basic essentials? Food, shelter, and clothes. <br />
<br />
Today in order for me to be able to do laundry and still be able to afford a few essential items, I had to machine wash my clothes and then hang them out to dry. Also I had to clean a neighbors yard for $5 and recycling. Things are super tight right now. I haven't been able to afford bus fare in order to get out of the house. But I am thankful I have my own room, to have plenty to eat, clean water, and clean clothes.<br />
<br />
I am thankful I know what it is like to not have enough money to do the simplest things and yet know that I can have it worse. I have learned to make the best of what I have and used my creativity to adapt things so that I can make something possible even when it seems impossible. I keep thinking about what I can do to make a difference in the lives of others. <br />
<br />
The reason I volunteer to do all the stuff I do online is because it doesn't cost me anything to help out in those areas. I started a facebook group called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=273462122171">ADHD Support and Information</a>, I help Bryan Hutchinson on <a href="http://adderworld.ning.com/">http://adderworld.ning.com/</a>, I write a weekly digest/summary of the topics discussed during each week, I have my own blog, I started a facebook page and I am currently training to be an ADHD coach. I don't have a lot of treasure, but I do have time and talents. So I donate my time and talents to the efforts to raise awareness of ADHD and to advocate where I can. Also, I am a college student with ADHD and I am majoring in difficult classes. I take classes in physics, biology, math, computer science and chemistry. I will major in biophysics as soon as I can transfer to the university of Arizona or Iowa state university.<br />
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In short, it doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, ADHD is a challenge. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor because ADHD can still be managed and it can still be a gift. Don't let your treasures, talents, and time go to waste because you don't have money. We are creative human beings, we are intelligent, and there are resources out there whether or not you have money. Yes you can succeed whether you have a lot of money or not.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-22559709248148644902011-04-06T14:51:00.000-07:002011-04-06T15:01:29.080-07:00Veteran ADD/ADHDers: those diagnosed 4-5 years or longerI started a conversation on ADDer World, the social network, back in December. I asked 4 basic questions of these "veteran ADDers":<br />
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<ul><li>what have you learned along the way?</li>
<li>what helped you develop a positive ADDitude?</li>
<li>what strategies, skills, etc have you developed?</li>
<li>what morsels of wisdom would you pass along to a newbie; that is someone just diagnosed?</li>
</ul><br />
I have enjoyed reading the contributions of many members. The main pieces of advice have been learning about ADHD, personally and generally and developing a positive ADDitude. This is a comment I shared with the thread:<br />
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"I love what everyone has shared on this thread, I think they all say something wonderful and provide others with inspiration and hope. Please get out there and use your stories to help other ADDers, both kids and newly diagnosed ADDults. We've all been through the same struggles as those newly diagnosed are going through right now. We can demonstrate with our stories, how you can get beyond the struggles and start thriving with ADHD. I think it's also good for us to look back and see our progress. We shouldn't ever forget our journey, they represent the hard work, the perseverance and the success we've had in our lives."<br />
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If you have been diagnosed for a long time and are successful, how can you help with awareness efforts? How can you use your experience to mentor others with ADD/ADHD? We all need positive role models? We need role models, who haven't become "non-ADD" but have continued to be ADD/ADHD and are successful. We can all learn from people, who have overcome their challenges. You can't become a truly successful ADD/ADHDer without having gained some valuable morsels of hard earned wisdom.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-44005636085960407622011-03-19T16:12:00.000-07:002011-03-19T16:14:44.832-07:00Challenging storiesWhat story have you been telling yourself. Stories about your challenges. What labels or descriptions do you give them. Do you describe them with words of love or words of hate? Do you label them "impairments"? What are the themes and plots of your stories? What is the narrative you tell yourself?<br />
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All human beings tell themselves a story about themselves and how the world works. We are the authors of our lives, we get to choose what our stories say. We get to choose the plot, the scenes, and the settings. We get to choose the narration of the story. We might not be able to choose what challenges we face and we may not be able to choose what others say or do to us, but we can choose our lines and our reactions.<br />
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All human beings have challenges, talents, strengths, weaknesses, positives and negatives. We all have things we can do well and things we can't do. We come from different cultures and speak different languages. We all have different perspectives, different tapes, and different stories. We also share a lot of our experiences and borrow lines from others' stories. We have things in common as well.<br />
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We need to get better at accepting the beauty of our differences and similarities. We need to also realize that people with challenges, like ADD/ADHD, have differences and similarities. We ADDers are different from non-ADDers. We have a different brain wiring, which means we are going to see the world differently than non-ADDers. Being different doesn't mean we are bad. It doesn't mean we are inferior. It doesn't mean we are "impaired". It doesn't necessarily mean that we are less able than others. It does mean we need to learn to do things a different way than others. It does mean we are going to think differently and be creative in ways others are not. It means we are a minority and will have to fight to be accepted as we are. Accepted as a people group.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-3024749553288268142011-03-13T09:39:00.000-07:002011-03-13T09:39:45.919-07:00The Brilliant Gifts of Hyper Focus and PositivityHere's a blog post by Bryan Hutchinson about hyperfocus and positivity. I recommend reading it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2011/03/13/the-brilliant-gifts-of-hyper-focus-and-positivity/">The Brilliant Gifts of Hyper Focus and Positivity</a>Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-92017879536433000172011-03-12T14:59:00.000-08:002011-03-12T14:59:36.578-08:00My ADD/ADHD GurusThis is a list of ADD/ADHD people, who've made a difference in my life.<br />
<ul><li>Joe Schlesinger my coach</li>
<li>Dr Stan Yantis my psychiatrist</li>
<li>Bryan Hutchinson my friend and founder of ADDer World, both the social network and the blog</li>
<li>John McCurry my friend, member of the church I frequently attend</li>
<li>David Giwerc my friend and founder of ADDCA</li>
<li>Terry Matlen my friend, author, co-founder of Women With ADHD ADD, founder of Moms with ADD/ADHD and ADD Consults.</li>
</ul>A list of people, who may or may not have ADD/ADHD themselves, but have been supportive of me.<br />
<ul><li> Shelley Kesselman My cousin</li>
<li>Dr. Charles Parker my friend, author of Medication Rules of ADHD Meds, CorePsych Blog</li>
<li>Prince Kakungulu Ggobango Ismael my boyfriend from Uganda</li>
<li>Charlotte Gogstetter my mom.</li>
</ul>I want to thank all of these poeple, who have made a difference in my life, in one way or another. The two things all these people have in common are (1) believing in me and (2) encouraging me.<br />
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Who in your life would you like to thank for being there for you? Take time to go back and thank them. Let them know you appreciate what they have done for you. In this way you are encouraging them too. We all need encouragement, whether we have ADD/ADHD or not.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-64115336217783037382011-02-17T17:59:00.000-08:002011-02-17T17:59:25.357-08:00Dr. John Ratey on Exercise & Learning<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A5-kbfnCq6M?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe>Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-39674074799114827482011-02-15T18:04:00.000-08:002011-02-15T18:04:34.767-08:00ADHD Coaching BlogHere is a great article on ADHD, interest, stimulation, and motivation. It also has a cool little video clip to watch, check it out! One thing ADD/ADHD coaching can do is help you find ways to make your life more interesting, more balanced and more fulfilling. It can help you build the life you want and need for yourself and your family and friends. It can also help you become a better self-advocate and improve your ability to educate yourself and others about your ADD/ADHD and ADD/ADHD in general.<a href="http://addca.ehclients.com/index.php/site/ADHD-Coaching-Blog-Extended/ADHD_Interest_Stimulation_and_Momentum/"> ADHD Coaching Blog</a>Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-15734800011802320092011-01-31T01:00:00.000-08:002011-01-31T01:00:32.539-08:00friendshipsI saw this definition of a true friendship on facebook and it actually struck some of my ADD cords. I can't take credit for this statement, but I think there's a lot of truth in this.<br />
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Definition/description:<br />
A true friend doesn't care when you're broke, what you weigh, what name brand you wear, if your house is a mess, where you live, about your past, or if your family is filled with crazies, they love you for who you are, a true friend can go long periods of time without speaking but never questions the friendship. <br />
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I know a lot of ADDers worry about friendships and I think this definition/description is a very healthy one for us with ADD/ADHD might want to consider.<br />
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1) true friends don't care about your financial status<br />
2) they will love you no matter what you look like<br />
3) they will not be offended if your house is a mess. I know this one from personal experience. My friends knew I was challenged in this area and they knew why. I didn't hide my messiness. <br />
4) you can be completely open with your true friends, without fear of being judged<br />
5) your true friends will encourage you, they build you up, cheer you on when you achieve your goals, no matter how small.<br />
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How to be a good friend when you have ADD/ADHD challenges:<br />
1) love your friends unconditionally<br />
2) forgive them for their mistakes and not always understanding you<br />
3) make an investment into their lives<br />
4) make sure to encourage them when they need it<br />
5) listen to them and be open to their feedback<br />
6) take ownership of your mistakes<br />
7) acknowledge their feelings when you hurt them in someway<br />
8) be generous with them<br />
9) ask for clarification in conversations<br />
10) if you have difficulty reading nonverbal cues, let them know<br />
11) share your talents and gifts with them in a way that tells them you love them and mean something to you.<br />
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I don't think this is an exhaustive list of things that might help you develop good, lasting friendships. Once I got into college, I started making friends, friendships that have lasted for 12-13 years now. I strongly believe that these things helped me keep these friends. The important thing is to have friends, who accept you as you are and are forgiving when your foibles shows up. It is much easier to develop socially when you know that your friends will accept you no matter what. I attribute my having made friends since then to these friends I made when I was much younger.<br />
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I suggest that you look for people, who are inclusive and accepting of people from all walks of life. Also don't get caught up in age as a factor for friendships. I have lots of friends, who are older than me. I have friends, who are younger than me. And I believe I have friends around my age as well. Most of my friends have or had challenges themselves and have worked at overcoming those challenges.<br />
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Lastly, make sure you take care of yourself and be a good friend to yourself. Make sure you learn to love yourself and learn to forgive yourself. Never stop learning about yourself and your ADD/ADHD, continuously look for ways achieve your unique greatness.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873608258242938593.post-66591250482975174562011-01-30T21:28:00.000-08:002011-01-30T21:30:25.866-08:00ADHD Coaching Blog<a href="http://addca.ehclients.com/index.php/site/ADHD-Coaching-Blog-Extended/paper_clips/">ADHD Coaching Blog</a><br />
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This is a really cool post by David Giwerc. Click the link above to learn more about it.Sarah's ADD/ADHD bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07979139943163703997noreply@blogger.com0