You Made The Changes… Now What?!
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You Made The Changes… Now What?!

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Symptoms & Diagnosis, ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

In the article Understanding and Managing Your ADD: Change Can Happen…., I introduced the Six Stages of Change. I explored this model further in the article  Managing Your ADD Takes Time and Planning. If you have not already, I suggest reading both of these before continuing. Stage 5 – Maintenance When you reach the Maintenance Stage, you have already put a great deal of emotional and mental energy into making the commitment to managing your ADD and have also put a plan into action. So, you are likely feeling pretty spent! Even if you had more energy, you may question doing more. “What more could I possibly need to do? I put the ‘pedal to the metal’; my plan is in action.” Yet, it is…

Managing Your ADHD Takes Time and Planning
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Managing Your ADHD Takes Time and Planning

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

I introduced the Six Stages of Change in the previous article, Understanding and Managing Your ADD: Change Can Happen…. If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest you read it before continuing. Then read on to continue learning about the Stages of Change. Can You See Choices. Everyday, we make choices. Depending on the circumstances, we are more or less conscious of the implications of our daily decisions. Sometimes, we have no idea of what may follow from a seemingly inconsequential decision, like Gwyneth Paltrow’s decision to take one train over another in the movie Sliding Doors. It is true. Sometimes, we make choices in the moment, and we have no idea what could follow from that decision. We decide to go to a restaurant…

ADD and Acceptance: Accelerating Your Progress
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ADD and Acceptance: Accelerating Your Progress

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Symptoms & Diagnosis, ADHD Tools & Strategies, ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

Recently, I was talking to someone about marketing my business. Below is an adapted version of our conversations and email communications. Me: I think that for business owners with ADD, they would be drawn to a biz coach who specializes in ADD and can help them focus on making more money. For many business owners with ADD, it is all of the executive functioning challenges (planning, prioritizing, making decision, organizing…) that are getting in their way of making money. Without the understanding of ADD, people may not get the support they need to implement strategies and build skills that will last. What do you think? J:  The ADD is the process, you can use it; however it may be limiting and even people with ADD…

What Is The Truth About ADD Medication?
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What Is The Truth About ADD Medication?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

    I would never tell someone to take medication. I respect everyone’s right to make the best choice for themselves. However, I would encourage you to make your decision based on information from reputable sources. Using medication as part of the treatment for ADD has gotten a bad rap. And so you hear comments or rhetorical questions like: What other comments have you heard? I am not going to take the time to counter all the misinformation out there, as that would take a book. However, I hope that you don’t listen to this babble. Rather, I hope that you will take the time and get the support you need to make the right decision for yourself. What Is The Truth? Well, there is…

ADD- ADHD: Have You Forgotten How Much You Need This?
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ADD- ADHD: Have You Forgotten How Much You Need This?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

It has been quite some time since I have thought about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It came to mind as I was thinking about Dr. Hallowell and his writings about the importance of connection in treating ADD. Then I started thinking about my own need to for connection. Recharging vs. Connecting I began questioning my need to connect with others two weeks ago, when I spent a wonderful weekend with old friends from my time in Israel. I had really been looking forward to this weekend.   I thought, how could I not want to spend every minute with my friends?!? We were together on and off for 5 days. At one point we were together for 48 hours straight. As much as I was…

Who Else Wants to Make their Personal and Professional Life Easier?
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Who Else Wants to Make their Personal and Professional Life Easier?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

Do you ever have the sense of wanting to go it alone? Whether you are self-employed or working for others, you may resist asking for help. Going It Alone Perhaps, you have an entrepreneurial spirit and love the adrenalin rush of doing your own thing. You can put your creative ideas into action quickly. It can be  truly exciting being the captain of your own ship. You  may want to see your idea executed exactly the way you envisioned it. Maybe you don’t trust the advice of the people who you are currently consulting. You don’t think you can afford to hire someone to help you. You don’t think it is worth the investment of time. After all you have a lot to do. The…

You Have ADD: Do You Know Your Strengths?
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You Have ADD: Do You Know Your Strengths?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

  In my previous post, It Could Be Easier, I suggested reasons for operating in your areas of strengths. The first step toward using our strengths is being aware ofwhat they are currently. If you are interested in exploring your character strengths, The VIA Survey of Characteris a great place to start. When I took the survey I already knew I was strong in the areas that were in my top five. These strengths help me to excel at being an ADD Coach. Your Top Character Strength: Creativity, ingenuity, and originality Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible. Your Second Character…

Diet and ADD: Do You Get the Right Kind of Fat?
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Diet and ADD: Do You Get the Right Kind of Fat?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

Omega-3 fatty acids have been touted by many as an effective supplemental treatment for ADD. While there is no conclusive scientific evidence at this time to support this claim, there are many supportive studies and a great deal of anecdotal evidence that have shown promising results for treating ADD. It worthwhile to investigate and consider increasing the amount of omega-3s to your diet, particularly the EPA and DHA forms. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), essential to the health of your body, including your brain. In fact, your brain is about 60 percent fat, with Omega-3s being the most abundant fat in your brain. Moreover, omega-3 is critical for effective communication and transmission between brain cells. Yet, in western industrial countries sufficient amounts Omega-3…

Diet and ADD: Do you Know What Protein Can Do For You Today?
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Diet and ADD: Do you Know What Protein Can Do For You Today?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

  In my previous article, Diet and ADD: Do You Know The Connection?, I wrote the about how eating the right amount of complex carbohydrates can play a supporting role in managing ADD symptoms. Just in case you have not read it, yet, I want to reiterate my suggestion regarding the need for due diligence on your part. That is, you may need to experiment  to find the right diet, as there is no prescribed “ADD diet.” Furthermore, you may want to see a nutritionist in helping to create a plan that works for you. When thinking about protein in terms of how it can help manage your ADD symptoms, there are few important factors to consider. Alert and Focused There is enough credible evidence…

Marla Cummins Social Graphic
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Diet and ADD: How Can Eating Carbs Help?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

While my expertise is in ADD, not in the complexities of nutrition or the chemistry of food, I have learned a fair amount about the effects of eating specific types of food on ADD symptoms. So, over the next few post, I will share what I know. While it may appear that I am equivocating, it is important to note that, while supported by some research, most of what is known about ADD and diet is anecdotal. Therefore, it is important that you practice due diligence in figuring out the right diet for yourself. You may need to experiment before finding the right balance. If you are unsure about the right diet, engage the support of a nutritionist. A  nutritionist can help you distill the…