This past week I was faced with a complex situation involving my daughter where I needed to think clearly, dispassionately and swiftly. I wanted to share a bit of this with you because I know how challenging it can be for someone with ADD to process this way in the best of circumstances. Lessons Learned In my efforts to respond to this, I learned or confirmed some important lessons.
An old friend recently presented me with a “business proposal” (see below). I decided, with his permission, to respond in a public forum because I think others will be interested in this discussion. …your references to ADD (while it’s your specialty) appear to be targeted at those already diagnosed. What about those cases undiagnosed, or activities in the workplace that could lead to ADD-like behaviors. I’m writing because i think there might be an opportunity here, not sure if you’ve considered it – that of conducting a business workshop in recognizing ADD-like behaviors and correcting them. I’m speaking of things like multi-tasking, which is almost a requirement at places like – (company name omitted). While it may appear to make one more efficient, it comes…
If you have ADD, you might be saying, “Of course I know how to take risk! Impulsive is my middle name!” Ba-da-bum! Taking calculated risks and being impulsive are animals of a different stripe, however. According to Merriam-Webster, a calculated risk is: “planned or contrived to accomplish a purpose.” Hmm… planning. Not a very thrilling prospect, I know. Being somewhat prone to impulsiveness, I know that it can sometimes work to my advantage. I also have enough experiences, and the scars to prove it, to know that being impulsive can often hinder me in being true to my values and accomplishing what is important to me.
It is impossible to reach perfection. You can’t buy it with effort or money. Yet, we try. Some people believe that whatever they try will never be good enough. Others are fearful that if they do attain success, they may not be able to replicate it. The belief that they may be rejected by others, if they are not perfect, leads others to try to be perfect. What are the costs? In an attempt to do it “just right” you spend time spent on tasks that are not really important to you. And you do not spend time doing what you say is important to you. You may choose not to take risk, whether personal or professional, because of the belief that the effort and…
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…
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…
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…
Got ideas? If you have ADD, chances are ideas flow fast and furious. And this ability to generate a wealth of ideas may be a tremendous asset for you. It may allow you to: think of multiple interesting solutions to problems. synthesize and interpret information in a unique way. envision many future paths. However, being able to generate so many ideas can become a hindrance to effectively following through on any one path.
I Forgot. Whenever I catch myself saying, “I forgot,” then I remember. I remember that I shouldn’t rely on my brain to retain information and expect that I will be able to access it at precisely the moment I need it. Over time I have come to accept this. And I have worked hard to find a work around for my particular wiring. It is not about making excuses – it is about accepting what is and finding solutions. Here is what is on my mind as I write this:
According Sir Francis Bacon, “knowledge is power.” A few weeks ago I wrote about a free web based financial tool, Mint.com. It truly is an amazing tool in that it gives you tons of information. Using this tool you can view all of your financial accounts in one location. And they are updated instantaneously when you log into the site! The potential impact of this tool can be seen in the comment below. changed my life (in that it shows me how i spend badly, not that i actually changed my spending). BUT I DO LOVE IT! As this comment succinctly illustrates, information can only empower you to the extent that you use it; the reader did not use the information to make any changes….