Casein in Medikamenten

Short English translation:

If the package insert doesn't name casein, then the medicine doesn't contain casein even if it may contain lactose, this is by Austrian law, which should also apply to the rest of the EU.
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Sehr geehrte Frau Name,

bei Medikamenten ist es ganz einfach nachzusehen welche Zusatzstoffe außer

den Wirkstoffen enthalten sind.

Jedes Medikament enthält eine Gebrauchsinformation (oder auch

"Beipackzettel" genannt), in dem alle Angaben zu finden sind. Unter Punkt 6

findet man die Angabe: Der aktive Wirkstoff ist ... und darunter steht dann

"Die sonstigen Bestandteile sind ...."

Zusatzstoffe wie z.B. Lactose oder Casein sind unter den "sonstigen

Bestandteilen" aufgezählt. Steht dort nichts von Casein, dann ist auch kein

Casein drinnen.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Mag.pharm.Dr. Name Name

Abteilungsleiter Pharmazeutische Abteilung

Österreichische Apothekerkammer

Spitalgasse 31, A-1091 Wien, Postfach 87

Tel +43-1-404 14

Top 10 questions about ADD/ADHD

Q: What is ADHD?

A: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or just attention deficit disorder (ADD) are confusing medical terms. Don’t be afraid, though, because if you manage it right, ADHD can become your friend, a major asset in your life.

The terms ADD and ADHD, as well as AD/HD, refer to a syndrome found in both children and adults characterized by distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness or hyperactivity.

In my opinion, ADHD is a terrible term. As I see it, ADHD is neither a disorder, nor is there a deficit of attention. I see ADHD as a trait, not a disability. When it is managed properly, it can become a huge asset in one’s life. I both have ADHD myself and I wrote a book with Catherine Corman profiling a collections of fabulously successful adults all of whom have ADHD, so I know whereof I speak.

As I like to describe it, having ADD is like having a powerful race car for a brain, but with bicycle brakes. Treating ADD is like strengthening your brakes–so you start to win races in your life.

In my work as a psychiatrist who treats ADHD, I see myself not as a doctor who treats a disability, but rather as a doctor who helps people, adults and children alike, identify, develop, and celebrate their talents. That’s why I love my work!
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Q: What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?

A: It’s very simple. ADHD includes the symptom of physical hyperactivity or excessive restlessness–that’s the “H”. In ADD (or what is called in the diagnostic manual, ADHD, inattentive subtype), the symptom of hyperactivity is absent. Indeed, people with ADD can be calm and serene, not in the least hyperactive or disruptive. This syndrome is often found in girls and women, but it also occurs in boys and men. It is often missed, because the absence of hyperactivity leads others to assume the child or adult is simply shy, quiet or slow. In fact, they are dynamos in the making!
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Q: What are the positive qualities associated with ADD?

A: People with ADD typically are creative, intuitive, original, and full of positive energy. They tend to be independent thinkers. They are persistent to the point of being stubborn. They usually are quite sensitive, but often cover this over with a kind of bravado. They are big-hearted and generous. They often have charisma or a special something, a twinkle in the eye, a zany sense of humor, or an ability to inspire others. With the right kind of guidance, these people can become hugely successful in their lives.
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Q: What are the negative qualities associated with ADD?

A: People with ADD typically have trouble paying attention and focusing, especially when they are not interested. On the other hand they can super-focus at times. They also can be impulsive and sometimes hyperactive and disruptive. They can have trouble getting organized, prioritizing their activities, managing time, and completing tasks. They can be unaware of the impact they have on others, and so they can be socially awkward or inappropriate. They can be forgetful, inconsistent in follow-through, and often late. They have trouble with planning and what mental health professionals call “executive functioning.” The good news is that treatment can ameliorate or correct all of this, so that the positive attributes can carry the day.
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Q: What should treatment for ADD include?

A: Treatment should start with education. You need to learn what ADD is and what it isn’t. You need to understand ADD well enough to embrace it, and realize that while it may be holding you back right now, in time, with the right help, it can propel you to the fulfillment of your dreams. You need to understand what a positive attribute ADD can be in your life.

Once you learn about ADD—its positives and its negatives—then you get to work, with a good guide, a therapist of some sort who understands ADD and takes a strength-based approach, to change whatever it is in your life that is causing you problems. Usually you need to work with a coach to get more organized. You need to get on a regular sleep schedule and build exercise into your life. You need to consider the nutritional aspects of treatment. You will want to reconsider your job or school situation in light of ADD. Various structural changes in your life can make a big difference: the right filing system, the right organization scheme, the right daily schedule.

In addition, you will likely want to talk with your therapist about your family life. If you are a child, some family therapy will help. If you are an adult, couples therapy can make a big difference.

Beyond education, coaching, and therapy, it is important to have a plan for developing your talents and interests. This will take time, but it is key. You build a life not on weaknesses you have repaired, but on talents you have developed. Of course, fixing weaknesses can help you in developing your talents, so the two go hand in hand.
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Q: What about medication?

A: When medication works, it works as safely and dramatically as eyeglasses. Medication helps about 80% of the time in the treatment of ADD. Make sure you work with a doctor who can explain the issues around medication to you clearly. Most people do not realize how safe and effective stimulant medications truly are, when they are used properly. Make sure you work with a doctor who has plenty of experience with these medications. The stimulants include medications like Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Vyvanse, Focalin, and others. As long as you take them under proper medical supervision, they can help you immensely.
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Q: How about alternative treatments for ADD?

A: I have a completely open mind when it comes to alternative treatments. We have a lot to learn. All you have to be careful of is that whatever you try is safe, and that it has been proven beneficial for at least some people. The alternative treatments that I have solid, positive experience with include: LENS, a form of biofeedback; Learning Breakthrough, cerebellar stimulation in the form of physical exercise; Kolbe coaching, which is based on innovative research into a person’s innate style of solving problems; Cogmed, a computer game geared to improving active working memory; My Sensory Solutions, auditory and sensory stimulation via custom iPod and headphones; Reading plus, a computer home-based program to improve tracking and speed required for reading and comprehension; and various nutritional interventions.
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Q: What would you say is the single most important element in a successful treatment program?

A: Above all, what matters most is taking a positive approach. Of course, you need to see a professional who is highly knowledgeable and experienced. But you also want to make sure you see a professional you like, a person you feel understands you or your child, and a person you can be open and real with. Treating ADD takes time, often years, so you want to be sure you are in the hands of a person you trust implicitly, a person you feel cares for you and your family, and, perhaps most important, a person who sees a clear way for you or your child to fulfill your dreams.
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Q: Dr. Hallowell, what is your background in the field of ADHD/ ADD?

A: I have both ADD and dyslexia myself. I was diagnosed with a reading problem early in my school years, but my ADD was not recognized until I had completed college (Harvard, where I was an English major and graduated with high honors while also doing pre-med, not to brag, just to point out that ADD doesn’t have to hold a person back!), medical school (Tulane, which I loved, largely because of New Orleans and the wonderful people I met in medical school), and finished a residency in psychiatry back at Harvard at the Mass. Mental Health Center, where I was lucky enough to find stellar teachers who deeply understood the human heart. After residency, when I was doing a fellowship in child psychiatry, I learned about ADD and realized I had it. I was 31 years old at the time. What an a-ha! moment.

Now I am 59 years old. I have been treating ADD and other learning differences for 28 years. I have authored or co-authored five books on the subject. I still carry on an active private practice in my offices in the Boston area and in New York City. I see individual patients of all ages, as well as couples, families, and groups.

My offices are staffed by people who share my passion for ADD and the marvelous people who have it.
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Q: What distinguishes your approach to treating ADHD/ADD from other approaches?

A: In my centers, we see ADD not as a disability or a deficit, but as a trait, a way of being. It is characterized by a host of qualities, some positive, some negative. Our job is to promote the positive qualities, while limiting the damage done by the negative. The standard, medical approach looks at ADD entirely as a disorder. By disregarding the positive attributes, this approach often creates new serious disabilities: shame, fear, loss of hope, lowered self-esteem, broken dreams.

(www.drhallowell.com)

10 things to say to keep the peace

So many big arguments begin with small comments. How many times have you started a conversation on friendly terms, then wound up in some kind of dispute that you didn't anticipate?

In my work as a family, divorce, and small-claims mediator, I've seen countless offhand remarks start a fight or add fuel to an existing fire. And I have found myself in plenty of situations where I've wanted to give someone (my husband, a colleague) what I thought was helpful advice only to inadvertently offend him or her.

The holidays, with all their extended-family gatherings, can be a verbal minefield. You're either dodging nosy questions from some tactless relative over dinner ("Still dieting then?") or taking out the stress of all that extra cooking and shopping on those dearest to you ("Do I have to do everything around here?").

It doesn't have to be that bad. Use these 10 go-to phrases to defuse potentially volatile conversations and help you get through the coming years -- in harmony.

1. "Thank you for your opinion. I'll think about it." When you receive unsolicited advice at a family gathering, such as Aunt Sylvia's suggestion that you change your hairstyle, just smile and respond with this casual conversation terminator. Real Simple: Table manners refresher course

If you're rudely asked a question like "Are you still single?" don't reply with a lengthy excuse. Say, "Yes, and I'll let you know if anything changes." The goal is to be polite and end the conversation. There is no need to be defensive or rude.

2. "Is this a good time for you?" Whenever I want my husband's full attention for a conversation and I don't want to compete with a football game on TV, I ask this simple question. If he gives me a green light by saying yes (and turning off the game), I proceed.

If he says no, I ask, "When would be a better time?" We then agree on another time and a fight is avoided. Consider using this line at work, too. Your boss and coworkers will appreciate it.

3. "Would you like my thoughts?" One of the biggest complaints kids have about parents is that they constantly issue orders and judgments. Sometimes this is a parent's job. But if you are often confronted with an angry response ("Who made you the authority?" or "It's none of your business"), you might benefit from dialing back.

Ask your child if she wants to hear what you have to say. If she says yes, it means she is ready to listen. If she says no, then button your lip. This works for adult family members, too.

4. "Why don't we get the facts?" Some people who come to mediation tend to argue about anything and everything, including things that can be easily resolved. If you find yourself in a dispute with your brother about the price of a car or the name of the restaurant you went to over the holidays last year, state this one-liner, then look up prices online, call a store, or drive by the restaurant -- not so one of you can say, "I told you so," but so you can move on from the discussion before it spirals into a fight.

5. "I need your help. Can you please...?" People often ask me what they can say to family members or coworkers who don't assume their share of responsibility. Here's my simple tip: Rather than accusing the person of being lazy or inconsiderate, ask her for what you want and be specific. "Since we both drink coffee, how about if I make the pot and you clean it, or vice versa?" People are not mind readers.

6. "Let's wait on this until we have more information." Know when to table a discussion. One couple came to me with a dispute that had turned into a huge problem for them: They were constantly arguing over whether they should stay in their city apartment or move to a house in the suburbs. The issue wasn't which choice they should make (they had already agreed they wouldn't move for three years, or until their oldest child reached school age); it was that they were having a premature argument.

At times like these, it's important to remind yourself and your conversation partner that it's too early to discuss the issue. Preferences will change over time, as will facts, such as home prices. Real Simple: Easy ways to exit awkward situations

7. "What did you mean by that?" Sometimes asking the right question is all it takes to avoid an argument. We all make assumptions about other people's intentions. Asked in a genuinely interested (and not passive-aggressive) way, this question allows your conversation partner to explain himself before you jump to conclusions. Only then should you offer your response.

8. "I don't like that, so why don't we do this instead?" This is how to complain with impact. Rather than nagging your mate about a problem, focus on finding a solution for the future. For example, instead of moaning about buying all the holiday gifts, suggest that he shop for the men in the family and you buy for the women -- or split some other duties.

9. "I'm sorry you're upset." When you find yourself frustrated with a friend or a close family member who didn't take your advice, you desperately want to say something like "I told you so" or "That was a dumb thing to do." Don't. Dishing out criticism won't change a thing. A compassionate response will help you both move forward.

10. "Let me get back to you." Everyone needs a prepared comment to delay a response when he or she is put on the spot. For example, a cousin suggests you prepare a main course for her potluck Christmas party for 20 people or the president of the PTA picks you to head a committee for a year.

Keep this line handy at all times, especially during the holiday season. If you don't want the person to feel as if she is being dismissed, give her a time when she can expect a response: "Let me get back to you by tomorrow afternoon." And then make sure that you do.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/01/15/rs.10.things.2.say.family/index.html

This week's ADHD Solution is: Get it in writing.

Memory problems can cause tremendous frustration for those of us with ADHD and the people who depend on us. Even if poor memory is not one of your primary symptoms, it’s a safe bet that you struggle with it at least occasionally. And probably on the worst possible occasion!

You never know when you’re going to forget something. About the only way to be safe is to write down everything you need to remember, no matter how sure you are that you won’t forget. It’s a good idea to carry paper and something to write with at all times.

When people ask you to do something for them, if you can’t do it right away, have them put it in writing. Ask them to send you a follow-up email or put it on your calendar or white board for you. Make it common knowledge that if it isn’t written down in one of the places you check regularly, it isn’t going to happen. Eventually, people will get into the habit of asking you where they should write things down.

Don’t think of it as an imposition. By insisting that requests be made in writing, you’re actually helping people. You’re increasing the odds that they will get what they need, by giving you what you need.

www.adhdsolutions.net

Adult ADD / ADHD - Signs, Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment

Life can be a balancing act for any adult, but if you find yourself constantly late and disorganized, overly distracted and forgetful, and overwhelmed by your responsibilities, you may have adult ADD/ADHD. Attention deficit disorder impacts many adults, and its wide variety of frustrating symptoms may hinder everything from your relationships to your career.

Learning about the signs and effects of adult ADD/ADHD is the first step toward understanding the challenges and identifying your own symptoms. Once you understand the difficulties that come with ADD/ADHD, you can learn to compensate for areas of weakness and take advantage of your many strengths and talents.

Understanding ADD / ADHD in adults

Attention deficit disorder is not just a problem in children. If you were diagnosed with childhood ADD/ADHD, chances are, you’ve carried at least some of the symptoms into adulthood. But even if you were never diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as a child, that doesn’t mean you can’t be affected by it as an adult.

ADD / ADHD: It’s not just for kids

Attention deficit disorder often goes unrecognized throughout childhood. This was especially common in the past, when very few people were aware of ADD/ADHD. Instead or recognizing your symptoms and identifying the real issue, your family, teachers, or other parents may have labeled you a dreamer, a goof-off, a slacker, a troublemaker, or just a bad student.

Alternately, you may have been able to compensate for the symptoms of ADD/ADHD when you were young, only to run into problems as your responsibilities increase. The more balls you’re trying to keep in the air—pursuing a career, raising a family, running a household—the greater the demand on your abilities to organize, focus, and remain calm. This can be challenging for anyone, but if you have ADD/ADHD, it can feel downright impossible.

The good news is that, no matter how it feels, the challenges of attention deficit disorder are beatable. With education, support, and a little creativity, you can learn to manage the symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD—even turning some of your weaknesses into strengths. It’s never too late to turn the difficulties of adult ADD/ADHD around and start succeeding on your own terms.

Myths and Facts about ADD / ADHD in Adults

MYTH: ADD/ADHD is just a lack of willpower. Persons with ADD/ADHD focus well on things that interest them; they could focus on any other tasks if they really wanted to.

FACT: ADD/ADHD looks very much like a willpower problem, but it isn’t. It’s essentially a chemical problem in the management systems of the brain.

MYTH: Everybody has the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and anyone with adequate intelligence can overcome these difficulties.

FACT: ADD/ADHD affects persons of all levels of intelligence. And although everyone sometimes has symptoms of ADD/ADHD, only those with chronic impairments from these symptoms warrant an ADD/ADHD diagnosis.

MYTH: Someone can’t have ADD/ADHD and also have depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric problems.

FACT: A person with ADD/ADHD is six times more likely to have another psychiatric or learning disorder than most other people. ADD/ADHD usually overlaps with other disorders.

MYTH: Unless you have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as a child, you can’t have it as an adult.

FACT: Many adults struggle all their lives with unrecognized ADD/ADHD impairments. They haven’t received help because they assumed that their chronic difficulties, like depression or anxiety, were caused by other impairments that did not respond to usual treatment.

Source: Dr. Thomas E. Brown, Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults

Signs and symptoms of adult ADD / ADHD

In adults, attention deficit disorder often looks quite different than it does in children—and its symptoms are unique for each individual. The following categories highlight common symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD. Do your best to identify the areas where you experience difficulty. Once you pinpoint your most problematic symptoms, you can start to work on strategies for dealing with them.

Common adult ADD / ADHD symptoms: Trouble concentrating and staying focused

Adults with ADD/ADHD often have difficulty staying focused and attending to daily, mundane tasks. For example, you may be easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds, quickly bounce from one activity to another, or become bored quickly. Symptoms in this category are sometimes overlooked because they are less outwardly disruptive than the ADD/ADHD symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity—but they can be every bit as troublesome. The symptoms of inattention and concentration difficulties include:

• “zoning out” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation.
• extreme distractibility; wandering attention makes it hard to stay on track.
• difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as when reading or listening to others.
• struggling to complete tasks, even ones that seem simple.
• tendency to overlook details, leading to errors or incomplete work.
• poor listening skills; hard time remembering conversations and following directions.

Common adult ADD / ADHD symptoms: Hyperfocus

While you’re probably aware that people with ADD/ADHD have trouble focusing on tasks that aren’t interesting to them, you may not know that there’s another side: a tendency to become absorbed in tasks that are stimulating and rewarding. This paradoxical symptom is called hyperfocus.

Hyperfocus is actually a coping mechanism for distraction—a way of tuning out the chaos. It can be so strong that you become oblivious to everything going on around you. For example, you may be so engrossed in a book, a TV show, or your computer that you completely lose track of time and neglect the things you’re supposed to be doing. Hyperfocus can be an asset when channeled into productive activities, but it can also lead to work and relationship problems if left unchecked.

Common adult ADD / ADHD symptoms: Disorganization and forgetfulness

When you have adult ADD/ADHD, life often seems chaotic and out of control. Staying organized and on top of things can be extremely challenging—as is sorting out what information is relevant for the task at hand, prioritizing the things you need to do, keeping track of tasks and responsibilities, and managing your time. Common symptoms of disorganization and forgetfulness include:

• poor organizational skills (home, office, desk, or car is extremely messy and cluttered)
• tendency to procrastinate
• trouble starting and finishing projects
• chronic lateness
• frequently forgetting appointments, commitments, and deadlines
• constantly losing or misplacing things (keys, wallet, phone, documents, bills)
• underestimating the time it will take you to complete tasks

Common adult ADD / ADHD symptoms: Impulsivity

If you suffer from symptoms in this category, you may have trouble inhibiting your behaviors, comments, and responses. You might act before thinking, or react without considering consequences. You may find yourself interrupting others, blurting out comments, and rushing through tasks without reading instructions. If you have impulse problems, being patient is extremely difficult. For better or for worse, you may go headlong into situations and find yourself in potentially risky circumstances. You may struggle with controlling impulses if you:

• frequently interrupt others or talk over them
• have poor self-control
• blurt out thoughts that are rude or inappropriate without thinking
• have addictive tendencies
• act recklessly or spontaneously without regard for consequences
• have trouble behaving in socially appropriate ways (such as sitting still during a long meeting)

Common adult ADD / ADHD symptoms: Emotional difficulties

Many adults with ADD/ADHD have a hard time managing their feelings, especially when it comes to emotions like anger or frustration. Common emotional symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD include:

• sense of underachievement
• doesn’t deal well with frustration
• easily flustered and stressed out
• irritability or mood swings
• trouble staying motivated
• hypersensitivity to criticism
• short, often explosive, temper
• low self-esteem and sense of insecurity

Common adult ADD / ADHD symptoms: Hyperactivity or restlessness

Hyperactivity in adults with ADD/ADHD can look the same as it does in kids. You may be highly energetic and perpetually “on the go” as if driven by a motor. For many people with ADD/ADHD, however, the symptoms of hyperactivity become more subtle and internal as they grow older. Common symptoms of hyperactivity in adults include:

• feelings of inner restlessness, agitation
• tendency to take risks
• getting bored easily
• racing thoughts
• trouble sitting still; constant fidgeting
• craving for excitement
• talking excessively
• doing a million things at once

You don’t have to be hyperactive to have ADD / ADHD

Adults with ADD/ADHD are much less likely to be hyperactive than their younger counterparts. Only a small slice of adults with ADD/ADHD, in fact, suffer from prominent symptoms of hyperactivity. Remember that names can be deceiving and you may very well have ADD/ADHD if you have one or more of the symptoms above—even if you lack hyperactivity.

Effects of adult ADD / ADHD

If you are just discovering you have adult ADD/ADHD, chances are you’ve suffered over the years for the unrecognized problem. People may have labeled you “lazy” or “stupid” because of your forgetfulness or difficulty completing tasks, and you may have begun to think of yourself in these negative terms as well.

Untreated ADD/ADHD has wide-reaching effects

ADD/ADHD that is undiagnosed and untreated can cause problems in virtually every area of your life.

• Physical and mental health problems. The symptoms of ADD/ADHD can contribute to a variety of health problems, including compulsive eating, substance abuse, anxiety, chronic stress and tension, and low self-esteem. You may also run into trouble due to neglecting important check-ups, skipping doctor appointments, ignoring medical instructions, and forgetting to take vital medications.
• Work and financial difficulties. Adults with ADD/ADHD often experience career difficulties and feel a strong sense of underachievement. You may have trouble keeping a job, following corporate rules, meeting deadlines, and sticking to a 9-to-5 routine. Managing finances may also be a problem: you may struggle with unpaid bills, lost paperwork, late fees, or debt due to impulsive spending.
• Relationship problems. The symptoms of ADD/ADHD can put a strain on your work, love, and family relationships. You may be fed up with constant nagging from loved ones to tidy up, listen more closely, or get organized. Those close to you, on the other hand, may feel hurt and resentful over your perceived “irresponsibility” or “insensitivity.”

The wide-reaching effects of ADD/ADHD can lead to embarrassment, frustration, hopelessness, disappointment, and loss of confidence. You may feel like you’ll never be able to get your life under control. That’s why a diagnosis of adult ADD/ADHD can be an enormous source of relief and hope. It helps you understand what you’re up against for the first time and realize that you’re not to blame. The difficulties you’ve had are symptoms of attention deficit disorder—not the result of personal weakness or a character flaw.

Adult ADD/ADHD doesn’t have to hold you back

When you have ADD/ADHD, it’s easy to end up thinking that there’s something wrong with you. But it’s okay to be different. ADD/ADHD isn’t an indicator of intelligence or capability. Certain things may be more difficult for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find your niche and achieve success. The key is to find out what your strengths are and capitalize on them.

It can be helpful to think about attention deficit disorder as a collection of traits that are both positive and negative—just like any other set of qualities you might possess. Along with the impulsivity and disorganization of ADD/ADHD, for example, often come incredible creativity, passion, energy, out-of-the-box thinking, and a constant flow of original ideas. Figure out what you’re good at and set up your environment to support those strengths.

Self-help for adult ADD / ADHD

Armed with an understanding of ADD/ADHD’s challenges and the help of structured strategies, you can make real changes in your life. Many adults with attention deficit disorder have found meaningful ways to manage their symptoms, take advantage of their gifts, and lead productive and satisfying lives. You don’t necessarily need outside intervention—at least not right away. There is a lot you can do to help yourself and get your symptoms under control.

• Exercise and eat right. Exercise vigorously and regularly—it helps work off excess energy and aggression in a positive way and soothes and calms the body. Eat a wide variety of healthy foods and limit sugary foods in order to even out mood swings.
• Get plenty of sleep. When you’re tired, it’s even more difficult to focus, manage stress, stay productive, and keep on top of your responsibilities. Support yourself by getting between 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
• Practice better time management. Set deadlines for everything, even for seemingly small tasks. Use timers and alarms to stay on track. Take breaks at regular intervals. Avoid piles of paperwork or procrastination by dealing with each item as it comes in. Prioritize time-sensitive tasks and write down every assignment, message, or important thought.
• Work on your relationships. Schedule activities with friends and keep your engagements. Be vigilant in conversation: listen when others are speaking and try not to speak too quickly yourself. Cultivate relationships with people who are sympathetic and understanding of your struggles with ADD/ADHD.
• Create a supportive work environment. Make frequent use of lists, color-coding, reminders, notes-to-self, rituals, and files. If possible, choose work that motivates and interests you. Notice how and when you work best and apply these conditions to your working environment as best you can. It can help to team up with less creative, more organized people—a partnership that can be mutually beneficial.

Living with ADD / ADHD: How to Help Yourself

There’s hope for adult ADD/ADHD—no matter how out of control your life is, no matter how frazzled and frustrated you feel. With structure, support, and a personalized toolkit of self-help strategies, you can learn how to get organized, efficiently manage your time, take control of your finances, improve job performance, and boost your social skills.

Read: Self-Help for Adult ADD / ADHD: Tips for Managing Symptoms and Getting Focused

When to seek outside help for adult ADD / ADHD

If the symptoms of ADD/ADHD are still getting in the way of your life, despite self-help efforts to manage them, it may be time to seek outside support. Adults with ADD/ADHD can benefit from a number of treatments, including behavioral coaching, individual therapy, self-help groups, vocational counseling, educational assistance, and medication.

Treatment for adults with attention deficit disorder, like treatment for kids, should involve a team of professionals, along with the person’s family members and spouse.

Professionals trained in ADD/ADHD can help you:

• control impulsive behaviors
• manage your time and money
• get and stay organized
• boost productivity at home and work
• manage stress and anger
• communicate more clearly

Treatment and therapy for adult ADD / ADHD

Therapy for adults with ADD/ADHD can be helpful for both the emotional issues related to the disorder and practical, day-to-day issues.

• Talk therapy – Adults with ADD/ADHD often struggle with issues stemming from longstanding patterns of underachievement, failure, academic difficulties, job turnover, and relationship conflict. Individual talk therapy can help you deal with this emotional baggage, including low self-esteem, the feelings of embarrassment and shame you may have experienced as a child and teenager, and resentment at the nagging and criticism you receive from people close to you.
• Marriage and family therapy – Marriage and family therapy addresses the problems ADD/ADHD can create in your relationships and family life, such as conflicts over money problems, forgotten commitments, responsibilities in the home, and impulsive decisions. Therapy can help you and your loved ones explore these issues and focus on constructive ways of dealing with them and communicating with each other. Therapy can also improve your relationship by educating your partner about ADD/ADHD.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy – Cognitive-behavioral therapy encourages you to identify and change the negative beliefs and behaviors that are causing problems in your life. Since many individuals with ADD/ADHD are demoralized from years of struggle and unmet expectations, one of the main goals of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to transform this negative outlook into a more hopeful, realistic view. Cognitive-behavioral therapy also focuses on the practical issues that often come with ADD/ADHD, such as disorganization, work performance problems, and poor time management.

Support groups for adult ADD / ADHD

A support group not only gives you the human encouragement you need to keep working on your issues, but also gives you frank feedback on how you come across to others. A support group for ADD/ADHD:

• reduces the isolation of struggling with your disorder,
• gives you a place to express your feelings to others who truly understand, and
• lets you share strategies for success.

Usually a therapist or other mental health practitioner leads an ADD/ADHD support group, making sure that you feel supported and that others listen to your feelings and reactions.

ADD / ADHD coaches and professional organizers

Behavioral coaches and professional organizers are not a replacement for therapy, but they can be a valuable supplement to an ADD/ADHD treatment plan.

Behavioral coaching

In contrast to therapists, who help adults with attention deficit disorder work through emotional problems, coaches focus solely on practical solutions to problems in everyday life. Behavioral coaches teach you strategies for organizing your home and work environment, structuring your day, and managing your money.

ADD/ADHD coaches work with you on areas such as:

• prioritizing
• motivation
• time management
• procrastination

ADD/ADHD coaches may come to your home or talk with you on the phone rather than meet with you in an office; many coach-client relationships are long-distance.

Professional organizers

A professional organizer can be very helpful if you have difficulty organizing your belongings or your time.

A professional organizer can help you:

• reduce the stress that clutter creates
• get and stay organized
• save time by organizing your belongings more efficiently
• create a schedule and stick to it
• streamline your workflow
• set up a system for paperwork, filing, and bills

A professional organizer comes to your home or workplace, looks at your setup, and then suggests changes.

(helpguide.org)

This week's ADHD Solution is: Yoga

Some people with ADHD are leery of yoga. They think it requires the ability to concentrate and stay in the same position for extended periods of time, two skills that seem totally out of reach. But actually, yoga is really good for ADHDers. Numerous studies have indicated that practicing yoga increases attention while producing a significant drop in hyperactivity and tension. Sweet!

There are many different styles of yoga. Yes, some are sedate and involve holding poses for a really long time. But others will get your heart beating and make you sweat. My personal favorite is vinyasa. That’s yoga-speak for “flow”. It’s an active form of yoga that flows from one pose to the next.

One of the instructors at a studio here in Camp Hill shared with me that she used to have a lot of difficulty with racing thoughts, impulsivity, distraction, and even the occasional brain overload. That’s part of the reason she got into yoga two decades ago. “The breathwork really centers me,” she said.

Yes, it’s all about the breathwork. Learning to slowly and steadily breathe your way into a relaxed state during times of anxiety may be one of the greatest benefits of yoga for people with ADHD. Deep, focused breaths bring more oxygen to the brain, leading to improved concentration and increased alertness. And it calms you down. This is one of my favorite strategies for dealing with ADHD brain overload. Whenever I start to recognize the signs of overwhelm, I stop and focus on my breathing for a while. I learned that technique from practicing yoga.

If yoga is something you’d like to try, I highly recommend taking a class. A book or video can’t point out what you’re doing wrong, or help you integrate breathing into the poses. Contact a few nearby studios and find out what they offer. As I mentioned before, there are many different styles of yoga, and you want to make sure you find the right one for you.

Practicing yoga builds a connection between the body and the mind. It leads to a greater sense of awareness and self control. It helps you focus. And, it gives you a way to instantly reduce your stress level. All of which are perfect for people with ADHD.

www.adhdsolutions.net

This week's ADHD Solution is: Feed your brain.

The food you eat directly affects your health, your brain, and your ADHD symptoms. In their book “Delivered from Distraction”, Edward Hallowell and John Ratey make the statement, “What you eat is as powerful, if not more so, than any medication.” I totally agree with them.

One problem with eating well is that it requires a bit of advance planning: you have to have healthy food available when you’re hungry. Being impulsive creatures, we tend to just grab whatever is handy. Fast food. Convenience store junk. Food court. It’s no wonder we don’t eat as well as we should.

Here are a few ideas to make it easier to have healthy alternatives on hand when it’s time for a snack:

• If you’re making a salad with dinner, get out some baggies and fill them with carrots. Do enough for the entire week. Consider keeping a box of baggies right in your produce drawer as a reminder.

• Get out the baggies and put grapes or nuts in them while you’re watching TV.

• Every time you go to the food store, pick up a few boxes of granola bars or protein bars. Put them in their own bag at the checkout. Keep them in the car – don’t even bring them into the house.

• Put a healthy snack such as a clementine or banana at your work space as soon as you get to work. That way, going for the fruit will be easier than going to the junk machine.

• And my favorite strategy for healthy eating: Think about what you’re going to eat before you get hungry. Make it part of your morning routine.

The bottom line is to set yourself up to make the right choice in the moment. You’ll be surprised at how much healthier your eating choices will be if they require less effort.

www.adhdsolutions.net

Are ADHD Meds Safe During Pregnancy?

Q: My daughter, who takes ADHD medication, recently became pregnant. Is it safe for her to continue taking her medication? Will it affect the baby?

A: This is an issue that needs to be discussed by your daughter and her gynecologist. As far as I am aware, there is no research suggesting that therapeutic doses of stimulants taken during pregnancy for ADHD will have a significant or dramatic adverse effect on the fetus. However, physicians’ decisions about which medications their patients should or should not take are based not only on research but also on the physicians' experience. It's therefore important for your daughter to speak with her doctor.

(www.everydayhealth.com)

My Son Has ADHD. Could I Have It Too?

Q: I have anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression. My son was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5, and he has a lot of impulsive behaviors that I also have. Could I have ADHD too?

A: If a child has ADHD, there is a significantly greater chance that one or the other parent also has this disorder. However, this is not always the case. Conditions such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression can co-occur with ADHD, but generally they are genetically independent of the ADHD condition. I suggest you speak to your care provider, particularly the person who has diagnosed you with these conditions, about the possibility that you may also have ADHD.

(www.everydayhealth.com)

Adderall and 'Bad Feelings'

Q: My 6-year-old son was recently diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He's been on Adderall for about three weeks now, and we have seen a definite improvement at home and at school. However, the last few days it seems as though he's been trying to hold back his emotions. He breaks down crying, saying that things and people are giving him "bad feelings." What should I do? Do you think his medication should be changed?

A: If this behavior occurs in the first three to four hours after he takes the Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), it's probably a side effect of the medicine. However, if it occurs after the medicine has theoretically “worn off,” it's probably what we refer to as a withdrawal effect. Some children with ADHD become irritated as the medicine wears off.

Regarding your son’s concern that things and people are giving him “bad feelings,” stimulants can sometimes cause apparent psychotic-like behavior. It's a very rare occurrence, but you should definitely speak to your physician about it. You might want to consider weekends without medication. Because Adderall is a short- acting medicine, going without it on the weekends doesn't pose a significant problem. It might enable you to determine whether your son's feelings are related to the medicine, in which case the medicine could be changed or the dosage adjusted.

(www.everydayhealth.com)

Should I Quit Taking Adderall When I Graduate From College?

Q: I'm about to graduate from college in the spring. Since high school, I have been prescribed Adderall to help me focus in class and in my studies. Now that I am soon to be a graduate, my parents want me to discontinue my prescription. I have argued that I will continue to need it when I get a job, but they are persistent. Truthfully, I'm scared of being without it. What do you suggest?

A: From your question, it appears that Adderall (amphetamine) is still an effective treatment for what I suspect is your condition — ADHD. Research has now demonstrated that this medication is as effective in adulthood as it is in childhood for individuals appropriately diagnosed with ADHD. Although as people grow older some of the symptoms, as well as their severity, are reduced, the majority of youth with ADHD symptoms and impairments continue to experience a number of problems in their adult life.

I am not certain I understand why your parents want you to discontinue the prescription, but their opinion does not appear to be based on known research. You might ask them if they are concerned that you or your friends might abuse the Adderall. A number of recent articles have cited abuse of Adderall by students without ADHD on college campuses. I suggest you begin by seeking accurate information concerning adult ADHD and treatment with medication.

You might ask your prescribing physician to speak with you and your parents, or seek a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist experienced in treating this condition. But the decision about continuing medication should be based on need and knowledge, not fear or belief.

Learn more in the Everyday Health ADD/ADHD Center.

http://www.everydayhealth.com

Children With ADHD Need A Bigger Incentive

It’s true, says a new study, that children with ADHD can control themselves when they want to. You just have to give them a big enough incentive to make it worth their while.

The study, by researchers at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, involved functional MRI scans of the brains of 18 children as they played a computer game. The children all had been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and their ages ranged from 9 through 15. A control group of the same size and age range, consisting of children who did not have ADHD, also received scans while playing the same game.

The game involved catching green aliens while avoiding black aliens. Each timely and successful response gained a point, and each slow or missed response lost a point.

Previous studies had shown that children with ADHD have trouble switching off the default mode network (DMN) in their brains. The DMN, which gives rise to random thoughts and daydreams, is usually active when people are doing nothing in particular but suppressed when a task arises that requires focus.

The new study showed that in the brains of the control children, the DMN switched off whenever the children saw something that required their attention. However, the children with ADHD failed to switch off the DMN, and thus performed poorly, unless the rewards and penalties were increased to five points instead of one, or unless they had taken their medication (methylphenidate, known by the brand name Ritalin).

In other words, a routine or boring task was not enough to switch the children with ADHD out of daydream mode. When offered a big enough incentive to make the task interesting, or when helped by medication, they could concentrate.

“The results are exciting because for the first time we are beginning to understand how, in children with ADHD, incentives and stimulant medication work in a similar way to alter patterns of brain activity and enable them to concentrate and focus better,” said Chris Hollis, PhD, head of the psychiatry division at the university and leader of the study. “It also explains why in children with ADHD, their performance is often so variable and inconsistent, depending as it does on their interest in a particular task.”

Dr. Hollis was quoted in a university news release.

“The common complaint about children with ADHD,” said Elizabeth Liddle, PhD, the study’s first author, “is that ‘he can concentrate and control himself fine when he wants to,’ so some people just think the child is being naughty when he misbehaves. We have shown that this may be a very real difficulty for them. The off switch for their internal world seems to need a greater incentive to function properly and allow them to attend to their task.”

The study was published online late last year in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

http://www.radiologydaily.com/?p=5744

From Chaos to Calm: Effective Parenting for Challenging Children with ADHD and other Behavior Problems

My add coach recommended this book, you can get it at any book store.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1 edition (May 8, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399526617
ISBN-13: 978-0399526619

The Autism & ADHD Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Hope and Healing by Living Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) and Other Interventions

http://books.google.at/books?id=li0Sl3CmlswC&lpg=PP1&dq=The%20Autism%20&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false

Colours advice

The Food Standards Agency Board, at its April open meeting, discussed the possible effects of certain food colours on children's behaviour and agreed advice to Ministers to help inform the UK's negotiating position in Europe on this issue.

This discussion took place following the publication last September of research into these colours by Southampton University and in the light of the review of this work by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which was published in March.

The Board agreed to advise UK Ministers that there should be voluntary action by manufacturers in the UK to remove these colours by 2009. In addition, there should be action to phase them out in food and drink in the European Union (EU) over a specified period.

Dame Deirdre Hutton, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, said: 'It is the Agency's duty to put consumers first. These additives give colour to foods but nothing else. It would therefore be sensible, in the light of the findings of the Southampton Study, to remove them from food and drink products. UK industry has already taken great strides to remove these colours from food; this decision builds on the work already done and will encourage industry to continue down this path.'

The Board also discussed the Agency's advice on this issue. At present, Agency advice is:

Parents of children showing signs of hyperactivity are advised that cutting certain artificial colours from their diets might have some beneficial effects. These colours are:

• Sunset yellow (E110)
• Quinoline yellow (E104, found in mouth washs)
• Carmoisine (E122)
• Allura red (E129)
• Tartrazine (E102, FD&C Yellow 5, C.I. 19140, used also in H&M shower gel and Avène face wash *awaywithit*)
• Ponceau 4R (E124)

Food Standards Agency Chief Scientist, Andrew Wadge, said: 'This advice is proportionate and based on the best available science. However, we need to remember that there are many factors associated with hyperactive behaviour in children other than diet. These are thought to include genetic factors, being born prematurely, or environment and upbringing.'

The Board requested that advice to parents is simplified and strengthened as much as possible, and the Agency updates its advice in the light of the Board's discussion.

The preservative sodium benzoate was also used in the Southampton study. Use of sodium benzoate is mainly restricted to soft drinks. The Board decided that advice to Ministers and consumers should focus on the colours used in the study, as the primary function of sodium benzoate is as a preservative.

Today's Board decision does not mean that there is an immediate ban on the use of the six colours in food and drink products. The FSA is recommending to UK Ministers that industry takes voluntary action to remove these colours by 2009 and is pressing for action at EU level.

Once the FSA has given its advice, UK Ministers will discuss this with other Government departments. These discussions will inform the UK’s negotiating position in Europe on this issue.

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/apr/coloursadvice

This week's ADHD Solution is: Staying on task

Sometimes you can get more done with two hours of sustained effort than you can in an entire day. There’s a great little free computer application called Instant Boss that helps keep you on task. Like a real boss, it tells you when to work and when to take breaks.

Here’s how it works:

• You tell The Boss how long you think you can work without getting distracted, how long of a break you need, and how many times to repeat the cycle. For example, maybe you decide to work for 25 minutes, take a five minute break, and repeat that four times. That gives you a total work session of two hours.
• You start the timer.
• The Boss tells you when it’s time to take a break.
• The Boss tells you when it’s time to get back to work.
• The Boss tells you when you’re done for the day.

This is a beautiful thing for those of us who do well with timers, but are less-than-disciplined when it comes to resetting them after a break.

There is a bit of flexibility in case your good intentions are unrealistic. You can tell it you want to extend your break, or skip your break, or stop the clock to answer the phone. But try your best to follow the schedule. The results will be worth it.

Instant Boss is one of the many tips you'll learn about in my free webinar next week.

Time Management: How to Make Room in Your Life for the Things that Matter Most

Date: January 13, 2011

Time: 1:00 p.m. EST

Whether it's a New Year's Resolution, a project at work, or a personal goal that's stuck in the dream stage, these proven strategies will help you accomplish the things that are really important to you. Here's what you'll learn:

• How to set realistic goals you'll be able to keep
• The difference between urgent and important, and why this matters
• One deceptively simple rule that will guarantee you won't run out of time before you even begin
• How and why to create effortless routines and good habits that work for you
• What to do when life gets in the way: How to deal with all that other stuff you have to take care of
• How to protect yourself from time and energy thieves
• Proven methods to avoid distractions and sustain focus
• The most important thing that you absolutely must do every day to keep your stress low, and productivity high

Diet Intervention and Autism - Implementing the Gluten Free and Casein Free Diet for Autistic Children and Adults

Diet Intervention and Autism - Implementing the Gluten Free and Casein Free Diet for Autistic Children and ...

This week's ADHD Solution is: Relax.

Are you chronically stressed out? Do you spend so much time battling your ADHD that you don’t take time to relax? And when you do, do you feel guilty about it? You’re not alone. A lot of people with ADHD have trouble taking time for themselves. It’s so hard to get everything done that we feel like we need to work all the time to compensate. Then there’s our tendency towards inattention, distraction and restlessness, which makes it difficult for us to be present in the moment, which is what it takes to fully unwind. Hence, our chronic feelings of anxiety and stress are exacerbated.

The more you can do to reduce your overall stress level, the better you will function. Therefore, learning to relax is a critical element in your ADHD treatment plan. You need a series of small breaks throughout the course of the day. You also need longer periods of relaxation to keep stress at bay.

Still not convinced? You may need to separate your beliefs about relaxation from your beliefs about laziness. Recognize that you need relaxation just as much as you need food and water. Don’t use it as a reward. You can certainly use extra time to relax as a reward, but don’t feel like you can only relax if you’ve earned it. Kind of like food rewards – you can give yourself an extra treat for making your goal, but you wouldn’t stop eating altogether if you didn’t make it.

Know you need to relax, but just can’t do it? That’s common too. Fortunately, it’s a skill that can be developed. Like so many other things, it starts with making the decision to do it, and starting out slowly.

Schedule time in every day to relax. Here are some ideas to try:

• Do some yoga stretches

• Get a massage

• Listen to a guided imagery audio

• Do a progressive muscle relaxation exercise

• Take a hot bath

• Get a Reiki treatment

• Go fishing

• Read fiction

• Listen to soothing music

• Take three deep breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth

• Watch a movie

• Look for constellations

• Look for shapes in the clouds

• Kayak

• Do some Tai Chi

• Write in your journal

• Taste every nuance of your lunch

• Go for a bike ride in the country

• Drink chamomile tea

• Laugh with a friend

• Sit under a tree and listen to the birds

• Meditate

• Walk in the woods

• Find out what daffodils smell like

It doesn’t really matter how you relax. The important thing is that you do it. Not only will it help you focus, but it’s good for your heart, your mind, and your soul.

www.adhdsolutions.net

Ways to Boost Your Brain Power

Like the body, the brain is made entirely from molecules derived from food, air and water, so changes in these factors can directly affect our mental health. 

Here are some factors which have been found to help improve intellect.

Exercise

Scientists are continuing to find new evidence which points to a link between physical exercise and mental health.

A Cambridge University study suggested that jogging just a couple of times a week stimulates the brain. After a few days of running, hundreds of thousands of new brain cells were shown to have grown in a region that is linked to the formation and recollection of memories.

An improved ability to recall memories without confusing them has a direct impact on other crucial cognitive tasks, and could lead to potential new ways of slowing down the deterioration of mental ability in old age.

In other findings, scientists have also found that vigorous exercise helps release a protein called 'noggin'.

The protein acts as with another protein, bone morphogenetic protein, and stimulates the division of brain stem cells, keeping the brain nimble and active as we get older. Research suggests that amplified production of noggin could therefore prevent the on-set of age-related brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.

A Mid-Day Nap

Scientists have long suspected that sleep has a significant impact on the brain's capacity for memory, but recent research has found that sleeping for an hour in the afternoon boosts brain power and dramatically increases its ability to learn new facts and tasks.

Having a nap after lunch acts as a regenerative aid, allowing the brain to 'file' away memories so that new information may be more easily retained.

The researchers discovered that those who stay awake all day are less likely to be able to learn new tasks as the day goes on, leading the experts to suggest that napping in the long-term may be conducive to warding off age-related degenerative mental diseases.

Magnesium and Vitamin B-Rich Foods

Eating foods rich in magnesium such as spinach and broccoli, as well as high doses of B-vitamins are associated with boosting memory and brain power.

Research published in the journal Neuron, found that an increase of magnesium in the brain could help learning in both the young and old.

Other research found that high doses of B vitamins halved the rate of brain shrinkage in older people experiencing signs of memory decline. Certain B vitamins, including folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12 - were also found to control levels of a substance known as homocysteine in the blood. High levels of homocysteine are associated with faster brain shrinkage and Alzheimer's disease.

Food sources of B vitamins include meat, fish, eggs, asparagus, lentils, most beans, and leafy green vegetables.

Sun Exposure

Scientists have found that increased exposure to the sun is linked to boosting your intellect and preventing dementia.

A larger intake in vitamin D, which can also be found in oily fish, was linked to a greater ability to keep the brain active and in top condition as we age.

Another study published in the Journal of Neurology found that an association between increased vitamin D and faster information processing was particularly significant in men over the age of 60 years.

Mowing the Lawn

Researchers have discovered that a chemical released by lawn mowing not only relieves stress and makes people happier, but could also prevent mental decline in old age.

Australian scientists claimed that the aroma of freshly cut grass works directly on the brain, particularly targeting areas associated with emotion and memory. These are known as the amygdala and the hippocampus and are the two areas that are responsible for the flight or fight response and the endocrine system, which controls the releasing of stress hormones like corticosteroids.

Chronic stress has been shown to damage the hippocampus (an area of the brain that helps regulate emotion and memory), by reducing the number of connections between communicating cells, leading to memory loss, sometimes irreversible.

ADD Crusher

Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know that so it goes on flying anyway. 

(Mary Kay Ash)

We ADDers need to think of ourselves in the proper light. We focus too much on our failures and never give ourselves credit for our successes – especially the smaller, day-to-day successes.

This week's ADHD Solution is: Schedule the follow-up.

Scenario: You’re in charge of compiling a newsletter for your organization. Having learned the value of delegating, you ask a few people to contribute articles. You outsource the actual production to a local printing company. You tell your boss everything’s under control, and she assures the CEO that the newsletter will go out by the end of the month. Next thing you know, it’s the 29th and the printer is calling to see when you’ll be sending her the copy. She needs it today. Ack! The newsletter! You forgot all about it, because you were waiting for the contributors to send you their articles. But only one has come through so far. You’re in trouble now!

How many projects, professional or personal, do you have that depend on other people? How many have stalled because someone didn’t deliver? Being forgetful, we often don’t remember what we’re waiting for, or when it was supposed to have been done. We have no sense of time, so two days can turn into two months before we realize that the project isn’t moving.

The trick to making sure things don’t fall through the cracks is to plan to follow up. When someone says they will do something for you, ask when you can expect it. Decide, right then, when you will follow up, and put a note on your calendar. Depending on the circumstances, you might also let the other person know. “Mind if I check in with you in a few weeks?”

Some people are squeamish about following up. They don’t want to impose. They figure the person’s busy, or they’re worried about what he might say. In my fifteen years as a project manager, where I routinely followed up on things as part of my job, not once did anyone give me a hard time about it. My gentle reminders were invariably appreciated. The way I see it, they already agreed to do the task, so I’m not asking for a favor. I’m just asking for an update. If they’re late, they’re the ones who should feel bad, not me.

People generally fail to follow through on their commitments because they forgot, or they got busy and de-prioritized the task because they weren’t sure it was still important. Letting them know the task still matters will help them prioritize it more favorably. If they’re no longer able to do it, you need to know that, so you can make other arrangements.

Everyone is busy. Having to juggle constantly changing priorities is not exclusive to ADHD (although we certainly struggle with it more). So give people a hand when they commit to helping you. Give them a follow-up. Mark it on your calendar so you don’t forget.

www.adhdsolutions.net

Get Lateral

We are a tribe of people whose way of thinking is different -- and increasingly frustrated by modern society’s preference for linear thinking. Linear thinking is well-suited to the data-driven, multi-tasking, get-it-done-now 21st Century. We ultimately tend to be Lateral Thinkers.

We ADDers tend to be more right-brain dominant than non-ADDers, and right-brain dominance is associated with what Dr. Edward DeBono defined as Lateral Thinking: “a way of thinking which seeks the solution to problems through unorthodox methods which would normally be ignored by logical thinking.”

DaVinci had hundreds if not thousands of unfinished projects; yet was perhaps the most diversely talented man of all time. Einstein despised the conformity of school; probably did his homework the night before it was due. Thomas Edison – one of his teachers called him unteachable and “addled”, a 19th century word for ‘totally f’d up’.

This week's ADHD Solution is: Confrontation.

It seems like people with ADHD either seek conflict, or try to avoid it at all costs (perhaps as a result of some painful conflicts in the past). I suppose the same can be said for the general population – most people just aren’t adept at confrontation. But I do believe this is a topic most of us ADHDers can relate to particularly well.

Have you ever heard the phrase “care enough to confront”? When I first heard it, I thought it was an oxy moron. Why would I want to confront someone I care about? Wouldn’t it be better to keep the peace and spare her any discomfort my disagreement might bring? This line of thinking reflects a false belief that confrontation has to be ugly. I have since learned that confrontation is healthy if you do it right.

Confrontation isn’t yelling. It isn’t fighting. It’s simply acknowledging that your viewpoint is different than the other person’s, and seeking resolution.

Here are a few specific reasons that confrontation is synonymous with caring:

* Getting things out in the open clears the air, removing the tension and bad feelings that can build up between people. These bad feelings end up coming out sideways, in the form of snide comments and sarcasm, if we don’t deal with them constructively.

* We tend to ruminate over things that are upsetting to us. Confronting the source of the upset will stop the ruminations, allowing us to focus. Or sleep.

* Sometimes you have to ask for what you need or you won’t get it. It’s not healthy for you or the person you care about (or have to work with) if your needs continue to go unmet. They don’t want you to be cranky any more than you do.

* It’s an act of trust. By confronting someone about something that’s not copasetic, you’re indicating that you’re willing to take a bit of temporary discomfort for the sake of the relationship.

Here are some healthy ways to initiate a confrontation:

* Ask permission. Make sure it’s a good time for the other person to talk. If it’s not a good time, ask when would be better.

* State your problem in a calm, non-threatening manner. For example, “I am concerned about the loose ends in this contract”, instead of “What the heck where you thinking when you wrote this piece of crap?!”. Plan your opening lines in advance.

* Ask the other person’s viewpoint. For example, “Does this seem unclear to you?”

Here are some success strategies to use while you’re in the midst of a confrontation:

* Be very aware of your tone at all times. Focus on it as much as your actual words. Confrontations can escalate into arguments the second one person raises his voice or speeds up his pace, even if he doesn’t realize it.

* Use “I” messages. For example, “I am concerned about…” rather than “You should…”.

* Give the other person a chance to speak. Monopolizing the conversation might make you feel better temporarily, but it won’t accomplish your ultimate goal of resolving the issue.

* Brainstorm together. Be prepared with at least one possible solution to the problem, and also solicit ideas from the other person.

What’s your confrontation style? Do you tend to fight or take flight? Regardless of whether you’re drawn to confrontation or shy away from it, these strategies should go a long way towards improving your personal and business relationships.

www.adhdsolutions.net