Adult ADD/ADHD

I realized when grades started to really matter that when others could read one chapter and understand the material, I had to read a chapter 3 times to grasp everything.  I’ve never been tested for learning disability or attention/focus issues but can relate to many of the characteristics.  I also have a special softness for those that have felt different, unable to keep up, lost, or left out.

I feel strongly everyone has strengths and weaknesses and many times ADD/ADHD also brings many strengths.  Just as Ray Charles is depicted in the movie when he was losing his sight as a boy his hearing become heightened, I believe we all need to find ways to compensate for weaknesses.  We can figure out our strengths or learn tools to adapt.

ADD/ADHD does impact life more than most acknowledge.  Amazingly enough, even after all our schooling is finished, we are settled into our profession, and have solid relationships, we can still have attention or concentration issues and impulsivity that can greatly impact us.  Examples can be:

• Y0ur partner complains that you do not listen attentively
• You struggle to do one thing at a time with full concentration.  You get sidetracked too often or don’t finish projects.
• You get in trouble for avoiding tasks you have no interest in
• You struggle with honesty or being upfront about not completing tasks
• You miss deadlines
• You have a bad memory but can’t keep up with writing things down because you’ll lose the notes
• Your have poor organizational or executive functioning skills so spaces are messy, you can’t get places on time, lose things on a regular basis, or can’t find items regularly
• Your marriage or long-term relationship is starting to feel like more parent-child than a true partnership

I have worked with many women, men, and couples to help compensate for issues like those above.  We all need to recognize areas that work against us and those areas we can fine tune.  Don’t let pride keep you from looking for strategies to be a better you.