I've written this for folks like myself, who've struggled with shame and frustration most of their lives, because while we might be smart, we're not so great at studying or following through with goals or plans, even if our initial feelings of enthusiasm for these things runs extremely high. You're not crazy. You're not lazy. Just keep reading this material to better understand You.

Because I've lived with these same challenges, I can intimately understand and sympathize with yours. I've surmounted a lot of my own ADD obstacles, and it's my hope within the body of this material to help you surmount some of yours.

Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD, is a very common neurological issue that for years, has been classified as a learning disability. If you’re born with it or acquire it during your lifetime, you do not "outgrow" it~ though it's likely you'll invent some useful coping strategies to make your symptoms feel less troublesome.

This is a cyclical disorder that's attended by mood fluctuations, which coincide with periods of intense productivity, contrasted by periods of apathy or inertia. These cycles impact your self-esteem and confidence no matter how talented or intelligent you are, because you're not able to consistently demonstrate what you understand are your abilities and strengths.

Aside from various challenges you may face with ADD, I assure you, there are a great number of positive characteristics and traits associated with this "disorder," which are discussed a bit farther along in this literature.

This self-diagnostic material is intended to help you discern the degree to which you may have ADD/ADHD. If you've struggled with some of the obstacles mentioned within, there's help to overcome them! Imagine breaking free of the shame that's a by-product of this disorder, and creating a life more rewarding, than you've ever thought possible. You are well on your way there, right now.

If you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod this app will let you hear this material; http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/web-reader-text-to-speech/id320808874?mt=8



THE MOST TYPICAL HALLMARKS OF THIS CONDITION ARE:

*Chronic procrastination~ always putting things off until the last minute, or indefinitely--especially if it's a task you'd prefer to avoid.

*Reluctance to commit~ You make appointments 'on the fly,' when you're in need of seeing your doctor or chiropractor, 'cause you're never sure of how you'll be feeling, when you've booked that appointment weeks ahead of time.

*Mood cycles ~ sometimes up, feeling motivated, confident, “normal” and capable of getting a lot accomplished--and sometimes down, feeling unmotivated, inert, disorganized, insecure, overwhelmed, ashamed, “crazy or stupid” and mild to moderately depressed.

*Wondering if you're manic-depressive, or "a little bipolar." B elieve it or not, lots of ADD'ers have questioned this at one time or another! Check out my piece on Bipolar Disorder, and discern the difference for yourself.

*Feeling like an underachiever~ no matter how much you’ve accomplished during your lifetime, and it just never seems like enough!

*Getting started, is the hardest part! O nce you're at the laundromat you do okay, and momentum carries you along--but it's beginning a chore, that's the most difficult. Just start, and you'll be fine!

*You may feel like an impostor or fraud. Y our accomplishments are usually within areas of innate talent or ability (you're born with 'em), which means they're fairly effortless! Because they've come so easily, you may take them for granted, and can't feel deserving of accolades, honors or rewards for your work or contributions.

*Lack of follow-through~ starting projects and seldom finishing them. Loss of interest, motivation, enthusiasm for an activity or goal that might have previously generated a lot of excitement (I've coined this, The Gym Membership Syndrome).

*You may be a Novelty Junkie~ you'll get really excited about a new health benefit or gadget, but lose the 'juice' soon after. You keep buying stuff on infomercial's, and end up with a kitchen or closet full of items you've never used more than a few times (if at all). You may have solid plans to turn these into a service business--but before you can, the novelty wears off, and you're out another few hundred bucks. Great intentions fizzle-out before they get off the ground.

*You work best under pressure~ in the ‘eleventh hour’ when time's running out on a task or project you must handle, you're suddenly efficient, focused, driven and effective. (More on this below.)

*Chronic tardiness~ always "running late" (see 'pressure' issue above).

*You're inclined to find 'shortcuts' for resolving an issue, rather than going through the usual or "proper" channels to get something handled.

*You're drawn to work that allows you a lot of creative expression~actors, writers, artists, designers, photographers, directors, inventors, architects, plastic surgeons, cosmetic dentists, etc.

*So many goals, so little focus! 'Changing the channel' of focus feeds your need for diverse stimulation, and may inspire you to create several streams of income. More on this, under "The Good News" section (below).

*Attraction to jobs or careers that involve a high degree of risk or danger~ stunt people, firemen, paramedics, emergency room doctors/nurses, interventionists, etc. You're drawn to environments that are highly stressful and production oriented, or where various types of activities are all going on at once. Any kind of job requiring your attention to be several places simultaneously, or hyper-focused when there’s a crucial situation you must respond to with the added pressure of time limited, high yield performance (i.e. physical rescue work). You might also find risky or emotionally dangerous relationships compelling!

*Attraction to high-risk activities for sport or pleasure: Jumping out of airplanes, off cliffs/bridges, high risk snow or water skiing/surfing, mountain climbing, dangerous, high-maintenance (Borderline) partners, or potentially fatal sex practices, etc. In other words, “adrenaline junkies” who insatiably crave intense stimulation.

*Intense relationships: A romance with someone who has personality disorder features (like NPD or BPD) is stimulating to an ADD'er, whether the partner is invoking pleasure in them or pain. Pain is grounding, and makes us feel alive. The craving for a sense of aliveness keeps us going back for more, even when it harms us.

There are many symptoms associated with ADD and these are just a few! Not all of the above may apply to you, but if you resonate with several of them, it may serve you to (at least) browse the rest of this piece.

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"I'VE ALWAYS FELT LIKE I WAS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PEOPLE."

You are, and so am I! This is an extremely common perception among ADD'ers, because your rhythm or pacing is different from other individuals you've known. You may get various tasks accomplished and do them well--but this is according to your rhythm or tempo, and they're more easily managed when the “pressure’s on” or during periods when you're feeling more energized, up or empowered.

There are times you’ll feel productive, focused and on top of your game--but at other times, it's just the opposite! It's been my opinion for years, that Attention Deficit Disorder should be called Attention Inconsistency Disorder, as this seems a far more accurate description of how ADD affects literally hundreds of thousands of individuals.

While it's true that you have this learning disability, it doesn't mean you're unable to learn--you just have special ways of doing it! ADD'ers are typically more visually oriented than auditory, which is a very typical characteristic of creative minds. You might say that your brain's "processing plant" is a little different from other folks; it typically needs to form mental pictures in order to make sense of visual, auditory or written information, so that you can determine how to respond or react.

Visual stimulation can inhibit your ability to process auditory information, and this affects us in various ways. Have you ever noticed, you can't look at your waiter while he's describing that day's specials, and retain the information? This happens because your mind's eye has to construct images that help it 'see' what's on those dishes being described, so you can more easily make your choice. Lowering or closing your eyes as you listen, lets your brain do what it does best (and no, it's not rude). By the way, foreign or subtitled films, or movies where much of the story-line is told through the characters' dialogue, can be anxiety provoking and troublesome to ADD'ers for the same reason. In essence, we're visually distracted, and become afraid we'll miss important points that help us understand or 'track with' the story that's unfolding for us.

Some ways of learning are linear. People with ADD/ADHD have a non-linear way of learning. The creative ADD brain is capable of making abstractions, which is a higher order of thinking that we ideally learn between the ages of 9 - 12 years old~ around the time we're supposed to develop empathy.

Developmentally arrested people whose emotional growth was stunted early in life due to trauma, haven't successfully crossed this bridge, and may struggle with personality disorder features.

A bright mind finds ways to process new information by applying it to various other similar situations in his/her life. This requires analytical ability! The ADD'er automatically looks for ways to make fresh data 'fit' with other parts of his puzzle. He presumes that if something's true in one sense, it could be true in others--and naturally connects the dots! Someone stuck in a concrete(lower order) way of thinking can't do this. Their mental process is more childlike, simple or linear.

Problems can arise between adult children and their parents, if one is stuck in a concrete level of development, and the other has acquired the capacity for abstract thinking. Often, the child has surpassed the parent's mental/emotional capacity in this regard, and frustrating relationship dynamics ensue, because they're literally speaking different languages! It may feel to the adult child like he/she is trying to make themselves understood by a small child. A gifted therapist can illuminate this issue, and help them discover new ways of communicating with a shared language that can serve the relationship.

HOW (AND WHY) DOES THIS DISORDER EXIST?

There's a small structure at the base of your brain called the Thalamus. Your Thalamus combines with a tentacle-like structure called the R.A.S. (Reticular Activating System) that functions much like the valve on a garden hose, to allow stimulation to reach your cerebral cortex (thinking part of the brain) or not. When this “valve” is closed or shut down, it’s like having a kink in your garden hose, and water can’t flow through.

When this happens with your brain you’re unable to get the stimulation you need, to think clearly and function/perform as you would like. You work best under pressure, because when time's running out on a task that's needing your attention, your body's anxiety response to it triggers an adrenaline release in your bloodstream. This chemical functions like high-octane fuel for your brain, so that it can go into 'overdrive,' and help you push through most resistance/procrastination.

The worst part of living with attention deficit issues, is you've carried around a lot of shame about not being able to get your ship in the water~ and those around you (like your parents or partner) think it's your fault, for "not trying hard enough."

WHAT CAN CAUSE ATTENTION DEFICIT ISSUES?

*Head trauma; serious bruising/concussions, etc., during any part of your life, either in childhood or adulthood.

*Chronic/severe earaches; or multiple ear infections during childhood.

*High fevers; particularly, if they've lasted 24-hours or more.

*Encephalitis and/or Meningitis.

*Heredity; if your parent or close relative suffers with ADD/ADHD (or bipolar issues), there’s a genetic probability that you may too.

*Near-death experience (NDE); especially if your brain has been deprived of oxygen for more than a few minutes.

*Birth trauma; umbilical strangling during the birth process, or other types of fetal trauma involving oxygen deprivation or acute pressure to the head.

*Damage in-utero; if your mother regularly smoked or drank alcohol during pregnancy, this could have impaired normal brain development, and left you at risk for acquiring this disorder.

WHAT IS "ADHD?"

ADHD is ADD that includes a hyperactivity component. This disorder is far more readily identified (and treated) in childhood than ADD, and is more prevalent in males than females (nobody’s quite sure why). In children and adults it's generally characterized by restlessness, agitation, inability to focus or concentrate, irritability, inattention, lack of follow-through, difficulty resting, feeling relaxed or “laid-back.”

In my experience, a lot of people with ADHD have gravitated to marijuana use during adolescence, and have stayed dependent on it to help slow their brain, and focus. ADD'ers are generally attracted to anything that speeds up their brain, like cocaine, crystal methamphetamine (speed) or diet pills that contain it, caffeine, commercial "energy enhancers" like Red Bull, etc.

We humans do our best to self-medicate and balance our brain chemistry, whatever it takes. Please know I don't condone the use of these substances, I'm merely including it here, for your own edification.

Achieving scholastic or professional success might be easier for ADHD'ers; their ability to self-activate could be enhanced, simply because it's harder to sit still! Depressive episodes and inertia are not quite as common with ADHD, but the ability to focus or slow down enough to complete a task, may be more challenging. ADHD'ers often feel flooded by stimulation, which can easily prompt sensations of overwhelm. When overwhelm occurs, it's like an electrical overload that 'short circuits' our brains, and causes a mental system shut-down that can feel paralyzing, and subsequently depressing.

OK, HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS . . . !

ADD’ers tend to be exceptionally bright, and are typically highly creative, artistic and/or inventive. It is believed that many of our most famous artists and inventors throughout history had ADD, which allowed them to harness acute, sustained focus for extraordinary periods of time. Their ability to 'hyper-focus' when motivation (or pressure) was sufficient, enabled them to produce tremendous works of art or significant and important inventions, which have contributed greatly to our advancement as a society. ADD/ADHD'ers are not stupid. In fact, they're often way smarter than the average bear!

Once recognized, attention span issues can be easily managed, and various treatment modalities are discussed later on. It's also important to understand that certain kinds of professions or occupations require abilities and skills that are possessed by ADD’ers! As mentioned under the "hallmarks" section, people living with this disorder are particularly adept at multi-tasking (managing several different tasks at once) and performing well under pressure! Split focus is as natural as breathing for people with ADD, and productivity is more readily maintained in fast-paced work places where there's lots of interaction with others.

Hyper-focus is an ADD blessing. Quite often, I'll get fired-up and inspired about a topic, and begin writing an article in the early hours of the morning. Before I know it, I've worked straight through until it's dark outside! I may have wanted to get out and do some fun stuff or errands--but I just couldn't put that piece down and walk away until I ran out of steam, and my mind got to a place where I could accept a natural segue. That's passion for ya!

Passion is housed in the second chakra of the body, or your abdomen/lower back area. It's sitting right there with sexuality, reproductivity and creativity. It's virtually impossible to be creative on demand, because that's like requiring yourself to feel sexual on cue! It's not gonna happen~ well, not unless you're in the porn industry, and there's a 'fluffer' on hand (usually a gal who orally and/or manually stimulates a male actor so he can get aroused and erect for the upcoming scene).

Working on an artistic, creative project is a lot like giving birth. At times, you'll feel depleted and a little sad after you finish it. This could be compared to mild, postpartum depression. You'll need to recharge your batteries for awhile, until you can 'get up' for the next party. This is normal. Don't shame yourself! Go with it.

Your subconscious mind is working 24/7 even in your sleep, to help you solve problems, find solutions, get inspired about a new project or direction, etc. It needs considerable 'down time' to do this for you, when your conscious mind isn't interfering or being mean to you, about feeling flat or inert. Try to trust these little breaks or hiatuses as being essential and necessary, so you can rise up again, be your wonderfully creative self, and do what you do best.

REJECT THE ADD MYTHS YOU'VE ALWAYS HEARD

Contrary to popular opinion or belief, ADD'ers may have strong organizational skills on the job or in a workplace--even if their home environments appear completely chaotic!

The structure and stimulation of a work environment can actually allow their creativity to shine. For example, they might set up an entire filing or billing system that's far more effective and efficient than what's existed before. Remember, ADD'ers like taking/creating shortcuts, and they'll usually find a quicker, more expedient way to get to the 'cheese' in any kind of maze. The pressure and responsibilities they face while working, can help order their thoughts, and heighten their capacity to focus and function.

It's not uncommon for ADD'ers to maintain several occupations (streams of income) simultaneously, or enjoy a few avocations that augment a primary job or career. For many, being able to switch focus is essential, because it provides relief from boredom, and allows access to different types of stimulation that can virtually 'jump start' their brains. Starting a new project can produce feelings of euphoria~ returning to one after a break or hiatus can be richly gratifying and productive.

Unfortunately, self-judgment about not having found a specific 'niche' during one's lifetime, can be harsh and demoralizing. Very young, we're programmed to believe that we need to "decide" what we're going to be when we grow up, and this limiting notion must be dismantled. The truth is, ADD'ers are generally capable of being several things at once, because their talents and abilities are nothing short of prodigious!

Think of your talents this way; imagine that you're asked to draw a picture and given a full box of Crayolas--but you're only allowed to use one crayon from that entire box, to do it. How would you feel about that? Would this artwork reflect your true abilities? Of course not! Well that's what happens when we try and pigeonhole ourselves--or put all our eggs in one basket. It stifles us, and leads to depression. Discover your strengths, and follow your passions.

LITTLE TIPS AND TRICKS

It's helpful to rein in your self expectations. ADD'ers put too high a demand on themselves, and it often keeps them from starting a project, or completing one. Lower the damned bar for yourself. If you're beginning a work of art, let it lead you along~ rather than having a specific agenda, and trying to execute it perfectly. Take the attitude, "if I hate it, I can toss it in the trash bin" and you'll be happier in your process, and with the end product.

I often 'back into' things I wanna do, and I've found this strategy very helpful. Professionally, I've often done the things I've done, before I legitimized 'em with schooling, training, etc. They were innate talents or abilities, that came naturally and easily to me.

Years ago, my well-meaning friends said, "Schreiber, write a book~ it'll put you on the map!" This seemed like a monumental, impossible task to me back then. No way could I even consider writing a book, without going into instant, total overwhelm.

Truth is, I've been writing for decades, and while the "book" idea was intimidating as hell, I was already writing articles, and even submitting a few of them to magazine editors. My web materials at www.GettinBetter.com were my way to stop getting rejection letters for those laborious submissions, and make my ideas and concepts available to people worldwide. What a relief! Now, I just had to please myself, and cutting out the middle-man helped my work become far less constrained, and way more authentic.

By the way, a good number of my lengthier articles have turned out to be book-worthy, and I have at last, felt ready to get them published. This is what I mean, by 'backing into' things. Do what you wanna do, but allow yourself to go about it in reverse order.

IMPORTANT FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Attention Deficit Disorder is fairly easy to treat and manage, using a variety of interventions discussed in these pages. Plus, within areas of ability that inspire your interest and passion, symptoms can virtually disappear for long stretches of time.

What's crucial, is that you stop beating yourself up for having to grapple with certain impediments and obstacles associated with this issue! Living with untreated ADD, can be like trying to reach an island in a small boat that has a hole in the bottom. As you keep trying to row out to that island (your goal/aim), your boat keeps taking on water, and you must periodically stop and bail it out, so you can stay afloat, and begin rowing again! Maybe "next time" you'll be able to get to your destination before you start to sink, and maybe you won't. You must begin to accept that it's not your fault that you suffer from this condition, over which (if unassisted) you have very little control.

JUST THE FACTS, MAN

Most folks with mild to moderate levels of this disorder aren't diagnosable with standardized tests administered by a physician, which are expensive, incredibly tedious, painstakingly long and frequently, inconclusive! Still, these people suffer terribly from psychological and emotional scars incurred throughout a lifetime of trying to live with, and surmount this issue!

Tremendous feelings of shame, guilt and remorse over not living up to one’s “potential” (or the expectations of others) are constantly with ADD’ers. Since many people have never had this diagnosed, or even identified in their make-up, they go through life feeling like failures, and believing that if they "try just a little harder" they’ll be able to stay on target, and create the kind of Life that matches their daydreams. Sadly, if this condition remains undetected and untreated, that's seldom the case; this is a physiological issue--not a personality defect or character flaw!

Children can very easily acquire ADD around the age of 3 years old! While they've become fairly adept at walking, their little leg muscles and joints are not fully developed, so their ability to balance themselves is compromised. Climbing stairs isn't too dangerous, but descending them is!

Unfortunately, many parents think their toddler is able to independently perform this task, and leave him/her to negotiate it on their own. I've met with a considerable number of ADD'ers who've reported "falling down a flight of stairs around the age of three," and none of their siblings genetically suffer from this disorder.

It is a grave mistake to not maintain solid hold of your child's (or grandchild's) hand or arm while descending stairs! Walking down beside or just ahead of your child, is not an adequate preventive measure to keep him or her from tumbling down, and incurring significant brain trauma that can cause Attention Deficit or even, Bipolar Disorders ! In short, just because your toddler isn't bleeding after a fall, it doesn't mean he/she hasn't been seriously injured.

ADD'ers can feel completely overwhelmed with personal setbacks; romantic, financial, familial, etc. Basically, any sort of event that 'startles' the brain can virtually blow their circuits, and trap 'em a state of emotional paralysis that can take weeks (or months) to overcome.

Along these same lines, inability to achieve desired results from efforts made during an up-cycle can be hugely disappointing, and inhibit forward movement for long stretches of time. It's important to note, that energy expenditure during a 'push' time can leave one feeling depleted, once a task or project is accomplished--meaning, gearing up for more productivity can be very difficult; it's literally the aftermath of an adrenaline rush.

Since ADD cycles are attended by fluctuations in energy and mood, self-esteem levels are often impacted as well. Depressive episodes of varying degrees are almost always part of this picture, and can further compound one's struggle. This is generally why actors (and other creative types) may lack the confidence, impetus and mind-set they need, to consistently self-promote! In essence, not seeing immediate results from efforts made during an inspired time is deflating, which derails them from trying again within a reasonable period.

Gum chewing can help us focus. For some reason, the very act of chewing interacts with the brain, and helps to calm and center us. I've heard of studies done with school-aged children, which suggested that cognitive function was improved by letting them chew gum.