When you have been struggling through your life, and bouncing around like a pinball machine for years an ADHD diagnosis can make a lot of sense. It can allow us to relax a little. So, I am not alone? There is a good reason for the way I am! Great? Right? Well.. Maybe....
We are the impulsive rule breakers that push the limits, we want to know if it can be done faster, and we question EVERYTHING.
For folks like us the "distractions" we are told make us lesser people are ingrained in us. We are explorers, inventors, creators, poets, musicians, the list goes on.. If it wasn't for people like us there would be no United States of America. We are the impulsive rule breakers that push the limits, we want to know if it can be done faster, and we question EVERYTHING.
I am passionate about helping folks like us. This is my first blog addressing ADHD and I will continue writing with the intention of providing useful information. Too often I see folks looking for quick answers on forums and it pains me. To truly grasp your ADHD nature you have to arrive at many of the conclusions by trial and error. It is ok to get answers but do not make them your own until you know it is true.. or not.. or both..
by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo - This book will give you some insight. I advise you to always keep an open mind and to accept what is only useful in improving your life.
2. Accept your diagnosis on your own terms.
Keep your mind open and do not fall into the identification trap. We are all different and we have many qualities. Once we get answers sometimes we tend to identify with them. Know what you are afraid of and don't let ADHD stop you from chasing what you want out of life.
3. Make connections with folks that are just as scattered and nuts as you are.
Here is one of my groups with fantastic people! Existence is Pain - Tools For Life. This resource will be growing fast as the network steadily builds.
4. Learn about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.
Do not let the title fool you. It has a very good description of our reactions. Also remember it is just ONE explanation of a behavior. You can also check out my poem "You don't understand and I can't explain". I have had much feedback that resonates with me. Good luck!
5. If you can, see a therapist or psychologist.
I kicked and screamed for years and eventually I gave in and went. It helped me more than I could ever expected! By learning new ways of thinking. Find one who thinks with you and gives you helpful suggestions to ponder.
6. Understand your Anxiety
It is a big contender in your symptoms! Finding your own calm is better than any medicine! You may start thinking as I did. Is my ADHD causing my anxiety or is my Anxiety causing my ADHD? Remember that there isn't a universal answer. There is only your answer so make it a good one.
7. Keep an eye on your addictions.
They can play a major part in keeping you from making any progress. You have to fight your fears and anxieties. We tend to rewards ourselves prematurely and this can make us worse. I still catch myself doing it. Do not try and fix yourself. Try and be better a little each day.
8. Create your own structure based on what you already know.
Trying to master other people's ideas annoy the hell out of us. We have to make them our own in our very own customized way! Take pieces of things that work and create YOUR version of it. Then you are in charge of the result and you can change YOUR process as you go. Experimentation is a must!
9. Find your behavioral metrics!
Do you apologize a lot? Too much? Think about why you do that.
Do you interrupt a lot?
Joke a lot?
Chase the answers to why you do those things. Not to change.. But to understand yourself.
People pleasing is a major part of the ADHD personality. If you are not a people pleaser then the behavior is still there coming out in another way. I would be interested in hearing about it!!
10. Be proud of yourself.
You made it this far and know that you are super smart. I haven't met a ADHDer who doesn't impress me yet.. If we can get a word in edgeway with each other! Feel free to ask questions to help me blog better. Have a great life by joining forces with fellow nutters like me!
Thank you for reading!
Many ADHDers work better with information that is Audio/visual without being linear; like in the form of a mind-map or list of short audio clips for example. i believe expanding on the ideas in this post and producing a Kindle or Audible book would be amazing!