Charlatons Invented ADHD to Make Money, Right?

The fight goes on. One camp proclaims no such thing as ADHD while the other recognizes it as a diagnosed neurological disorder involving the frontal cortex. The two opinions (three if you include the undecided) are not new, but I didn't realize the seriousness of the disagreement until a comment appeared in response to one of my You Tube videos.

After deleting an impressive string of expletives, the following message remained. "There is no such thing as ADHD, only people like you who made it up to rip people off by taking their money." If you want the actual message, surround each noun in the quotation with multiple profanities. If done correctly, the bravest of you will gasp.

What difference does it make? I can name two. One is qualifying for medication, and another is eligibility for special education services. There are subcategories under these two, but . . . Really, what difference does it make? The symptoms of ADHD are real with or without the diagnosis.

I work with clients who can't stay focused, who get caught up in impulsive behavior. They may have uncontrolled flares of anger, forgetfulness, low self-esteem, addictions and compulsive behaviors. Some are diagnosed ADHD or adult ADD. Some are not. Some take prescribed medication. Others don't. They have one thing in common. They share devastating symptoms. Symptoms that are common to ADHD regardless of criteria for diagnosis.

The symptoms are real and damaging. Bottom line? It is important that we manage the symptoms not that ADHD is a bona fide disorder.

What's Wrong with Me?

What is wrong with me? I hear this question often, and I ask it more times than I wish to admit. The question often follows a scenario involving home, work, or both. Perhaps it is this.

The sink is full of dirty dishes, the cupboards are lined with crusted pots and pans, and piles of laundry cover couches and beds. The floors need cleaned, and the remains of breakfast are still on the breakfast bar. I can't find the insurance form that needed signed and returned two days ago.

What is wrong with me? I ask, tired and exhausted over a cup of cold coffee.

You know, or think you know, based on what you imagine others think or what they have implied. Heck, even what some have said to your face.

Although you don't want to go there, answers to the question flood your head: lazy, worthless, slob, failure, no-good, mental case, crazy . . .

Your self-esteem is so low that the spatula used to turn the breakfast pancakes is needed to scrape it up from the floor.

Stop! Wallowing in self-pity of being a worthless mom, son, daughter, spouse, worker, friend, lover, provider, employee, employer, partner, person, isn't the answer. Negative thoughts produce more negativity. Look around.

What you see is what your thoughts created.

Before the physical mess that surrounds you can be cleared, the negative feelings in your head must be cleared. You can only clear one dirty dish at a time. Do the same with each destructive concept in your mind.

This is where EFT (http://keenehealth.net/id6.html) does its best work. Take each issue one by one. Tap on the karate chop point and address the issue exactly as you feel it: Even though I am worthless, I deeply and completely love and accept myself. Tap the eight basic meridian points on the face, collar bone and under the arm or wrist. Do this until negative emotions or responses of being called worthless cease. Clear them all out. Don't stop until you laugh about the thought of being lazy, crazy, and no-good.

Now, get up and clean up the mess. Or whatever needs done. Begin one step at a time, and continue until the job is done.

VAM: Action is the bridge to success

Visualization is a perfect fit for ADHD. I advocate visualization. I say, "Visualize, Visualize, Visualize!"

However, visualization isn't a guarantee for success until you take Action.

I call the key to achieving results, VAM! Visualize-Act-Manifest.

The A provides the bridge from visualizing results to manifesting results. Without action, visualization may result in nothing other than a pipe dream. Nice, comforting, relaxing, thoughts that never manifest.

Like others with ADHD, I am a dreamer. Visualization is one of our strongest traits. Over the years, I visualized fantastic dreams, ideas, plans, and made detailed note of them. The bottom drawer of a file cabinet overflows with these unfulfilled dreams.

Unfulfilled because I took no action.

Identify your dreams. Qualify your dreams. What is most important to you now? Turn it into a positive affirmation, and visualize its manifestation right now. How it looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds. Do not veer. All thoughts, positive or negative, are affirmations. Hold steadfast with your dream. Guard your thoughts. Give consistent messages to the unconscious mind.

Take action. Listen as the unconscious mind directs you to steps that make the physical manifestation congruent with what it believes within.

Avoid your dreams going up in smoke.


___________________________________________

Visit http://theabcsofadhd.com/ and the archives at http://keenehealth.icontact.com/ for management of ADHD

Take control of your mind

The ADD mind talks incessantly. We start on one project, it tells us to do another. We drop the task and jump to the new one without thinking. Thus, we are jerked around, jumping from one thing and then another, accomplishing nothing at day's end.

It is time to tell the mind in no uncertain terms to Shut Up. Otherwise, the ADD mind continues the fun and games at our expense.

Establish control. It's the only way to ignore impulsive suggestions. A good start is to recite affirmations such as, I am in complete control of my mind. I control the tasks I do today.

However, that in itself is not enough.

Identify planned tasks for the day. (Yes, that smacks of organization, something missing or not high on the list for most readers of this blog. Get some helpful organization tips here: http://hubpages.com/hub/Organization-is-a-4-letter-Word)

Taking charge of the mind is more than changing the impulse for a peanut butter-jelly sandwich into a tunafish sandwich.

You determine what you are going to do and when you are going to do it by making a plan, and following the plan.

Start small with only two or three projects to accomplish on a given day. Remain determined to not start other projects before completing those identified in your plan. Constantly affirm being in charge of all actions. Be on guard for impulses to strike. When an impulsive behavior strikes, say, "I am in charge of what I do. Right now, I choose to complete (task).

Using a plan of action and affirming control of your actions, can prevent events such as this story reported by an anonymous ADHD client.

I was working on a project with a due deadline when my thirst kicked in. I headed for the kitchen to refill my water container. Reaching the kitchen, I looked into the pantry for a snack. The pantry was a disgusting mess. I decided right then and there to give it a good cleaning. I proceeded to take everything out, wipe down the shelves, separate what needed tossed, and rearrange the good stuff in some type of order. While doing this, it dawned on me that I had forgotten to call (friend) to cancel a previous plan. I made the call and got pulled into a lengthy discussion. While listening to my friend, I turned on the television. Long after the call ended I sat there mesmerized by this program until I jumped up to get a drink of water. Entering the kitchen, I was faced with this awful sight. Contents from the pantry were scattered everywhere. They covered the counters, stove-top and the table. Even the kitchen sink. What a mess! I couldn't deal with it, so I just left the house. I had dinner, did some shopping and took in a movie. Came home and went to bed.

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon story. The symptoms of ADHD not only result in hours of unproductive time, but may cover days, weeks, months, and even more. Fortunately, the symptoms of ADHD can be managed and turned into success.

__________________________________
Paul is a natural health consultant specializing in personal performance issues. He can be contacted at paul@keenehealth.net or paul@theabcsofadhd.com .

Visit Paul's websites:

http://www.keenehealth.net/ and http://www.theabcsofadhd.com/

The ADHD mind needs to take time out

The ADHD mind runs a continual marathon throughout the day. No wonder that focus is the chief problem for ADHD or that it is known as the focus disorder. Visual images flash in our heads continuously demanding attention. Not just one screen, but multiple screens. It is no small feat keeping up with all of them, but we give it our best shot, and do it surprisingly well.

Granted, it is difficult to do this, and listen to others at the same time. Others as in teachers, parents, supervisors, spouses, friends, anyone, or anything.

When you say to us in total disbelief, "How can you not remember me asking you to pick Georgie up from daycare? You looked right at me, close enough I could smell the coffee on your breath!" We really do not remember.

But, there is hope for us.

We can learn to quiet the mind. We can give our mind short breaks throughout the day. We can learn to slow the mind down and to clear multiple screens allowing focus on one. One as in the person speaking to us.

Techniques such as meditation, visualization, and guided imagery assist in quieting the mind, slowing it down. Eventually it may come to rest, lost in the stillness of the universe.

Letting Go of the Past is Easy . . . with a magic wand

Live in the present. Live for the day. Let go of the past. Erase the tapes of sordid baggage. This advice is given to us freely by friends, family, self-help gurus, and the beaten who trod the streets. Everyone. Everyone knows (but the person hurting) that this is the path to success.

Good advice. Poof! If we have a magic wand.

Considering that everything from our stint in the womb and perhaps before is recorded in the unconscious, surely the tape extends to infinity. Not sure about your tape, but if the sordid baggage contained on mine was placed in a pile, it would be impressive.

Logically, a good share of this past stuff lies forgotten in the unconscious. Some of it we couldn't retrieve if we wanted. The problem is with the stuff that we do not want. Those recordings that pop up to defeat us. The negative, abusive, self-defeating admonishments and experiences given to us intentionally or unintentionally by enemy or foe.

Included are the sayings and behaviors from parents, teachers, ministers, relatives, baby sitters, and the couple at the corner market. All those who share belief systems that have an impact on our life. Beliefs that sabotaged our past efforts of intention and continue to do so today. For example:

The rich can't get into heaven, Money is the root of all evil, Everyone in our family is big-boned (fat), You aren't good enough, smart enough, Your sister (brother) is the pretty one, smart one, or good one.

Our recordings lie behind the negative emotions and behaviors of fear, lonliness, anger, resentment, worry, depression, and guilt among others. Discovering the "writing on our wall" that lies behind a destructive emotion and behavior clears the body's energy path resulting in emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Fortunately, we do have a magic wand of sorts. Our mind. Yes, the same wand that stores and records our life. The unconscious mind, just like the conscious mind, is designed for our good.

We just need to use it.

___________________________________________________

Learn more about Paul and his management of ADD/ADHD at: http://www.theabcsofadhd.com/About_Us.html

Visit Helping Others Heal at: http://www.keenehealth.net/ and subscribe to the FREE Helping Others Heal newsletter.

ADHD is a Disorder-Not an Excuse

Those of us with ADHD soon learn that management of our adhd symptoms requires on-going work. Michael Phelps' recent demise illustrates this. Please view today's entry via video.