5 Reasons not to Color and Label me ADHD

Wow! Everybody and their dog has ADHD. So it seems. The label is used loosely. It's the butt of jokes, laughter and put-downs. That's enough to raise an eyebrow, however, the problem isn't the jokes and put-downs. The label itself creates problems.

1. Blame it on my ADHD when I act impulsively, make a mistake, forget to follow through . . . blame it on my ADHD.



2. I'm a failure because I have ADHD. Don't you see, I can't do it. It won't work, not for me 'cuz I have ADHD.



3. C'mon, cut me some slack, it's hard for me to follow the rules. They don't apply to me, I have ADHD.



4. Me change? That is impossible. You see, I have ADHD.



5. I can't, I quit, It's no use, I don't care, There's nothing I can do, It's my destiny, Dude. Look around. Some people got all the smarts and know-how, the world on a string . . . look at me, I got ADHD.

Yes, the symptoms are real and they get in my way making it hard for me to do what I should. They sabotage my efforts for success. But, if I let the symptoms of ADHD control me, my entire psyche is at risk. ADHD behaviors left unchecked will destroy my emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Forgetfullness, procrastination, anger, addiction, lack of self-esteem, laziness, depression, impulsive behavior, focus problems . . . can be successfully managed.

ADHD is a disorder, not an excuse. I am not ADHD. Color and label me, PAUL.

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Paul Keene, KeeneHealth LLC

Manage ADHD

http://keenehealth.net/id66.html

ADHDs Four Simple Organization Rules

Our comfort zone is what it's about with ADHD. We like our MO to remain the way it is, whether it's work or what we wear. Our way of doing things may seem weird, but we like it. When subjected to change by suggestion or force, we feel threatened and will defend our methods and procedures like a cornered wild cat.

Organization is one of the threatening things among the ADHD crowd.

I held on to my disorganized method of organization until I grew tired of looking for my stuff, and lost time, money, friends, and relationships. Finally, I discovered a few simple organization tools. These four can save you alot of anguish.

1. Use a plain ringed binder that is free of pockets or inserts to keep everything needed for school, work, and social life. Fill it with notepaper and required dividers. Attach a plastic pouch designed to fit inside ringed binders.


2. Attach all notes, messages, documents, papers and materials in your binder immediately upon writing or finishing with them. Nothing is loose.


3. Use your computer's file and folder capabilities to store necessary correspondence, research, and documents rather than printing hard copies to file; use a back up system to save your downloaded files and documents. If you need a hard copy, you can always print it for your immediate use.


4. Keep a single hole, hand held puncher in the pouch. Nothing goes into the binder without being attached to one or more of the binder rings. Punch holes as needed. Put the hole punch back in the pouch after use.


Messages, notes, schedules, appointments, goals, to do lists, addresses, phone numbers, important websites and weblinks are kept in the binder, secured by two or more of the binder rings.

Detailed steps in using and organizing the binder are explained in my article on Organization at http://bit.ly/duMoO

Quotes by Paul for your contemplation:

Do you realize how much stuff can be packed into a notebook pocket . . . and be lost forever?

If you insist on writing a message on a loose piece of paper, immediately wad it into a ball and toss it in the wastebasket. Now you will know exactly where to look for it.

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How to Remember to Flush

Let's fess up. We have a problem remembering to do things. Responsibilities, tasks, directions, routines, and even things like flushing the toilet. Our lack of remembering drives friends, family, supervisors, and co-workers up the wall and adds more problems to manage.

Making lifestyle changes such as nutrition and exercise can reduce the severity and eliminate some symptoms. Energy psychology may remove blockages created by deep seated causes. However, most of the ADHD traits and symptoms live with us forever.

As dismal as this picture looks, there is hope. We can turn negative traits into positives that work for our good instead of against us. Rather than allowing ADHD symptoms manage us, we manage them.

That thing others call daydreaming, or spacing out when we are caught doing it, is called visualization. Most of us are great visualizers. Visualization is the ADHDer's salvation when put to work for us rather than against.

If you can visulaize it, you can do it . . . and remember to do it.

Make a mental picture, a movie, in your mind of the behavior you need to remember. Start at the beginning and leave nothing out. Visualize going through each and every required step of the routine. Not only see the action, but feel it, smell it, taste it, hear it. Make it real. You are the star of the video as well as director, editor, producer, sound effects, wardrobe . . . Make it your best.

Once the movie is in your head all that remains is an external trigger to set it in motion. The internal movie will play when given the appointed external trigger.
et us use the problem of finding keys, handbag, or other items you need the next time you leave the house. You had them with you when you last returned, but now they are nowhere to be found. Make a movie of returning to the house, and entering the house with the items. Film yourself arriving to the house and entering the house as you normally would. Picture yourself opening the appropriate doors to get inside. Film yourself walking into your house exactly as you would time and time again after returning to your house. Film putting everything away in its appropriate place immediately upon entering the house. The keys go directly to their designated place, the handbag is put away in its assigned place.

In this example, opening the appropriate door for entering the house makes a good external trigger. It may be house key, garage door opener, or other means of unlocking the entry to your house. Select any appropriate external trigger.

The external trigger will start the movie. You will be led through the steps included in the movie you created. For example, you will return keys, handbags, and other items to their places exactly as you filmed it.

My latest movie titled,"Putting the Toilet Seat back Down," was a success. No more startled screams in the middle of the night, and the wife is noticeably happier at breakfast.

paul@keenehealth.net

http://keenehealth.net/id66.html

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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.


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