Category: ADHD Symptoms

External scaffolding

External scaffolding to stay on track

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On February 5, 2016

In ADHD Symptoms, Treatment

I was diagnosed as an adult fifteen years ago.  For me, scaffolding for my traits, medication, exercise and education has worked.  Not too trendy but I do what works for me.  Tried the trendy stuff but that has faded.

External Scaffolding

External scaffolding is a kind of technique that helps to minimize the negative effects of ADHD:

  • post-it notes so I can spatially order things
  • electronic calendar with alerts to give me time awareness
  • landing zones for my keys when I get home so I don’t put them in a random spot
  • checklists like keys, phone wallet before I close my car door
  • Visually arranging things so I can prioritize and structure like setting my laptop bag on the kitchen chair the night before I go to a meeting where I need it
  • Mindfulness techniques to keep my impulsiveness in check.  This has kept my mind from “spinning out” and also diffused many angry outbursts

I like the ADD Crusher scaffolding techniques:

addcrusher.com

ADD Crusher – Alternative ADD Treatments Natural ADD Remedies

Medication that works for me, I have tried different kinds.  I currently use stimulant medication.  There are examples of good and bad uses.  It ends up being a lot cheaper than medicating with Starbucks’s.

Exercise especially aerobic and exciting.  I ski, mountain bike and skateboard.  I also practice martial arts.

Education on current understanding of the disorder and what is and is not valid.  Not everything on the internet is correct and knowing how ADHD works helps filter out the disproved or just plain wrong.  There are some very popular beliefs and models out there that overlook the true disorder.

Those studies get caught up on the manifestations of symptoms or statistics of a study group that are biased towards certain behaviors.  It is probably a part of why you posted this question.  An example of these studies or methods over emphasize learning difficulties or addiction in ADHD overlooking day-to-day strategies.

Distraction

Procrastination or distraction?

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On February 5, 2016

In ADHD Symptoms

Everyone procrastinates…ADHD’ers procrastinate in the same way as everyone else but there is also something else going on.  Procrastination from getting off-task by a distraction or avoidance of tedious tasks are traits of ADHD and normal people.

Distraction

Jumping to one-thing-after-another shows a dis-regulation of attention in ADHDers.  For example, to tighten a cabinet screw, I go into my garage to get a screwdriver.  I see that I haven’t assembled the shelves I bought last week so I try to finish that.  I remember I needed that screwdriver for fixing the cabinet hinge in the kitchen so I leave the unassembled shelves on the floor and go the kitchen.  When I get to the kitchen I take out the burnt french fries I put in the oven just before I tried to get a glass of water in the cabinet which I saw has a screw loose on the hinge.

Many people take for granted that they can remember to turn on the timer so the french fries don’t get burned but ADHDers have a difficulty with little things.  These little things that we forget or distract us can add up to disasters.

I still haven’t finished those shelves in the garage.

Brain Fog

Is brain fog a symptom of ADHD?

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On February 5, 2016

In ADHD Symptoms

“Brain fog” is a symptom, an outward sign of something going on. The source might be ADHD.  When ADHDers are taking the right meds sometimes they report the “brain fog” or “cobwebs” are cleared.

Brain Fog

Brain fog is not necessarily correlated with ADHD.  Brain fog feelings can be caused by different conditions and these need to be ruled out before an ADHD diagnosis can be made.

know-it-all

Are all people with ADHD know-it-all “walking encyclopedias”?

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On February 5, 2016

In ADHD Symptoms

Have you wondered about those folks that give off the aura of being a know-it-all walking encyclopedia? Do I mean the eletro-magnetic radiation around the sun seen during eclipses known as the “corona” or more of a “halo” around an object caused by light diffusion of particles in the atmosphere type “aura”?

Know-It-All

No. I don’t think people with ADD/ADHD are commonly known for being encyclopedias…Walking Wiki’s on the other hand…

Seriously, I think many walking encyclopedias have ADHD and may not be diagnosed.  I believe this is because we hyperfocus on what we are interested and passionate about.  Then a part of the disorder is that we can miss social queues that we are being a “know-it-all”.   We become so immersed in the topic and knowledge that our passion and enthusiasm spills, or more likely explodes, everywhere all the time.  If all this leads to success in life then we don’t consider it a disorder and don’t get diagnosed.

ADHD affects people differently, some are very inattentive and quiet.  Regardless, there is a high probability of walking encyclopedias having ADHD but not that probable a person with ADHD is a walking encyclopedia or knows it all.

Why is ADHD called a disorder?

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On February 5, 2016

In ADHD Symptoms, Belief, Diagnosis, Treatment

It’s considered a disorder because of the last D.  It is a measurable impairment of executive function and working memory.  I consider it a neutral Superpower where depending on the situation can be an obstacle or advantage.  That’s just me.
I don’t enjoy my ADHD symptoms sometimes.  I try to minimize that time by creating situations and goals that invite ADHD traits to help me out.
An example is using my stubbornness to work through problems that people have given up on.  Then the trust I have cultivated in my hyperfocus and my scattered thoughts helps me arrive at innovative solutions in non-linear ways that others could never imagine.
I hope you find some enjoyment of your ADHD.  It’s the best roller-coaster ride I’ve ever been on!

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