Risk Factors that Affect ADHD Health
We cannot definitively say what causes ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder), but there are some risk factors that seem to be associated with ADHD health. By that I mean they seem to increase our risk to have ADHD and also increase the severity of our symptoms if we do have it.
It appears that ADHD tends to run in families. If you have ADHD there is an increased risk that your child will also develop the condition. You really can’t control your genetic contribution, but you can minimize some of the other risk factors which will not only help your kids, current and future, but will also help your own ADHD health.
The two main areas that you have some control over are your environment and diet.
Your ADHD symptoms may have been triggered by the environment where you grew up. Some studies suggest that what your mother did, or did not, do/eat/smoke may result in your inability to focus. You can’t change whether or not your mother smoked or drank while she was pregnant with you, or the fact that you grew up in a house filled with 2nd hand smoke. However, now that you are an adult you can decide to control your environment and diet to help minimize the impact these pollutants may have on your symptoms.
Nicotine is a stimulant and can have a major impact on your ADHD health, not to mention your lungs. We all need stimulation; part of our job is to find healthy ways to get the stimulation we need that allows us to lead our best lives. If you don’t smoke, don’t start, and don’t hang around others who are smoking. More and more studies indicate that 2nd hand smoke can increase our ADHD symptoms.
The other main risk factor you can control is what you eat and drink. While unfortunately the studies are not conclusive, there are implications that excess sugar, gluten, and food additives can impact your ADHD health. Less well-known is that some studies have shown that there is also reportedly a link between not having enough zinc or the right types of fatty acids and high incidence of ADHD symptoms.
With knowledge and better choices we can learn to handle our symptoms. Controlling our exposure to elements that are known to be risky for our ADHD health is one smart step we can take.
ADHD Coaching is Life Changing
If you are an adult struggling with studies or your career, not living up to your potential, finding it challenging to create and stick to goals, then you may have ADHD. Approximately 1 out of every 20 adults do. That surprises a lot of people because we tend to think of ADHD as something kids have, but it isn’t something we outgrow; I know because I have ADHD. I also know that if you are one of the 5% of adults like me who exhibit symptoms of ADHD, then ADHD coaching can be totally life changing!
Does that sound overly dramatic? Do I see some eyes rolling and is that a chorus of “yeah, right” that I hear?
Well let’s briefly look at ADHD coaching and what it can do for you, and then see if you still think “life changing” is too dramatic!
In a nutshell, the goal for life coaches is to help you achieve your potential. They do that partly by teaching you new skills and partly by holding you accountable to what you commit to getting done.
ADHD coaching goes way beyond life coaching because that coach must understand and know how to work with the specific ADHD symptoms that are getting in the way of you achieving your goals.
The successful coach works with your strengths and weaknesses, and believe it or not, there are strengths to be found in amongst your ADHD symptoms. Your coach will help you to learn how to best take advantage of them so you can lead your best life. One of the most common areas my clients need to work on is time management. We teach specific methods that will help you be more organized, to get more done, to keep you moving forward and achieving your goals.
It isn’t always possible to see for ourselves where we are missing the mark. Often all we see is that we didn’t hit the target, but we can’t tell where it started to go off the path. That is one of the benefits of having good ADHD coaches on your side. Your coach will see when you start to veer off and they can get you back on track asap. Would you ever be able to hit the target without a coach? Possibly, but so many adults with ADHD don’t end up achieving their goals simply because they get off course, get involved in a dozen other things, and never get back on track!
With ADHD coaching, you get all that technical support and you also get emotional support as well. You learn to succeed and as you build upon your successes you find your self-esteem grows. Your coach will help you apply new skills to both your personal and professional lives. If you are unsure of what is the next step and you feel stuck, your ADHD coach will help by providing that outside perspective and expertise to guide you back on course so you are once again hitting that bullseye!
ADHD Symptoms in Adults: The Evil Triad
People are pretty well versed at rattling off common symptoms of ADHD when it comes to kids. They mention the restlessness, inability to pay attention in class, even the outbursts that typically occur at the least opportune moments. Ask the same people to list the ADHD symptoms in adultsand I find they are often at a loss for words, because ADHD is not thought of as something that adults have.
I was actually diagnosed as having ADHD after I was in my thirties and in the years since my diagnosis I have learned there are many other adults who went through their childhoods without knowing they had ADHD. Like me, many of these adults feel like there is something “wrong” with them, that they are somehow broken or have a major character flaw. That is because of the evil triad of ADHD symptoms in adults and how these three symptoms make us feel.
1. Overwhelm
The number one complaint I hear about in my practice is a sense of overwhelm; there is just too much to do and they are having trouble moving forward.
Many of my clients are successful in their careers and this sense of being overwhelmed is new, and can be completely disabling.
2. Disorganization
Do you struggle with getting the bills paid every month? Do you have piles and notes all over your desk? Is your closet a mess? Can you easily get your hands on your car keys, your wallet, last year’s tax return, or the name of your handyman?
Most adults with ADHD find it challenging to get, and stay organized. Getting systems in place to help you be organized is about way more than having a tidy sock drawer! Disorganization can wreak havoc on both our personal and professional lives, causing marital problems and costing us promotions and income.
3. Prioritization challenges
Feeling overwhelmed and our disorganization can lead us to jumping from one thing to the next, especially when we also have trouble prioritizing.
Do you get bored with something if you are at it for too long? Sometimes “too long” may be 5 minutes. That’s why learning how to prioritize is an essential skill for anyone with ADHD.
Whether we are overwhelmed because we are juggling too many different projects, or we are facing one or two HUGE ones, we can learn to break projects down into manageable chunks. We can also learn specific skills to prioritize the parts to the project as well as all the other things we have to get done, like pay our bills.
By teaching clients some simple organizational systems and ways to prioritize tasks, I have found that we can greatly reduce their sense of overwhelm, thereby vanquishing the evil triad of ADHD symptoms in adults and empowering them to take back control over their lives.
What’s Important When Selecting ADHD Coaches?
Do you find that you are easily sidetracked? Maybe even by things that are interesting, but not the most important ones? This is so common for those of us with ADHD, and it can make selecting the right ADHD coaches extra challenging. After all, how do you choose from all the fancy websites, various certifications and affiliations? How do you know you are going to have success?
Just researching ADHD coaches can be so overwhelming that you want to put it off and do something more fun and exciting!
Coaching is a big business these days, and no matter what the field, there are a lot of coaches who claim to be “certified.” In some fields, there is a group that monitors and certifies coaches. That is great because then you know that if someone is certified by that agency or governing body. At least the coach can be expected to meet a certain minimum standard in training or education. But even that doesn’t necessarily guarantee they are the right person for you, or even that they are especially good in their field. It just means they passed a test (or lots of tests) or took some courses.
Unfortunately, there is no governing body that certifies ADHD coaches, so you can’t really rely on anyone having a certain, basic level of education or training.
So how do you select the right coach to help you with your ADHD symptoms if there is no baseline to even start with?
You’ve probably heard that in real estate it is about “location, location, location,” right? Well, when choosing an ADHD coach look for “results, results, results!”
Find out how long they have been coaching. Are they a “life coach” in general or do they specialize in ADHD coaching? How many clients do they have? How many people have they helped?
Once you feel confident that you aren’t going to be a guinea pig, that this coach actually has a track record of helping adults with ADHD symptoms, now you can look at the subjective side of things. You will want to see how well you and that coach fit. Part of this is personality, part of this is style, and part of this is the coaches expertise, experience, and personal SUCCESS in the areas where you are hoping to succeed!
For example, my company has helped thousands of adults with ADHD symptoms across the USA and Canada. We find that we have fantastic results working with people over the telephone, but if you hate being on the phone, then maybe we aren’t the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are a busy executive, who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time driving to an office, then phone appointments may be the perfect fit.
I know you probably want to just dive in and get results, but it is important to take some time and interview several ADHD coaches to really be sure you get the right fit. Finding that “chemistry” that will enable you to work together and quickly and effectively reach your goals is not something you can learn from a website. Good coaches know they aren’t going to be perfect for every single person, and they will not be offended that you want to interview them. In fact, they should give you enough information and several tips that will help you to feel confident about getting results.
Learning Disability or ADHD?
Did your teachers or parents tell you that if you would just work harder you would be able to get better grades? Or were you told you were smart but you just needed to pay better attention? Have you ever wondered “if I’m so smart, how come I’m struggling to get it all done?” Sometimes these messages make us wonder if we have a learning disability.
What about in your work life today? Are you overwhelmed, feeling like you just can’t get it all done? Are you feeling totally scattered, unable to focus on even the simplest tasks? Do you sometimes jump from one project to another? Are you a great starter, but maybe a bit lacking when it comes to wrapping it all up?
If any of this seems familiar it doesn’t mean you have a learning disability that went undiagnosed through childhood. In fact, these are some of the most common reasons adults come to me for help, because these are actually ADHD symptoms in adults.
Not every adult with ADHD will have the same symptoms, nor will they have the same challenges, but getting help with your symptoms will go a long way to helping you live a healthier and happier life.
Imagine if you had a few simple tools that you could apply that would help you to finish your projects as strongly as you started. How would your life be different? How would you feel about yourself? My guess is for starters you wouldn’t be wondering if you have a learning disability!
As ADHD coaches it is important that we look at the entire person as an individual. In some cases our first step is to help a client to recognize what it is they want to achieve. Once we have done this, we set some achievable goals and get started with a plan to help them to take control of their lives.
ADHD is not a learning disability. It is a condition or disorder that affects our ability to focus and get things done. Sometimes this may feel like we have a learning disability or that we are “behind everyone else”. I want you to recognize your own abilities and that you really are smart, and that with the help of a qualified ADHD coach, you can get past those feelings and fears and have the success you are looking for.
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Relationship Challenges
Image: MorgueFile.com by Mary R. Vogt
If you have Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder then chances may be that your partner does not. Of course all relationships can hit rough patches, but when both of your brains actually work so differently, it can be extra challenging to make a relationship work.
Not sure what I mean? Think a minute about your morning routine. Are you up and raring to go, talking about the day while your partner wants a leisurely cup of coffee in silence?
Rather than waiting until they snap, demanding quiet or to retreat to another part of the house, take a minute to figure out what compromises you can both make, in order to have a healthy, happy relationship.
The first step is to identify the behavior or clash that is the issue. In this example, it is the person with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder wanting to talk and be active, while the other partner wants quiet.
Next, take some time to come up with some possible solutions to the clash together. For example, it might be that you decide you are willing to wait to talk until after your partner has had one cup of coffee or a set period of time has elapsed. This could mean that you spend sometime in the morning in different parts of the house, allowing you to be active, while they are quiet. Sure, you would rather be talking from the moment the alarm goes off, and they might really want an hour of quiet. This could still be a workable compromise for you both.
Since you are modifying your behavior, chances are high that you might forget about the agreement once in a while. After all, it is going against your natural tendency! It is a good idea to plan for that and to have an agreed-upon a code phrase or word that your partner can use to gently remind him or her that it is quiet time.
Another good idea is to agree under which circumstances you might be able to have their attention while they are having their coffee. Are they only willing to be interrupted in the event of a life-threatening situation? Or do they want to know right away if there is anything dealing with the kids, a parent, or work?
Agreeing to the ground rules ahead of time will help you both to stick to the arrangement without driving each other crazy. Looking for these clashes and coming up with compromises may be just the ticket that allows your relationship to thrive, even if you have Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and your partner does not.
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder – Updates
There is some confusion about Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder that I’d like to clear up. Some of the misconceptions about ADHD health are based on old information. Sometimes, really old information! Let’s bring things up to date…
Is it ADHD or ADD?
Today Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder is commonly referred to by any of the acronyms ADHD, AD/HD and ADD. They all mean the same thing.
ADD is new, right?
ADHD symptoms have been referenced in medical literature since at least the early 1900s. At that time children who exhibited symptoms of ADHD where categorized as being “morally defective.” Even as recently as the 1970s, ADHD was often thought of as “minimal brain damage.”
What is ADHD then?
The good news is that we know a lot more about ADHD then the top scientists of 50-100 years ago. While we still don’t have all the answers, we do have a better idea about what ADHD is and is not. No one today refers to having ADHD as having brain damage, but there does appear to be areas within the brain where there is reduced level of neurological activity, especially in the regions that control our ability to pay attention.
Dr. Daniel Amen is a noted physician, psychiatrist and scientist specializing in the human brain and how it works. In 2002 he defined ADHD as “an inherited neurological syndrome characterized by easy distractibility, low tolerance for frustration or boredom, and a greater than average tendency to say or do whatever comes to mind.”
How can it be treated?
Many people believe that the only way to help someone with ADHD is with medication. Some people benefit from medication, but many others, including me, have found that we can treat our ADHD health symptoms and learn to thrive in the world without medications.
I don’t think having a “low tolerance for…boredom” as Dr. Amen says is such a bad thing! It has actually helped propel me to become an entrepreneur and to follow my passions in life. Because of my own ADHD symptoms I created a program whereby my coaching company has helped thousands of other adults with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder to gain focus and achieve the goals they have set for themselves so they can achieve success in their lives.
ADHD Coaching Tip to Help Prioritizing Projects
This is a hectic time of year and it seems like there are always way more things to do than we can possibly fit into our busy schedules. One of the ways to get things done is to prioritize. That way, the most important things get done instead of spending all your valuable time working on the least important projects because they are easier. Prioritizing can be really tough for people who find it challenging to focus, so here is an ADHD coaching tip to help you prioritize.
One of the most important things to do is write things down rather than trying to rely on your memory. It is far too easy to be distracted and then, forget what you wanted to get done.
When writing your list of action items, make them exactly that — action items. They should be clear, simple tasks, and they should all start with a VERB! So instead of “winter tires”, your task says “Call service station to book winter-tire change”. It’s much easier for people with ADHD to follow-through on the second statement because it’s Much more directive.
Next, divide those tasks into three categories. Category A is for tasks that can be done quickly or that must be done right away. On your list, write a large “A” next to any tasks that fit that category. Now mark tasks that are important but can tackled a little later with a large “B.” These are still important, but are not urgent. The last category is for things that can definitely wait. They may be less important tasks, and not important that they get done RIGHT NOW. Label any of these tasks with a large C.
You have now created a to-do list that has clearly prioritized tasks on it. Congratulations!
Start working on the items on the list that are labeled with an “A.” When you complete a task, be sure to check it off with a BIG check mark. Work on Only 1 task at a time (think: “One Focus total success”!)
Once all the “A” tasks are done, move to the “B” tasks.
Finally, when you have finished all the “B” tasks you can start on the items marked “C.”
With this ADHD coaching tip, before you know it, you will have all the really important tasks completed and you will also be making great progress on the tasks that are less important.
Everyone struggles with getting all the things on their to-do list done, but with this priority list, you can rest assured that the things that really matter are being handled!
Questions to Ask During ADHD Coaching Interview
Do you find yourself mentally spinning, feeling overwhelmed, not able to move forward? ADHD coaching may be helpful for you, even if you don’t know for sure if you have ADD/ADHD. But rather than diving right in with a coach I recommend that you interview several before you settle on an ADHD coaching program. After all, you are going to be investing your time and money with this person—you want to be sure you have success with your investment!
The coach may call this initial meeting a consultation, but I like to think of it as a two-way interview. Of course they should ask you questions — about your life, your symptoms, and your concerns. But this is also the time for you to ask THEM questions!
What types of questions should you ask? Here are some examples:
- What is their education, training, or experience that enables them to call themselves an ADHD coach? (Please note: Some coaching certifications take only a Weekend to complete! So really, Anyone can get one of those!)
- How much experience do they have coaching adults with ADHD, and how many clients have they worked with?
- How long have they been an ADHD coach?
- What is their success rate?
- Why did they decide to become an ADHD coach?
You want to figure out if they have actually helped other adults with ADHD. Don’t take on a coach with little experience—this is YOUR time to grow, not theirs.
Besides the answers to these questions, you want to get a feel for the coach’s personality or style to see if he or she is someone you can work with. Have you ever had a teacher that you just couldn’t follow? Well, you don’t want that kind of experience with your coach!
You should be able to get some coaching during this initial interview/consultation, something that gives you an idea about their coaching style and whether or not this will be a good fit. Not everyone will resonate with the same coach, so just because you don’t think they are a good fit doesn’t mean they aren’t a good coach — for someone else. ADHD coaching is a very personal thing. There must be the right combination of skills and knowledge, plus your confidence in the particular coach, in order for you to experience the success you deserve, and that you can definitely achieve!
What to Expect During an ADHD Assessment
Many of my new clients ask what they should expect during an ADHD assessment
. They think they might have ADHD but have never been officially diagnosed, and the idea of the assessment makes them a bit nervous.
I personally found the assessment and my subsequent diagnosis to be helpful. It really is the only way to know for sure if you have ADHD, but I don’t want anyone to stress out over it, so I want to let you know what you can expect during an ADHD assessment.
The most comprehensive assessments can take several hours, not including the prep work! These are typically done by licensed psychologists or counselors with specialized training. This assessment will consist of three sections: the clinical interview, the “inventory” and past performance appraisals.
A thorough clinical interview is key to having a reliable diagnosis of ADHD. This interview will take at least one hour to conduct. In addition the interviewer may spend several hours gathering other information. During the interview the administrator will learn about your personal history and your family history, if there any events or other diagnoses that might be the cause for the symptoms, when your symptoms first appeared, etc.
Inventories are the second part of the ADHD assessment. The inventory does not accurately diagnose ADHD without the other parts of the assessment, but it helps the evaluator to confirm results and develop a full picture of the person and their symptoms. The inventory will help shed light on symptoms as they might appear in a variety of environments including home and school or work.
The third part of the assessment is the academic or work performance appraisal. This isn’t about finding out how smart you are or what your grades were or what your job title is. It is about identifying patterns and characteristics you may exhibit.
For example, your symptoms may have worsened at particularly stressful times, when entering a new school or job or when workloads increased. Or perhaps you tend to be disorganized or procrastinate on projects. These characteristics and patterns can indicate you have ADHD, regardless of your grades or success at work.
The ADHD assessment is not something to stress about. Yes, it is time-consuming. Yes, they want to know a lot of personal information. Even though I wasn’t diagnosed until I was an adult, they wanted see my report cards from grade school! I can’t believe my mother actually had them! The important thing to keep in mind is that this assessment can be the first step to getting help to gain control of the symptoms that are creating havoc in your life.
