Managing With ADD

The first step in managing with ADD is to seek an assessment by a professional. Once a diagnosis of ADD has been made, there are a number of treatment options as well as personal strategies that can help make academic success easier. The very next step, after diagnosis is education. Find out exactly what ADD is and how it affects you. Hallowell and Ratey's books, Driven to Distraction and Answers to Distraction, are excellent resources full of very frank information about ADD.

As you are probably aware, ADD is very often treated with medication. When the medication is successful, the relief of symptoms can be dramatic. The use of medication to treat ADD is only appropriate after a careful diagnosis has been made. Use of medication must be supervised by a medical doctor (either a physician or a psychiatrist). It is important to note that you must feel comfortable with the medication recommended by your doctor; medication should not be prescribed for you until you are ready to use it. Talk with your doctor (or the professional who diagnosed your ADD, or a counselor/psychotherapist) if you would like help in making a decision regarding medication. Make sure your doctor clearly explains (so that you truly understand him or her) what benefits to expect, when to expect them, and what the potential side effects are. As there are a number of medications to choose from, you will want to maintain contact with your doctor and carefully report how the medication affects you (both positive and negative) because this information is vital for finding the right medication for you.

Medication is not the only means available for treating ADD. In fact, it will not solve all ADD related problems by itself. The most effective plan for managing ADD is to come at it from a variety of angles and combine techniques for coping such as: medication, psychotherapy, and personal strategies.

Counseling, with a counselor who is knowledgeable about ADD, is often extremely helpful for coping with ADD. The bond created in counseling can provide you with much needed support as well as a "coach" for encouragement, reminding, and strategy development. Counseling can also be very important for dealing with the effects of ADD such as low self-esteem, interpersonal difficulties, school frustration, etc.

The following is a sampling of recommendations by experts for coping with ADD:

• Educate yourself through books, professionals, support groups and organizations.
• Choose a coach to help you get organized.
• Listen to feedback from trusted others.
  Don't feel chained to conventional careers and ways of coping.
• Embrace challenges. Don't get too perfectionistic or fussy.
• Make deadlines.
• Break tasks into small ones with deadlines.
• Prioritize raither than procrastinate. Adults with ADD lose perspective when they get busy.
• Make a daily list of what you want to accomplish and keep it with you.
• Use a portable tape recorder to help you remember, if written lists do not work well for you.
• Learn how to advocate for yourself.
• Notice how and where you work best.
• Keep an appointment book/planning calendar.
• Know it is OK to do two things at once. People with ADD often need to do several things at once in order to get anything done.

• Post schedules appointments, errand lists on a strategically placed bulletin board in the office and at home.
• Do what you are good at. You don't have to only do what you are bad at.
• Use desk, drawer or closet organizers, storage boxes, file cabinets, anything that helps you organize and add structure to your life.
• Keep a notepad in your car, by your bed, and in your purse/pocket for reminders and good ideas.
• Read with pen in hand for marginal notes, underlining, and on other "thoughts" that occur.
• Learn how to name your feelings.
• Expect depression after success.
• Exercise vigorously and regularly.
• Schedule activities with friends and stay connected.
• Find and join groups where you are liked, appreciated, understood and enjoyed.
• Pay compliments, notice other people.