Following on last month's Crusher blog on the benefits of ADHD coaching, figured a good next step was to drill down a bit into just how to pick the right coach or coaching program for YOU. After all, there are said to be some 1,000 ADHD coaches in the US and Canada alone, any of whom could potentially work with you locally or remotely.

Remind Me. Why Is ADHD Coaching a Good Idea?

If you're serious about pursuing alternative strategies to crush your ADD so that it's no longer running your life; if you really want to better understand the behaviors that have held you back; if you want to be more effective at work or school or parenting or just in everyday life...then an ADHD coach is worth at least looking into.

Ultimately, the right coach can:

1. Help you create positive new habits

2. Help you discover various paths toward success, and...

3. Be there as an accountability buddy

OK, I'm Curious. What's Next?

Do some searching for qualified ADD coaches online. There are a bunch of directories to be found with a simple search for, um, 'ADHD coach directory'. Of the sites that'll pop up look for trusted organizations like...

• ADDCA (ADD Coach Academy)
• ACO (ADHD Coaches Organization)
• ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association)
• ADD Consults
• ADD Resources

Also, check out these Crusher-approved coaches. They're great coaches from many states across the country – but remember that coaches can work with you from anywhere on the planet.

Scour a couple of these directories to get a sense of the range of offerings. You'll find some coaches specialize – for instance, in students, or teens, or parents/families, or executives, etc. Of course make note of their credentials, as some are more seasoned than others (although a newly minted coach could end up being perfect for you, so don't let that be the only criterion). Then identify a few that "speak to you" – you like their tone, approach, etc.

OK, I'm Ready to "Interview" a Few

Once you've identified a handful you think you might like, give them a call or shoot an email with some questions, like...

• What's your relationship to ADHD and what got you into coaching?
• How many clients do you currently work with?
• How will we work together (e.g., frequency and method of sessions)?
• How will we define progress or success?
• What is your overall coaching philosophy?

Don't make a commitment right then and there – make sure you've spoken to all of your short-listers, then marinate on it for a day or two. As you do, consider the pricing for each coach in the context of the comfort- and confidence-level you have after your 'interviews'. This is important, because you don't want to nickel-and-dime such an important decision. The results you get from the right coaching relationship will easily outweigh the dollar costs of the sessions.

And Don't Forget About Group ADHD Coaching

Especially if out-of-pocket costs are a key criterion for you, group coaching can be an affordable, yet still effective, path. Here are two coaches who use the ADD Crusher™ curriculum in a group program at very affordable rates.

• Beth Main at www.ADHDSolutions.net

• Andrew Pebley at www.AndrewPebley.com

Indeed, a great coaching relationship can help you grow, mitigate miseries and even develop your ADHD gifts. Make it happen -- take action if you're so inclined!

If this blog post was of even modest interest to you...then you'll go freakin' crazy for ADD Crusher™ Videos & Tools. Give them a look-see. Try 'em. No like? Money back, guaranteed.

Want some more free tips? Get the FREE eBook: 5 Things You're Doing Every Day that Make Your ADHD WORSE!! Get it here.

This entry was posted on February 28, 2013 at 11:37 PM and has received 505 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

In my series of #CrusherTips on Twitter, I recently tweeted, "Hire an #ADHD coach. Even if 4 a few sessions, u can make huge strides," and got quite a few re-tweets on it. I think a lot of ADHD adults would LOVE to try a coach but, as I'll outline in a moment, barriers get in their way. I'll help crush those barriers, but first let's outline what ADHD coaching is all about, and why it's more and more mainstream for those seeking alternative ADHD treatments.

What's It All About, Coachie?

You've no doubt heard of career coaching, executive coaching and maybe even life coaching. Why would an executive need coaching? Why would anyone need coaching on "life"? Well, for one, neither careers nor specific jobs nor life come with an instructional textbook, yet the more you know about the possibilities in your career/job/life, the more likely you can be more successful and fulfilled.

But secondly, even if you had the textbook (i.e., a pretty good fix on what you want and how to get it), think about the difference between just reading a college textbook, vs. having a star professor walk you through it. The combination of expertise, objectivity and partnership from that third party can be the difference between doing so-so...and totally CRUSHING IT.

ADHD coaching is similar to other coaching branches, in that...

· It's based on a partnership between you and your coach...

· Coaching sessions might focus on a particular issue or problem you're having, and...

· The coach will offer objective insights and perhaps a range of different approaches to tackle the problem.

Ultimately, a good coach can help you create positive new habits, help you discover various paths toward success, and be there as an accountability buddy.

If It's a Great ADD Alternative Remedy, Why Isn't Everybody Doing It?

Several reasons. And not necessarily valid ones. Here are five Barriers to ADHD Coaching – each one CRUSHED:

1. General Awareness: "I wasn't aware there was such a thing as an ADHD coach." See above. CRUSHED.

2. Qualified Awareness: "I wasn't aware of the benefits of ADHD coaching." See above. El CRUSHISIMO.

3. D.I.Y. Syndrome: "I know about ADHD coaching and the supposed benefits – but I can do this myself." Ya, how's that workin' so far? OK, even if you're in pretty good stead, don't you want to kick life into a higher gear? Yours to CRUSH.

4. Cost: "It's probably too expensive." OK, there's definitely bucks involved, but see Group Coaching, below. Le CRUSHETTE.

5. Procrastination: "I'm in, baby!! But, um, just haven't gotten around to reaching out to a coach yet. But I will, soon!" See below! And put it on autho-CRUSH.

OK, I've done my job. Now you do yours. Hit these links to take action if you're so inclined.

Crusher-Approved Coaches: Here's a link to great coaches from many different states across the country – but know that coaches can work with you from anywhere on the planet. www.ADDCrusher.com/Resources

Affordable Group Coaching: There are two great coaches that actually use the ADD Crusher™ curriculum to coach in a group setting at very affordable rates. Both groups are starting a new session SOON!

• Beth Main at www.ADHDSolutions.net

• Andrew Pebley at www.AndrewPebley.com

ADD Coaches Academy: If you REALLY want to get serious, you can take a basic course – or learn to be a coach yourself!! www.ADDCA.com

If this blog post was of even modest interest to you...then you'll go freakin' crazy forADD Crusher™ Videos & Tools. Give them a look-see. Try 'em. No like? Money back, guaranteed.

Want some more free tips? Get the FREE eBook: 5 Things You're Doing Every Day that Make Your ADHD WORSE!! Get it here.

This entry was posted on January 8, 2013 at 11:48 PM and has received 552 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

Creativity and problem-solving have a path, or window, into and out of your brain. That window is quietness of the mind. Hmmmm. Sound impossible for our ADHD tribe? It's not.

Mental fatigue is caused far less by work than by worry, frutration and resentment, as Napolean Hill once said. And creativity and problem-solving are locked out when the mind spins – especially on negatives. Today, Crusher outlines the benefits of what happens when you...Shut-up-a-you-mind.

Realities of the Noisy ADHD Brain

Here's a fact: 90% of the chatter running through your brain – your thoughts – is useless BS. Seriously. If you stop and have an objective listen, you'll find that your mind churns with fatiguing, often ego-based blather providing no value, no solutions. This recognition alone is a huge ADD crusher.

We waste most mental energy judging people and things. Even the seemingly innocuous kind – "Ick, those shoes!" "Geez that guy's disproportionate." "I'm prettier than her, right?" When you hear a judgment, shut it off. Make that a habit and you'll free up gads of mental energy. A mind above judgment is an overwhelm-crusher.

Shut It Up to Power It Up

Question: Which is easier - doing 30 push-ups at once, or doing 20, resting for, oh, 30 seconds, and then the final 10? It's a no-brainer, right? Just that little break allows you to do 50% more push-ups with relative ease. And your mind works just like your muscles.

If you could quiet your mind for just 30 seconds – better yet, a minute or two -- you'd feel reinvigorated, better able to take on a tough task. It's like resting your brain muscle before lifting the mental weight again. And it's easier than you think...

A Simple Form of Meditation as ADD Natural Remedy

A tranquil mind brings great power and focus. And a key is MEDITATION. No, not the kind where you moan, "auuummmmm" with a shaved head and unclipped toenails. Meditation in the sense of identifying mental BS – as described earlier -- as it enters your mind, gently brushing it aside...and replacing it with some mental quietness. Indeed, tough tasks become candy when quiet focus is ours. Using this simplest version of meditation is a powerful natural ADD remedy. And the benefits will quickly accrue if you can practice it enough to make it a habit:

· More focus when you need it.

· More creativity and better problem-solving abilities.

· Reduced stress and frustration (they disappear when your mind is quiet!).

· More mental energy on-demand, as well as overall stamina.

Give it a try. Here's a video snippet from Video I, Way 3. A future blog will share some more meditation tips and benefits. But you have to first promise that you'll...Shut-up-a-you-mind!!

If this blog post was of even modest interest to you...then you'll go freakin' crazy for ADD Crusher™ Videos & Tools. Give them a look-see. Try 'em. No like? Money back.

Want some more free tips? Get the FREE eBook: 5 Things You're Doing Every Day that Make Your ADHD WORSE!! Get it here.

This entry was posted on January 5, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 703 views. There are currently 3 comments. Print this entry.

Well, by now we're all likely back at school and certainly back at work – even if work is that brutal job of running a household...with ADHD and maybe even an ADHD kid or two. On the Crusher Facebook page, we recently posted a series of Back2School/Back2Work ADD alternative treatment tips, and thought it would be nice to summarize them here as the official month of BTS/W comes to a close. Heeeeeeere they are...

BTS/W Tip#1 : Remember that SUGAR SUCKS and to FEED YOUR BRAIN RIGHT!! Diet is your foundation throughout the day – if you are eating crap, it'll be a longer, crappier day at the office or on campus. Here's a free snippet from Video I/Way 1 on YouTube, with more on ADD diet.

BTS/W Tip #2 : When your mind becomes worn engaging study or tough task, pick up and move somewhere else. To another room. Another chair. Or to a coffee shop. The movement gets blood back to your brain...the brief break rests your brain muscles...and the new environment gives you a psychological fresh start. Of all the ADD alternative treatments I've tried, the power of this simple change has surprised me the most.

BTS/W Tip #3 : Consider getting a coach. Even if you only do a handful of sessions, you can make huge strides with a great coach's counsel. And many oppys for GROUP coaching, making it very affordable. Here's a list of great ADHD coaches.

BTS/W Tip #4 : Start a new policy of dismissing interruptions by LABELLING them as such, and clearly identifying the task at hand as "What I'm Doing NOW". Use this trick, whether in the office, in the study hall or around the house – and productivity will SOAR! Here's alink to a short section of Video II Way 8 on YouTube.

BTS/W Tip #5 : Don't make your ADHD worse than it needs to be!!! There's a bunch of stuff you're probably doing every day that will make school/work tougher. Ain't NO need fa dat!!! Get the free e-Book, "5 Things You're Doing Every Day that Make Your ADHD Worse" at www.ADDCrusher.com ASAP!

BTS/W Tip #6 : Keep your workspace visually clean. Clutter is not only a reminder of your many un-done to-do's, it affects your ability to focus on the task at hand. Keep a basket or box nearby to store miscellany. Make the surface of your desk like a clear blue sky. While not one of my favorite ADD alternative treatments to execute, once the cleaning is complete, I'm quite relieved and eager to focus.

BTS/W Tip #7 : Know your strong and weak times. If your best mental firepower is in the morning, focus on tough stuff then, and don't squander that power on BS. Likewise, don't try to engage tough tasks in your weak times – you'll just make yourself NUTS! Better explained via video – another snippet on YouTube with this ADHD time management tip.

BTS/W Tip #8 : Start a pattern of Pattern Interrupt. To remember a task to be done the next day, upset an existing pattern – tape the shopping list to the front door...move the broken piece of furniture in front of your bedroom door...put your toothbrush next to your car keys and you will NOT forget to go to the dentist.

BTS/W Tip #9 : Get more sleeeeeeeeep! We ADDers gotta strike a healthy relationship with sleep, cuz the less sleep we get, the weaker our brain and the more our ADHD runs the show. So...

· No sugar/caffeine after 5pm

· No media less than an hour b4 bed

· Protein snack a couple hours before bed

· Consistent pre-bedtime ritual to signal your body/mind, it's time...to wind...down.

BTS/W Tip #10 : Work hard!! Elbert Hubbard famously said, "Folks who never do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for any more than they do." And if the quote doesn't give you a lift, try this motivational video.

I'm not a big proponent of Top 10 Lists of ADD alternative treatment tips – because they tend to get read but not put into action, since you're getting 10 things thrown at you at once. My suggestion is to bite off just ONE of these and make it happen. Then come back for more.

If this blog post was of even modest interest to you...then you'll go freakin' crazy for ADD Crusher™ Videos & Tools. Give them a look-see. Try 'em. No like? Money back.

This entry was posted on September 23, 2012 at 11:31 PM and has received 519 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

As we head back to school and work, and supposedly get back into our routines and daily "rhythms" – there's one routine/rhythm we adult ADD'ers never seem able to dance to. Sleep. Research indicates that ADHD can cause sleep problems in adults. Sufferers are more likely to have sleep abnormalities, a harder time getting to sleep – and a harder time staying awake during the day, especially if we are not being sufficiently stimulated – which we, um, rarely are. And getting less sleep than non-ADDers adds to an already overwhelmed and scattered mind, for a bucketful of bad brain – not something we want to carry into the study hall or the conference room.

Recent News about ADHD and Sleep Problems in Adults

A few things conspired to make this topic a must-write-about-now...

First, ADDitude magazine did a quick-tips article on it

• Then I heard a piece on NPR about sleep and study habits (great Back2School info here)

And then, sure enough Attention Talk Radio had an archived show about ADHD and sleep with Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D. of Harvard Medical School. Mr. Know-It-All (in a good way).

I'll share a few natural remedies for ADHD and sleep problems in a moment. But first, let's make sure we know the extent of the problem here:

· First, simply put, it exascerbates our ADHD symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, moodiness...irritability.

· It decimates performance: Just 1 hour of sleep loss 3 nights in a row significantly affects performance on tests. Assume ditto decimation for us in the workplace.

· Insufficient sleep lowers metabolism, increases appetite and thereby makes us more susceptible to weight gain/obesity. Sleep deprivation cranks up a hormone called lectin, which holds on to body fat.

· Oh – and sleep problems can be SO severe as to actually impersonate ADHD and result in an incorrect diagnosis of ADD. So, um, maybe I'm not...Nah. I am.

The scientists haven't figured out exactly why, but we ADHD adults typically have a hard time slowing down our brain at night, which is a key for falling asleep. And then, we're more likely to have restless leg syndrome, sleep-walking and -talking. We're even hyperactive sleepers, people! Not a happy contrast with the JOYS of sleep and its fabulous rewards of clarity, contentment and sanity.

Some Natural ADHD Remedies for Crappy Sleepers

When other people are winding down and feeling sleepy, we ADDers are starting to wind UP! Our circadian ryhtms are programmed differently, so instead of winding down at 10p, we're firing up a bunch of thoughts, worries, ideas, etc. It's OK, there's hope. InVideo I, Way 1: Feed Your Brain, I lay out four simple sleep helpers, which are mixed in below with a few more good ones...

1. No Media 1+ Hours Before Bed: UNPLUG!!! Get off of media earlier in the evening – at least 1-2 hours. Might be hard, but think of it this way: the add brain is like a lawn mower and has momentum making it difficult to just shut it off. PLUS, research shows that the rays emitted from e-devices tricks our brain into thinking it's daytime.

2. Medication Conservation: While some claim that their stimulant meds actually help them get to sleep (perhaps by allowing them to focus their mind on falling asleep), we have to remember what meds might still be swimming around in our veins from the day time. For instance, I don't use sustained-release meds for this reason. When I'm done working, I want to be done chirping.

3. A Visit from the Protein/Dairy Fairy: Get a little sprinkle of serotonin and melotonin from cottage cheese or warm milk before bed.

4. Get the Caffeinne Out: Even small amounts – even early in the day – can affect our ability to fall asleep. You don't have to go decaf, but know that I won't judge you if you do (I do a 5-shot decaf latte, and I'm proud). Everyone talking about ADHD and sleep problems in adults warns against caffeine.

5. Get Tested: If you're waking up in the morning and feeling tired or like you never slept, you should absolutely check for snoring/sleep apnea – not breathing in enough oxygen. But even if that's not the issue, only a professional sleep test can give you reliable data on something correctable like a breathing issue.

6. Make Bedtime Routine a Routine: You have to train your brain to know it's time...to...wind...down. Change into bed clothes earlier. Turn down lights earlier. Take a quick bath. Turn on some ambient/white noise. Whatever the routine...do it routinely...every night.

7. Set a Bedtime Alarm: That's right – set an alarm for the same time every evening that reminds you it's time to shut the TV...laptop...knitting bag...book.

I regard sleep as absolutely foundational. And I'm more convinced of it after this recent batch of reading/listening. Sufficient sleep gives the brain a chance to perform at peak ability; insufficient sleep sends it spinning even more out of control. The articles mentioned here will give you more in dept information about ADHD and sleep problems in adults. Every other alternative treatment or solution you put into play will have exponentially more impact if it's done on top of a better night's sleep. Now, go to your room!

-Crusher

If this blog post was of even modest interest to you...then you'll go freakin' crazy for ADD Crusher™ Videos & Tools. Give them a look-see. Try 'em. No like? Money back.

This entry was posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:58 PM and has received 667 views. There are currently 3 comments. Print this entry.

In last week's blog, I shared some interesting bits on meds that I theretofore just plain didn't know. Hope some of the facts flipped on a light bulb of insight for some readers, too. Now, I enter into an area where I DO know a good deal, cuz it's been a driving force behind my own mess-to-success story since the day of my adult ADHD diagnosis: alternative ADHD treatments.

First a statement: Medication is a potentially powerful part of an ADD-crushing plan. Crusher doesn't take sides in the meds-are-good vs. meds-are-evil debate. I believe every ADHD adult should deploy every tool at their disposal – so long as it works and doesn't somehow screw with your wellbeing or your health. And those tools should DEFINITELY extend BEYOND medication. As they say, "Pills don't teach skills!"

Top 5 Alternative ADHD Treatments and Solutions I Use

So with that, here's a list of the non-medication alternative ADHD treatments that help me most on a day-to-day basis. And importantly, most of this stuff is FREEEEEEEE. It's not an exhaustive list, but it's a good overview, with some links to additional info:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) : For those not familiar with the term, 'cognitive' refers to how we think about things...'behavioral' is how that thinking translates into our actions...and 'therapy' is the addressing of those thoughts and related behaviors. Now, CBT needn't involve an actual therapist, though it can – and sometimes should. But I've made tremendous productivity, wellbeing and happiness advances by "treating" myself. One big way I did this was to change the way I view my 'failures' and successes. Negative self-talk is deadly when it comes to undercutting our potential success – and worse, depression and anxiety are greatly influenced by our negative perceptions. (I teach steps to a new mindset in Video II, Way 9: Score Your Successes.)

2. Mindfulness : Related to CBT is simply being mindful. This is a broad area of alternative ADHD solutions, but the primary focus of mindfulness for me is knowing what stuff is whirling around in your noggin, recognizing your thoughts' meaning and relevance, and ultimately, being able to prioritize those thoughts (also, see the quote below). I've blogged on this at Jennifer Koretsky's ADDManagement.com. And if you've any doubts about the power of simply being more mindful of your thoughts and related emotions, ask Google about neuroplasticity. This is the ability of the brain to change based on what you're paying attention to – how the brain actually PHYSICALLY changes and adapts to alter certain brain deficits.

3. Meditation : Don't be put off by this woo-woo word. (Is woo-woo a word? It is now folks.) Anyway, I meditate throughout the day – not by sitting on a bed of nails and murmuring, but by simply quieting my mind – which is EASY once you are MINDFUL of what's inside it (see above!). I call it "Shut-up-a-you-mind. And it can power up your mind in just a few minutes. More about that on the Crusher YouTube channel and in Video I, Way 2.

4. Coaching : I've had a few sessions with ADHD coaches as well as executive coaches and business coaches. Each and every time, I got more than my money's worth. And now, group coaching is sprouting up more and more, making coaching more accessible and affordable. Give it a try. Here's a link to my faves. Is there a better way to stay on top of alternative ADHD treatments than having a coach and support staff remind you of them on a weekly basis?

5. Proper Diet, Exercise and Sleep : OK, I know – "Booooorrriiiiing". But I gotta beat a dead horse here, cuz you've probably heard my mantra that "If you're eating a donut for breakfast, your kicking your own ass down the street!" These three things are the most POWERFUL and FUNDAMENTAL of all, in my view. The YouTube channel and Video I, Way 1: Feed Your Brain have the basics on this topic, as does this link on ADD diet tips.

A Note on Supplements as Natural ADHD Remedy

This is where things get tricky. I won't go into any detail here other than to say two things. First, the only supplements I use are four that are research-based no-BS brain helpers, easily remembered as ZIMB6. Zinc, Iron, Magnesium and B6. Get some quality supplements and take 'em every day in keeping with the recommended daily allowances. Second thing on supplements is: Beware any claims that sound too good to be true. Research the crap out of supplements, herbals, etc., that 9 times out of 10, are...crap.

There are many other alternative ADHD treatments, remedies and solutions, but these are my mainstays. I'll write some more down the road about others, some of which I've yet to try, like neurofeedback.

'Til then, Attention Talk Radio's archive has a great interview with Russell Ramsay on this very topic. In fact, there's probably an interview on each one of these individual alternative remedies! Check it out – it will round out and fill in the above for sure.

-Crusher

This entry was posted on August 21, 2012 at 2:00 AM and has received 722 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

On the ADD Crusher™ Facebook page, we often see flurries of questions and qualms about medical treatment for ADD. I've always shied away from commenting too much on such posts, because, as I say right up front in the Crusher videos, I ain't no doctor or expert on anything other than the strategies that have taken me from mess to success. (Although I learn more good/useful stuff, including more alternative ADHD strategies, every day.)

On meds, I prefer to defer to folks like ADHD Coach Laurie Dupar who, as a former psychiatric nurse, can school you real good on meds – and does so in some of her presentations. Another reliable source is Dr. Charles Parker. I saw part of Parker's presentation at the ADHD Coaches Organization conference in March (where Laurie also made a great presentation), and you only have to see this guy talking for a few minutes to know he's a guy to listen to and learn from.

So when I found an archived interview with him on Attention Talk Radio (yes, it's been my go-to source for meaty blog topics lately), I had to listen, in hopes I might at least get a few pointers I could pass along to the Crusher Facebook fans. Well, he certainly delivered.

In an interview themed, "Pay attention to meds for paying attention", first thing he points out is that meds have to go through the body to get to the mind. Hmmm. Hadn't really thought about that. Anyway, as a result, what's going on with the body impacts how well your meds are gonna work. Here are a few interesting topic areas that will help you steer a smarter course with your (or your loved one's) meds regimen...

Immune System & Food Allergies: If you're allergic to milk, eggs or gluten, your bowel can become inflamed. By far the most common allergen is milk – but it's not always an acute thing. It's often chronic and asymptomatic, so you don't know it's going on. But that inflammation can interfere with the delivery of your meds to your brain.

Your Liver: you can have an otherwise healthy liver in terms of acute pathology – but a "constipated" one that has a chronic foul-up, thus affecting the absorption of med chemicals. Any treatment for ADD will be impeded when the liver doesn't function properly.

Your Diet: Neurotransmitters, which are what we're fixing when we take meds, are products of amino acids and proteins – and have a short half-life. So if your digestive process isn't right, you're not making the micro-nutrients that produce the neurotransmitters. And just as I teach in Video I, Way 1: Feed Your Brain, Parker says you gotta get the protein – escpecially in the morning.

Exercise and Metabolism: These two are related, because an increase in activity can affect metabolic rate – and you can burn through your meds' effective window more quickly as a result of a significant increase in activity. So a kid (or adult) who takes up a new sport that increases physical activity, may find that meds become less effective – and have no idea why!

Side Effects: These are the window into whether you're using the med correctly. If you're getting side effects – these are markers that are telling you that you need to change what you're doing!!!

Also know that different meds have different windows of effectiveness. Vyvanse is a different kind of med than Ritalin, for instance, so it has a different onset and 'shut-off'. Even a kid, Parker says, should be a "partner" in this arrangment, and parents can help kids to keep aware of the effective windows throughout the day.

And lastly – and this I tell EVERYONE, cuz I know it from personal experience -- each person is different and metabolizes stimulants differently. All too often, ADDers get the diagnosis, take the medication, have a bad experience, then give up. All the aforementioned in TESTIMONY to this view! Whichever treatment for ADD your doctor recommended intially, there's most likely another that could work better for your body.

You need to pay attention to how your meds are working. If something feels out of whack, go back to your doc and tell him/her in as much detail as possible what you're experiencing, because you (or your child) deserves to get correct results from meds. So if you go get a prescription and it doesn't work as you'd hoped or there's some problem – TELL YOUR DOCTOR and DON'T WRITE OFF MEDS. It's trial and error. Keep trying!!

Next week, I'll probably talk about NON-medication treatment for ADD, because that's the next ATR archived interview I'm looking forward to listening to, and I'm pretty sure it'll yield a useful, informative blog...

-Crusher

This entry was posted on August 15, 2012 at 3:40 AM and has received 830 views. There are currently 2 comments. Print this entry.

A while back I wrote a blog on the sad lack of ADHD awareness both around the world and even here in the U.S. The lack of awareness obviously makes things worse for ADD sufferers and those around them. But I failed to capture in that blog a major segment of society that gets a triple-whammy from low awareness: girls and women. Let me explain why it's a three-fer...

Whammy #1: General Lack of Awareness and Diagnosis

We are – or should be – aware of the many costs of general ADHD ignorance. Higher medical costs, criminal system costs (ADHD women AND men are very disproportionately represented among prison populations, which I blogged about back in March), lost business productivity, etc. Not to mention the personal misery and underachievement that accompany un-diagnosed and un-treated ADD/ADHD. That's a whammy for both genders. But...

Whammy #2: The Under-Diagnosis of Girls vs Boys

Even in advanced Western nations where we're supposedly enlightened about ADHD, the stereotype of the ADD kid as a bouncing-off-the-walls boy is the dominant perception. Girls, less likely to be of the hyperactive type, are more likely to fall through the cracks in their critical school years. It's also surmised that girls try harder at school and may have better grades, further masking their condition.

As a result, boys are diagnosed between three and nine times as much as girls. Some research suggests that even when teachers recognize symptoms of ADHD in girls, it doesn't get reported as much as for boys. So as awful as under-diagnosis is for everyone, it's whacking our daughters and sisters harder.

Whammy #3: The Uniquely Ugly Outcomes for Girls and Women

Being a male who just barely avoided major bodily harm, dodged the long arm of the law on many occasions and probably cheated death once or twice, I know first hand the uglier possibilites of undiagnosed ADD. For everyone, it's associated with lower levels of education, slower career advancement, more smoking and alcohol/substance abuse, etc. But here comes the icing on the triple-whammy cake (if you can call it icing): ADHD women and girls face some uniquely ugly statistics that men don't face...

• Unplanned pregnancy: Impulsive ADHD women are seven times more likely to become pregnant
• A high incidence of eating disorders and obesity

· With a higher divorce rate among ADHD adults, women usually end up on the shorter end of the economic stick when that happens – and typically maintain single-parent care of the affected kids.

It's Getting (a Little) Better, Thanks to Some Champions

ADD writer/blogger Zoë Kessler has done a great service to her gender by often blogging and vlogging on this issue (and I thank her for some of the stats reported above). But one woman, Dr. Patricia Quinn, has made a laser-focused mission of helping girls and women – with a range of websites, books and support organizations I encourage you to explore by Googling her name. Or, to quickly learn more about girls'/women's issues, a great primer is her archived interview on Attention Talk Radio back in December 2011. Give it a listen, and give some thought to how we can help undo this triple injustice to our mothers, sisters and daughters...and all AHDH women.

-Crusher

Image: NCPA

This entry was posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:57 PM and has received 1319 views. There are currently 3 comments. Print this entry.

Any ADDer worth his or her salt has heard of neurotransmitters – and has at least some inkling of what they do. And most of us might even be able to name one or two of the key neurotransmitters that come into play in our ADHD brains. But I bet few of us could describe their unique functions – let alone know any alternative ADHD solutions built around them. One ADHD expert, coach Linda Roggli, a.k.a. the ADDiva, found this lack of full awareness so common among her clients that she took to giving them nicknames for easier remembering. (Check out her interview on Attention Talk Radio if you want to hear her neat trick – and a great interview.)

In today's Crusher Blog, I'll do a quick summary of the neurotransmitters we should keep track of, and offer a few alternative solutions so that when you put your chosen natural cures for ADD into action, you'll understand better what's going on and be more likely to stick to your plan.

The Three Neurotransmitters the ADHD Adult Needs to Befriend

There are three neurotransmitters of importance to the adult with ADHD. Here they are with brief explanation of their role:

1. Norepinephrine is a stress hormone that, in its role as a neurotransmitter, affects key parts of the brain associated with attention and response, among other things. As such, it plays a key role in the ADHD brain. Some medications, Strattera for one, is designed to help with norepenephrine levels.

2. Serotonin is found primarily in the gastrointestinal tract (yep, your gut) and the central nervous system – and is widely believed to contribute to one's feeling of happiness and well-being. And it's also related to tryptophan, that chemical that in certain foods helps us with sleep.

3. Dopamine is the All-Star of neurotransmitters, if you ask me. It's responsible for motivation (or reward-based behavior), though that can be for good or for not-so-good purposes. As you may know, dopamine's the thing that some drugs jacks up and makes you seek more of in addiction. But if its powers are harnessed for good – such as I describe in Video I, Way 2: Get a Nagging Desire – it can chage your life on both a daily and long-term basis. Dopamine also has a key role in working memory, attention and congnitive function – hence, the All-Star player among the three.

Find Your Own Natural Cures for ADD by Understanding and Leveraging Your Neurotransmitters

Now, as I've said many times before, awareness alone can be a powerful alternative ADHD solution. So knowing about these powerful agents in our minds is great. But we can go beyond the awareness to putting these three guys to work for us. Here are a few ways:

Exercise ...Harvard psychiatrist John Ratey puts it simply: "Exercise stimulates a brain chemical that acts like Miracle-Gro for the brain." When you exercise you're giving your brain a jump-start. When your blood gets pumping your brain releases important chemicals that help crush your ADD. Exercise increases the neurotransmitter chemicals regulating the attention system. And regular exercise also helps improve our mood and our attitude. Get at least 20 minutes of cardio -- running, brisk walking, cycling – if you really want to feel a difference. Exercise is one of the best natural cures for ADD, because it stimulates the health-promoting chemicals our bodies produce naturally.

Diet ...Protein triggers alertness-inducing neurotransmitters that help you focus. Get quality protein from fish, lean meat, beans, dairy and protein drinks or powders.

Diet can affect serotonin levels, and certain serotonin-boosting foods that may help in this effort are dates, bananas and papayas.

And as mentioned, serotonin's helpful in sleep: If you have a protein snack – like cottage cheese – a couple hours before bed, the L-tryptophan helps your melatonin and serotonin production.

Self-Motivation ...Dr. Russell Barkley tells us that we ADDers are weak in the frontolimbic circuit, which is the center of self-motivation, "where you think about your goals, and it actually motivates you." He says that WE seem to LACK the ability to engage in a self-disciplined, persistent course toward our goals – unless there's some looming threat or other incentive. But we can confound that handicap by having strong desires that trigger dopamine production via emotion. As mentioned above, Nagging Desires can fuel that emotion. Watch a snippet of what I mean.

Our ADHD tribe has unique brain wiring, and a unique relationship therefore with these and other neurotranmitters. But a tribe we are, and together we can figure out some ofthe best natural cures for ADD. The more we understand our bodies' particular chemistry, the better our treatments will work. Like so many unlikely ADD heroes, these chemicals can truly be alternative remedies for our adult ADHD. Know 'em. Put 'em to work for you!!!

-Crusher

This entry was posted on July 31, 2012 at 9:39 PM and has received 1425 views. There are currently 2 comments. Print this entry.

Last week I blogged about the power of AWARENESS as an ADHD alternative treatment. Awareness of the impact of diet...of the full range of treatment options...of the damage of unchecked negative self-talk...of your own strengths and weaknesses, etc. All things that can empower you if you have greater awareness. Well, you can add to that list, awareness of the frightening statistical friendship of ADHD and substance abuse. Once again, I've listened to an archived show on Attention Talk Radio – this time, an interview with clinical psychologist Dr. David Teplin – and come away with a must-write blog on substance abuse as one of the top adult ADHD symptoms.

Some Hallucination-Inducing ADHD Statistics

Did you know that those with ADHD are six times more at risk for substance abuse than the general population, and will suffer with the abuse for a longer time? It gets uglier...

· Up to 45% of adults with ADHD are alcohol abusers.

· Up to one third abuse illegal drugs.

· Between 35% and 71% of all alcoholics are also ADHD!

· Between 15% and 25% of drug abusers are also ADHD.

· ADHD adults are disproportionately represented among patients in treatment centers (not to mention also among the prison population, which I blogged about a few months ago from the ADHD Coaches Organization conference).

Wow, not lookin' so good for us!! And that's not all – don't forget all the behavioral issues that result from these abuses: drunken driving, arrests, failed relationships, poor career prospects...and on and on. As if the ADHD alone weren't bad ENOUGH!!!

But wait! There's more! Then we of course have to contend with the frequent ADD/ADHD co-morbidities of anxiety, depression, bi-polar, oppositional defiance disorder, and so on – that make matters worse, as well as confounding proper diagnosis and treatment.

WHAT is Going ON Here?!?

Well, as a former alcohol and drug abuser myself, I'm not surprised at all these ugly stats and the isolation of substance abuse as one of the most prevalent adult ADHD symptoms.

Looking back at my teen years, it's pretty clear how I got my start. They say marijuana is the gateway drug – but I feel regular old cigarettes are a bigger gateway for ADDers. And sure enough, we ADDers start smoking earlier that the average kid smoker – and are less likely to quit. And the gateway effect is aided and abetted by the gravitation to permissive peers and like-minded others who'll accept us and our behaviors, making for a snowball effect. Here are some of the why's that Dr. Teplin touched on...

· Both we ADDers and substance abusers tend to lack sufficient amounts of dopamine. Abuse, just like all risky behaviors, counters that dopamine deficit. (Hmmm. Is THAT why they call it dope?)

· Nicotine is a mild stimulant. Its mild 'upper' effect probably contributes to the attraction and difficulty in quitting.

· Alcohol and marijuana are both depressants that might have a calming effect on hyperactivity.

· As ADHD sufferers, we're likely to be defined as failing, outcasts, not up to par – all great reasons to go have a drink!

But back to the awareness lesson here. Whether or not we are grappling with some substance, having the knowledge about this dysfunctional relationship can help our overall mission of greater understanding, facing new challenges – and maybe even equip us to help a fellow ADDer in need. If someone you suspect of having attention disorders also has this most pernicious of adult ADHD symptoms, approach gently....Bless!!

-Crusher

This entry was posted on July 25, 2012 at 2:00 AM and has received 1241 views. There are currently 6 comments. Print this entry.