Do you relate to the following symptoms?
• easily distracted
• impulsive
• restless
• disorganized
• hyperactive or hypoactive
• daydreamer
• procrastinator
• easily bored
• impatient
• many projects at once
• trouble following through
• tendency to say what come to mind
• tendency toward addictive behavior
• mood swings anxiety/depression
• sense of doom
• sense of failure/under-achievement
• difficulty in relationships
• difficulty in the workplace
• low self-esteem
• sudden outburst of anger

ABOUT ADD/adhd
Attention deficit disorder is a neuro-biological condition that is genetically transmitted, and is present in individuals from birth. It cannot be acquired as one grows older, but it evolves over time. ADD affects about 5% of the general population and affects as high as 42% of addicts and alcoholics and 67% of addict/alcoholics with multiple addictions. ADD is caused by the inability of certain brain cells to effectively use dopamine?sometimes called the WD40 of the brain. The result of the ineffective neuro transmission in the brain is that the frontal lobes of the brain do not function as they should. The frontal lobes provide humans with the ability to wait and inhibit behavior. When the frontal lobes function normally, we can delay response to our environment, prevent the urge to escape, curb unproductive or dangerous behavior, and protect concentration for mental focus. The frontal lobes equip humans with working memory, a sense of time, planning, self-control, self-evaluation, verbal thought, motivation, some fine motor skills, the ability to learn from our mistakes, etc. Many physical and emotional problems may cause attention difficulties. And ADD-ers can pay attention to those things that interest them. But the hallmark symptoms of ADD are related to the inability to inhibit. So ADD is becoming more and more known as a problem primarily of "dis-inhibition" rather than attention. The resulting classic ADD's symptoms include impulsivity, distractibility, hyperactivity or hypoactivity, and disorganization. Most adults with ADD experience hyper-sensitivity. When coupled with the inability to organize and prioritize incoming stimuli and inputs, this sensitivity leads to the common feeling of overwhelm?a sense of drowning or living in a fog. But not to despair?children and adults with ADD have many positive traits including creativity, intelligence, intuitiveness, flexibility, humor, and more. Some of the common treatments for ADD after diagnosis include education, medication, structure, psycho-therapy, coaching, spirituality, nutrition, exercise, and the support of others with ADD.

POSITION WANTED:
Chronically impulsive, hot tempered adult who has difficulty relating to people, poor memory, low frustration tolerance, problems with authority, frequent mood swings--who is easily distracted, has good imagination and lots of energy, who is not too good with details, who is very creative, extremely verbal, who needs lots of supervision (but resents it), who frequently feels overwhelmed and misunderstood SEEKS high paying, low stress position. Flexible schedule is a must!

RICHARD'S STORY
by Jerry Seiden

I remember vividly the last time I attended a self-help seminar, where the retreat speaker scolded and pointed his finger like a pistol at the audience. The fireplace roared and crackled and cried out for my attention, but I was distracted by the fidgeting and shifting man next to me. His three piece suit and late arrival to the mountain retreat center signaled that he had come straight from work.

I knew the man was as scattered-brained as I was when I watched him try to do his name tag. First he put the name tag on his knee. Then, with both hands, he frisked himself for a pen while scanning the audience. He moved around so much that the name tag flew away. He dropped on all fours to sniff out the name tag, and in the search, dropped the pen he'd fished out of the lining of his coat. To help, I reached under my chair and retrieved the pen.

He never said thanks but went right to work and scribbled his name on the tag. His handwriting was so poor that I couldn't read his name. He must have read my mind or saw my squinting because he got up to get another name tag. This time he leaned into it, bit his lip, and put the pen on the name tag. The careful block letters spelled "Richard."

When Richard settled down, my focus switched to the speaker. I heard him say "Pick yourself up by your boot straps! Put your heart into what you are doing! Try harder! Stop lagging behind!" I was familiar with those words. I hear them inside my head every day--over and over. I began to wonder why I was subjecting myself this scolding. I already had a low enough opinion of myself. I didn't need a high-powered speaker to confirm my beliefs.

Richard's reaction was much stronger than mine. He began shaking his head and mumbling profanity. I nudged him with my elbow and said, "Come on, we're outta here!"

"I can't do what that man says," Richard exploded once outside. "It seems like I can't do anything anymore." And with that he stopped talking and began crying. His shoulders moved up and down in rhythm with his sobs and gasps. I wanted to help, but I wasn't sure what to say or do. I couldn't believe he was so fragile.

With glasses off and my handkerchief covering his face Richard said, "You don't understand. I bought a gun today to kill myself. But I decided to give myself another chance by coming to this retreat."

He wiped his face and looked up. The stars and tall pines seemed to calm Richard. "I'm such a phony," he said. "I can't stop using cocaine. My wife doesn't love or respect me. I'm overwhelmed with work. I say yes when I should say no. I'm either full of panic or lost in depression. I'm drowning in debt. And I can't figure a way out."

We stood silent for a moment, and I realized how much Richard's behavior resembled mine. His restlessness, distractibility, and poor self image made me wonder if he also has attention deficit disorder. I took a risk and told him about my recent introduction to a twelve step support group for adults with ADD.

"Richard, I spent a major part of my life feeling and behaving in ways very similar to you. I felt as though I had failed God, myself, and others. I was often told that God helps those who help themselves. Since attending twelve step meetings, I've learned that God helps those who cannot help themselves."

I didn't have a lot to share with Richard because I was still a newcomer to ADD, but I did share the spirituality and serenity I had found in the 12-steps. And I told him about my renewed belief in a Power greater than myself--a loving and accepting Higher Power, who was doing for me what I could not do for myself. I told him how admitting my need for outside help had given me a new sense of calm that I had not felt prior to attending twelve step meetings.

Two days later, when Richard and I headed down the mountain, we left as new friends. Richard carried with him new hope. The hope he couldn't find in himself or in his own strength, he was beginning to find in a relationship with a loving God. And I knew he'd find even more hope as he made new friends in the twelve steps meetings he was about to attend.

ADD PRAYER FOR PEACE
God, grant me the grace to surrender
So I can have peace for today.
Take away my fears and worries,
Give me faith that all is okay.

You know my need to fret, to fear.
You know I always expect the worst.
I need more faith, more confidence,
To know your power is at work.

Today you have a plan for me.
And I know your plan is best.
So if I drift or wander or stray,
Draw me back into your loving nest.

Keep me focused on your presence.
Keep me full of joy and light.
Your plan for me is always best.
And your ways are always right.

Today, I'll watch your plan unfold,
I'll remember that you're working.
I'll reject the urge to brood and fret,
And find true peace in trusting.