What I Found In My (Mental) Closet

It’s the end of the year so…this seems like a logical time to rummage through the (mental) closet. Here are some of the things I found. They are listed in no particular order.

• Life on a Roller Coaster

- There are two blogs that best describe the A.D.D. life: “The ADHD Roller Coaster” and “18 Channels – my ADHD colored life.” The ADHD Roller Coaster offers one of the most clear-headed examinations of the often topsy-turvy A.D.D. life. 18 Channels provides a personal, highly articulate and sensitive examination of life with A.D.D.

- What I consider the best single-post description of A.D.D. was written by Mike Doyle of Chicago Carless. See: Attention Deficit Déjà Vu

- H/T to Bryan Hutchinson. Bryan has built an enormous (1300 members) and vibrant online A.D.D. community. I’m sure it will continue to grow in the coming years.

- Scott’s blog – ADULT A.D.D.?BRAIN DAMAGE?OR BOTH? – and his many comments scattered throughout this website have provided inspiration for a number of regular visitors to this blog (that includes me). We have seen his amazing transformations over time. He is a testament to the ability of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

- Mark, a newcomer to this blog and recently diagnosed A.D.D.er, created this blog – Another Fine Mess – to help explore his A.D.D. Be sure to check out his main website (he’s a freelance cartoonist) at http://nobrowcartoons.com/.

• Scientific Research

I thank Gina Pera for making me aware of the two websites noted below.

http://www.corepsychblog.com/ – Dr. Parker’s website will introduce you to the intersection of neurotransmitter research and psychiatry. As Dr. Parker notes on his website: “Brain evidence moves from the synaptic to the presynaptic, to extrasynaptic, to presynaptic modifiers, to presynaptic precursors. Neurotransmitters can be measured as biomarkers and specifically corrected.” (See: Neuroscience and the numerous links to additional information provided at the website.)

http://www.russellbarkley.org/ – If we finally have a true theory to explain the underpinnings of the ADHD experience, if we finally have a relevant and measurable set of criteria in the next DSM that applies to adult ADHD, it will be because of the seminal work of Dr. Barkley. Be sure to read his fact sheet on ADHD. In addition, be sure to read herehere the summaries of his theory of ADHD.

• Reach Out and Touch Someone

- This blog has provided me with the opportunity to get to know a number of people on a personal level. These opportunities have enriched my life in numerous ways and each, in its own way, has left an indelible mark on my soul. A number of times I’ve acted as a sounding board and voice of experience (based solely on my age) for newly diagnosed A.D.D.ers. Recently I successfully helped an A.D.D.er go through a very difficult transition. That experience changed us both. Though circumstances caused us to part ways, perhaps our paths may cross again.¹ This particular experience had another interesting effect: it made me realize how important it is to have a supportive family. While helping that A.D.D.er through her transition, I, in turn, received support from one of my family members and from a friend who has become a sort of brother to me. Despite our myth of self-sufficiency, reality makes it very clear that our success in life is, in large measure, a function of the support we receive from others.

- Speaking of support, the richness of this blog is made possible by the thought provoking comments provided by you, the reader. The comments have certainly helped us all to see and understand the many manifestations of our A.D.D. condition.

• Physical Health

We’ve all read about the beneficial effects of physical activity yet, admittedly, for some A.D.D.ers the thought of going to a local gym is as attractive as eating glass. What I’ve done – with great success – is add small amounts of exercise throughout the day. Each day begins with a 30 minute walk and then, approximately every 3 to 4 hours, I get on a stationary bicycle or do another 30 minute walk. The regular break from work helps to clear up the mental confusion that builds during the course of the day.

• It’s the Economy, Stupid

I knew back in January of 2009 that my days as an employee were numbered. In preparation for the inevitable I reignited the business that I started in 2000. The transition back to economic independence has been quite successful. Though I am surrounded by piles of unfinished paperwork and unopened bills (the part of business that I hate), I have been able to see how my A.D.D. can contribute in a positive manner to my success. My hyperfocus made it possible to complete a very large and complex project. I have a very happy client who will now be a client for life.² The challenge for the next year is to find a balance between total immersion (semi-immersed?) and those less interesting but essential aspects of life…like paying bills.

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I’m sure there’s more stuff buried in my mental closet (if only I could move those piles of papers) so…if there is something I left out I may discover it (and blog about it) some time next year.

**** HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL****

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1. See this post about choices and crossing (forking) paths.↩
2. You may want to look at Bryan’s e-book on hyperfocus.↩