Herding Cats with ADD

Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, or its fraternal twin, ADHD, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder begin in early childhood but may not be detected until later. This could be during middle school when courses can become more difficult – requiring more focus.

You might ask, what courses? Good question. Algebra is a good example. Now, for the first time since Kindergarten, a student is challenged to sit down, keep the chair warm and concentrate until you understand and can demonstrate an algebraic problem.

“Concentrate?” That’s a first. “It’s an interesting concept” the student might reply. “Do you mind explaining that to me – in detail – while I’m interested.”

“Whoops! I’m not interested anymore! Little Johnny over there has just moved and must be interested in something else.” Who knows? Maybe it’s FOMO too kicking in. Fear of missing out could be common for ADDers in my ADD opinion.

“Bright, shiny objects” as a colleague of mine describes them “always pull you off topic. You come up with these great ideas but never follow-through.”

That is typical for people with these mental health issues. But why am I addressing thinking and behavior problems like these? My niche and mission is to help people with alcohol and drug problems.

Now you might suspect that I’m suggesting that young kids with ADD stress-filled lives could be attracted to alcohol and other drugs. Bingo! You’ve it!

As a young boy of 14 years hanging around with the wrong, older, slippery people, I and my ADD brain were introduced to alcohol. “Wow!” my hyperactive brain said. “Whatever that is, I want more of it.” I remember the exhilaration of the moment.

Sure enough, me and my excited brain were determined to do this more often. The feeling freed us of the stress, frustration, self-loathing and torment of of our humdrum, yet frantic lives.

I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. But my ADD has been like herding cats my entire life. Only later did I learn the CBT (Cognitive Behavior Theory) and skills that could help me with this.

The older I got, the bigger the cats. The more and bigger ideas I got, the more and bigger the cats became until I could hear them thundering across the plains of my mind.

To calm down; to help myself, requires structure and a schedule being provided by myself or employment. “To do” or checklists are a must for me. I literally, could benefit from a to-do list going from the table to the kitchen sink.

All phases of one’s life can be affected by this condition. It has destroyed many relationships and marriages. It has led many to alcohol and other drug problems.

Learn more at https://standokmanus.com/ .

If you would like to discuss this you can message me. You are invited to be a connection as well.

If you, a child or another loved one are having thoughts, feelings, behavior and outcome problems that you just don’t understand you can learn more with this clip. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350889