FOCUS+ Blog

My sense of how my creativity is impacted by my AD...

2011-06-20T14:30:56.720-07:00

My sense of how my creativity is impacted by my ADHD goes something like this:

1. ADHD causes me to get the "big picture" on a subject very quickly, but my mind will immediately start to wander while I should still be listening to the details of the subject.

2. ADHD causes me to rapidly approach the problem from a dozen different directions, looking for the greatest range of possible solutions. Digging deeper into each of those options is still a problem, but I'm good at flagging them initially.

3. ADHD causes me to rapidly do a quick mental "side-by-side" comparison of the problem at hand against a wide array of previous problems I've encountered, even ones that seem completely unrelated, looking for things that match up well. This often results in an unexpected way of framing the situation that leads to new ideas for solving it.

Love the comic of AD/HD in the style of good ole r...

2011-01-27T09:23:05.890-08:00

Love the comic of AD/HD in the style of good ole rock n roll acdc!

Actually, I've always assumed that there are u...

2011-01-07T16:01:21.762-08:00

Actually, I've always assumed that there are usually no comments because my blog entries are so clear, concise and yet comprehensive that readers are left with no unanswered questions or need for clarification. Also, they're so eloquently written that readers finish an entry and think "There's no way I can possibly improve on that. He's expressed the thought so beautifully that to add my own comments would only serve to detract from it, and I couldn't live with myself if I tampered with such perfection."

Some people might take my assumptions as either a futile attempt to rationalize the lack of replys or (more likely) a clear sign that my ego is waaay out of control.

They'd be wrong, though. It's just my curse to be such a flippin' awesome blogger. Sigh.

Hey...why no comments? I was ready to read some.

2011-01-06T10:25:49.126-08:00

Hey...why no comments? I was ready to read some.

In response to everyone who asked: RAS stands for ...

2010-12-15T06:35:35.939-08:00

In response to everyone who asked: RAS stands for "Reticular Activating System." That's the network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function in the brain.

Ed, great blog! Presentation tonight should be a ...

2010-12-14T08:34:58.597-08:00

Ed, great blog! Presentation tonight should be a big help to folks.

Kevin, I agree 100% that K.I.S.S. is a good rule t...

2010-10-14T09:57:50.603-07:00

Kevin, I agree 100% that K.I.S.S. is a good rule to follow for anyone, but especially for those of us with ADHD. Glad you raised that point again as I think it got lost in the conversation a bit at our meeting.

There was definitely debate over the "good enough" vs. "perfect" topic. My take-away (which I didn't communicate as well as I'd hoped) was this:

1. By all means, we should set ambitious goals and do the best job we possibly can. "Life is a daring adventure, or nothing" -- Hellen Keller.

2. However, for many reasons (including ADHD) we often won't produce that "top notch" result. When that happens, we need to to realize that we still did the job well enough, which is more important than delivering perfection. A poorly written book report will still get a better grade than a brilliant book report that never gets finished and handed in.

3. Lastly, many of us tend to get bogged down on a single detail of a larger project, costing us time and energy necessary to complete the larger project. If the goal was to clean the house and we spent 80% of our time strictly on the bathroom, there's a good chance we won't get to the rest of the house because we hung up on doing one part of it to perfection.

P.S. - You can never miss with a Winston Churchill quote! My favorite, which has absolutely nothing to do with this topic, is: "Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing, once they've exhausted all other options."

Ed

I don't like the phrasing of (never let perfec...

2010-10-13T08:15:22.824-07:00

I don't like the phrasing of (never let perfect get in the way of good enough) I would like to offer the other option - K.I.S.S.- I build and remodel a lot and I'm always striving for the WOW!! Factor. Not a good way to make money.
Keep It Simple Stupid .
I believe that most adults read & communicate around a sixth grade level. (average) Food for thought upon preparing your next - report , presentation - project.

Great post / Commentary of the meeting.I was there and thing's did not compute.
Second Time it makes sense.

A Quote - I found 2007 - Office art
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm!!!
- Sir Winston Churchill

Cheer's Kevin

I can see what Ed's saying about not wanting t...

2010-10-11T08:49:27.325-07:00

I can see what Ed's saying about not wanting to start on tasks and not being able to complete most tasks.

It takes me forever sometimes to finish something, or even to start something because I know I'll get swept away and will end up with more junk that I don't know what to do with because i couldn't finish it or it turned out to be a piece of crap.

But what helps sometimes is to take a large project and break it down into do-able sized tasks. I got through grad school that way and was never late on an assignment. Now I need to do the same with my two businesses I"m starting, because there's so many small tasks that I feel like I'm drowning in piles of crap on my kitchen table.

But I started making an art cabinet about 5 years ago, as a way of straightening up the chaos in my art studio. to buy one would have cost hundreds, when I figured I could build one for under $50 (I came close!) Well I had tried to cut financial corners and used that chipboard crap for the main structure instead of solid wood, and as a result I had to have it carefully braced against the wall and another bookcase to keep it from collapsing. I eventually went back to home depot and had some hardwood cut to size for the outside, at a later time I put it together, replacing the outside chipboard with something that stood up on its own. Then varnishing the exterior was the next single huge project. Then I put back in three of the remaining shelves, which were still crap and eventually collapsed, but I eventuallhy repaced those too, and still have two to go. In the meantime, being envirnomentally conscious, I couldn't just throw out the scraps of crapwood and after 3 years of leaning up against a wall in the corner, I donated them to some Amish that were remodeling a friend's house-they used it to protect the walls around their woodburning stovers. but finally I have a nice cabinet for my artwork and large sheets of art paper and such, and my art studio as a result is so much more functional, and the cabinet actually looks halfway decent, or it will when I replace the crappy looking chipboard hinged doors on the front.

But the original objective has been met; to do away with my collection of almost good enough paintings, and partially finished paintings, and the hopelessly failed paintings doomed to a life on the back side of a hopefully really great painting.

We have really great ideas, that's the strength of ADHD, the challenge is being able to follow it through to completion. But breaking it down into bite sized tasks and then being able to make time for the next task and the next, over time you'll get it done, without feeling cut short or frustrated or overwhlemed or late for work.

And as far as the part of executive function that involves getting started on a project, approaching it with a clearly defined objective with a set limited amount of time can help you get started.

So to the Eds among us, remenber to break projects down into reasonable sized tasks that give you a sense of completion, and at a stage where you can put the project somewhere where it's not in the way.

The ADHD Activation and Completion challenge : Ed ...

2010-10-04T12:07:10.448-07:00

The ADHD Activation and Completion challenge : Ed said it perfectly! The failure to complete the task or the frustrated disappointment with the results (results which didn't come close to equalling the effort), often bring huge discouragement (as well as depression, anxiety, lowered self-esteem) for ADDers... which, of course, keeps the "cycle of overwhelm" and frustration going. Because it is such hard work, is it any surprise that those with ADHD quit trying?
Ed's example gives clear support for the importance of therapy, but therapy with someone who really "gets" ADHD; One who understands the repeated cycle: Activation after numerous attempts, with probable derailment before completion; OR, tons of effort in the Activation process and eventual Completion, but disappointment with the results.

If those struggling through such repeated situations do not get therapy, at the very least, they should seek consider an ADHD coach or attend an ADHD support group.

Just a personal add-on to Ruth's comments: As ...

2010-10-03T18:13:42.830-07:00

Just a personal add-on to Ruth's comments: As Ruth said, Dr. Mason pointed out that people with ADD often have difficulty "knuckling down" and starting/resuming tasks, and that this is a "hardware/brain chemistry" problem. I think there's a second, behavioral layer that impedes Activation, at least in my case: With all of the ADD-related impairments to starting and successfully completing a task, I have a fairly high failure rate in doing so. Even when I do "knuckle down" and get started, I very often still fail to complete the task or if I do complete it, it's with very disappointing results that hardly justify all of the effort that went into it. My attempt to remodel my basement, my attempt to make a wooden chest to store some of my man-stuff and my attempt to repair some minor cosmetic damage on my car are great examples. Knowing that when I start a project (a) I'll have to work harder to do it than most people and (b) there's a very good chance I'll be dissasisfied with the end result is a huge disincentive to even attempt the project in the first place. I wonder if this is just my hangup or if others feel the same way. If so, how do other people overcome this learned, fear-of-failure reaction?

Ah, yes! The rocket sled... looks familiar! While ...

2010-09-29T11:41:07.881-07:00

Ah, yes! The rocket sled... looks familiar! While the rocket sled may be exilerating, it can have excruciating results. Dr. Mason made a solid case for the importance of treatment. With proper treatment, one is more likely to have some Scooter experiences, and less rocket sled wipe-outs!

I often find the Activation piece of Executive Functioning the most challenging... Motivation is fleeting when in the "cycle of ADHD overwhelm."

BTW, Dr. Mason's book is wonderful. Let me know if you are interested in purchasing one at the worth-it price of $15.00.

Ruth Evenhouse

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2010-08-25T10:20:44.473-07:00

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2010-08-19T13:07:07.897-07:00

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2010-08-19T12:52:49.037-07:00

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The first test was extremely annoying, & I thi...

2010-01-14T08:01:09.148-08:00

The first test was extremely annoying, & I think I will be hearing 1, 2 in my SLEEP!!

Went to my appointment, this morning. I must say t...

2010-01-14T07:59:26.395-08:00

Went to my appointment, this morning. I must say that I was very disappointed! I don't feel it was worth the $100.00!! Was told that I DO NOT have A.D.D., but according to my "brain waves", I am in "constant crisis mode". Guess that is why I can't sleep much, can't seem to turn off the brain. I am anxious to hear what experiences others have, & if they are willing to share their findings, what they learned! Still have to meet with Dr. Royer (who wasn't available today) to find out just what he suggests.

Has anyone considered just using one of those &quo...

2010-01-12T17:19:43.741-08:00

Has anyone considered just using one of those "mood ring" credit card things? I know you can get them For a couple of bucks on eBay. It's obviously no where near as accurate as the Neuro Core stuff, but it still might help someone improve their body/brain control a
little bit...certainly enough to cover the $2 card!

While I thought that the information they provided...

2010-01-12T07:43:14.445-08:00

While I thought that the information they provided was interesting and appeared solidly grounded in science, there were a couple aspects of the lecture that I noticed that left me with some questions.

1. All of the outcome data they presented was anecdotal

2. The lecture included a pretty aggressive marketing push with more than a little fear added

3. The price for a 90 minute assessment($100-$150) seemed reasonable, but price for subsequent treatment not disclosed

4. It was implied that treatment took 1-4 months on average, and stated that results were permanent. After the presentation I spoke with a prior customer of The Neuro Core who said it took 6-8 months and results were not permanent in her experience.

I wonder...
1. How well can one apply the self-control they learn in a controlled setting to real-world settings?
2. How much of this could be accomplished, without metrics, using yoga?
3. How much of this could be accomplished using a cheap consumer biofeedback kit from Amazon.com?4. How much of this could be accomplished using the new Zeo sleep assessment/retraining tool(www.myzeo.com)?

I'd like to hear from someone about the topic ...

2010-01-05T09:57:31.619-08:00

I'd like to hear from someone about the topic of "ADHD and self esteem."