| "I just finished reading this book and I have decided that | | | | because, finally, it defined who they were. |
| I am ADD." | | | | Those clients can be the most difficult to work with. |
| "I saw a TV show about ADHD. I have it and so does | | | | The ADD "box" acts as a protection and a defense. |
| my son." | | | | To help them, we must convince them to step outside |
| "My daughter's teacher says she asks too many | | | | that box. For someone who has lived without |
| questions. Do you think she's hyperactive?" | | | | boundaries, that's a very scary step. The box is the |
| Over the past ten years, we've all heard | | | | safe place to be. Convincing them to step outside can |
| announcements like these from friends, family and | | | | be challenging. |
| even strangers. | | | | HOW TO HELP |
| As a spiritual coach and counselor, I deal with | | | | The following basics can help anyone who is dealing |
| questions about ADD and ADHD every day. My | | | | with ADD and ADHD in children and adults. |
| insights may be helpful to you, too. | | | | * ADD and ADHD are gifts. * The ADD and ADHD |
| ADD AND ADHD IN ADULTS | | | | labels are over-used. They may mask other conditions |
| Recently, a client started our counseling session by | | | | that need to be examined. * In addition, ADD and |
| declaring that he's ADD. His wife was quick to agree. | | | | ADHD can be masked by other, more obvious |
| That's what brought them to my doorstep. They | | | | conditions. Medication can make it even more difficult |
| needed help with their marriage. | | | | to identify attention, activity and boundary issues. * |
| Often, the first step to repair a marriage begins with | | | | Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without hyperactivity, |
| personal spiritual growth. Until the individual understands | | | | affect four levels: Physical, emotional, mental and |
| him- or herself, it's difficult to build trust and | | | | spiritual. Each level must be addressed separately. * In |
| understanding in any relationship. | | | | most cases, ADD and ADHD need to be managed, |
| In this case, I did an energetic scan of my client. Some | | | | not drugged. * In almost all cases, these people also |
| medical intuitives, including me, use this process to | | | | have heightened perceptions of -- and sensitivities to -- |
| identify areas that need work. We "see" physical, | | | | spirituality. That spirituality can provide a bridge to help |
| emotional and energetic distress. | | | | them, as well as support during episodes of extreme |
| Next, I described to my client what I saw in the scan. I | | | | activity and/or vulnerability. |
| explained it in the context of ADD. Like many people | | | | Because these and other conditions can be "layered," |
| who are confused by ADD and ADHD, he was | | | | diagnosis and treatment can be difficult with some |
| relieved to find someone who understood what was | | | | clients. However, this also makes the work constantly |
| going on. | | | | engaging, challenging and intriguing. |
| After that, I recommended that they read more about | | | | THE FIRST STEP |
| the subject. Between their studies and a few | | | | In most cases, the first major issue is the client's feeling |
| counseling session, the client and his wife were able to | | | | of isolation. To resolve that, clients may have |
| understand each other better. According to them, it | | | | developed inappropriate behaviors. For example, they |
| began a renaissance within their marriage. | | | | may be accustomed to creating emergencies and |
| For many adults, that's all it takes. With a little education | | | | drama to attract attention and support. |
| and some counseling, they learn how to live with ADD | | | | Until the sense of isolation is addressed, those |
| and ADHD. | | | | behaviors can slow treatment. Once the client feels a |
| ADD AND ADHD IN CHILDREN | | | | stronger connection to those close to him or her, the |
| Most people are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD as | | | | process becomes much easier. In addition, a client's |
| children. Through them, we can more about the many | | | | lifestyle needs to be reviewed. This includes diet and |
| faces of Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without | | | | attitudes. Protocols must be created and understood |
| obvious hyperactivity. | | | | by everyone who is connected to the client. |
| Years ago, one of my most important breakthroughs | | | | ADD AND ADHD AREN'T DISABILITIES |
| was with a 12-year-old client. His first statement to me | | | | Attention Deficit Disorder is not a disability, it is a |
| was startling. | | | | "diffability." The person's abilities are not "less than" or |
| With a look of anguish, he blurted, "It hurts to be a | | | | impaired, just different. |
| human when I think of and see all that we have done | | | | Each person is brilliant in some way. Often, this brilliance |
| to this planet. But, I know I am here to make it better." | | | | simply needs to be discovered, acknowledged and |
| Scanning his energy, I could sense the pain that he | | | | unlocked. ADD and ADHD are gifts. They may |
| was in. To me, it was as if he had been born without | | | | represent an expansion of our awareness beyond the |
| skin. He could feel everything around him. He had no | | | | 10% that the brain traditionally utilizes. Let's not try to |
| personal boundaries. | | | | medicate and subdue this exciting evolutionary step. |
| That session helped him, but it helped me even more. I | | | | Recently, a client said to me, "I am not dumb you |
| learned, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that ADD and | | | | know, even if they all say I am." That's a common |
| ADHD aren't disabilities. They're gifts. Those gifts need | | | | misunderstanding when dealing with people -- |
| to be managed and nurtured, but they're still gifts. They | | | | especially children -- who have the gift of ADD. |
| may even point the way that our species is evolving. | | | | They're not "dumb" or stupid. In fact, they're so smart in |
| If we medicate those gifts to minimize them, we risk | | | | such different ways, we don't always realize that |
| losing those gifts altogether. | | | | what they have is an asset. |
| ADD, ADHD, UNDERSTANDING AND "THE BOX" | | | | THE FUTURE OF ADD AND ADHD |
| During the following months, my practice attracted | | | | Working together, we can become smart enough to |
| many clients with Attention Deficit Disorder and forms | | | | understand those with ADD and ADHD. For now, let's |
| of hyperactivity. I was one of the few who understood | | | | help these gifted people deal with isolation, fear, |
| them as gifts, not diseases. | | | | anxiety, depression and more. We can help each |
| My staff and I used to joke that I'd become an "ADD | | | | other. In this process, we may find ways to utilize even |
| magnet." But, those months were a tremendous | | | | more intelligence, to help the evolutionary process. Our |
| educational experience. Some of my clients already | | | | world could benefit greatly. |
| knew about ADD and ADHD. They'd already been | | | | You can help people who have ADD and ADHD. Start |
| diagnosed. They knew the terminology and the popular | | | | by letting them know that they're not alone. |
| medical solutions. Some even chose the ADD label | | | | |