Comments on: ADD Sayings http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/ A resource about ADD, ADHD, and mental health Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:18:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Marge Leight http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-16400 Marge Leight Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:54:46 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-16400 I like the calendar idea and I very much appreciate your writings. It has given me hope and confidence. I am im dialectical behavior therapy and finding while it addresses my behaviors, it is not concrete enough to use. Sure I am mindful when the situation is appropriate, but learning to experience the emotion I am feeling without reacting is just not plugging into my brain chemistry. I of course will discuss it with the therapist, who treats all disorders. Can you help me the ADHD version? I like the calendar idea and I very much appreciate your writings. It has given me hope and confidence.

I am im dialectical behavior therapy and finding while it addresses my behaviors, it is not concrete enough to use. Sure I am mindful when the situation is appropriate, but learning to experience the emotion I am feeling without reacting is just not plugging into my brain chemistry. I of course will discuss it with the therapist, who treats all disorders. Can you help me the ADHD version?

]]> By: Ann Szot http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-16259 Ann Szot Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:44:39 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-16259 I hope all went well for your surgery. You are my "idol". I am a nurse, 54, diagnosed at 40. After reading your book, Distraction, I said it was written about ME.I totally agree with #4, comment from Judson. I had a coach come to my home to help with filing /organization. It was a bit too detailed for me so his suggestions I thought were perfect to just get started. A calander is just a wonderful idea.I also just found out about a magazine published for those with ADD. #20, Pam's problem is like mine. My husband is the same; doesn't even want to hear about ADD, which is extremely distressing to me. He believes it's all an excuse and doesn't believe in mental health problems.He is a totally unhelpful person and believes that every person is solely responsible for their own problems and needs to correct them on their own with out relying on others for support or help. ( Which shows he has a few issues of his own). I don't know what the wording would be, but one of the inspiring items to add would be to know in your heart that EVERYONE has problems in life ; not to let those around us with negative or disbelieving thoughts or attitudes discourage us from trying ( and knowing we can) improve or believing that we are leaning on "an excuse", each time they are angered by our shortcomings. God knows we all have them . I just tell myself that there are worse things in life than leaving my credit card at the store for example. Everyone has room for improvement. I hope all went well for your surgery. You are my “idol”. I am a nurse, 54, diagnosed at 40. After reading your book, Distraction, I said it was written about ME.I totally agree with #4, comment from Judson. I had a coach come to my home to help with filing /organization. It was a bit too detailed for me so his suggestions I thought were perfect to just get started. A calander is just a wonderful idea.I also just found out about a magazine published for those with ADD. #20, Pam’s problem is like mine. My husband is the same; doesn’t even want to hear about ADD, which is extremely distressing to me. He believes it’s all an excuse and doesn’t believe in mental health problems.He is a totally unhelpful person and believes that every person is solely responsible for their own problems and needs to correct them on their own with out relying on others for support or help. ( Which shows he has a few issues of his own). I don’t know what the wording would be, but one of the inspiring items to add would be to know in your heart that EVERYONE has problems in life ; not to let those around us with negative or disbelieving thoughts or attitudes discourage us from trying ( and knowing we can) improve or believing that we are leaning on “an excuse”, each time they are angered by our shortcomings. God knows we all have them . I just tell myself that there are worse things in life than leaving my credit card at the store for example. Everyone has room for improvement.

]]> By: Pam P http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-16192 Pam P Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:46:40 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-16192 I am 44 years old and have just realized thanks to Dr. Hallowell that there is a reason that I act like I do. I have not been diagnosed by a doctor but there is no doubt that I am as ADD as a person can get. I couldn't believe that there were people out there that acted the way I do. I can't go to a doctor yet due to financial issues. Finding out about this has been incredible! I have cried and laughed and been totally amazed that all my "crazy behaviors" were normal for people with ADD. My problem is my family. I took information to my parents to show them that I'm not a sorry lazy excuse for a person that never tries hard enough to not be late, or forget everything,or keep the piles of laundry, filing, unfinished projects, etc off the floor, or get the whole kichen cleaned up at one time, or can't remember what they told me because I wasn't paying attention. Well the list goes on and on. There are so many reasons that everybody thinks I need to just try harder or not be so lazy. I was so excited to share everything I had been learning with my parents. Well they think its all just bunch of crap, that if you look at those symptoms that everybody has some of them.(even though I have all of them) That this is just an excuse. There is nothing wrong with me that I couldn't change if I just tried a little harder. All you have to do is just do it.My mother didn't even want to hear about it. She thought it was ridiculous. I couldn't help but to start crying right in front of her. Again, she thought I was being ridiculous. My grown children think about the same way she does. My oldest son doesn't believe in any mental problems except retardation or something along that line. My boyfriend does believe I have ADD, he is around me all the time and can't deny it, but he believes that it can be controlled. All I have to do is put my mind to it and try hard and I shouldn't have any trouble. Does anybody have any suggestions on how I should handle this situation with my family? I feel so alone and don't know what to do next. Pam I am 44 years old and have just realized thanks to Dr. Hallowell that there is a reason that I act like I do. I have not been diagnosed by a doctor but there is no doubt that I am as ADD as a person can get. I couldn’t believe that there were people out there that acted the way I do. I can’t go to a doctor yet due to financial issues. Finding out about this has been incredible! I have cried and laughed and been totally amazed that all my “crazy behaviors” were normal for people with ADD. My problem is my family. I took information to my parents to show them that I’m not a sorry lazy excuse for a person that never tries hard enough to not be late, or forget everything,or keep the piles of laundry, filing, unfinished projects, etc off the floor, or get the whole kichen cleaned up at one time, or can’t remember what they told me because I wasn’t paying attention. Well the list goes on and on. There are so many reasons that everybody thinks I need to just try harder or not be so lazy. I was so excited to share everything I had been learning with my parents. Well they think its all just bunch of crap, that if you look at those symptoms that everybody has some of them.(even though I have all of them) That this is just an excuse. There is nothing wrong with me that I couldn’t change if I just tried a little harder. All you have to do is just do it.My mother didn’t even want to hear about it. She thought it was ridiculous. I couldn’t help but to start crying right in front of her. Again, she thought I was being ridiculous. My grown children think about the same way she does. My oldest son doesn’t believe in any mental problems except retardation or something along that line. My boyfriend does believe I have ADD, he is around me all the time and can’t deny it, but he believes that it can be controlled. All I have to do is put my mind to it and try hard and I shouldn’t have any trouble. Does anybody have any suggestions on how I should handle this situation with my family? I feel so alone and don’t know what to do next.
Pam

]]> By: Pam Handy http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-16172 Pam Handy Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:44:17 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-16172 Keep going Love it Keep going Love it

]]> By: Monica Dewey http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-16171 Monica Dewey Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:29:53 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-16171 Hi Dr. Hallowell, I hope your surgery was a success and you're recuperating without too much pain! I was just given your book, and much to my amazement I was able to read the first chapter! Of course, I became distracted by something and now here I am. Anyway, I hope you include the quote from your book, "it's sort of like being nearsighted. You don't focus very well. You have to strain to see clearly." What a perfect way to describe the strain it is to sit still and focus, and the quote is a great reminder that ADD is actually a problem like poor vision. My entire life I've been told, "Monica, you just have to focus," while at the same time, my family describes me as a "distraction magnet" and my nickname is "distractmo." It's such a crippling situation for me that I am thinking about hypnotherapy (I take Lexapro and Ritalin) to help me focus better and to resolve the skin picking and nail biting I do when I become frustrated and overwhelmed by my inability to finish anything! Your feedback about hypnotherapy as a remedy would be greatly appreciated. I'm at wits end as I recently failed the nursing boards, and I am desperately trying to find a way to help me focus on studying for my second chance at the exam. Thank you and thank you for writing "Driven to Distraction"! Sincerely, Monica Dewey Hi Dr. Hallowell,

I hope your surgery was a success and you’re recuperating without too much pain!

I was just given your book, and much to my amazement I was able to read the first chapter! Of course, I became distracted by something and now here I am.

Anyway, I hope you include the quote from your book, “it’s sort of like being nearsighted. You don’t focus very well. You have to strain to see clearly.” What a perfect way to describe the strain it is to sit still and focus, and the quote is a great reminder that ADD is actually a problem like poor vision.

My entire life I’ve been told, “Monica, you just have to focus,” while at the same time, my family describes me as a “distraction magnet” and my nickname is “distractmo.” It’s such a crippling situation for me that I am thinking about hypnotherapy (I take Lexapro and Ritalin) to help me focus better and to resolve the skin picking and nail biting I do when I become frustrated and overwhelmed by my inability to finish anything!

Your feedback about hypnotherapy as a remedy would be greatly appreciated. I’m at wits end as I recently failed the nursing boards, and I am desperately trying to find a way to help me focus on studying for my second chance at the exam.

Thank you and thank you for writing “Driven to Distraction”!

Sincerely,
Monica Dewey

]]> By: Carrie Yankello http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-16166 Carrie Yankello Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:42:34 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-16166 I just started reading Driven to Distraction after being diagnosed with ADD a year ago. I have suffered and struggled with myself and life for the past 55 years.I have my school report cards from the 1950s, kindergarten through high school, documenting my ADD symptoms. My maternal grandmother, mother, aunt (moms sister),daughter and 56 year old cousin all have ADD. When I read the ADD sayings I started to cry. I could relate to every one of the sayings. Please go forward. A calendar would be great! I am so glad to have found this site, even if it took me 30 minutes to write this short comment. Carrie Yankello I just started reading Driven to Distraction after being diagnosed with ADD a year ago. I have suffered and struggled with myself and life for the past 55 years.I have my school report cards from the 1950s, kindergarten through high school, documenting my ADD symptoms. My maternal grandmother, mother, aunt (moms sister),daughter and 56 year old cousin all have ADD.
When I read the ADD sayings I started to cry. I could relate to every one of the sayings. Please go forward. A calendar would be great!

I am so glad to have found this site, even if it took me 30 minutes to write this short comment.

Carrie Yankello

]]> By: Pat Stoddard http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-16139 Pat Stoddard Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:23:09 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-16139 Great idea for a calendar! You've helped so many people thru your books and appearances. I've had your book Driven from Distraction for a few years and keep refering to it. I'm getting two other ones you've recommeded. I am 67 and about 5 years ago was diagnosed with add. I'm mostly trying to handle it myself, which sometimes is not good. I'm looking forward to your calendar. Pat Stodddard Great idea for a calendar! You’ve helped so many people thru your books and appearances. I’ve had your book Driven from Distraction for a few years and keep refering to it. I’m getting two other ones you’ve recommeded. I am 67 and about 5 years ago was diagnosed with add. I’m mostly trying to handle it myself, which sometimes is not good.

I’m looking forward to your calendar.
Pat Stodddard

]]> By: Gael Reedy http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-15950 Gael Reedy Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:49:12 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-15950 As a long time ADDer who is blessed and stressed by distractions, I made up this slogan to help keep me focused: SUPPRESS FOR SUCCESS EVERYDAY, EVERY MINUTE! I just found it, buried under a slurry of papers and books on my desk. The Calendar is a great idea! I just found out that I had ADD 6 years ago and now I'm 66. The last 2 years have been the best of whole life, but I'm still trying to learn new tricks. Best regards, Gael Reedy As a long time ADDer who is blessed and stressed by distractions, I made up this slogan to help keep me focused: SUPPRESS FOR SUCCESS
EVERYDAY, EVERY MINUTE!
I just found it, buried under a slurry of papers and books on my desk.

The Calendar is a great idea!

I just found out that I had ADD 6 years ago and now I’m 66. The last 2 years have been the best of whole life, but I’m still trying to learn new tricks.

Best regards,
Gael Reedy

]]> By: Birdie http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-15446 Birdie Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:24:19 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-15446 Fantastic idea. I urge you to move forward with this GREAT concept. It would be a gift to all of us living with A.D.D. Especially knowing that those 'simple' sayings will be enormously useful by those who will totally 'get it'. My entire day or the course of a project can be positively impacted by one clear directive/suggestion like the examples above. I'm a customer-in-waiting & am confident I'm not alone. This site, your books, et al. are important to me on a daily basis. You have my sincere thanks for all your good work. Fantastic idea. I urge you to move forward with this GREAT concept. It would be a gift to all of us living with A.D.D.
Especially knowing that those ‘simple’ sayings will be enormously useful by those who will totally ‘get it’.
My entire day or the course of a project can be positively impacted by one clear directive/suggestion like the examples above.
I’m a customer-in-waiting & am confident I’m not alone.
This site, your books, et al. are important to me on a daily basis. You have my sincere thanks for all your good work.

]]> By: whitney http://www.drhallowell.com/blog/add-sayings/comment-page-1/#comment-12880 whitney Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:16:29 +0000 http://www.drhallowell.com/?p=1014#comment-12880 I love the name of this book "driven to distraction"..kinda like bored to death. If I had a penny for everytime I was so bored I was drove to think about 1,000 things at once. As for medicine.. I tried about 20 different medications all of which made me "out of it", no appetite, grouchy (if you talk to me I'll scream kinda grouchy), and also didn't help with a sensitive stomach. I don't see a need for medication unless your jumping off walls. Why medicate something that can be used positively? I love the name of this book “driven to distraction”..kinda like bored to death. If I had a penny for everytime I was so bored I was drove to think about 1,000 things at once. As for medicine.. I tried about 20 different medications all of which made me “out of it”, no appetite, grouchy (if you talk to me I’ll scream kinda grouchy), and also didn’t help with a sensitive stomach. I don’t see a need for medication unless your jumping off walls. Why medicate something that can be used positively?

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