ADD Support Network, Groups
Counseling & Coaching

A lot of adults with ADD have benefited from working under the direction of an ADD coach. A good coach can help them learn behavioral and coping management skills and put them into practice to improve their daily functions, like improving organizational skills and productivity.

Some key areas of concentration for improvement could be learning to use organizer and filing systems. Step-by-step instructions on how to choose systems, set them up and use them effectively, monitoring for revisions / updates to tailor an individual workable solution long-term is recommended. They can then be adjusted and even taught or coached by professionals in the industry, like from companies who sell organizer products such as Franklin Covey and Day-Timer, or even by a friend, colleague, neighbor or relative who uses a successful system already and has time to help coach. (You can contact companies like Franklin Covey and Day-Timer for workshops online, in your area or available as tutorial videos, books, etc.) Basic program goals would generally focus on: planners (either print or computer-generated format) and to-do lists for scheduling and tracking regular activities, daily classes, meetings, projects, appointments, etc.; alarm systems to help direct activities and other planned items; easy and quick filing and management systems for both hard copy and computer-generated documents and “things” with an assortment of tools to fit your lifestyle; and overall organizational management strategy.

MEDICATION

Medications are often prescribed by physicians to help stabilize brain activity or make it more “normal” functioning. They are the same for adults and children. Common stimulant medications that have shown the most effective ADD results are Adderall, Ritalin and Dexedrine. Cylert and Desoxyn are two other popular prescriptions.

Ritalin, the most popular medicine prescribed for ADHD, has been prescribed for over 40 years and is reported by some healthcare professionals as being “safer than aspirin.” Research with ADHD children shows that Ritalin, when taken in the correct dosage, helps most, or some 70 percent, largely decrease their ADHD behaviors.

The exact role that all of these stimulants play is still being uncovered; however, research definitely shows that they help most ADHD recipients lead better lives with major improvements.

There is a downside, though. The medical community and the FDA say that these stimulants are safe in their respective prescribed doses. However, the downside is that: there is extra paper work for the healthcare professionals; short-term (one-month supply) prescription regulations; and FDA and licensing issues with regards to people seeking these just to get controlled substances for other (unethical) reasons.

Notable is that in general, people with ADHD report feeling “calm” when taking these medications instead of feeling "high" (like an addict trying to gain a prescription would desire). And adults with ADD who have history of substance abuse often report an end in their desire for abusive substances when they are medicated for ADHD.

Research shows that some antidepressants may be helpful for the management of several ADD symptoms (also for persons suffering co-existing mood disorder and anxiety symptoms) if the stimulant medications are not effective. Popular antidepressants are Desipramine, Effexor, Imipramine, Nortriptyline and Wellbutrin. If none of these are effective, others may be tried or combinations of the above treatments at different dosages, depending upon the individual case. Negative side effects to watch out for include: getting the “jitters,” headaches or stomachaches (Pepto-Bismol or Zantac is often recommended for stomachaches).

BEHAVIORAL COPING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

A combination of behavior and cognitive therapy has been found to help modify some ADD behaviors. It also helps ADD sufferers handle the emotional effects of their disorder. Basically, there are four key issues involved in behavior modification programs:

1. Start with goals that the person can achieve in small steps.
2. Be as consistent as possible— with times of the day, days of the week, environment, and associated people.
3. Implement behavioral modifications all along the way, long-term. I.e. don’t wait until the end to introduce everything.
4. Take learning the new skills’ process a little each day, one day at a time.
   Check with your ADD resources for help learning and incorporating new behavioral skills. There are a variety of treatment programs for adults and children, from workshops and classroom instruction to videos and audiocassettes and more. See which options fit into your lifestyle and budget and don’t be afraid to experiment with something new.
   
   

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