The Least You Need To Know

What do I need to know about ADHD?

Like many adults diagnosed with ADHD many years ago, I learned about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by reading books…

Okay, skimming books.

I have to tell you, there was far less information, but I was overwhelmed by what there was.

And because the research is ongoing, today there’s even more to learn.

In fact, there’s always more for me to learn… And some things I’ve had to unlearn because of new research and discoveries.

Today it’s almost impossible not to feel overwhelmed by Blogs, Podcasts, E-Books, videos, and more.

Where to start?

So I sat down to write this blog about information overload, and the first draft was huge.

I was trying to help people deal with overwhelm… and it was overwhelming. (A common problem for me. No wonder I married an editor.)

Then I had the unexpected presence of mind to ask, “What’s the minimum that I want people to know?”

And here it is:

Rather than try to learn everything you can before deciding what to do about your ADHD, ask, “What is the minimum I need to know to move forward?” Find out what you need to know, and move forward. Then ask, “Okay, what’s the minimum I need to know now?”

Even the ADHD Doctors earned their degrees on lecture at a time.

WHAT NOW? WHAT NEXT?

Don’t wait to learn everything before you start developing your ‘treatment plan.’ And if you don’t like the implication that you need a ‘treatment’ because it’s not an illness, just call it your Arsenal of Strategies.

Or your Tool Box. Your personal Bag of Tricks.

Even before I was fully diagnosed I was experimenting with ADHD strategies and finding which ones helped me. And I’ve keep adding new tools and strategies, and discarding ones that no longer work for me.

We have a video full of strategies. We have a book that outlines how ADHD shows up in adults. And we have a video package if you’re struggling to overcome fear, stigma, or other people’s opinions.

When I was diagnosed around 2001, the books about ADHD tended to be all-inclusive.

You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy!? by Kate Kelly & Peggy Ramundo was the first, followed by Hallowell & Ratey’s Driven To Distraction.

Others followed. Each of this epic works began with an explanation of what ADHD is, the costs, how it impacts every area of life, and then offered strategies for home, parenting, work, relationships, organizing, time management, women’s issues…

Now there are books that specialize on ADHD and relationships, medication, medication, women’s issues, getting organized, managing finances…

We went through the same transition with our videos.

Our first program, ADD & Loving It?! was created to be an introduction to the subject, to show the range of ways this disorder truly ruins lives, and some of the key strategies for succeeding despite having this challenge. (Or as some would suggest, thanks to this mindset.)

Since then, we’ve made videos on Careers, College, School, Parenting, Disclosing, Dealing with Stigma, Relationships, Tools & Strategies…

Which matters to you right now?  What’s the biggest issue you’re facing?  What’s causing the most pain? Start there. Focus on that.

THAT’S IT? THAT’S ALL?

We can be so enthusiastic it’s easy to want to change everything, now, this instant, all at once.

Been there. Done that. And didn’t manage it. No one does.

Find out what is stopping you now, and address that. As you move forward, you’ll learn what you need along the way.

The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll get there. If you get derailed, disheartened, or stuck, don’t make a big deal out of it.

Figure out what’s stopping you, deal with it, and move forward. Get out of neutral, or reverse, and into forward.

No, that’s not all. But that’s all you need to know to move forward.

Develop your Bag of Tricks as you go. Always be open to trying new things, and if a new strategy works better than the one you’ve been using, use it instead.

BE OPEN – EXPERIMENT – BUT DON’T GET ATTACHED

Let me assure you, with the exception of exercise, mindfulness, and some of the organizing strategies, whatever tools you use to move forward may stop working.

The staircase in a building that gets you from the first floor to the second floor is an awesome asset if you’re on the first floor and you do in fact want to go up to that second floor.

Once you arrive on the second floor, that tool, that flight of steps is not going to help with your next goal… the third floor. It doesn’t mean that first flight of steps weren’t great, or important, or crucial… It’s just that you’re in a different place.

IF I HAD A HAMMER… AND NEEDED A SCREWDRIVER…

It’s kind of life, well, if you’re building the frame of your new house having hammers, circular saws, and plumb lines is great.

Whereas having wire cutters, a keyhole saw, and screwdrivers will be more helpful when it comes time to put in the wiring.

A drywall knife will be a better tool when it comes time to finish the interior. And when you’re ready to paint the walls, a brush and rollers… Okay, right, you get where I’m going with this.

Obviously, the point I’m making is that some tools will stop working, or you’ll no longer need them, because your situation changes.

You’ve mastered one of your challenges—perhaps you’re are finally managing your anger and mood swings.

Great! Now you’re wanting to finally find a job you love. Or find a partner in life. Or, well, whatever it is you want next. Use tools that work. For as long as they work.

And when your situation changes next year or the year after you may be wanting well, ya just might need one of those strategies again, because you’re back on the ground floor of a new challenge in your life, and wanting to move up.

Best,

Rick