Attention Deficit Disorder - Coping with ADD

Attention Deficit Disorder, or (ADD), is the most common mental health issue in the United States.

If you are not a sufferer of ADD, then you can read that statement and your mind will be free to move on to engage the remainder of the article.

But, if you are an untreated sufferer, it will go something like this...

You will open the article and read the first sentence. Your eye will wander to the far right corner of the computer screen where you notice a finger print, causing your mind to switch to the idea of cleaning the monitor, so you exit your chair and head for the cleaning supplies, but on the way you notice a dust bunny, so you change course to the broom closet where you notice a piece of mail on the hall table which you pick up and open, reminding you that you need to pay your electric bill, so you head back to the computer, but on the way you notice the potty-seat is up in the bathroom so you enter the bathroom to close the lid and notice that it needs a good scrubbing, so you pick up the brush and the doorbell rings, which, of course, you answer... holding a toilet wand and you're not sure why.

By the end of the day you are exhausted and haven't accomplished anything.

It sounds crazy, but for me and millions of sufferers like me, it is a daily struggle. The good news is that if we can harness our ADD, we can lead useful and productive lives. Don't believe me? Well, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Bill Gates are among the many examples of fine-minded individuals who suffer(ed) from ADD.

Physicians have a number of stimulants and anti-depressants at their disposal with which to treat ADD. For some sufferers, this will be the best treatment choice, but for others like me, a wholly natural approach was a better fit for my lifestyle. Others still will find the answer to be a hybrid plan between prescriptions and lifestyle changes.

In all cases, your treatment approach is something that should be discussed with, and endorsed by, your physician.

If you are presenting a fair number of the symptoms listed in the table to the right (it does not have to be all of them) then it is time to make an appointment with your physician.

No matter what treatment plan you and your physician decide on, you will most likely find it will be more successful if you consider supplementing it with some of the suggestions I am providing below.

Maintain Normal Levels of Zinc and Essential Fatty acids

There are numerous research studies linking deficiencies of zinc and essential fatty acids to ADD, and other studies showing quicker and faster improvement in symptoms for patients who maintain normal zinc levels (8mg per day for women, 11mg per day for men).

Neither substance is produced naturally by the body. Zinc is an essential mineral found in shellfish, red meat, beans, nuts, and wheat germ. Among other important roles, zinc promotes enzyme activity and protein synthesis.

Essential fatty acids are found in cold water fish like salmon, tuna, cod, and shrimp. You can also find them in nuts and soybean, as well as olive oil and flaxseed oil. The human brain is roughly 60 percent fat, and most of that is Omega-3 (you guessed it, an essential fatty acid,) which is extremely important for brain cell communication.

If you have a task that requires focus, or one that must be completed on a deadline, set yourself up for success by eliminating as many outside distractions as possible.

Don't play radios or TV's while working.

Keep your desktop or workspace completely devoid of all other tasks or projects.

Shut your door and turn off phone ringer(s) off. This is especially true when driving, as ADD sufferers are more prone towards accidents than others.

You know your lifestyle better than anyone else. Take stock of the things that distract you, and ask yourself what, if anything, you can do about them before you start trying to work on something.

This is key. If you are easily distracted, or it is hard for you to focus, then you know how easy it is for the unfinished 'need tos' to zing in and out of your consciousness --- all of them at once.

I find it easier to focus on the task in front of me if I don't have unfinshed tasks all over the place or too many tasks scheduled one on top of the other. In other words, the less outside stimuli, visual or otherwise, out there to distract me, the better.

Here are my three best time management tips:

• Do the things that require focus and 'stick-tui-tive-ness' when you are the most rested. You will be able to keep your mind from wandering better if you are not tired.
• Don't overcommit or set unrealistic goals.
• Make a 'To Do' list and update it every day. Be sure to prioritze it, and take care of top priority items first.

Of course, you will be able to add more items to this list.

Stress can cloud anyone's head, so it is really important for ADD sufferers to have some tools to combat stress levels.

Here are my best stress reducers

• Find a spot that seems to settle your mind. One that doesn't trigger all kinds of mental activity, and be sure to spend some time in that spot every day. Like your body, your mind also needs to rest. It will help you focus when you need to.
• If your mind starts 'chattering' and sending you into all kinds of directions, take a deep breath, stretch, and re-focus on the task.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Take a 30 minute walk at least once a day.
• Make sure you are getting enough B vitamins (from leafy greens) in your diet .
• Keep your sense of humor handy.  Learn to laugh at yourself and the small frustrastions in life.