Attempting To Live Without Medication
Last year after I realized I had ADHD I was saved from myself by Medication. I do not deny it for a second. It helps me in so many ways to handle the world around me. To be able to sit at my desk for longer than 10 minutes without the urge to get up and walk around is in itself a miracle.
But I’ve noticed that as I’ve been on it longer I’ve also started to develop ticks. Nothing noticeable like my head rolling or my arm moving incontrollably but little things. I’ve also noticed that as I have lost weight, almost 50 pounds since last year I need less of the medicine. In fact the prescribed dose has almost a negative effect and the ticks become extremely pronounced.
Now I’m trying to live without the medicine and that’s a change. One of the changes is that I smoke less without the medicine. I sleep more too. That’s a good thing. I’m trying to create structure to exist without it. Meaning find ways to manage my time and tasks so that I’m free of the need.
One of the ways I’m doing that is by setting up a schedule that sends me reminders via google calendar
to my phone. Creating the routine that will enable me to fulfill what I’ve got going on. Talking to my wife about it so she’s aware of my time and making sure I’m aware of her time.
One thing I’m worried about is my sensitivity to the noise around me. As the medication leaves my system will I be able to handle it as well? What about my drinking? Will I start to drink more? Will I start to substitute dealing with a problem by eating more? Will I be prone to my rage more? Things that the medication clearly helped me with but now could come up again.
If there are those out there that have dealt with this problem in the past, please chime in.
The Disorganized Mind - Part 2
I have to say one thing about this book, it’s not intended to be a fast read. It’s a read that if done right will have you with your notebook or laptop or mobile device sitting there taking notes. Reflecting on the things that are asked.
The point up to now in the book has been - think about your base. Where are you at and where do you want to be. It is ideal for people who can read, internalize, and implement. I have re-read chapter 3 at least 4 times now. Each time I do I come away with more and more. It’s the questions that are asking you the hard questions. Especially if you have ADD/ADHD.
The first time through I read it and started to think about them. The next time through I read them and typed them into my electronic journal. The third time through I put them into my notebook. The last time through I reviewed my notebook and compared to my e-journal and now am re-answering them. They say a “Genius” has to see something 5 times before he internalizes something so maybe there’s at least 4 or 5 more times I’ll need to review them.
Check back in a day or so and I’ll have the answers here - (no questions though - that would be giving it away).
The thing that I would point out here to everyone who is thinking about this book or picked it up and put it down because the truth of the answers were too hard to face up to, this is what life is about. ADDers or non-ADD alike have to come to this base. It may seem that some people might have their “act together” but what we see and what we don’t see are miles apart. Just because you feel you need to initiate change in your life is not a solitary experience. EVERYONE regardless of ADD, nearsightedness, balding, lactose intolerant, or anything other physical difference, goes ponders this and wonders how to implement this. How many people do you know have read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People but don’t follow the guidlines? For the millions of people that have bought that book we’d be a completely different world if they were all living this way.
I tried many times to adopt Covey’s cycle into my life, but as an adult with undiagnosed ADD I was constantly shooting myself in the foot. It’s nearly impossible to adopt it for those of us who on a whim change our minds, impulsively commit to events, or will inadvertently take on too much so we don’t have to face the hard reality of planning and preparation. Especially when doing it by the seat of our pants in crunch time is so much more stimulating.
Living to our values, our core principles is the heart of living a balanced life. So when your co-workers ask you to “help” them do something that you would like to do so you can be seen as the go-to person at work(gratification boost to brain) your core values will kick in and help to determine what is the right choice based on your principles. And that is much more fulfilling than being stuck at work for 2 more hours because you think that at the end of the day it will matter more that you did this when you didn’t really need to.
The Disorganized Mind is about creating the process and structure in our lives to be in a position to make those decisions and understand the repercussions. I would say this again, change is hard. Really hard if you don’t want to do it. BUT with the right amount of structure and learned self control, the ADDer can literally do anything.
The Disorganized Mind - A First Take
I recently saw an advertisement for a new book out by super Coach Nancy Ratey. I have often thought about coaching to help me get some balance back in my life, so this was something that just jumped out at me. Here’s the wife of John Ratey, co-author of some of my favorite books on ADD/ADHD, and the one of the pioneers in coaching for ADD putting out a book that seems to be calling out to me.
This weekend at one of the book stores I found a copy and immediately snatched it up. I love books like this and if her writing style was anything like her husband’s then at least it would be an enjoyable read. Other books like this that just didn’t get going for me was Getting Things Done. While many people swear by this system, it does not fit everyone and I found it hard to implement.
I brought it home and started reading through it. I’m through the first 3 chapters and can hardly wait for the next one. The sections within the chapters are short, concise, and written well. It’s been enjoyable.
The things that I find consistent with what I long thought was key for me at least and I suspect others, was structure, goals, and follow up. My greatest successes have been when I created a structured environment, set goals that I actively measured against, and followed through on when and where I failed.
Nancy points this out and talks about how the role of the coach brings this out but more importantly holds the individuals accountable for their decisions by helping them realize how they made choices inconsistent with their goals. I don’t necessarily have this challenge since I’m far more demanding of myself than others can be.
So as to not give it all away I’ll save more of the details for later, but for right now - this is a winner. Enjoyable to read and I feel like just reading it has aroused that part of my brain that I need to get kick started to get back on track.
And most important? She’s a BUCKEYE and will be here June 7th for a book signing. Yahoo!