What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurobiological disorder. In the American psychiatric association's diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM V) there are 3 types identified:
- Primarily inattentive
- Primarily hyperactive
- Combined type
To be diagnosed with ADHD you need to be experiencing 6 out of nine markers for either inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity, or both for more than 6 months and in more than one setting.
It used to be believed that people outgrew ADHD, it is now known that 60-70% of children with ADHD go on to have it as an adult.
In children, boys are diagnosed more frequently, by about 3 out of 4 cases, but in adults the incidence of ADHD are about equal across the genders. It is believed the reason for this discrepancy may be because girls tend to be the inattentive type and so are more likely to be overlooked than the boys who may be displaying the hyperactivity component.
There are very many successful people who are ADHD, in fact their ADHD traits are definite assets in their success; the impulsivity needed for entrepreneurial risk taking, the high energy and keen imagination, the unique connections they make with their creative and busy minds.
However, without the right support, insight and treatment they are also at great risk. They are more likely to be depressive, suffer from anxiety, be involved in accidents, become addicted, be incarcerated, have trouble with relationships, struggle with academics or careers, and also have emotional problems.
To learn more about ADHD here is a list of resources where you can access the many excellent sources for much more detailed information about the disorder.
Am I ADHD?
ADHD can sometimes be hard to recognize or even to define, although ADHD is a neurobiological condition, the traits and behaviours associated with ADHD such as hyper activity, impulsivity, inattention, procrastination and time management issues are common. A statement I hear often when talking to people about the symptoms is: "Yeah but doesn't everyone have that?"
The best way to think of it is in terms of the degree, or the impact, the traits have on your life.
You may very well be forgetful or have a high energy and be prone to procrastination, but does it have a significant impact in your life?
Does it get in the way of your daily productivity? Does it stop you from reaching your goals? Or doing well at your career? Do you miss deadlines and forget to hand in completed work at school or work leading to decreased marks? Do your relationships suffer as the result of your forgetfulness or lack of awareness?
If that's the case then the impact to you may be significant, leading to problems which can begin to create a negative downward spiral.
The good news is that with the right help and treatments you can live a highly productive and satisfying life.
A large part of the success in the treatment of ADHD is to begin to fully understand the issues, this starts with an official diagnosis. This website is not here to replace that step, for that you need to visit your GP and ask for a referral to an expert in ADHD, who will then diagnose you or your child thoroughly and clinically before helping you with some of the treatment options available.
Meanwhile if you are curious and would just like a general overview to see if you may be ADHD you can use this self assessment questionnaire from Harvard in the link below:
http://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/ftpdir/adhd/18%20Question%20ADHD-ASRS-v1-1.pdf
Resources.
As a coach, it's often my job to help my clients find the best systems, processes or services to support them. As such I have developed a library of resources to offer them.
This list is just some of my favourites
An excellent online (as well as print) magazine with: articles, tips, a free e-mail newsletter, blogs, etc. I highly recommend signing up for the free newsletter.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is a national, non-profit organization providing education, advocacy and support for individuals with AD/HD. In addition to their informative web site, CHADD also publishes a variety of printed materials to keep members and professionals current on research advances, medications and treatments affecting individuals with AD/HD.
Rick Green and Patrick McKenna's award winning enterprise. An Informative very ADD friendly website offering information on treatment, diagnosis, tips and events, and most of all delivered with humour and style.
A website dedicated to ADHD, by the famous psychiatrist and expert in ADHD. With over 25 years of experience and 18 books, he has a lot of interesting and helpful material for you to get to know.
The ACO is the professional membership organization for ADHD coaches. They are committed to serving as a resource for ADHD coaches, for their members and for the public. The ADHD Coaches Organization is a non-profit association created to advance the profession of ADHD coaching worldwide.
Dr Kenny Handelman is an expert child psychiatrist in ADHD who has a prolific amount of helpful information on the internet from medication to tips and a popular blog as well an extensive archive. It's always relevant and up to the minute with new advances/news and events from the ADHD community. You can sign up to receive your free newsletter and updates.
The Centre for ADHD/ADD Advocacy, Canada (CADDAC) is a national, not-for-profit organization providing leadership in education and advocacy for ADHD organizations and individuals with ADHD across Canada. It is regularly updated.
CADDRA is a national, independent, not-for-profit association. They are the voice of doctors who support patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their families. As leaders in the field, their members conduct research, treat patients and design practice guidelines for treating ADHD, including sections for educators, parents and teens.
A free, Burlington Ontario, parent support group for people who have children with ADHD. An excellent resource with invited speakers and very informative sessions, from school procedures to local professionals & experts who have experience with ADHD.
www.attentiondifferencedisorder.com
This is a membership website created By Dr Kenny Handelman, child psychiatrist and ADHD expert. On it you can avail yourselves of an ADHD community, many ADHD products , forums and webcasts and tele-conferences. If you wish to join the insiders group an online Coaching community that brings adult and also child and teen coaching to the masses at an affordable price.
The Child and teen coaching program is headed up by myself, I designed and co-wrote the core coaching program as well as delivering the monthly coaching topic sessions along with Lynne Edris my friend and colleague who heads up the adult coaching program.
The Learning Disabilities association of Canada with local chapters in your province and region. Another excellent resource with helpful information/advice and also workshops, classes and events aimed at supporting development of skills needed to meet the challenges of having an LD.
The Community Education Service helps communities provide information and education to parents about a variety of common childhood problems.
A highly effective free parent training course, run out of Chedoke campus in Hamilton, a 10 week curriculum using CBT and other tips and strategies to help you become a more empowered parent to your ADHD child.
Contact; Randi Knight (905) 521 2100
A Burlington, Ontario based youth group, running after school programs as well as camps, specializing in helping kids and teens with emotional or social challenges.
As a professional organizer, Michelle at Saving spaces can help many of my clients who are overwhelmed with the paper work and clutter that further slows down their progress. Michelle can come into your home and set up plan that works well for you in all the rooms of your home
Run by Wendy Clifton knowledgeable occupational therapist who works with people with ADD as well as learning disabilities, she sells many products that can help make life a little easier, from fidget toys for ADD, to balance boards, books and cushions to help occupy those busy behinds!
A fantastic new resource for families who's children have tactile defensive issues. They sell a beautiful range of clothing sourced specifically for their softness or seam free design which helps the "getting dressed melt down" to disappear.