Statement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time.
I wanted to let you know that our book many years in the making should be ready for release (FINALLY) in NOVEMBER it is authored by me and Robert Eme Ph.D. and will be titled ADHD and the Criminal Justice System-"Spinning out of control. The book is designed for the police, jails, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation, prisons, halfway houses and parole officials. To learn more and get updates click here. http://www.addcorridorcoaching.com/book.asp
Robert Eme's e-mail is reme@argosyu.edu
Obtaining and maintaining a job are common problems for many with ADHD. Many of these problems relate to the tendency of people with ADHD to be night owls. They have difficulty getting to sleep at night and when they finally do go to sleep have difficulty waking up in the morning. This can cause them problems at work with being late on a regular basis and conflicts with employers.
Another common problem is the tendency to speak our minds without hesitation. In the heat of a dispute with our boss we might fail to hold our tongue and blurt out whatever might be on our mind at that moment. Needless to say what comes out of our mouth at that moment can have serious consequences on maintaining employment.
Some of us take jobs that offer very little variety or stimulation which can be a recipe for disaster. ADHD people normally do not perform well on assembly line type work and are restless about really enjoying our work. Job satisfaction is very important to anyone who works. For a person with ADHD the fact that our job is boring or lacks adequate stimulation further complicates the first two problems of oversleeping and using verbally inappropriate responses to our employers.
In working with people with ADHD we discuss these matters regularly. I encourage them to find jobs that correspond to their peak performance hours. This is often the 300pm – 1100pm or 400pm – Midnight shift. This allows them to get off work and have a few hours to wind down before going to bed. They can then sleep in and are up and ready to make work on time. Others seem to do better working the overnight shift although this too can be problematic for those who seem to be wide awake at 300am and start fading around 400am.
What are the reasons for having trouble going to sleep at night and waking up in the morning to maintain a day job? Usually what happens is when it is time to go to bed sleep does not seem to come naturally on many evenings. We start concentrating on getting to sleep. This focus seems to usually lead to thinking about our need to get to sleep. After awhile this changes to questioning of why I can't go to sleep. This leads to reviewing the day to find out what might be bothering us. This seems to quickly lead us to an ever increasing number of problems that have occurred that day. Soon it seems that our minds are abuzz with so many thoughts it would be difficult to write them all down. As the minutes and hours pass and we still find ourselves awake we start thinking of how much sleep we have already missed and this only makes matters worse.
We may get up and watch television, or read a book hoping that will help us to become tired. This may work on some occasions and not so well on other occasions. It is usually impossible for us to identify why this works one day and not the other.
As a result we find ourselves tired during the day and maybe even having to take a nap in an attempt to make up for missed sleep. This can then lead to compounding our sleep problems that evening.
Waking up from sleep can also be confusing to us. After having so many problems going to sleep the night before we have difficulty getting up in the morning even after the alarm has gone off. The snooze button is an ADHD person's second favorite creation (next to the television remote control). We usually push the limits as to when we get up till it's too late to make it to commitments on time. On days off or weekends we seem to struggle getting up and often find ourselves spending too much time in bed. Another commonly reported problem is the seeming need to take naps on our days off. This will often result in poor self esteem due to wasting our day off or being even more tired from what I call getting "too much sleep" or self labeling ourselves as "couch potatoes".
I have found in my own situation that the best thing to do is set my alarm and when it goes off have my medication by the bedside and take it and hit the snooze button. Usually within the 10-15 minute snooze period our medication will kick in and the new alarm goes off and we seem to know what we need to do and take action.
Sometimes no matter what we try nothing seems to work all the time so we may have to accept some aspects of this. There are relaxation and exercise techniques that are out there that have worked for some and it might be worthwhile pursuing one or more of these on your own.
If you have any comments feel free to e-mail me a -short note- (if possible). I have ADHD too so I know how difficult it is to write short notes. addcorridorcoach@aol.com
To read past newsletters click here
http://www.addcorridorcoaching.com/newsletters.asp
FIRST EVER Positive Motivational Poster devoted to ADHD view at:
http://www.addcorridorcoaching.com/poster.asp
If you know on anyone who might like this newsletter please forward it to them and tell them to go to my web site http://www.addcorridorcoaching.com and sign up.
Have a great month. Talk to you soon.
Patrick J. Hurley
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Patrick Hurley was a Deputy Sheriff (Lieutenant) for 17 years and an Adult Probation Parole Officer for 5 years. He was diagnosed with ADHD in 1996 at age 42 and since 1997 had facilitated ADHD Support Groups. He is a full time ADHD Life Skills Coach in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Neurologically Based
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurologically based disorder.
This position has become controversial as many would like to dismiss the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder altogether saying that there is no evidence of neurological differences, or that there are no medical tests to diagnose ADD ADHD, or that the diagnostic criteria is too broad.
How to Improve the Quality of Life for ADHD Children
ADHD or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder affects approximately 7.8% of the children in America and about 4.3% of these children are on medication for this disorder. ADHD greatly affects the quality of life of these children as well as their families.
Teacher Tips: Dealing With Impulsive Behaviors From ADHD Students in the Classroom
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
Nature, An ADHD Natural Treatment
My mother's warning; "You are going to rot your brain out..
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is Not Related to I.Q.
It's important to know that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Intelligence, as measured by I.Q.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its name causes more fear in the hearts of parents than any other medication.
Online Business Podcasting Expo Jan 19-21, 2007 Offers Seminars For Overcoming Challenges for ADHD Entrepreneurs, Quickbook Training, Outlook Tips, Po
The Business Podcasting Expo is an Online Audio/Visual Business Conference with seminars including ADHD Challenges for Entrepreneurs, Quickbook Training, Outlook Tips, and Installing WordPress. The BizPodExpo also offers introductory classes on Podcasting, and how to increase your search engine ranking using this audio/video social media. There will be thousands of dollars worth of giveaways and prizes, and a Data DVD of all recorded seminars is included with full Admission. The event is sponsored by Co-Op World and PodcastDirectories4Sale.com
ADHD: Dialogue with a Non-Believer, Part Four
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
Tips for High School Teachers with ADHD Students: Organizing Your Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
Distance Education Now Supports Those Affected by Attention Deficit Disorder
It is estimated that over 5% of the population in the United States is directly affected by Attention Deficit Disorder. Those affected by ADD or ADHD may now get support without leaving their homes.
Educating Yourself With Attention Deficit Disorder Research
A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) carries with it a whole new set of challenges. Suddenly, behavior that was hard to explain now fits within a standard definition of a widespread disorder. More and more children and adults are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, and consequently, Attention Deficit Disorder research has become the focus of an entire generation.
ADHD; A life saver
Studying the characteristics of ADHD; one would have to say that it might not be a negative trait at all. As a matter of fact squirrels and other fidgety creatures are able to stay more alert and not get eaten by predators as often as other critters.
9 Things that Doctors Say about ADD or ADHD
Attention deficiency disorder (ADD) or attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may not put a person's life in danger, but it can definitely affect his level of achievement and contentment. If you have reason to suspect that your child has ADD or ADHD, don't fool yourself into thinking that TLC can make this serious condition go away. It won't. Learn what doctors have to say about ADD or ADHD and know why you should have your child's condition treated immediately.
Solutions to ADHD
It wasn't a surprise to find out that Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) has ranked as one of the most frequent neurological impairments all over America as it mostly hits on children. The disorder has affected more or less five percent or in figures it is roughly 2 million of the entire population. As a justification, experts have hypothesized that in every American classroom you could anticipate to find a child suffering from ADHD.
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part two
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.