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Adult ADHD: Am I Just Lazy? Um, No.

8/5/2015

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Unfortunately the idea that people with ADHD are lazy is pretty common.  But, actually, we are usually remarkably productive... just not always in the areas that we need to be.

I wish I could say that last week's post, I'm a Slacker!, was posted intentionally to make a point.  Nope.  Actually, I was trying to motivate myself with a deadline.   (Here is the post's entire content: "If this post went live, it means I either died or I'm a slacker.  This. Is. Embarassing."


So, what can you do to help yourself?  Read on, my friend, you are not lazy, stupid, or crazy.       I promise.

Why Can't I Get Things Done On Time?

Dr. William Dodson, MD, has described the problem in a way that makes more sense to me than anything I've else ever read.  Here is a short summary.  (Check out this link on the ADHD Brain for article.)

First, neurotypical people (those without ADHD) make decisions based on three factors: Importance, Rewards, and Consequences. (e.g. I think it's important.  Someone I [love, like, fear or respect] thinks it's important.  Or, there are consequences and rewards involved.)

People with ADHD, rarely, if ever, make decisions based on these things.  Dodson says (and I agree wholeheartedly), that people with ADHD make decisions based on different criteria: Interest, Challenge, Novelty, Urgency (ICNU).  


If it isn't any of these ICNU things, we don't do it.  Period.  (At least not without much pushing and nagging from others... which then makes it urgent, because we want you to stop poking us!)

Why Rewards and Consequence Don't work

Rewards only work when they are interesting, novel, challenging or very urgent.
Rewards and consequences might seem to work, but only when they engage one of the ICNU factors.  If a reward is something the person is very interested in or if it is a new reward, it might help the task get done.
Consequences are trickier.  Consequences usually need to be so urgent they cannot be ignored. Procrastination creates a crisis, which creates urgency and then finally, you can write that final paper that you've been trying to do for weeks.

Stop Trying to Make Yourself Neurotypical

The harder I try to make myself get things done like other people, the more frustrated and unmotivated I become.  Take exercise for instance.  I hate (as in loathe and despise) the gym.  So, deciding to exercise at the gym would (and has been) an exercise in futility.

But, some form of non-exercise has always been a great way for me to stay fit.  I like physical activity that doesn't feel like "exercise".  Making it novel makes it motivating and fun.  Here is a post I wrote on how to not hate exercise if you have ADHD.

How To Start?

Dodson suggests making a list of things that already work, he calls it "writing your own Owner's Manual". Several times a day, people with ADHD are focused and very productive.  What circumstances make that happen?  Dodson says finding out what helps you "get in the zone" is the first step.

Dodson encourages you to focus on strategies that work now, not things that worked when you were younger. Since novelty always wears off, your list will change over time.

When you are able to get in the zone look for ways that the activity got your attention and motivation.  It will nearly always fall under one of the ICNU criteria.

Off to Focus

I have known intuitively what Dr. Dodson wrote about for many years, but had never seen it put quite so plainly. I think that harnessing our natural ability to be productive is key to succeeding in a non-ADHD world.

Nikki Schwartz has ADHD, too.
Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree Counseling and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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Adult ADHD: How To Not Hate Exercise

7/15/2015

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Self, stop hating exercise... 22 ways to do that. by Nikki Schwartz, LPC @OaktreeCounsel
Consider what kind of things are just fun to you. Things you don't have to spend an hour talking yourself into.  


What did you like doing as a kid or a teenager? Did you love the swings? Or riding bikes? Or jumping on the trampoline for hours? Use those things as your starting point. CONTINUE READING FOR MORE IDEAS


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Adult ADHD: Tools for Waking Up Early

6/10/2015

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If you have Adult ADHD, I mentioned last week that the most important part of waking up early (or even on time) is NOT getting back in bed.

But what if you just sleep right through that alarm on the dresser and wake up late?  Ah.  That is a problem.  This post is all about tools, apps and strategies to help you wake up, and, more importantly, get up early or at least on time. 
CONTINUE READING
Adult ADHD: How to wake up early
Photo Credit: paoloalexandra via flickr
(original photo by Pink Sherbet via flickr)

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Adult ADHD: Waking Up Early

6/5/2015

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PicturePhoto Credit: Pink Sherbet via Flickr
Having Adult ADHD, I vote to shortening the title to Waking Up Period.  Show of hands, who has been late (multiple times) to an office meeting, doctor's appointment, dinner party, their own wedding?  Yup, me, too.




So, what do you do?  Can't you just "do it"?  Just get up?  Well if you could... you probably wouldn't be reading this. CONTINUE READING


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Adult ADHD: Conquering Distraction

5/28/2015

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With Adult ADHD, how in the world do you get anything done??  When you start your day running behind, misplacing your keys, trying to remember everyone's lunches, backpacks, and homework, it's no wonder that you can't stay focused and on-task.  The answer to conquering distraction?  Systems. CONTINUE READING
Adult ADHD Conquering Distraction by Nikki Schwartz at OaktreeCounselor.com
Photo Credit: R Pollard via flickr.com

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Mom has ADHD, too

5/19/2015

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by Nikki Schwartz
As a mom with ADHD, married to a man with ADHD, raising a kiddo with ADHD... Life gets complicated sometimes.  Trying to keep up with all of life's to do's can be really hard. (If you need more proof, read this awesome blog post on Domestic Enemies of the ADHD Mom.)  Here are some things that can help life be less stressful for everyone.
CONTINUE READING

Disclosure: I have no affiliation with Target or Amazon and receive no compensation, kickback, free product or services from mentioning or linking to their products.
What do you do when you're the parent with ADHD?

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Unstuck your stuck self: An Apptastic App Review

6/3/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz, MA, NCC

Anyone out there really, really like change?

What? No one.  Yeah me, neither.

Now just like most people with ADHD, I like novelty, creativity, and a change of pace, but I don't like change that makes me uncomfortable, change that is hard, change where I don't feel in control of the situation.  Here's where the Unstuck iPad App enters the picture. (Oh yeah, and it's free!)
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with this app, it's developers, or Apple.
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All Images Courtesy of & Copyrighted by:
Unstuck.com (c) 2013 Unstuck, LLC
Bottom Line: Unstuck is a great free app that can help you through frustrating moments when you are plagued by doubt, indecision, anxiety, distraction or lack of information.  The user interface is brilliant, easy to use and the graphics are fun and well done.  Excellent app.  A must download. CONTINUE READING

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Help Me Organize: 12 Suggestions for Adult ADHD

11/12/2012

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PicturePhoto Credit: sindesign via Flickr
Recently, I was following a conversation on r/adhd , a subreddit of the the popular discussion site, reddit.com.  A frustrated young man was asking for suggestions for coping with ADHD symptoms, without medication.  This kid was shouting, "Someone help me organize!"  The resulting discussion produced several great suggestions for adults and teenagers struggling with ADHD.  The following list has been distilled from that conversation, minus some of the more, um, colorful language ;).  CONTINUE READING


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    Nikki Schwartz, Licensed Professional Counselor

    Nikki Schwartz,
    LPC, NCC

    About Nikki

    Nikki is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Oaktree.  She focuses on utilizing neurofeedback in the Virginia Beach area, as well as play therapy, and other counseling techniques to help clients and families play, live, and work together.

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