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Monthly NewsNote
April 2005
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Untreated ADD Adults
An Open Letter
Dear Adult With Untreated ADD:
During the past week, as I evaluated your children, you parents had lots to
say. You usually began in answer to my question: “Does your son or daughter
get the ADD from someone in the family?”
One mother said, “I think it’s me. I can never find anything, I
lose my papers, I can’t sit still to pay bills, and it’s real hard
to stay focused with three kids.” I asked if she had ever been evaluated
or if she understood how to handle ADD. “No,” she said, "but
I think I had Ritalin in the 3rd grade.”
One father who was clearly quite successful said, “My secretary tells
me I’m the most scattered boss she ever had – I hate to sit down
and do boring work – without my secretary I’d be lost – but
back to my daughter.”
I see parents like these regularly. They quickly describe their ADD problems,
and while aware, have done nothing to learn how to handle them. Perhaps if they
understood their ADD more completely the problems would be less intense. Maybe
treatment would make life easier.
As you think about yourself, do many of the problems you remember from your
school days still exist? It can be hard to stay focused, you may be easily distractible,
and organization and time management may be mysteries beyond belief.
Can I ask you why you haven’t done something to help with these problems?
Is it that you don’t know what to do? Is it because you have decided you
can cope, because you always have? Is it because you consider yourself a scatterbrain
and figure “that’s life”?
Let me assure you that ADD is real. It can make your life more difficult and
can be treated. If you have the symptoms I bet you know it, but I also know
you may not think it is a condition that has a name.
But it does. If you have a child with the condition who you are taking for
help, learn about ADD and review your own behavior patterns. Through education
and treatment life can be easier, better organized and more focused.
Best Wishes for an Organized Life
SE
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