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Monthly NewsNote
Winter 2011
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For the Adult With ADD: An Assistant
I have found that using an assistant to help with ADD chores can be very helpful for an adult with ADD, and sometimes the difference between success and failure. I would like to use this Note to discuss some of the coping strategies I've learned from many of these adults, and to make suggestions that hopefully will be helpful.
Here’s some background. ADD adults are easily distracted, have trouble completing tasks and are easily bored. All this may be heightened by difficulty with organization and a tendency to procrastinate.
Now take these common traits and think about certain situations. For example, there is the salesperson who travels and has an expense record that must be submitted for repayment. What can be more boring than organizing receipts (if you can find them), writing out the reports and then submitting them in an orderly fashion? While this may be routine for some, it is difficult for many with ADD.
Let’s talk about the plumber who lost business because he did not return calls in an orderly way, failed to send out bills on time, etc. These problems were due to difficulties with organization, feeling easily overwhelmed, and putting his time into work while ignoring other relevant job-related activity.
Professional people have similar problems and can be in need of help. A physician and attorney come to mind immediately. The physician's staff was always at their wit’s end. He was easily distracted and would leave patients in the examining room. He did not finish chart notes and so found himself with a very high pile of charts to complete after his office hours were finished. The solution was to add an extra nurse who understood his patterns, helped him focus and complete tasks, knew where he put charts, and helped him develop quiet chart time during the day. Of course she had other responsibilities, but she made a major difference.
Lawyers seem to have many cases in progress at the same time. Required dates for such things as court appearances and filing dates require lots of organization. Frequent phone calls and lots of papers to handle add to the stresses complicated by ADD with its attention problems, distractibility, etc. Lawyers often have administrative assistants, and if it is politically correct perhaps they can learn how to help the attorney deal with the problems caused by the ADD.
When I suggest an assistant the first reply is that “I can’t afford someone like that.” I suggest using some creative thinking to define what would be helpful as the first step. Who could supply the service is the next step. Many times there are college students in the area looking for a little extra money. There are many retired persons who might not only be skilled but anxious to work a few hours a week.
And two final ideas. A patient who was having trouble paying bills in an orderly fashion was always in difficulty. She was told to pay on line, but had no computer ability. She was able to hire a college student to set up the system for her, and the bill problem has been greatly reduced.
I have also heard that there are administrative assistants who work online from their own home. They are able to do many administrative tasks and the cost is reasonable because they have several clients and low overhead expense.
I leave the solution up to you. Evaluate your needs, see what kind of help could make a big difference, and look for the help you need in your price range. I have many patients who did this and are pleased with how the help reduced stress and improved functioning.
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