I get asked this question all the time. My experienced, educated, expert answer? I really don’t know!
I’m not a psychologist, and I can’t give you the blow-by-blow evolution of ADHD as seen by the folks who do the diagnosing. I keep HEARING that now, more than ever, more people are receiving a diagnosis of ADHD and you know what? if that’s true, I think it’s a good thing!
So a little while back, I talked about how paying attention to how my body reacts to my diet has given me another way to have better control over my ADHD. Now, here are the lessons I’ve learned and how I think they can help you:
This may seem completely alien to you younger readers, but a long time ago, there once was a place called the Video Arcade. Kids would sit in school all day, just dreaming about the arcade. And when school was out, they would run there or ride their dinosaurs.
As a kid, did you ever get a note asking “if you wanna go steady”? The folded notebook paper, passed secretively under desks across the room… Upon opening, you’d see the Big Question along with crudely drawn boxes, one saying “yes” and the other declaring a heartbreaking “no”.
May I suggest another option for the ADDers who get this magical correspondence?
When it comes to treating ADHD, medications are a hot topic, but I’ve found something that’s a little easier to digest: Diet. (I’m no psychologist, so if you want to discuss meds and their implications, be sure to talk with your psychologist.)
I’m not talking about a Biggest Loser stunt diet to drop the weight while America watches. I mean ‘diet’ as in simply what you eat.
When you’re like me and have the dyslexia and ADHD combo (I’ll have fries with that, please), writing a book is not exactly #1 on your list of hobbies. Sitting for hours at a keyboard, writing and rewriting… You’d better buy the three-pack of duct tape to keep me in place.
Picture this: you’re at a friend’s party getting pumped for some intense gridiron action. You and your buddies are wearing your over-sized jerseys, and you’re eating potato chips out of a football-shaped bowl. Life doesn’t get much better. Right?