Adult ADD stands for Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, while Adult ADHD is the acronym for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  Both terms will be used on this website.

Over the years the official name for ADD has changed and developed as more research is carried out and our understanding deepens.  In 1980 the term Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was first used, by the American Psychiatric Association. At this time the term ADHD was used for people with a hyperactivity component to ADD.

In 1987 ADD was renamed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Within ADHD there is Type 1 and Type 2. With Type 1 there is a hyperactivity component and with Type 2 there is a primarily inattention component.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurological syndrome that results in distractedness, impulsiveness, restlessness, disorganization and mood swings.While many people may experience these characteristics to some extent, people with ADHD experience these traits to a such a degree, that they interfere with daily living. ADHD can affect a person physically, (such as, inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity etc) emotionally (for example, depression and self esteem) and socially (for example with personal relationships).

Adults have ADD too!

The general public is often surprised that adults have ADHD. While most people are aware that children have ADHD, they don’t realize it also affects adults.  While one third of children who have ADHD grow out of it the rest of the population carry their ADHD into adulthood.

The good news is that it is something that can be controlled.

You can become an expert about yourself and develop a circle of supportive people around you. These might include professionals such as a supportive family doctor, a psychologist, and a coach. Medication is also helpful to some adults with ADHD.

Typical signs and symptoms of ADHD

Inability to Concentrate.

This characteristic has many implications. For example losing track of conversations can mean important information is missed. Distractedness has implications at work and study. As well as missing information you can experience resistance to things that need a deep level of concentration. This trait can cause tension in relationships as people can misinterpret it as lack of interest.

Lack of organization

Problems in planning tasks, personal organization and time management can result in labels being given such as “lazy” or “lacking in self-discipline” and “disorganized”. Often arriving late, hurried and ill-prepared, over committing and leaving tasks unfinished the sufferer may feel unorganized and overwhelmed with resulting low self esteem.  Adults with ADHD find it hard to set up and stay with a routine.

Poor memory and Forgetfulness.

This can result in important possessions, such as passports, wallets and purses, laptops and palm pilots being lost or misplaced. Attending meetings, appointments and lectures punctually can be a real problem: sometimes they can be forgotten altogether.

Confusion, trouble thinking clearly

Adults with ADHD find it hard to perform up to their intellectual capability. There are difficulties with intense learning situations such as lectures and in-depth reading. There can be errors in spelling and math. Because of the tendency to become side tracked information can go unseen, resulting in mistakes at work. Often it can be difficult to maintain a job.

Depression, low self esteem.

Because the world is set up for people without ADHD, life can be challenging, and depression, anxiety and low self esteem are often a feature in a person with ADHD.

If you are ready to make a change, I am ready to support you.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Sinfield
ADHD Coach, Life Coach, and author of, Untapped Brilliance, How To Reach Your Full Potential As An Adult With Attention Deficit Disorder

Any time of year is a good time to set short term goals and start working towards them.  However there are certain times of year when it feels very natural to set goals.  One of these times is the New Year, and another is ‘Back to School’ time.

What would you love to have achieved by December? What would you feel really proud of accomplishing? As students head ‘Back to School’ to achieve their academic goals, we can take inspiration from them and apply it to our goals.

When we begin to see advertisements for ‘Back to School’ and children get ready for the new school year, it is a great time to set goals for ourselves too. However, our goals can be related to any aspect of our lives, and not just limited academic goals.

When we think of going ‘Back to School’ we picture fall colors and cooler weather. There is a ritual of going shopping for new supplies and setting off on the first day dressed in a new outfit. There is also an element of optimism and enthusiasm, ready to embrace a new and exciting challenge of the school year. So what can we learn from students who are heading ‘Back to School’ this fall?

Resources

When students go ‘Back to School’ they are surrounded by many different resources. These include tools such as books, pens and pencils, clothes, and all things new!   Although these tools have practical uses, they also make an important impression on the subconscious mind by providing strong motivations such as confidence and courage at a time that is generally filled with apprehension.

Students are also surrounded by many types of people resources. They have friends at school who share common interests and who are working towards common goals. They have access to teachers, librarians, counselors, etceteras who impart their wisdom and motivate and guide them to learn new information and skills.

In addition, in order for students to be successful in achieving their academic pursuits, they also need to master the resource of time management. They need to make effective use of their time at school, and then they need to have the self-discipline to manage their time at home to do homework and prepare for the next day.

Therefore, no matter what goals you would like to achieve, you need to think about which specific resources you would need (i.e. what tools do you need, which people would help the most, where will your time come from, etc.). For example, if you wanted to get fit, then your tools might be a new gym outfit complete with cross-training sneakers to motivate yourself to go. Your people resources might be the trainers at the gym and your friends who share common fitness goals. Finally you would need to set aside time each day to attend the gym, to pack and repack your gym bag etc.

Structure

Going ‘Back to School’ also provides structure. After the freewheeling nature of summer vacation, structure can seem to be a very unwelcome thing. Even adults often think they dislike structure, and prefer to be spontaneous. However, having structure in place is a very valuable mechanism to facilitate the achievement of your goals.

Structure provides a framework so that you can do your best work effortlessly. If you decide your goal is to get fit, then structuring your workouts would be beneficial. You would need to schedule when you would attend the gym, and exactly what exercises you would be doing at each workout session.

Students have their time automatically structured. Their day-to-day time is structured with class schedules, and the exams that determine whether or not they have achieved their academic goals are structured by major holidays. The first such major holiday is in December, which gives them approximately 12 weeks to work towards their goals.

Twelve weeks is also a perfect length of time for you to work towards your goals; long enough to see results, yet short enough not to feel overwhelmed. Plus, if you are feeling melancholy that the summer is over, working towards a goal can direct that sad feeling into positive energy.

New Leaf

When children go ‘Back to School’ there is a feeling of newness and excitement in the air. It does not matter what happened last year; this year is a clean slate or a ‘new leaf’. Examples of the new leaf mentality might be: homework will be done the night it’s set, rather than the night before it’s due; library books will be returned on time, etceteras. Why not take this mind-set and apply it to your goals? It does not matter that past attempts to get fit were not successful, this time you WILL succeed.

So get ready to apply the ‘Back to School’ mind-set. Write down the goal(s) that you would like to achieve by December. Then determine the resources you need. Ensure you have the structure in place, and then turn a new leaf and jump right in!

If you are interested in life coaching to help with reaching your short term goals, don’t hesitate to e-mail me at Jacqueline Sinfield, Life Coach.

Good luck with your goals!

There is much information on the Internet about goal setting theory.  Here I would like to share my own theories about goal setting that worked over and over again for my clients:

Ten Reasons to Set Goals

1. Setting goals puts us in the driver’s seat of our lives




2. Goals allow us to live our best life, since they encourage us to stretch ourselves.




3. We accomplish much more when we set goals. Not only do we accomplish projects quicker, but also we can accomplish much more of them!




4. Goals inspire us and propel us into action




5. Setting goals is fun and exciting. It is exciting to think what is possible, and to challenge ourselves.




6. By setting external goals, we also develop internal characteristics and skills, which stay with us long after the goals, have been achieved.




7. Setting goals and reaching them increases our sense of self-esteem.




8. Goals keep us going through the less interesting tasks. Even when a task is dull and tedious, we still feel the desire do it because we know its part of a bigger picture.




9. Goals give our life clarity and meaning. They keep us focused on what is most important, and help us to minimize distractions.




10. When a goal is achieved, nothing can beat the sense of accomplishment. We really need to enjoy the feeling and celebrate the victory, since we can draw on this wonderful feeling when we are working towards our next goal!!!

If you are interested in life coaching to drastically improve reaching your goals, please feel free to contact me!

For a limited time, I am also offering a FREE Goal Setting Worksheet. E-mail here at Jacqueline Sinfield, Life Coach if you are interested.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you set and reach your goals to lead the life of your dreams!

My all time favourite quote is “You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true” Richard Bach.
 
Every time I remember it I feel incredibly empowered and excited. It  means that anything my imagination conjures up can happen. The other day I rented a DVD called ‘Man on Wire’ and it shows beautifully how true that quote is.
 
‘Man on Wire’ is a documentary film about an incredible French man called Philippe Petit. In the late 1960′s Philippe decides he will walk on a tight rope from one of the Twin Towers of New York’s World Trade Center to the other.
 
What makes this really incredible is that when he decided to do this, the World Trade Center hadn’t actually been built NOR could he tightrope walk. He read about the towers being built in a magazine in a dentist waiting room.  As he was reading he got the idea to perform this incredible act.
 
Over the next 6 years in was consumed with  realizing his dream. He teaches himself to walk on a tightrope, and he gets some of his friends on board as he needs help with the practicalities of getting the wire in place.
 
His plan to perform this tight rope walk  is actually illegal. However there is something very innocent about this crime after-all he isn’t trying to steal anything or hurt anyone. Besides the possibility of being in serious trouble with the law, the walk was exceptionally dangerous…he could have died.
 
I won’t tell you all the details because I would like you to watch the film with the same sense of excitement that I felt. However this story is the perfect example of how even ‘crazy’ or ‘far fetched’ goals can be realized.
 
People have many brilliant and inspired ideas. Yet very often instead of  following through with them and making them happen, they bring themselves back to ‘real life’. While it won’t be possible realize every idea ( chances are you have many), it is possible to implement the ones you feel extremely passionate or excited about.
 
Your ideas don’t need to put you in physical danger! Perhaps yours is a business venture,  a travel adventure, or a relationship that you would like to pursue. When you get an idea that excites and inspires you, rather than push the idea away and think ‘well that is so outlandish’ Remember Philippe Petit’s amazing story and follow your dream  knowing with certainty that you have the power to make it come true.

Getting a good night’s sleep can be a difficult task. The reasons vary from not being able to switch your mind off to the medication you are taking. If you have trouble sleeping, then no caffeine near bedtime and no stimulating brain activities two hours before bed are all tips you are familiar with. This article addresses other strategies for a good night’s sleep.

1. Fresh Air

   Fresh air is a great way to experience deep, satisfying sleep. It is easy to spend the day going from one man-made environment to the next. We make these environments pleasant with heating or air conditioning, and can go from home, to the car, to work, to the gym and back home without ever spending much time breathing in fresh air. It’s important to ensure you get fresh air into your lungs during the day. Also, leave your bedroom window open a little at night to keep the fresh air entering your body even while you sleep.

2. Essential Oils

   Essential oils can have a powerful effect on the body and lavender oil has been found to be helpful when it comes to sleep. Scientific evidence has shown that lavender oil encourages relaxation, reduction of anxiety and improvement of the quality of sleep. Plus it’s very easy to use. You can pop a couple of drops of the oil into your bath before bed or pour a few drops on a handkerchief and tuck it inside your pillow case.

3. Get a Great Mattress

   Mattresses are the most important item of furniture in your home. Not only is it the item you use the most, if you aren’t getting a good night’s sleep then the quality of your whole life is affected. Everyone has their own preference of what a comfortable mattress is – hard, soft, medium, etc. When you are choosing a mattress, take into account your preferences and also remember it’s hard to sleep when your mattress is too small for your body size.

4. Bedding

   Make sure your bedding is made of natural fibres rather than synthetic choices. This is because it’s important that your body can breathe at night, and that it can regulate your temperature. If you become too hot you will sweat and if you become too cool you will shiver, both of which disturb your sleep. Cotton, wool and even silk are great choices.

5. Body and Mind

   If your day didn’t stretch and stimulate you mentally and physically, your ability to both fall and stay asleep will be affected. So make sure you tax your brain and your body every day. That could be taking up a new physical activity or joining a club or doing the New York Times crossword.

The action steps to getting a good night’s sleep are

1. Spend time each day breathing in fresh air.
2. Open your bedroom window a little.
3. Buy some lavender oil.
4. Assess your mattress… is it time for a new one?
5. Check your bedding. If it’s man-made, invest in some new linen.
6. Set yourself a mental and physical challenge every day.

Sweet dreams.