It’s Only Adult ADD – What a Relief!For most of her fifty years, Barbara was at war with herself. Keeping organized, being on time, and finishing what she started were always a struggle. (Sound familiar?)
She always secretly felt that she was broken and that there was no way out.
We met after a presentation I did for NAWBO, a women’s business group.
“My desk is a train wreck, I can’t get myself to do
things I know I have to do and I know I’m smart but my brains take a hike when I need them most. Can you help me?” she asked,
words running together in a stream of hope and fear.
After coaching ADD-ish entrepreneurs for
last 13 years, Barbara’s frustration was very familiar to me. During our first coaching session, I used Dr. Edward Hallowell’s list of 20 traits used to profile Adult ADD. (Be my guest – take a similar test online!)
A score of 12 gets you into
club of ADDers. With Barbara’s score of 18 she could run for president!
Like so many people, Barbara felt a surprising sense of relief in having a name for
challenges and loneliness that had haunted her all of her life.
You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Crazy or Stupid?
As I spoke to her about being ADD-ish, tears ran down her face in a blur of emotions. Suddenly she wasn’t broken and there was lots she could do to be happier and more successful –
ADD-ish way!
I shared my positive outlook of being ADD-ish. I know first hand, because I’m one, too.