ADD Awareness Week - Sept 14-20

ADHD Awareness Week is September 14-20, 2009.

Many people continue to think of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) as a condition that only affects children, and primarily impacts school and learning. In truth, it is now widely understood that ADD/ADHD can persist throughout a person's lifetime, and can affect every aspect of one's efforts to build and sustain relationships.

ADHD and ADD (Attention-deficit disorder), affects approximately 9.5 million adults, school-aged children and adolescents. The disorder is caused by a common condition in the brain that makes it difficult to control certain behavior. Primary symptoms include: trouble paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors, and in some cases hyperactivity - which may signify ADHD. Other behavioral characteristics include:

• Struggling to follow through on instructions
• Difficulty with organization
• Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
• Loses things
• Easily distracted
• Forgetful in daily activities
• Talks excessively
• Difficulty in waiting or taking turns
• Blurts out answers before questions are completed

 ADHD and ADD can have serious consequences for both adults and children including difficulty in school, relationship problems, financial problems, trouble focusing at work & job failure, depression and substance abuse. Many adults and couples discover after the fact that ADD/ADHD can negatively affect a person's ability to manage money.  Adults with ADD/ADHD often forget to pay bills, run up huge balances on their credit cards, and have difficulty saving money.

The good news is that help is available. In addition to medication and counseling, alternative therapies such as life coaching are very successful. Life coaching teaches adults how to "self-manage" their behavior using time management, organizational skills, accountability, money management and other life enhancing skills.

To learn more,visit Awareness Week Sections at:
CHADD.org
ADD.org

To learn more about ADD Coaches go to:
ADHD Coaches Organization

~CoachRudy - Asheville, NC