The NHL trading deadline was March 3 at 3:00 p.m.  No one’s allowed to trade now until the Stanley Cup is triumphantly hoisted aloft by the winners of that most sacred of cup (most sacred except, perhaps, for the Holy Grail and Dolly Parton’s bra, but still, pretty coveted as far as sacred cups go…).

Anyway, this got me thinking, “Hey! Wouldn’t it be great if we could trade our ADHD symptoms the way the NHL trades players?” If ADHD is a syndrome, or, a collection of symptoms (according to Dr. Margaret Weiss and other ADHD experts), which ones would you trade? Which would you keep?

I present to you …

ADHD DRAFT DAY!

Are you getting too many penalties in life?

Fire or trade your coach, forwards, defenceman, goalie … and build the right team to win with ADHD!

Goalie

Goalie not keeping out enough distractions? Maybe it's time for a trade...

Too many shots goin’ through your goalie’s five-hole? Letting in too many distractions? Not stopping enough of those stigmatising myths and insults? Not keeping disorganisation at bay? Maybe it’s time for a trade …

FACT: It may take some trial and error to find the right medication and the right dose, but according to Dr. Kenny Handelman, child psychiatrist and adjunct professor of psychiatry at the University of Western Ontario in London, “Sixty to 80 percent of people will have a very good response to medication, with minimal side effects.” Find the one that helps you to keep out distractions and perform at your optimum.

Forwards

Not proactive in getting you treatment or support? Not getting you special accommodation at work or at school? Maybe it’s time for a trade …

FACT: Appropriate, accurate, comprehensive and effective assessment services and follow up services to university, college and high school students may be available to those with ADHD and/or with specific learning disabilities (l.d.’s, a separate disorder, can occur in at least 40 percent of ADHDers, according to Dr. Kenny Handelman). Check the institution before enrolling to see if this service is available.

At work, having your employer agree to let you use a closed office to ensure quiet, have flexible hours and take frequent short breaks are examples of appropriate accommodations. A Disability Employment Advisor or other specialist might be able to help you to negotiate work accommodations.

Defencemen

Getting into too many impulsive brawls? Breaking expensive sticks in hissy fits? Caught drunk driving one too many times? Maybe it’s time for a trade …

FACT: According to WebMD’s online ADHD Guide, several studies have shown a strong connection between ADHD, drug abuse, and alcoholism. ADHD is five to 10 times more common among adult alcoholics than it is in people without the condition. On the bright side, it also seems that if we can keep our symptoms in check with a comprehensive treatment plan, especially if addressed in childhood, we can have a better chance of lowering our risk for ADHD-related problems later in life.

Coach

ADD coach too expensive? Unhelpful? Lacks insight into ADHD? Maybe it’s time for a trade …

FACT: According to Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., co-author of Driven to Distraction, Delivered from Distraction, and many others, coaching is an effective tool in ADD self-management. The most effective ADHD treatment combines a number of elements, of which coaching may or may not be one. Other components could include medication, education, counseling, support groups, etc.

SO MAKE SURE YOU TRADE UP!

Channel hyperactivity into achieving GOALS!

Use impulsivity for random acts of kindness and SCORE!

Turn creativity into WINNING STRATEGIES!

See you on the champagne side of the Stanley Cup … And remember, PLAY ONE SHIFT AT A TIME!

Photo credit: davidgsteadman / CC BY 2.0

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    Last reviewed: 26 Feb 2011