A political junkie with ADHD takes a fall

I’d been feeling great about being organized, especially in the wake of moving mayhem.

Then, along came the US presidential debates. An unabashed political junkie, I eagerly tuned in to get my fix.

Doubling my adrenalin buzz, I mainlined the main events while tippling on Twitter.

Bad move.

He’s all mine, ladies! (For now, at least)
Photo: ©Zoë Kessler, Oct. 2012

When I moved into my new house, I dreaded the idea of being surrounded by boxes, unable to unpack for who-knows-how-long while renovations were being done.

How would I cope?

Instead of freaking out, I’ve been calm, happy, and productive. My friends and I have been equally mystified.

Then, it hit me: I’m living in ADHD paradise.

Today marks the end of ADHD Awareness Week. I hope you’ve taken advantage of the many opportunities available for learning more about ADHD.

Yesterday, I shared some things for you to consider if you think you might have ADHD.

Have you decided to go ahead seek a diagnosis? If so, you’ll want to arm yourself with these tips on what to look for in a diagnosing physician.

Not all docs have the knowledge, experience or expertise necessary to make a diagnosis. Here’s how to screen them before giving them a chance to screen you.

photo credit: s_falkow

There are only two more days left in this special week to raise awareness about ADHD. Maybe you’re trying to raise your own awareness because you suspect you might be a member of this clan of chameleons.

By getting an accurate diagnosis you’ll finally be able to figure out why you’re alternately endearingly wonderful, then embarrassingly blunderful, one moment to the next.

People with ADHD Actually Can Die of Boredom

photo credit: idea-saras

Several years ago, I interviewed ADHD coach and expert Pete Quily. Pete said, “Boredom is like kryptonite to someone with ADHD.”

Pete might have been speaking truer words than he thought. On the bright side, our ADHD ability to hyperfocus might actually be a health boon.

ADHD? Whatever.

I was wondering: if it’s ADHD Awareness Week, just who exactly is it that we’re hoping will be aware – or more aware – of ADHD?

I’ll throw that question over to you. Of those listed below, who is it that you think it’s most important to raise their awareness about ADHD? 

Feng Shui for ADHD photo credit: Nova Skola

It’s ADHD Awareness Week. In honor of the occasion, I thought I’d tackle a different topic each day this week.

Feng Shui for ADHD

Today, we’ll kick off by looking at how we can apply the ancient principles of Feng Shui (pronounced Fung Sh way) (I think) to our ADHD lives.

Having recently bought a house, I was curious to learn more about Feng Shui as I set up my new home. Besides, I’m always rearranging my furniture out of sheer boredom anyway, so I figured, why not?

It’s World Mental Health Day! A perfect opportunity to highlight the fact that approximately 5% of adults globally have ADHD.

I’d like to offer a rare opportunity to hear from some of these adults, as they share their (abridged) stories below.

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed with such great enthusiasm, honesty and courage.

Without further adieu, here are just a few of the many ADHD Voices from Around the World!

Does having ADHD mean I’m built backwards?

Sometimes, that’s how it feels.

Take this weekend. I visited some dear friends (as I always do) for Thanksgiving dinner. After dinner,  an 11 year-old guest began to yawn. One of the hosts explained to the young lad that turkey had an amino acid called Tryptophan that made you drowsy.

Zoë Kessler, Chick A-D-D – my new nest!

This morning, after a gruelling three days of moving (assisted by a posse of dear friends and a small convoy of vehicles), I sat on my very own deck drinking coffee, enjoying the glorious autumnal colors.

Am in Heaven, or what?

My deck is a Chickadee super-highway: they flit from my neighbor’s feeders on the left, across my deck and up to the balcony of my neighbor to the right, where again, they feast.  I sat in the middle, daydreaming about finding the birdfeed which is packed somewhere along with the jars of lentils, rice, popcorn, and oatmeal in a box marked “kitchen.”