 |
| EVER FEEL LIKE A SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE? |
IF YOU FREQUENTLY FEEL LIKE THIS, YOU MIGHT WANT WANT TO JOIN OUR SUPPORT GROUP FOR ADULTS WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD) OR ATTENTION HYPERACTIVE DISORDER (ADHD).
WHO: Journey to Joyful Wholeness:
Recovery from AD/HD (Adult ADD/ADHD)
WHEN: Meets Every Wednesday 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: La Grange Public Library, Downstairs Meeting Room
10 W. Cossitt Ave. (off of La Grange Road,
4 blocks South of Ogden)
4 blocks South of Ogden)
BLOG: JOURNEY TO JOYFUL WHOLENESS: RECOVERY FROM AD/HD: AD/HD: http://journeytojoyfulwholeness.blogspot.com/
Learn more about who we are and our AD/HD recovery struggle and 12 Step Program. Find out what goes on at our meetings, what to expect at the next meeting, and read more articles about ADD/ADHD.
Some estimate the numbers of Americans with ADD to be approximately 15 million, if you consider how many go misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Sixty percent of the children in the U.S. diagnosed with ADD or ADHD grow up to have symptoms of it.
We have a neurological disorder of an undetermined cause that gives us common negative traits which are an explanation, not an excuse. These characteristics cover a wide spectrum of problems, and some may sound small unless you consider that we're talking about them occurring far more frequently and to a greater degree than for the average person. For example, some are forgetfulness, distractibility, chronic tardiness, low self-esteem, mood swings, excessive worry, feeling insecure, and lacki of self-confidence.
Many of us are unable to organize, have difficulty keeping jobs, have serious dating and marriage relationship problems, are easily bored, are rebellious and take dangerous risks, and have a hard time managing our finances. Divorces, unemployment, bankruptcy and suicide are some of the worst case scenario outcomes AD/HD.
On the positive side of general traits frequently found in people with ADD/ADHD, they are frequently highly intelligent, creative, funny, intuitive, resourceful, flexible, forgiving, productive and effective if they like what they are doing, warm-hearted, loyal, honest and trustworthy to name just a few of a great many.
Some of the famous people who have shown symptoms of ADD/ADHD or been diagnosed with it include: Albert Einstein, Agatha Christie, Virginia Woolf, Robin Williams, Bill Cosby, Michael Jordan, Cher, Pablo Picasso, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Ernest Hemingway, John Lennon, and Presidents Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy.
How do you know if you have ADD/ADHD? There is no one medical test that can tell you positively. If you identify with some of the symptoms, read more about ADD/ADHD.
It often runs in families, and if it's in your family or you had it when younger, those can be clues. It can be confused with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders, with bipolar disorder, with substance abuse, with thyroid problems, even strep throat, and other conditions that appear to be like it in many ways.
If you think perhaps you do have it, talk to your physician. Getting a proper evaluation is a lengthy process of history taking , tests and measurements, interviews and more.
You can also come to our support group and see if you relate to our stories of living and coping with ADD/ADHD. Learn more about the disorder from us, our meetings and our experts such as ADD coaches, therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, professional organizers and others who have been educated, trained and have experience working to help people with AD/HD.
Our Support Group, Journey to Joyful Wholeness: Recovery from AD/HD is open to anyone who thinks they may have the disorder, and there is never a charge.
It often runs in families, and if it's in your family or you had it when younger, those can be clues. It can be confused with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders, with bipolar disorder, with substance abuse, with thyroid problems, even strep throat, and other conditions that appear to be like it in many ways.
If you think perhaps you do have it, talk to your physician. Getting a proper evaluation is a lengthy process of history taking , tests and measurements, interviews and more.
You can also come to our support group and see if you relate to our stories of living and coping with ADD/ADHD. Learn more about the disorder from us, our meetings and our experts such as ADD coaches, therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, professional organizers and others who have been educated, trained and have experience working to help people with AD/HD.
Our Support Group, Journey to Joyful Wholeness: Recovery from AD/HD is open to anyone who thinks they may have the disorder, and there is never a charge.
The format of the group fluctuates between discussion of the 12 Steps of ADD with occasional presentations every three or four weeks by guest experts.
Coming up: Feb 23rd, Paul Fitzgerald, an ADD Coach, will present: Ways We Sabotage Ourselves.
March 2nd, Dr. Bill Melon, a long-time marriage and couples counselor, will speak on problems couples have when ADD or ADHD is a factor
We have made many promises to ourselves and others to be more organized, to not lose our keys again, to never again leave the kids waiting somewhere for us--the parent who forgot to pick them up; to focus on our relationships, and really listen and pay attention; to stop the spending sprees we can't afford; and to do our best not to lose this job or get angry at the kids so much.
We really meant every promise we made. We gave it our best shot and failed again. Why? It may be because we have a disorder that without treatment won't let us succeed. It's real. It's not all in our heads.
As the title of one well-known, self-help book on adult ADD, half jokes in an all too painful way for some of us ,"You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!"* We're absolutely not these things or any of the other labels put on us. Very few of us suffer from dyslexia or other learning disabilities. We are sane, smart and ambitious just like you. We just need to get help.
We need real medication, behavioral and cognitive therapy, and skills training. We need to stop pretending nothing is wrong with our lives when something is destroying it.
Together we can help each other succeed and stop sabotaging ourselves. We can reach our full potential, and be the successful loving, fulfilled, contributing member of our families, communities, and spiritual and creative communities we long to be. We, too, want the difference to begin with us.
Drop us an e-mail @AdultADDLaGrange@yahoo.com if you have questions, or just want to say, "Save a seat for me next Wednesday night."
or Call: Contact Person: Maryellen Grady
Coming up: Feb 23rd, Paul Fitzgerald, an ADD Coach, will present: Ways We Sabotage Ourselves.
March 2nd, Dr. Bill Melon, a long-time marriage and couples counselor, will speak on problems couples have when ADD or ADHD is a factor
We have made many promises to ourselves and others to be more organized, to not lose our keys again, to never again leave the kids waiting somewhere for us--the parent who forgot to pick them up; to focus on our relationships, and really listen and pay attention; to stop the spending sprees we can't afford; and to do our best not to lose this job or get angry at the kids so much.
We really meant every promise we made. We gave it our best shot and failed again. Why? It may be because we have a disorder that without treatment won't let us succeed. It's real. It's not all in our heads.
As the title of one well-known, self-help book on adult ADD, half jokes in an all too painful way for some of us ,"You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!"* We're absolutely not these things or any of the other labels put on us. Very few of us suffer from dyslexia or other learning disabilities. We are sane, smart and ambitious just like you. We just need to get help.
We need real medication, behavioral and cognitive therapy, and skills training. We need to stop pretending nothing is wrong with our lives when something is destroying it.
Together we can help each other succeed and stop sabotaging ourselves. We can reach our full potential, and be the successful loving, fulfilled, contributing member of our families, communities, and spiritual and creative communities we long to be. We, too, want the difference to begin with us.
Drop us an e-mail @AdultADDLaGrange@yahoo.com if you have questions, or just want to say, "Save a seat for me next Wednesday night."
or Call: Contact Person: Maryellen Grady
708-482-4984
Follow Us on Twitter: at "SteadyRecovery" -- Check out all the wonderful, helpful contacts we have already made.
Won’t you join us next Wednesday? We will warmly welcome you.
____*You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo.