That's right: brilliant, rebellious, strong-minded, hyper-focused and happy to be ADHD. I am positive that ADHD is going to be not only accepted, but crucial, to this rapidly changing world we live in.
Of course, I am not naive. ADHD has huge down sides. It can make you socially anxious and awkward and depressed. Medical experts refer to it as a disorder, rightly so, because it puts you at high risk of anxiety, addiction, depression and suicide. Factors like stress, boredom, lack of sleep, noisy environments and lack of downtime can impact how well we adapt to certain work and social environments. But because we tend to be creative, passionate, energetic and good at connecting with others through humor and empathy, we not only survive, we thrive.
I AM ADHD POSITIVE. What I know now is that people of all ages can learn and succeed not in spite of, but often because of, their creativity, empathy, imagination, sense of humor, and experience managing stress.
WHAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW: ADHD and all its unruly bedfellows can be managed and even make some people better at coping in extreme situations, such as a global pandemic, lockdowns, or layoffs.
EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO BE ADHD POSITIVE include accommodations at work (like wearing noise-canceling headphones to block out distracting noise) or school (like receiving extra time to complete tests). Tutoring, therapy, coaching, peer support, and medication (usually some combination of all of those). A hearty dose of exercise and mindfulness work well, too.
And there you have it. In four run-on-sentences that turned into paragraphs, you get the idea: I am ADHD positive. You can be, too. If you are diagnosed with ADHD and are feeling like garbage, I can help you find the positive. Ok, I can't personally turn your head around 180-degrees and help you rock the world. BUT...
There are so many wonderful programs for ADHD-ers that don't cost a fortune. If you need help, please email me at rebeltalent@elephants-everywhere.com and let me know. I will send you a list. If you want to be on that list, please also let me know your rates and program details.