Why I LOVE My Busy Brain; ADD/ADHD

 

As a coach who specializes in working with entrepreneurs and high level professionals with busy minds, some with ADD, I decided to attend a presentation called “Why I Love My ADD.” Being a busy minded business owner myself, I was intrigued with the title and excited to learn some new techniques or gain information to help my clients more.

Certainly the ADD presenter Steve Plog, was exceptionally entertaining.  He made comments about how “normal” people cannot keep up with an ADD individual; calling them multiple thought impaired.  He offered to send them to a doctor for drugs so they could keep up with people who are quick witted and can talk incredibly fast. This was a good contrast and powerful example to demonstrate how easy it is to create weaknesses and deficits in peoples minds.

Mr. Plog, implemented his theories and techniques at a school in the worst part of town in Chicago, where the rejected and consider trouble making kids, were sent. While he was teaching there, gun shots were heard outside the door. It was not a safe and uplifting environment. However, he raised the grades of those kids up 25% and got them all off drugs.  One of the “rules” he set was, when a parent sent their child to school without a good breakfast, they were called to pick the child up…and cereal full of simple sugars was NOT considered good.  A high protein, nutritious breakfast was expected-eggs, cheese, yogurt, lean meat, fruit.

Steve started up his own school and implemented the Results Project.  It has had amazing results for students.  Why?  They are not viewed as problems but as being exceptionally talented, and all programs and the environment are set up to be conducive to eduction that helps creative students with high energy and busy minds excel.  http://www.resultsproject.net/index.php?page=rpinthenews

Steve Plog has a school for these students and every 15 minutes they have to stop what they’re doing and exercise.  It could be 100 crisscrosses (Email me if you want more information on that) to get oxygen back to the brain.  ADD individuals, when hyper-focused, don’t want to stop working on homework, and when their forced to take a break, they are excited to get back to work, that excitement kicks the adrenaline in gear, which helps them focus when they return.  Good concept.

Bottom line, his point was that too many kids are diagnosed as having ADD and given drugs to cast them off into mellowville.  However they are then presented with other challenges.  Medication is not a cure, nor a complete solution.  A good alternative to reduce or eliminate problems can be nutrition, exercise, adequate sleep (and I told him …sound therapy, of course its one of my solutions I use with my clients).

The key point was, why are we trying to change these amazing brains with drugs, that cause even more problems (and he gave proof).  He also made it very clear how this system is labeling and hurting these talented and usually much more intelligent than most, kids.  Strides are being made to minimize the quick and easy drug solution that is betraying so many people.  One example is that a teacher could  force parents with kids as young as 5 (and 4 in preschools) to take medication. Legislation was passed to prevent that from happening.  

Steve shared some of the comments parents make to these kids: “You have such a short attention span, what wrong with you” (child…am I not supposed to be very creative?), “Why are you so stubborn?” (child-you mean being independent and head strong is wrong and I would be better to be a conformer-sucomb to peer pressure…do drugs when kids tempt me?).  After that I saw one parent look at the other who hung their head low in embarrassment.  It’s sad.  We make mistakes.  Not intentionally, ignorantly.  We need to understand this personality and brain quality better, and work with these individuals as gifted, not special needs.

“You can’t undo actions – or go back in time for a do-over. Feelings are hurt, tempers out of control, words spoken or actions taken you’d rather forget about.  Mistakes happen, and will happen again.  What we need to do however, is stop making the same mistakes.  And that happens when you understand what you’re doing that is ineffective, and why you’re doing it, to change the pattern of beliefs and behavior.  You can’t heal the personal injuries incured in the past, and you will not be able to change the course of that relationship without dealing with the person or people who were involved.

So, you can ask for forgiveness.  You can admit your mistakes and develop a new way to move beyond that pattern and take more positive action.  In my practice I offer tools like hypnotherapy, sound therapy, and Neuro linguistic programming for helping clients make more positive changes for a better life.  You can change memories, but not erase the mistake. Everything is in response to the way you feel — everything is. Everything is mind over matter. Every disease is mental first. Everything is about thought. Your beliefs about your child, yourself, your capabilities, your view of ADD are formed by thoughts and feelings.  Sometimes you need to work through painful memories, strengthen emotional competence, and reshape your beliefs for lasting change.

We can only appreciate mistakes when we take lessons learned into today to shape our tomorrows. Which is why the present moment is sometimes called the Choice Point. Each moment is a Choice Point, and each moment we can choose what actions we take. We are evolving human beings moved on a pathway through our personal lives in a direction from the past to the present. And through understanding, education, and continual changes, we will move into a much better future. For all of us, there are turning points in our lives. Maybe as a result of this information, today will be one for you.” Lori Bestler

One really good suggestion Steve had was, BUILD ON ASSETS.  Only focus on the “A’s” and “F’s”.  Kids need to up the “F’s” to pass, and when you focus on strengths, “A’s”, the other grades typically go up.  No one graduates and needs to be an “A” student in all things.  You’re either going to be good and base your career on one specialty like  math, communications, design, etc.  Promote that as much as possible.  Brag about the kids expertise in that area. Avoid bashing them for their mistakes and weaknesses.  Every situation is an opportunty to teach a lesson; not guilt, not shame, educate, inspire, and empower!

Steve talked about the famous kids sent to the principal’s office a lot…

Walt Disney for doodling…drawing mouse ears.  When Disney was 16, he dropped out of school to join the army but was rejected for being underage.  Disney’s $17 million Disneyland theme park opened in 1955. In a very short time, the park had increased its investment tenfold.

George Carlin…class clown.  Carlin was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1987. In the 1990s, Carlin enjoyed success with series television. Starting in 1991, he provided the voice of the train conductor on PBS’ kid-friendly Shining Time Station for two years and narrated Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends through 1998. He also starred as a cab driver in The George Carlin Show from 1993 to 1995. Carlin continued to perform about 150 dates a year on the road. In 2004, he placed second behind Richard Pryor on Comedy Central’s list of “Top 100 Comics of All Time.” On June 17, 2008, just five days before his death, it was announced that he was being awarded the 11th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Other ADD greats…Einstein, John Kennedy, Madonna.  Read about 19 Famous People with ADD  http://www.parenting.com/gallery/famous-people-with-add-or-adhd

The event was enhanced by learning some brain balancing techniques from a Brain Gym Expert called crisscrosses, and brain buttons.

Discussion on nutrition was huge. Learning how medication depletes vitamin and minerals in the body, was new to me, amazed by how what was supposed to help, caused enhanced ADD symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, mood swings, impaired cognitive function and more. They even talked about mineral deficiency being a huge cause of lack of focus, anxiety, depression and hyperactivity.  They suggested that ADD individuals take a tests to see where their may be toxicities in the body (hair analysis was brought up and how Dr.’s po po the accuracy of it (as they do many alternative practices).  It is proven that when these toxicities are reduced, ADD symptoms go away.  When minerals in diet are low, toxic metals are high and take over like aluminum, arsenic and mercury that is hidden in so many or our products today.

An elementary teacher from Stillwater talked about “integration stations” standing desks for her students that have a foot petal that swings, so they can swing their leg while listening to the teacher or working on homework.  Movement enables the ADD brain to work better.

Lastly, do NOT take what medical doctors say as truth, get proof.  On a youtube video Steve asked attendees to watch before attending the presentation, a Doctor stated that ADD medications are as safe as aspirin.  One side affect of Ritalin is suicide…I don’t’ think so!!!  I heard this last night and did some research today to prove this.  I read the medical sights and the common side effects listed…nervousness, stunted growth, insomnia, nausea, stomach pain for example.  Nothing on suicide.  I dug further and found this…

Our 14-year-old Son Died from Ritalin Use

Between 1990 and 2000 there were 186 deaths from methylphenidate reported to the FDA MedWatch program, a voluntary reporting scheme, the numbers of which represent no more than 10 to 20% of the actual incidence. http://www.ritalindeath.com/

In closing…

If you or someone you love has ADD, I encourage you to use alternative holistic solutions first; nutrition, exercise, and sound therapy which works amazingly well…read more here http://www.mindscapesunlimited.com/products-10.html .  And if you are struggling professionally, hire a coach to help you get through the challenges you’re facing until your confidence and abiltiy to deal with life effectively is in place.

Lori Bestler; Founder and Owner of Mindscapes Unlimited Mind Coaching Center was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 41.  Today she speaks about why she LOVES having ADHD and how to naturally deal with the challenges this “gift” presents.  

Lori has helped to transform thousands of men and women’s lives through her Strategic Mind System of Success, Rapid Results Coaching Program and Audios, Retreats, Seminars and Speaking engagements. She specializes in working with high level entrepreneurs and independent business professionals with busy minds as well as empathic and high sensory individuals. Lori helps clients overcome barriers in thought patterns, limiting beliefs and behavior which can lead to issues such as stress, anxiety, negative thinking, and weight problems, lack of focus and follow-through, and procrastination.  Clients experience results in areas such as financial success, improved relationships, confidence, high self-esteem, stress reduction, behavior change, better health, and greater fulfillment in life.  Ms. Bestler runs a private coaching and hypnotherapy practice in Anoka, MN, assisting clients in the Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding Twin Cities Metropolitan Areas, as well as all over the U.S.  

For more information go to www.mindscapesunlimited.com, contact us, ask for a complimentary Rapid Results 60 Minute Phone Coaching Consultation.

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