Adults with attention disorders typically find coping strategies to get through the days, things like keeping reminder lists or detailed planners. They often have a spouse handle the bills and keep track of birthdays. At work, they'll have an office assistant mind the books.
Dr. Edward Hallowell, who has written books about ADHD, said a rapid-fire lifestyle can actually be a good thing for maybe half the people with attention disorders -- such as Eddy -- because they can easily shift from task to task.
"When they get stimulation they get adrenaline and adrenaline is nature's own stimulant medication. Chemically, it's very similar to Ritalin," he said.
But everyone is different, and that same combination of one thing after another, day after day can overwhelm anyone, whether or not they have an attention disorder. Hallowell said time management, priority-setting and organization are more important than ever.
"If you're not careful," he said, "you can get lost in the thicket."
Posted by Liz at June 12, 2005 9:32 AM