I've been very honest with you all since I started blogging with HealthyPlace. I think I've earned the right to say something I know to be true that I don't believe in, don't you? Here it is: You can never plan too much. Plan, plan, plan for everything when you have Adult ADHD.

Let's hold off the discussion of Level 2 hyperactivity until I make a brief note of clarification. I am not saying that the four levels of ADHD hyperactivity are the be all and end all of adult ADHD. They are merely levels that happen when one enters the hyperactive state. I know some folks experience no hyperactivity as adults and if they do, they might experience more inside the brain hyperactivity, rather than bouncing off the walls. In the future, I plan on doing some posts about inattentiveness and other facets of Adult ADHD.  I just so happen to be going through a hyper-cycle myself and writing about it is what struck my fancy.

The question of whether or not to take stimulant medications for adult ADHD has been discussed vigorously. I believe strongly that taking Ritalin, or the equivalent at times, has helped me to function as the adult I want to be. I spent 2009 mostly not taking any stimulants and not only did my work ethic become nonexistent, but I didn't like myself as much.  I look forward to hearing your opinions on this!

Wow - I wish I knew how to do that, don't you!?!?! No, seriously, I'm not very good at consistently getting my hyper brain under control, but I have a few strategies that have worked in the past. My Adult ADHD brain is a monster sometimes and it needs to be fed a weasel or two to be satisfied. Bear in mind, the weasel is a vegan mock-weasel.

Navigating changes in a relationship where one member has Adult ADHD can be tough. In part one of this series, my wife and I discussed how a solution called previewing helped me handle change. Here, we talk about how we've managed to ameliorate my grumpiness when it comes to unexpected change and planning for it. Please pardon my wife's cuteness and do not let it distract from the possibly important message.

I love music and I love having ADHD, though it can get out of control at times. For example, I am SUPER HYPER today. It's the first day of my spring break week; I need the structure school provides, plus I miss my lab partner. On days like today, classical piano is on my music menu. Tomorrow, when I inevitably come down from the hyperness of today, fellow ADHD'er Justin Timberlake is what I'll order.

I can still feel the chilly sea breeze on my face as I sat on a chaise lounge chair by the marsh next to my back yard. Little did I know I was beginning a lifelong coping strategy that would help my ADHD well into adulthood.

This month, I wanted to share some experiences about conferences!  I love conferences and look forward to the opportunities to travel around the country to enjoy some time with other ADHD coaches and entrepreneurs, increase awareness of ADHD challenges, and finally meet some of my long distance clients face-to-face. It’s sort of like the social season of 19th century London, when the movers and shakers gather together in the city for debutante balls, elaborate dinners and spectacular galas. They can be both exhilarating and exhausting.

Back in 2007, I had a memorable interaction with a doctor.  He was taking my medical history and inquired as to why I was taking Concerta.  I replied that I had Adult ADHD.  Astoundingly, he told me that I shouldn't have that anymore, because that's only for children.  Also, he was curious about why a woman would have it to begin with.  Ah, such is our struggle in this world.

As someone nearing 30 years old, my book library consists almost entirely of young adult (YA) novels. I love The Hunger Games, the Ender's Game series, and I even read part of the Twilight saga. It seems to be quite in line with popular culture to be reading YA books right now. With the stories of so many young adults running around in my head (and maybe in yours, too), you'd think there'd be some ADHD kiddos floating around. There wasn't until I picked up Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief in audiobook.