Mr. Quily helps clients create systems for completing tasks on their to-do lists and foreseeing distractions that may interfere with their goals. As well, he brainstorms with clients to fill gaps in their social skills and find ways to maintain their self-care. “A big problem with ADHD is remembering to eat, exercise and sleep,” says Mr. Quily, whose services cost $250 to $360 a month.
Sarah Blyth, the Vancouver parks commissioner, does not take ADHD medication. She says that, for her, daily routines are essential. Her strategy for attending park board meetings includes going for a long walk beforehand to burn off excess energy and taking notes during presentations. “It’s enough to keep my focus.”
As a child, Ms. Blyth says, she was a “class clown” who later struggled with an eating disorder, academic failure and an inability to focus her scattered thoughts. She gained self-confidence in her late teens and 20s by excelling in snowboarding and skateboarding, and getting involved in community projects.
Her advice to others with ADHD is to “figure out ways to concentrate on the things that are really important to you.”
ADHD isn’t all bad, says Mr. Quily, who has the disorder himself. People with ADHD tend to be great multi-taskers and highly creative, and can “hyper focus” on activities that interest them, Mr. Quily says. He points to successful figures with ADHD such as athlete Michael Phelps and Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea.
But Dr. Barkley says there is no scientific evidence to support the notion of “ADHD superpowers,” which he describes as an attempt to build self-esteem.
As for the oft-quoted laser-focused mind, he says, people with ADHD engage in what clinicians call perseveration – fixation on an activity in the absence of a rationale for continuing it.
“It’s a symptom of a frontal lobe disorder,” Dr. Barkley says. “This is no gift.”
ADHD red flags
Adults may not recognize lifelong problems as symptoms of ADHD. Those who can relate to several of the following red flags may have the disorder:
• A history of impulsive behaviour and difficulty regulating attention.
• Problems with time management (keeping appointments, completing projects).
• Checkered work history and low productivity compared with potential.
• Anger issues (argumentative with authority figures, episodes of rage).
• Marital problems (spouse complains that he/she does not listen, forgets important events).
• Being over-talkative, interrupting frequently, speaking too loudly.
• Parenting problems (inadequate household routines, inconsistent or over-controlling as a parent).
• Money problems (impulsive purchases, bankruptcy, failing to pay bills or do taxes).
• Substance abuse (especially alcohol or marijuana) or excessive caffeine use.
• Addictions (collecting, compulsive shopping, sexual addiction, overeating, gambling).
• Unsafe driving (speeding tickets, serious accidents or being over-cautious to compensate for attention problems).
• Being the parent of a child with ADHD.
Source: Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance
