ADD/ADHD

What is ADD/ADHD?

ADD/ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurobiological condition that affects children and adults who consistently experience challenges in distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity. When it comes to planning, organizing, working memory and self-regulation, people with ADD/ADHD may have challenges paying attention, controlling impulses, regulating their emotions and emotional responses, taking consistent actions, remembering things, and following through.

ADD/ADHD and Me

I don’t have ADHD myself, while I have an important person in my life who has ADHD.

His ADHD was the reason we met and clicked. This double edged sword brought him to my life, and I am forever grateful for it. I love his energy, passion, talent, creativity, humor and genuine curiosity. However, I was frustrated and confused to see an individual so brilliant and capable, and yet spending most of his day barely taking care of the mundane day-to-day stuff. It broke my heart seeing him going in circles for 12 years just to watch his dream slipping away. He’s like a small child holding a big heavy sword. I was afraid this child could not control the sword and would kill himself! I wanted to grab the sword to protect him from hurting himself. My “effort” not only made the sword heavier for him, but I cut myself and my own blood was gushing out. I was hurting, so badly.

It was not until I learned more about the incredible strengths and incredible weaknesses of ADD/ADHD, I realized that all I need to do is to trust him and that he is doing his best to hold on to this big heavy sword, the best he knows how. He may not get full control of it, but he is okay, he is safe, and I can accept that. I can just be there for him. I can accept his unique brain wiring. I can learn more about the “sword”. I have found my peace and I have become a professional ADD/ADHD coach.

Today, I enjoy working with people to manage and embrace their ADD/ADHD. I see each of my client is creative, resourceful, and whole, even if sometimes things get in the way. ADD/ ADHD is a paradox of often intense opposites. Many ADD/ ADHD traits are situational. Coaching is about finding, shifting or creating the context where ADHD shows up as a strength more often than a weakness.

With the PAAC Professional ADHD Coaching Competencies in mind, I follow a simple 5 step process:

What: What’s your dream? What do you really, really want?
Who: Who are you? What are your strengths, values, passions and desires?
How: What does it take to make your dream come true? What actions to take?
When: When are you taking the actions? What support do you need?
Why: How does your dream connect to who you are? What is your successful new picture?

Contact me if you are ready to make a difference in your life. 312-772-5024 or julia@juliachung.com.

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