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I need a rehabilitation plan.

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Thread : I need a rehabilitation plan.
26 Apr 2008 @ 2:45 PM
shanel	Join Date: Sat 26th Apr 2008 Threads: 5 Posts: 10
I need a rehabilitation plan. Yesterday during my session with my psychiatrist I told her that for the first time in my life I've experienced real relief. I informed that I can finally focus and concentrate without great effort. She believes that I am properly medicated now. Now that I am medicated and the symptoms of my AD/HD are not so intense for me, I have begun the process of educating myself about my neurological disorder. A great part of my rehabilitation process is being properly medicated. The other part is learning to adopt positive behavior and not do bad behavior and habits anymore. I need to train myself how to become organized and that task is so overwhelming and incredibly difficult for me. Right now as I am writing this email it is 11:23 in the morning and I haven't eaten breakfast yet. Not having an appetite is one of the side effects of the medication I am taking. I can't even get organized enough to remember to eat. There are Life Coaches and then there is AD/HD Coaches. I had no idea that a "LIFE COACH" even existed. My psychiatrist that believes that I would greatly benefit from having such an AD/HD Coach. I do not have the resources available to me to obtain an AD/HD coach. So I am in the process of reaching out to my close friends who all have successful careers, and they are the most organized people that I know. I asked them if they would be willing to teach me how to prioritize and manage time effectively. Medication, prioritizing, and time management to me seem the most important life tools I need to acquire right now. It's painful to work so hard and never achieve success. It's humiliating for me to come home and face my wife with the news that I had lost another job. I would tell her that I would just get another job and work even harder at that job. I did do that too. I worked harder than my coworkers and out performed my entire department. I had convinced myself that I was not going to let AD/HD prevent me from being successful. Inevitably my superiors like all of the other bosses I ever worked for, they had no choice but to terminate employment because I was guilty of making so many mistakes. I've since then been enlightened to the fact that if hard work alone could do away with AD/HD nobody would have it. One cannot by force of will do away with a neurological disorder. I want what other normal people desire out of life. I want to pursue that which contributes to my own happiness. I want to work and contribute to my household. I want to make my wife proud of me, because right now I don't believe that she is. I do not want to not feel stupid and worthless al the time. But most all I JUST WANT TO BE NORMAL. My psychiatrist believes that I can make a full recovery and reclaim my life. My symptoms won't go away but they will be manageable. However I cannot do this by myself and I will need all of the help that I can receive. Quote

Thread : I need a rehabilitation plan.

26 Apr 2008 @ 2:45 PM

shanel

Join Date: Sat 26th Apr 2008
Threads: 5 Posts: 10

I need a rehabilitation plan.

Yesterday during my session with my psychiatrist I told her that for the first time in my life I've experienced real relief. I informed that I can finally focus and concentrate without great effort. She believes that I am properly medicated now.

Now that I am medicated and the symptoms of my AD/HD are not so intense for me, I have begun the process of educating myself about my neurological disorder. A great part of my rehabilitation process is being properly medicated. The other part is learning to adopt positive behavior and not do bad behavior and habits anymore. I need to train myself how to become organized and that task is so overwhelming and incredibly difficult for me. Right now as I am writing this email it is 11:23 in the morning and I haven't eaten breakfast yet. Not having an appetite is one of the side effects of the medication I am taking. I can't even get organized enough to remember to eat.

There are Life Coaches and then there is AD/HD Coaches. I had no idea that a "LIFE COACH" even existed. My psychiatrist that believes that I would greatly benefit from having such an AD/HD Coach. I do not have the resources available to me to obtain an AD/HD coach. So I am in the process of reaching out to my close friends who all have successful careers, and they are the most organized people that I know. I asked them if they would be willing to teach me how to prioritize and manage time effectively. Medication, prioritizing, and time management to me seem the most important life tools I need to acquire right now.

It's painful to work so hard and never achieve success. It's humiliating for me to come home and face my wife with the news that I had lost another job. I would tell her that I would just get another job and work even harder at that job. I did do that too. I worked harder than my coworkers and out performed my entire department. I had convinced myself that I was not going to let AD/HD prevent me from being successful. Inevitably my superiors like all of the other bosses I ever worked for, they had no choice but to terminate employment because I was guilty of making so many mistakes. I've since then been enlightened to the fact that if hard work alone could do away with AD/HD nobody would have it. One cannot by force of will do away with a neurological disorder.

I want what other normal people desire out of life. I want to pursue that which contributes to my own happiness. I want to work and contribute to my household. I want to make my wife proud of me, because right now I don't believe that she is. I do not want to not feel stupid and worthless al the time. But most all I JUST WANT TO BE NORMAL. My psychiatrist believes that I can make a full recovery and reclaim my life. My symptoms won't go away but they will be manageable. However I cannot do this by myself and I will need all of the help that I can receive.

Quote

27 Apr 2008 @ 4:05 PM Reply # 1
Anni	Join Date: Thu 25th Oct 2007 Threads: 2 Posts: 119
Help Getting Organized Hi there: It sounds like you are on the right track - I'm sure your wife can see all the effort you're devoting to your ADHD treatment, and that she's proud of your drive to achieve better organization, time management and career focus. Recognizing the problem and getting to work on it are the hardest steps. While it sounds like you've got a strong network of friends to help out, I've cherry picked a few articles that you might also find helpful as you work to better organize your home and work lives... 33 Best Organization TIps for ADHD Adults at Work and Home: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/729.html Free Printable: Time Assessment Chart: http://www.additudemag.com/RCLP/sub/2751.html Running Late? Adult ADD Time Management Tips: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/935.html Tackling To-Do Lists: Time Management Help: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1491.html Adult ADHD in the Corner Office: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/754.html ADHD at Work: Job Success with Adult ADD: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/862.html Strengthening Your ADHD Marriage: How to Focus on Love: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/992.html HOpe this helps! Quote

27 Apr 2008 @ 4:05 PM Reply # 1

Anni

Join Date: Thu 25th Oct 2007
Threads: 2 Posts: 119

Help Getting Organized

Hi there:

It sounds like you are on the right track - I'm sure your wife can see all the effort you're devoting to your ADHD treatment, and that she's proud of your drive to achieve better organization, time management and career focus. Recognizing the problem and getting to work on it are the hardest steps. While it sounds like you've got a strong network of friends to help out, I've cherry picked a few articles that you might also find helpful as you work to better organize your home and work lives...

33 Best Organization TIps for ADHD Adults at Work and Home: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/729.html

Free Printable: Time Assessment Chart: http://www.additudemag.com/RCLP/sub/2751.html

Running Late? Adult ADD Time Management Tips: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/935.html

Tackling To-Do Lists: Time Management Help: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1491.html

Adult ADHD in the Corner Office: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/754.html

ADHD at Work: Job Success with Adult ADD: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/862.html

Strengthening Your ADHD Marriage: How to Focus on Love: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/992.html

HOpe this helps!

Quote

27 Apr 2008 @ 8:01 PM Reply # 2
shanel	Join Date: Sat 26th Apr 2008 Threads: 5 Posts: 10
Thank you Quote: Anni said: Hi there: It sounds like you are on the right track - I said thank you in my other thread, I am checking out that information now. This information is wonderful, and it is really helping me. Quote

27 Apr 2008 @ 8:01 PM Reply # 2

shanel

Join Date: Sat 26th Apr 2008
Threads: 5 Posts: 10

Thank you

Quote:

Anni said: Hi there:

It sounds like you are on the right track -

I said thank you in my other thread, I am checking out that information now. This information is wonderful, and it is really helping me.

Quote

27 Apr 2008 @ 9:16 PM Reply # 3

shanel

Join Date: Sat 26th Apr 2008
Threads: 5 Posts: 10

Hey Anni... The Master Plan I need.

Hi Anni

The Master PLan, the kind list of priorities I need to make, it needs to be very structured and and regimented. I guess I just need to sit down and start making it. Upon waking at 6.00 AM.

Daily Master List Plan.

6.00 AM Use bathroom. Take medication. Eat breakfast (oatmeal and soy milk)

6:50 AM Take cell phone off charger

7.00 AM Look at check list at the front door before exercising (bicycling around Seattle)

8:00 AM After returning home, inspect bicycle, perform maintenance.

8:30 AM Take a shower (A) Wash Hair (B) Condition Hair (C) Wash Body (D) Shave (E) Brush Teeth (F) Wash Out Conditioner

Perform facial hygiene.

9:00 AM Check daily planner

9:05 AM Check messages on the cell phone.

9:10 AM Read and answer emails.

9:20 AM Check Online Calendars and amend Daily Planner Calendar if need be.

9:30 AM Do housework (check housework schedule)

11:00 AM Take medication.

12:00 PM Eat lunch.

4:00 PM Take medication.

5:00 PM Make dinner (check dinner schedule)

6:00 PM Eat dinner

7:00 PM Wash dishes

8:00 PM Write in AD/HD rehabilitation Blog.

8:30 PM Draw, create art.

9:30 PM Brush teeth Floss teeth Place cell phone on Charger.

11:00 Go to bed.

I think I'll use that. I just made my 1st AD/HD schedule. I've never done that before. Of course when I start my vocational rehabilitation that list will change drastically. But that will work until then.

Quote

28 Apr 2008 @ 6:33 PM Reply # 4
JB	Join Date: Mon 28th Apr 2008 Threads: Posts:
That's what friends are for!! Hi Shane, Have you heard the saying: "TEAMWORK makes the DREAM WORK" ?? We all have different gifts and strengths and abilities. I have a dear friend who has given up days of her valuable time to come to my house and help me wade through 15 years of chaos that was 'dumped' into my new office. This 'move' happened at a time when I was under pressure work-wise and just did not have time to sort, unpack re-arrange and set up my new home-office properly (nor did I have the ability mentally at that stage!). Well, 8 months later, I would walk into my office to start the daunting job and turn around ... Another cup of tea is just what I needed before I tackle this!! Having my friend over was a GREAT move. She is organised, task-orientated, focussed, and intent on finishing what she starts. Her presence was reassuring, so comforting to have her there, in my corner, working with me to make my dream happen! Just three quick things I have learnt about a lifestyle required to build your life ... 1. GO TO BED EARLY AND GET AT LEAST 8 hrs sleep!!!!!! every night, force yourself to close yr laptop, or walk away from the TV. GET TO BED EARLY!! 2. Eat a high protein breakfast EVERY day... I usually have fish of some sort with a dash of mayonnaise on LOW GI crackers/toast, and a LOW GI fruit / juice eg Apple/ apricot /cherry. Eggs, cheese, bacon, don't have the same positive effect. 3. Exercise vigorously minimum 5 x / wk. Get yr heart rate UP!! and a bonus tip... Before going to bed, write down 2 or 3 tasks that MUST be done the next day, and if you manage nothing else during the day, make sure those things are done by nightfall. Once this becomes a successful habit, you can increase the list bit by bit. A rehab plan is good... let us know what you have come up with so far! I am also trying to get one together, pls share your ideas! Bye for now, Janine Quote

28 Apr 2008 @ 6:33 PM Reply # 4

Join Date: Mon 28th Apr 2008
Threads: Posts:

That's what friends are for!!

Hi Shane, Have you heard the saying: "TEAMWORK makes the DREAM WORK" ?? We all have different gifts and strengths and abilities. I have a dear friend who has given up days of her valuable time to come to my house and help me wade through 15 years of chaos that was 'dumped' into my new office. This 'move' happened at a time when I was under pressure work-wise and just did not have time to sort, unpack re-arrange and set up my new home-office properly (nor did I have the ability mentally at that stage!). Well, 8 months later, I would walk into my office to start the daunting job and turn around ... Another cup of tea is just what I needed before I tackle this!! Having my friend over was a GREAT move. She is organised, task-orientated, focussed, and intent on finishing what she starts. Her presence was reassuring, so comforting to have her there, in my corner, working with me to make my dream happen!

Just three quick things I have learnt about a lifestyle required to build your life ... 1. GO TO BED EARLY AND GET AT LEAST 8 hrs sleep!!!!!! every night, force yourself to close yr laptop, or walk away from the TV. GET TO BED EARLY!! 2. Eat a high protein breakfast EVERY day... I usually have fish of some sort with a dash of mayonnaise on LOW GI crackers/toast, and a LOW GI fruit / juice eg Apple/ apricot /cherry. Eggs, cheese, bacon, don't have the same positive effect. 3. Exercise vigorously minimum 5 x / wk. Get yr heart rate UP!!

and a bonus tip... Before going to bed, write down 2 or 3 tasks that MUST be done the next day, and if you manage nothing else during the day, make sure those things are done by nightfall. Once this becomes a successful habit, you can increase the list bit by bit.

A rehab plan is good... let us know what you have come up with so far! I am also trying to get one together, pls share your ideas!

Bye for now, Janine

Quote

30 Apr 2008 @ 4:36 AM Reply # 5
badger	Join Date: Thu 8th Nov 2007 Threads: 3 Posts: 77
rehabilitation plan Yes if I don't make a plan that I use daily I will usually forget one thing or another. I follow it in order. Everyday. Now it has to be a little flexible for doing running around like grocery shopping, but that used to be a problem at first then I learned to finally work it in. My therapist told me to make a daily plan and then she helped me revise it. It is so useful I'm lost without it. Hope that this helped. Quote

30 Apr 2008 @ 4:36 AM Reply # 5

badger

Join Date: Thu 8th Nov 2007
Threads: 3 Posts: 77

rehabilitation plan

Yes if I don't make a plan that I use daily I will usually forget one thing or another. I follow it in order. Everyday. Now it has to be a little flexible for doing running around like grocery shopping, but that used to be a problem at first then I learned to finally work it in. My therapist told me to make a daily plan and then she helped me revise it. It is so useful I'm lost without it. Hope that this helped.

Quote

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