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Understanding ADHD

ADD/ADHD THOUGHTS 11/15/2018. Warning, this is long and thought stimulating. 😁👀❤️

I am getting to that point of finding my strengths instead of beating myself up for my “faults”. The negatives get more attention typically, because those are the things that bother other people most such as chronic lateness, distractibility, difficulty following through on tasks, daydreaming, etc. However in spite of those traits, I discover there are many people who treasure my strengths enough to overlook the weak areas. This has helped me so much in my process! For example, I am blessed with a boss at my part time work who treasures my strengths, enough to overlook things that would have gotten me fired (again) by most bosses (chronic lateness!).

At this point I would expect some family or friend to pop in and say “you just have to make it happen, you just need to set alarms earlier” etc.. You would laugh to see the system of repeating alarms I use to trip myself up and keep on some semblance of schedule. Not that they work often! And then there was the time I rushed late to another appointment only to discover I was a week early. Or recently, an hour early… wow! So I took pics of the lovely sunrise and went back to my usual 10 min late 😂🤪. Time and me do NOT have an understanding of each other. Mother called me her “Just a minute Kid” because I said that so often, and it meant anything from a second to an hour.

My dad was chronically late, so am I. Drove mom nuts at times 😂😂 I was daddy’s little girl, and she was hoping for a pinafore and curls kinda girl. Instead I got grease on my Sunday dress helping Dad check the oil about the time we were supposed to leave for church. We were both also super sensitive/empathic, and spent most all summers camping. I am sure Dad’s mind was more at peace out on the river fishing. Mine sure was. I suspect he also had ADHD or something similar. Some have suggested he was bi-polar, but my studies and experience lead me to think otherwise.

The ADHD was diagnosed maybe 3-4 years ago, as part of the breakdown I had. I also had strong PTSD, depression and anxiety. I now believe that the latter 3 diagnosis stem from the ADD. Since then I have had some great counseling and found some really good books on audible.

“The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer is not a book about ADD, but it certainly helped tremendously. I think this book should be required reading in schools!

The book “Driven to Distraction” by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D helped me to come to grips with what it is and that I certainly have it. So does the author!

“ADD-Friendly Ways to organize your life” by Judith Kolberg, Ph.D. Has been helpful.

My new favorite is “Focused Forward: Navigating the storms of Adult ADHD” by James M. Ochoa LPC. He narrates his own book, also has ADHD, and has a theory about the emotional distress it can cause. He calls it Emotional Distress Syndrome, or EDS. He has some great ideas, helpful tips like creating your emotionally safe place for when things get too stressful.

Another incredibly helpful therapy is EMDR.

“EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.  Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal.  EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.  When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound.  If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain.  Once the block is removed, healing resumes.  EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes.  The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health.  If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering.  Once the block is removed, healing resumes.  Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.” Find their website at emdr (dot) com, to learn more.

EMDR did amazing things for my brain! James M. Ochoa (book above) says this practice has been extremely helpful for the ADHD individuals.

Many of the worlds famous inventors, geniuses, musicians, artists etc have had (or do have) ADHD and/ or Autism (Asperger’s Syndrome)

Maybe it is time that the rest of humans who tend to be impatient and judgmental of those of us who are “different” try to educate themselves as well. Books like those above can give you a good insight into 5-10% of the population who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or ADD (without the hyperactive component.. these are more often but not entirely women, they are the dreamers staring out the window, in their own world). They often have high intelligence, but have difficulty channeling their thoughts.

Many in this category slip thru the cracks in schools. Homework is not finished on time, or lost, and teachers give up since they have so many other kids to teach. With the correct meds, and genuinely helpful therapy, along more understanding and knowledge of the disorder among teachers, these students could possibly go on to bring about good things for the world.

I have long thought that basic life skills taught at an early age in school should include basic therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy. This would give students life skills for coping under stress. Also a better understanding of different brain processing types… what IS ADHD and Autism, for example. Perhaps children, with help, could learn more tolerance in this way.

Yes, I am a dreamer… but I am not the only one. Being a minority does not make us wrong by default. And yes, that song reference crept in there and became intentional 😁❤️.

Share your thoughts with me!

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Sunset

❤️ This image from November 2 Is fascinating to me. It’s such a mishmash! I took this at a local Schreiners wild animal farm near Lyle, Washington, with my phone.

I was on my way to The Dalles for a slideshow about a new book “Ever Wild” by Darryl Lloyd, with stories, photos, history in geology etc. about Mount Adams. I got distracted by a sunset.

On the way into the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, I had to stop for one more picture.

By the way, here is the cover of the beautiful new book, and if you click on it it will open the website about the book.

Click on book photo to go to mtadamsbook.com

❤️

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Falling Leaves

Such a lovely day on the crick out back, Standing there in delight while when gusts of wind grabbed the trees and shook them, sending Cascades of Cottonwood leaves falling all around me.

Leaves landed in the creek and drifted by, yellow hearts against the reflections in the slowly moving stream.

The sun would playfully hide behind the stormy clouds and Peek out at unexpected moments, and all of a sudden everything was brilliant yellow and red and green and blue.

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Autumn 🍂 is Here

Backyard Baby And Mama Deer.

White Salmon, Washington sunset last week, lovely Mt. Hood in the distance across the mighty Columbia River in Oregon.

another recent sunset in Trout Lake, Washington

Amazing old fashioned grapes 🍇 at my brothers place, on their way to become canned grape juice. They smelled heavenly!

Aspen trees in Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Glenwood, Washington.

Columbia River Gorge is finally getting good fall colors. I have really been noticing beautiful yellow Oak trees this year!

The green patch is part of Dickey’s Farm in Bingen, Washington.

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Bird Creek Meadows 2018

Someone recently sent me a bunch of pictures to share of tract D area, Bird Creek Meadows, and Mount Adams. . The devastation around the lakes up there was pretty intense but up in the Meadows things are not so bad. The three collage pictures of burned structures are The trailers of the Yakama Tribe Rangers that were up there at the time, at Mirror Lake and Bird lake.

These were shared anonymously but I appreciate the inside look at one of my favorite areas. I haven’t been up there since the Cascade Creek fire in 2015.

Yakama Tribes are in charge of this area and it is still closed to the public because of the Cascade Creek fire damage. They have no intentions of opening it at all this year and have been working on rebuilding fences, picnic tables, out houses, fire pit, trails, roads, signs etc.

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Wisdom Within

I challenge you to list at least 2 qualities about yourself that you find to be good. Then think of 2 good qualities about someone you fear or despise. I am not saying you have to like them now… some things and some people we need to stay away from for our own sanity and good health. Just surround them with light and picture the good in them (and in ourselves) growing stronger.

None of us deserve to be abused by others, either with words or physical harm. We also should not be abusing others.

Stop and breathe deeply a few times before reacting, in person or on facebook, and ask yourself if what you feel like saying back to someone is hurtful or helpful. Ask yourself what energy (back to you or others) will it invite in return. Will it cause an escalation of hate or bring about better understanding?

Try hard to take a moment in such situations and make a decision to Act rather than just React. Try to look at things from different points of view. Are you really understanding what they meant by the words they chose to speak? Ask for clarification. Perhaps agree to disagree agreeably rather than simply hating others for having a different point of view.

I myself am like a young child so much of the time, really not understanding so many hurtful things people can do or say, ofter without even thinking. I have done the same thing to others on occasion without meaning to. Why are we so quick to over react too often and throw out hurtful words, or cynical judgemental words? We were taught to Love one another, to love thy neighbor as thyself… is it a lack of self love that makes us lash out?

At the same time I am an old soul full of wisdom and compassion. That part is harder for me to accept. As I age, however, i am learning to invite in the Wise Woman, the Crone. What can she teach me, what do I have to teach others?

And so the journey continues. Thank you for walking alongside for portions along the way.

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My Backyard

I feel so blessed to be living where I do now, in Trout Lake. Tonight I heard the Elk bugling out beyond the lake, and the creek behind the house is sooo peaceful.

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Lewis River Lower Falls

Lower Lewis Falls

Forest Service asks visitors to take a break from Lower Lewis River Falls

https://katu.com/news/local/forest-service-asks-visitors-to-take-a-break-from-lower-lewis-river-falls

➡️Here is one of the reasons why. Unfortunately I don’t know who took the picture, but there are lots of pictures like this out there right now.

Another person posted that they went down there recently and picked up three big bags full of garbage including diapers.

Here is the full post from the forest service page. I really really wish they hadn’t mentioned Twin Falls!

➡️“Lower Falls Recreation Area- Overcrowding and Access is a Challenge

“Release Date: Jul 27, 2018

If visitors are looking for a peaceful place to hike or view a waterfall, the Lower Falls Recreation Area on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest may not be the best choice.  This summer, there has been a sharp increase in the number of recreationists traveling to the area, especially in the recent hot weather.  The area is extremely overcrowded on weekends, and there’s very limited parking at the site.

Increased amounts of trash littering the recreation site, eroded trails, trampled vegetation, and impeded emergency access are some of the impacts occurring because of the large number of visitors and overflow parking on the roadside.  Visitors can help lessen impacts by choosing another area on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to visit, or by making the trip to the Lower Falls Recreation Area on weekdays.

Access to the area is also challenging due to an active slide on Forest Road 90 at Crab Creek, near the Lower Falls Recreation Area.  The slide area creates a deep slump in the road in which many passenger cars have gotten stuck in recent days.  The high level of traffic on the road has made the problem worse, and driving across the slide area is now recommended for high clearance vehicles only.  Trailers or Recreational Vehicles should not attempt to pass through the slide area.  To avoid the slide area, visitors can reach the Lewis River through Trout Lake to Forest Road 23 and west on Forest Road 90.  The Forest Service continues to work on the slide area to improve passage, but it will take time to develop a lasting solution.

There are many other places to view waterfalls along the Lewis River.  Consider Twin Falls, Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Taitnapum Falls on the east side of the slide area, or Curly Creek falls on the west side of the slide area.  Sunset Falls is also another good option.  Please be cautious if going near the water.  Slippery rocks, unsuspecting currents, and cold water temperatures are a few hazards that could be encountered.  Always keep a close watch on children, even if they are far from the water.

Find the latest road and recreation information here.

Here is the post url: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD589167

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Firefighters offer Ways to Help.

“When you want to help….

In a time of crisis people naturally want to reach out and help.  We appreciate those efforts and have a few suggestions for you to consider.

Most appreciated by firefighters:

●       Thank you notes and banners

●       Donations to local recovery efforts

●       Donations to Wildland Firefighter Foundation:  http://www.wffoundation.org

Other ideas:

●       Join or support your local fire department or emergency organizations- they appreciate your generosity since they are the first responders in many cases.

●       Donate to local charitable organizations like the Red Cross.

●       Donate to local food banks, which sometimes get forgotten when fires impact a community.

●       Create and maintain a defensible space around your home!  Give emergency responders and yourself a safe area to defend your home in or retreat to, if necessary.

Note: Fire camps cannot accept food items due to health and federal contract regulations.  We feed our assigned fire crews three meals a day plus snacks.”

Information copied with slight modifications from this NWCC Blog post on Southern Oregon Fires August 24,2018

NWCC Home:

Click here for NWCC home

Photo of Klondike Fire in southern Oregon. Clicking on the photo will take you to the Inciweb site, A great resource for large fire information. Clicking on the photo will take you to the Inciweb site, A great resource for large fire information.