Edward M.Hallowell

the same way someone without ADD is just isn’t possible because it is very clear to me I get into panic situations if I don’t have a pretty strict routine built into my life, which involves a good deal of alone time, not necessarily quiet, but alone time.

His independence, needing to do things on his own time, on his own schedule, is also typical of ADD, as is his frustration intolerance and his sense of being a fraud. His cognitive failures invalidated all his successes, in his own mind, and his self-esteem plummeted.

While they can hold the information in mind, they do not have the patience to sequentially put it out.

The therapist must become active and directive in helping the patient reorganize his life.

concrete suggestions concerning ways of getting organized, staying focused, making plans, keeping to schedules, prioritizing tasks to be done, and, in general, dealing with the chaos of everyday life.

but with the patient, so that the patient can learn to do it for himself.

They need direction. They need structure

“It’s been so many years living like this, thinking I’m stupid, but knowing I’m not. I brought along this list,” she added, holding up some papers. “I wrote down everything I could so you could read it.”

I see something that I mean to do and then I don’t do it. It’s not only trivial things like the cough drop; it’s big things, too.’ That’s why I cried.”

Wanting to do something, meaning to do something, but just not doing it: this is the “cough drop sign” and it is common among adults with ADD.