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How to Cope With Attention Deficit Disorder

Contributor
By Maryam Dimauro
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

You have a friend who has Attention Deficit Disorder and you want to find ways to help, but you are unsure of how to proceed. Here are some steps that might assist you.

Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions

    Be Accepting

  1. Step 1

    Accept your friend for who she is and love her. Read up on ADD and it's consequences and try to be supportive. You must be tolerant when your friend loses or forgets something or gets distracted or spaced out. These are things she cannot help and you should accept this. " According to Dr. Thomas E. Brown of the Yale University School of Medicine, "ADHD is essentially a name for developmental impairment of executive function." Executive functions are the skills involved in planning, selective attention, motivation, and impulse control. ". ( Source : .http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm)

  2. Step 2

    Don't treat your friend any differently than anyone else because she isn't. Realize that this person is amazing in so many ways. Let her know that, instead of emphasizing her limitations. Make her realize that having ADD also comes with a plethora of benefits including creativity, spontaneity, and a versatile character.

  3. Step 3

    Don't offer help or advice if she doesn't ask for it. It will only make her feel more self conscious and attacked and this will not bode well for your friendship.

  4. Step 4

    Support her, if she asks for help. If she needs reminded of something, call or text her. Buy her a day planner and do your best to make things easier for her. Eventually this also means that you should give them the confidence to know they can do things by themselves and have all the capabilities and talents to do so. Love your friend and let her know that no matter what happens you will always be there.

  5. Step 5

    Get some help: Some cases of ADD result in over-eating and a propensity for procrastination. Offer to sign up for the gym or yoga classes with your friend. These activities will help stimulate the brain and boost confidence. Try to do healthy activities, which give your friend structure instead of contribute to or worsen her ADD.

Tips & Warnings
  • Love and support your friend
  • Create journals or reminders for her with important dates
  • Make sure your friend realizes that although some things might be challenging, they are not insurmountable obstacles and she can surpass them on her own through perseverance and patience.
  • Do not stigmatize your friend
  • Be informed and realize that there are things that ADD people cannot control

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