Attention Deficit Not Just For Kids

One local attorney was struggling with his personal and professional life, a Boston physician almost walked away from the medical world completely and a business owner was almost taken out of the business' future plans. 

These professionals have more than degrees and career success in common. They all struggle daily with some form of Attention Deficit and Hyper Activity Disorder.

This week marks ADD Awareness Week nationally.

"People automatically think of little kids," ADD Coach and owner of ADD In Focus Mary Hurwitz of Cloutmans Lane said. "But it really affects around three percent of adults."

According to epidemiological data provided by the ADD Association, approximately 4 to 6% of the U.S. population has ADD.  That is about eight to 9 million adults.

"ADD has impacts no one realizes; from home life and marriage, to work," Hurwitz said. "People with ADD/HD have a high rate of career transition."

Hurwitz, who was diagnosed with ADD in her 50's, believes a lot of adults were simply never diagnosed as children and never "grew out of it," a common myth about the disease she said.

With a background in mental health and special education, Hurwitz combined her love of career counseling with an understanding of ADD and ADHD. She runs coaching sessions out of her home and works primarily with locally based clients over 25-years-old who are having trouble in their careers because of the disease.

ADD/HD Coaching

Hurwitz said many people find her by referral from other friends or by word-of-mouth. 

"It's still very secret, they feel they are 'coming out,'" Hurwitz said of the stigmas attached. "There is usually some moment when it hits - they loose their job or they are just barely sneaking by."

Since the symptoms of the disease include distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity, the impacts on a career can be wide reaching Hurwitz said.

"Those with ADD/HD are frequently late, miss appointments, won't answer or return phone calls," Hurwitz said. "They will loose their job and not understand but we go through the cumulation of what led up to it."

Hurwitz said one of her clients was about to quit her job because she could not get to work on time.

"I said, 'of course you can get to work on time,'" Hurwitz said. 

Teaching New Tricks

Whether in a group setting or one-on-one Huwitz says she instills in her clients the key to managing ADD/HD is to create new habits.

"We work with a notebook and  they write down everything," Hurwitz said. She also instructs each client to have a "planning period" at the beginning and ending of their day. "We work on prioritizing so we don't get distracted. These things don't come naturally so we have to create ways to function normally."

While every client is different, Hurwitz said she has seen improvement in everyone she has coached.

"There is accountability," she said. "They know if they make a plan, I'm going to hold them accountable and they are going to have to answer to me."

She tells one story of her lawyer client who after undergoing coaching with her, was offered a higher profile job and has his life back together.

"He is so talented and creative but no one could see that because his ADD/HD was in the way," she said.

Hurwitz is enthusiastic as she talks about her clients and their successes in life.

"Part of living with ADD is that you have to do something you absolutely love," she said. "I like that my clients walk away with a sense of hopefulness. They feel empowered and accountable and once they see some success, they like it and grasp it."

Mary Hurwitz's 10 Tips For Task Completion

1. Have a planning session each week. Use a weekly and daily planner and write down important deadlines or appointments.

2. Carry a small notebook with you and capture info you can later put on your calendar.

3. Carry a phone, notebook or PDA to all meetings.

4. Time limits make unpleasant tasks bearable. Give yourself an hour time limit.

5. Balance your day. Schedule enjoyable tasks between the ones you aren't thrilled about.

6. Break large tasks into chunks of 30 minutes.

7. Turn off phone, close doors and limit distractions.

8. Avoid over-planning. Once you have a plan, act on it.

9. Keep your day structured to avoid impulsivity or taking on extra responsibility.

10. Bookend your workday with 15 minute morning and night planning sessions. 

Tips For Minimizing Workplace Distraction

Hurwitz said everyone can benefit from these tips

• Wear headphones
• Set your computer to retrieve e-mail once an hour.
• Use a timer each time you go online
• Handle e-mail, calls and schedule meetings at a set time each day.
• Respect your schedule.
• Schedule time to work on involved projects when you are less likely to be interrupted.