ADD Adults Sought for New Book

Want to contribute to a new book on ADHD? Here's how…

WE NEED YOUR HELP…..

…with a book project. "Working With ADHD" by Peter Jaksa, Ph.D. and Alison Soltau is a collection of personal stories about adults with ADHD and their challenges, struggles, and successes in coping with ADHD in their jobs and careers. The authors are requesting personal stories from a wide variety of individuals in a variety of jobs and occupations.

Personal stories should be 500 words or more in length, and include the following information:

• First name (real or made up)
  
• Age
  
• Occupation
  

There is no set format for the personal stories. They should express what you think is important, interesting, or relevant for other adults with ADHD who are employed in the same job, or simply have an interest in the job. Please address some or all of the following questions:

• What do you actually do in your job on a day-to-day basis?
  
• How's it going in your present job? Can you describe some challenges and/or positive experiences related to ADHD in your present job?
  
• Perhaps there are specific incidents/anecdotes/experiences or you could discuss your ADHD as it relates to some specific tasks/duties associated with your job?
  
• Do you think any of the challenges or strengths associated with having ADHD have an effect on your relationships/interactions with your boss/work colleagues/employees or clients?
  
• What strategies/support services have you used to manage ADHD and its effects at work? What worked and why? What was less successful?
  
• Are there specific ways that ADHD helps you succeed in your job? What are the pluses or benefits, if any?
  

The authors will provide some minor editing of the stories, however the goal is to always reflect your personal voice about your work experiences, as genuinely and honestly as possible. This is not a book about theory or standard how-to advice – it's about real people and how ADHD affects their lives.

There are two ways to contribute your personal story:

• Please e-mail your story to: DrJaksa@aol.com
  
• At your request, one of the authors will call you for a short phone interview
  

About the authors:

Peter Jaksa, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in Chicago who works extensively with adults with ADHD. He is a past president of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (www.add.org). He can be reached via e-mail at DrJaksa@aol.com

Alison Soltau is a Chicago-based journalist with more than a decade's experience writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and Web sites in the U.S., the U.K. and her native Australia. Alison has researched and written on health issues such as ADHD, small business, marketing, politics, public safety and more. She can be reached at apsoltau@hotmail.com or 773.318.8154.

All materials Copyright 2009, Peter Jaksa, Ph.D. and Alison Soltau

5 Reasons You Should Join The ADHD Career Network on LinkedIn

A longtime passion of mine has been to help people find happiness and satisfaction in their careers. In my coaching practice I work with clients who are smart, creative and hardworking but are not thriving in the workplace because the career that they have chosen is not a match for their skills and interests. So, I started this group as an ADD-Friendly place for people to share advice and make connections with others.

You need to join this group if…

1. You are an ADDer who is struggling in your current career and who wants to learn how to work smarter from others who are managing their ADD in the workplace. Post a question to the group on the Discussion Board.
   
2. You are an ADDer who is looking for a new job and want job search tips and support. Visit the News Section for articles and resources.
   
3. You know of an ADD-Friendly job that might be right for someone else, you need help with a project and want to work with someone who understands your difficulties, or you are looking for a position that's a good match for your skills. Post the job you have or the job you are looking for in our Jobs Section.
   
4. You are a professional who works with ADDers and want to share your expertise and promote your services. Answer questions on the Discussion Board and Post articles in the News Section.
   
5. You just want to network with great people!
   

*Please Note: You must be a member of LinkedIn to join this group. To sign up for a free account click HERE. If you already have a LinkedIn account, click HERE to sign in to your account and join The ADHD Career Network.

Be Your Own Advocate

I recently figured out that a medication that I was taking was causing me severe head and neck pain. After an MRI, physical therapy, and tons of Ibuprofen – I had had enough!

It was time to take my health into my own hands. So, I went on the internet and researched all the medications that I was taking. Low and behold, there were other people who were complaining of head and neck pain while on one of the medications I was taking. None of the doctors I went to made the connection between this medication and my pain.

This just proved to me that we all have to be our own advocate. Doctors don't know everything and we shouldn't expect them to. We have to be responsible and knowledgeable about our own health and the medications we take.

I have a client who found herself with sudden onset chronic pain. Her doctor misdiagnosed her and prescribed medications that weren't working. When she began researching her symptoms she figured out (and later confirmed by a specialist) that she had a rare and chronic, but manageable condition.

You must be your own advocate. If your doctor is not listening – then find someone who does.

Be knowledgeable and never stop asking questions until you get the answers you are looking for!