current reads / ADD

i'm going to use some of this space to write about books i read. if nothing else, it'll remind me about what i thought of those books when i later come across them on my bookshelves and wonder if i've even read them or not.

unfortunately, my newest reads are certainly nothing exciting or recommendable (is that even a word?). the thing is, i've gone through a recent transformation of sorts. within the last few weeks, after years of inattention, distraction, forgetfulness, and more, i finally received the label of ADD (those of you who know me won't be surprised by that). now mind you, i'm not a big fan of psychiatric diagnostic labels. in fact, i often believe that the best use of the dsm-iv (the psychiatric diagnostic bible) would be as either fire starter in the winter, or to build low-income homes using copies of the dsm instead of concrete blocks.

but, for me, this label has allowed me to understand so many aspects of myself that have frustrated me for years. it gives me a direction to move in so that i can find ways to move beyond the disabling features that this disorder creates in my life. i see this, and the various disorders i've been labeled with, as challenges that i have to work through to create some order in my life.

so the transformational moments for me have come through understanding (largely thanks to two of my recent reads, Dr. Ned Hallowell's books Driven to Distraction, and Delivered from Distraction), as well as a week-long trial of Ritalin. no, i don't want to remain medicated, but it's nice to at least know that it is possible for me to function more normally in this world. now i just need to figure out how to do that without drugs.

therefore, all i've read for the past two weeks have been a small pile of ADD books. the two listed above, which i recommend; the original edition of You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!, which compared to Hallowell's books was quite a drag; Finding Your Focus: Practical Strategies for the Everyday Challenges Facing Adults with ADD, which had absolutely no new information, at least nothing that wasn't already covered in Lazy, Stupid or Crazy. i'm halfway through ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life, which so far seems like the most helpful of this bunch. i think i have two more to go in my little pile. then i'll be able to move onto a new subject for a few weeks.