Building Self Esteem Within Adhd

When I’m working with clients who have ADD/ADHD, as well as myself, I find that focusing my efforts on building self esteem within ADHD causes dramatic positive changes. Growing up and living with the traits of ADHD, I’ve logged an enormous amount of problems created by my distractions, my impulsive nature, and my tendency to go full throttle on different things. Similarly, my clients and entrepreneur friends have similar stories in their own lives. When it comes to building self esteem within ADHD, there are some things that we need to understand first.

Let’s understand that people with ADHD are not bad people, nuisances, insensitive, morally broken; nothing is ‘wrong’ with them at all. The ADD Brain is a complex system that functions non-linearly and contrary to many of the structured institutions that have been established as normal. Let me remind you that just because alot of people are doing something, doesn’t mean that it is right. Building self esteem within ADHD can be challenging due to several variables, most importantly the adrenergic receptors in the brain, the digestive system, the programming inside their own minds, and the self-image the person has of themselves.

As we all know, the imagination and creativity that is inherent with the ADD Brain; is totally awesome. Both positively and negatively. We can create and destroy almost with a single thought. (more on that later) The most important thing that I’ve noticed with building self esteem within ADHD is purposefully pointing to the positive evidence in the my life and the clients life that concretely shows that they are good, they can achieve, that other people’s experiences & thinking created their beliefs, and my favorite; that they have an enormous gift inside them.

Here are several particular steps to building self esteem within ADHD

1. Recognize the negative thoughts in your mind – become conscious of them – cancel them .

2. Handle those thoughts and beliefs and Instill with new empowering ones

3. Focus your efforts on creating evidence for yourself – proving new empowering thoughts to be true

4. Train your mind, your actions, and your words to continue until your reality is changed.

I get goosebumps when I see that glimmer of Hope come back into their eyes, their parents eyes; my own eyes. Building self esteem within ADHD is always a work in progress. The ADD Brain is like a Thoroughbred horse;  it moves so fast from one thing to another, unless the reins of the Thoroughbred are under control. Showing someone that they innately know how to use the reins, and then training them on how to be consistent at it creates lasting changes in their lives. Every now and then, as we all know, you have to let go of the reins and let our minds go for a full on gallop. I believe this is where the creativity, curiosity, and boundless energy is hidden. In that space where I know I can control my thoughts to bring them back in, but I consciously let it go just a bit further to challenge the limitations that are there.

In the beginning, the left side of the ADD Brain – the logical side – is going to fight these new thought patterns. But, I promise you that the brain only knows what you tell it to be true. And what is true for you, is true for you.

Building self esteem within ADHD has provided awesome changes not only in my own life, but also my clients lives. It does take daily work, responsibility, and the ability to be honest with yourself. The power within the ADD Brain is unmatched, there fore, so is the potential for great changes to occur. Go out there and create a new you.

If you want more information or coaching, just put your name and email in the form under the video – and please leave comments below using the phrase ‘building self esteem within ADHD’ — thank you.

author: eric etka

If you live in Richmond and want to get in touch with Dr. Etka – call (804) 559-6818

Building Self Esteem Within Adhd

Entrepreneurs With ADHD

The ADD Brain is very powerful, when it is free of illusions of the true nature of the person whom possesses that brain. So many times we have been in school, at home, or work – and been pointed out as “the (____ place negative term here)” . This doesn’t happen just a few times, we’re talking thousands, countless, amount of occurrences. Even with a ‘normal thinker, this negative programming can be hard to bear. Entrepreneurs with ADD have incredible imaginations; making negative programming extremely powerful.

There is a theory that the ADD Brain functions dysfunctionally in direct relation to the perspective – that is colored by the amount fear shame and guilt that the person is internalizing. (the majority of the world is ‘sold’ on the Germ Theory, so let’s accept this ADD Dysfunctional theory as fact..) Let me make that clearer, entrepreneurs with ADHD can be incredibly constructive and destructive, based on the amount of personal fear, shame, or guilt they carry.

That fact, combined with the newer understanding that “thoughts become things” (Mike Dooley), in addition to the power of thought to change the environment (The Intention Experiment) , creates a very strong force that can be extremely destructive; one in which the person wielding the power has no idea that they are even the cause of it [I hope I didn’t lose you there – because this becomes a very important foundation for changing your ADD gifted brain]

Okay, let’s reel all that back into the present tangible quantitative ‘in the palm of your hands’ reality. Let’s tackle this thing called Fear, once and for all. Fear is fantastic. Fear keeps you from doing lots of things that you CAN do, but it can also push you to do things that you never thought possible. Because it is in your mind, and the chemicals it produces cause all kinds of actions and reactions. Scientific fact – when your ‘fight or flight’ response is kicked in from your nervous system, ALL your senses become more enhanced. Yes, absolute total fact. Visual, hearing, tactile, smell… at the highest level needed for the situation. Guess what? Who controls your mind? – YOU DO.. so this Fear thing is completely under your control (once you are aware, recognize and train yourself).

PERSONAL STORY – I was born in calif, raised for awhile in Hawaii, before my father got Navy orders to move us to Connecticut.. my point is – I am a serious ocean person, growing up in huge waves, also while vacationing in Outer Banks. Even as a small child I would go way out in the water to catch the biggest waves possible (that’s the risk taking high stimulus seeking behavior ADDr’s are known for) – BUT, when I was in my 20’s I was surfing in the water at Rodanthe Pier the morning that Hurricane Bertha was coming on shore [god’s honest truth] gorgeous giant enormous waves, because of the storm sucking the wind from the land onto the water, big gaping barrels; very dangerous as well.

I paddled into a wave that reminded me of a Surfer Magazine cover, and something gripped my heart and chest – Fear.. and I backed out of this beautiful monster.. within minutes the wind switched and the ocean became an enormous giant washing machine… that ended that day.. fast forward decade later Hurricane Bill hits the east coast, so I drive down to the coast; that makes sense to most entrepreneurs with adhd.

Waves so big that they were blocking out the sun as I paddled through the onslaught of the biggest waves I can remember ever surfing.. punching through the impact zone, I made it far enough out to not get pounded, I lined my self up with an enormous mother of a wave and started to paddle for it; again I felt that gripping paralyzing thing in my chest.. “geezus, what the hell is that? Oh my god, that’s FEAR.. haha, oh yeah, bring it on, you can’t hurt me, you’re in my head, Im going to turn you around to help me catch the biggest.. let’s go for it, give me all the adrenaline I need, we’re paddling out farther..” and I did, and with my heart pounding and senses completely jacked on fire, I paddled into a wave that almost made me scream and cry like a baby – hopping to my feet and flew down the face, my legs straining to make the bottom turn, I reached down to grab the rail of the board, crouched down and watched down the wave as it yawned up and roared the most wonderful sound of natural primal energy you could ever imagine… my scared, fear instantly turned into screams and hollers from myself, people, on the beach, others paddling out, and out in the water… I think the smile on my face broke my jaw…

This experience has helped me to understand the feeling of fear, and when I need to heed it’s warning or when I can turn it around to help me accomplish something that once thought was unattainable. I pass this onto my children daily..

When you get scared remind yourself of the skills that you do possess to handle the situation. In the surfing story… I can swim, I can surf, my board was solid, I can hold my breath under water, there is no coral reef below, water doesn’t hurt me, so why not go for it… Gymnastic coaches use this all the time with their athletes when they are scared to do a new routine.. They ask the athlete how confident in each of the basic skills that go into each trick.. and acknowledge the fear, and then do it while they are scared, because they can already do everything else that is required to perform the routine..

Facing your own internal notions of fear will take us into areas of our minds that we may believe are very real to us. That’s fine, I understand, but you have to understand that it’s only that way because YOU have made it that way.

Lets clear this up… because you may think that I’m making this easier than you may think at the moment..

1. Understand that fear is only a set of chemicals caused by the thoughts in your mind
2. Ask yourself “why am I feeling this, what am I ‘really’ afraid of?
3. List all requirements to accomplish the thing your afraid of..
4. Acknowledge your own skills, talents, and assets, and ask others for help you need to
5. Determine if you can perform those skills while you are scared.. (called brave)
6. Remember that you have created the stifling fear in YOUR head.
7. Now , take a deep breath, and go do it.. NOW.

This works, I promise. I have been able to face more things in the last 12 months that I used to be scared as hell to do. The most important being the real truth why I had relapsed so many times back into drugs and alcohol. No more of that.. Then the next biggest thing is the ability to have a relationship with my sons mother. I can honestly tell you that I think I held my breath the entire first 5 minute conversation we had after not speaking for 5 years.. Now we talk daily, help each other in other areas of our lives, co-parent amazingly, and have four sons that are very comfortable being around both of us.

So, yes, this works. And I’m going to look forward to the stories that come from the readers of this blog.

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW USING THE WORDS ‘ENTREPRENEURS WITH ADHD‘ WITHIN YOUR COMMENT. THANKS

author: Eric Etka

Entrepreneurs With ADHD

Adults With Adhd

I know many adults with ADHD; as one I wrote this personal blog post to give you inside view of my past, present, and future.

When I’m at my full power, I can LOVE the craziness out of anything. When I’m feeling, frustrated, angry, or just about any negative emotion, I can’t LOVE anything at all.  Adults with ADHD, we tend to be very powerful with my emotions, feelings, responses and reactions. This scared me as a child and as a young adult. So much that I drank and used drugs to drown the power, because I didn’t know how to control it. Oddly enough, I learned that I was gifted with an incredible ability to ‘feel’ my emotions. The ironic part of it was not in ‘controlling’ my emotions, but to actually allow them to flow through me. And I learned to ask myself better questions; once I acknowledged the true feeling and emotion.

Once you realize that the Universe is perfect, then how could your life be any different. We are all in this process of evolving together, and open hearted love helps us experience more , in order to evolve more.

Growing up as one of many adults with ADHD; strangely divorced / remarried parents, asthma, a perfect older sister, alcoholism/addiction, combined with incredible intelligence; my life was a rollercoaster of great times and hellacious times.  Safe to say that Love was not the order of my days. Although , I do have to say that my sister, Kirsten, was my rock when I’d have nightmares at night and other times when I needed someone there. My mother is and was awesome, I love her to death, but I learned (when I was 32) that she spent majority of her time covering up my dad’s insane alcoholism my entire childhood. So much that I didn’t even know until the truth came out when I was 32 years old. [more on this later, it’s a shocker story]

It’s becoming more well known that adults with ADD are not, and I’m not perfect. In fact, I have been through hell to get where I am today; in my headspace, my physical health, my relationships, and my finances. Most of the heavy lifting and changes occurred last year. This is when I met four of my closest friends and coaches; Keala, Kimberly, Krisna, and Carmen.  Coaching together, we all shared everything in our hearts and we confided in each other so much that, even though I’ve only met Carmen and Keala face to face, I’m sure that I would get on a plane and fly around the world to help them all. And they would do the same.

Here’s the kicker – I have amazing ability of intuition to help other people face their own fears and open their hearts. One day, I got completely called out by the team and was asked, “why don’t you love yourself the way you love other people?” and  “why are you afraid to feel your emotions and feelings for yourself?” – Since I had recently 100% gotten clean and sober – my answer was basically that I’m afraid that if I feel my feelings, that I’ve drank down for so long, that I will relapse, and there was no way on Earth I was letting that happen.  

Now, most of you know that true coaches aren’t supposed to ‘tell you’ things, they are supposed to bring them out of you, but, Krisna says, “are you kidding me? You aren’t that person anymore, you would never relapse, because you can’t, because you are not that person anymore, I can’t believe my ears.. Mr. “I can do anything” won’t feel his feelings cuz he’s afraid of doing something that he could never do again… yeah, okay, so what’s next, which feeling are we going to start with? C’mon let’s go, you have people to save with your love.” Usually helps when your coach also is one of the adults with ADHD in your life.

So here’s what I’ve come up with to follow through on what we’ve coined as “Living with Your Heart On”

1. Learn how to sit WITH the emotion, not IN it
2. We evolve the more we can feel and change
3. Ask yourself, “why am I really feeling this? What can I learn?”
4. Ask “How is this helping  me? Or hurting me, How can I improve for next time?
5. Use you “PAUSE” button to Respond , NOT React… (response-able)

My friends, life will bring you ups and downs, wonderful days and some dreadful moments. Your perception of the situation is your experience. When you realize that the Universe itself is perfect, then how can your life be any different?

Open your heart just a little more each day until you can blast it open, full throttle and love without abandon, trust me, when you operate with your Heart On, you’ll never ever be the same, and you won’t ever want to go back. There are many successful adults with ADHD

SHINE is a life altering program for your entire family and we require that each parent attend an orientation session prior to engaging in the program. This is an important step and the entire family needs to become familiar with the specifics of the SHINE program, helping to achieve the successful outcome that all of us desire for your child.

Dr. Etka maintains a busy practice near Richmond Va. At Health Link Family Chiropractic. www.healthlinkva.com

Dr. Eric Etka regularly presents information on topics about ADHD in Richmond Va. Our presentations are typically done at our Health Link Family Chiropractic – Mechanicsville Va. If you are interested in having Dr. Eric Etka speak at your workplace, church, organization, or club – Call 804-559-6818

author: eric etka

Adults With Adhd

Adhd For Teachers

We’ve discussed before what it’s like for a parent, adult, or child with ADHD to go through school. Teachers have initiative to make sure that each student gets through the program, does well on SOL tests, and has a memorable school experience. When it comes to ADHD for teachers, many of them are finding out the many colors and personalities that come with the ADD Brain.

Dr. Hallowell has been hard at work behind the scenes to help bring ADHD for teachers to a level of understanding, in order for the knowledge and persistent application can help the young intelligent, often misunderstood children hope for a brighter future. In this blog post, I’m going to take adaptations from his book and add my real life personal and professional experience. Handling ADHD st home is much different than ADHD for teachers; so here is the list of tips for teachers of people of all ages who have the traits of ADD/ADHD:

• Have the kids with ADHD sit toward the front of the room (though not all together). Even better, have a circular seating arrangement. That way, someone is always looking at each student. It is very hard not to pay attention when someone is looking at you.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Dr. Etka: it is now well known that the ADD brain has ‘hemisphericity’, meaning that basically one side is stronger than the other. we also know that the opposite train focuses to the opposite side. thus, by placing a children on the side of the room that has ‘stronger’ hemisphere, the attention and focus can more easily go to the center of the room.

• Use touch if it is allowed in your school. I shudder to think that Mrs. Eldredge’s arm is now illegal in many schools in this country. But if you are allowed to, touching a child on the shoulder, say, is a great way to provide encouragement and also bring his mind back into the room and the task at hand.

Dr. Etka: this is a ‘touchy’ subject. adults who can calmly place there hand on a child with ADD will help tremendously, but if the ‘touch’ is a stern grab, hold, or anything that can re-stimulate a childs memory of the typical life of an ADD child who has been reprimanded countless times (you catch my drift) – I love touch personally – as long as it is from a well meaning person who can encourage and support my goals and aspirations.

• Use eye contact. Your eyes can bring attention back into the room.

• Use kids’ names. When you hear your name it is almost impossible not to pay attention.

Dr. Etka: the eyes are the light of the soul. looking into someone’s eyes – you can get a sense of what’s really going on inside. use visual connection as a means of communication to give the child the feeling that they are safe, they are understood, and that you really do want to help them. similarly, saying a child’s name in correct tone helps.

• Never keep kids in for recess. Exercise is essential for mental focus.

• Consider starting the day with some stretching exercises.

• Consider having the kids sit not in chairs but on exercise balls. That provides constant musculoskeletal stimulation, which is good for the brain, and also involves the cerebellum, which is good for focus.

• Emphasize proper brain care with the kids: eat right, get exercise, get enough sleep, don’t overdose on electronics.

Dr. Etka: totally agree!! people with ADHD need a way to ‘blow off’ their excess energy. nutrition is huge with helping to gain better control on impulsiveness of ADHD, the ball idea started in Europe and is wonderful. Chiropractically, it’s the spinal joints that send signals to the cerebellum to get it’s motor going, which then speaks to the pre-frontal cortex. (took me months to gain solid understanding og the neurology with that one

• Introduce new topics in terms of old topics already mastered.  Kids with ADHD overheat easily. They get frustrated quickly when they sense they won’t understand something new. So, for example, when you start fractions explain right away that fractions are simply division written differently, and the kids have already learned division.

• Break down large topics or tasks into small, manageable bits. For example, a book report might be subdivided into eight steps, or a science project outlined in a dozen doable steps. Once again, this helps the child with ADHD not feel overwhelmed. It is also helpful for all the other kids as well.

• Notice and appreciate successful moments. Kids with ADHD often go through an entire day getting multiple reprimands or therapies without one single affirmation. Imagine how you’d feel if you went through your day like that.

Dr. Etka: at SeaWorld they train big powerful animals to do the amazing. many of the same principles apply here. taking something that may seem complex and showing the animal they already know each separate step, that actually, when put together create a totally awesome new feat of excellence. ( i do this when my extreme athlete sons get scared to try something ‘never done before’. by looking for the child to do the ‘right’ thing, it completely changes the training/teaching process… and the self esteem rises.. (trust me, a child with ADD can bring you tons of joy, or loads of frustration and pain – your choice)

• Stay in touch with parents, even if you don’t particularly love them. My best advice to teachers is the same advice I give to parents: make friends with each other.

Dr. Etka: not only can ADHD for teachers be very challenging to understand correctly, but also, a daunting task given the amount of kids in a class nowadays; help is mandatory from parents.

• Don’t let the child or the parent use ADHD as an excuse. ADHD is not an excuse to get out of taking responsibility, but an explanation that leads to taking responsibility more effectively.

• Don’t fall into the trap of the “moral diagnosis,” blaming the child’s difficulties on bad character. Look deeper than that. ADHD is a neurological trait, not a moral infirmity.

• Above all else, enjoy these kids. Nothing works better than that—both for the kids and for you.

Dr. Etka: I love Ned. he’s is such a genuine guy. understanding ADHD and having the compassion I have now, I have seen so many parents, adults and kids, begin to thrive while learning how to handle their ADD Brain better.

Adaptations taken from Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach to Raising Your Distracted Child, Edward H. Hallowell, M.D. and Peter Jensen, M.D. Ballantine, 2008

author: eric etka

Adhd For Teachers

Hot Yoga Richmond – Can Yoga Help ADHD?

I love doing Hot Yoga in Richmond Va. Along with running the world class mt biking trails on the James River, I have found that doing Hot Yoga at my fav studio, Hot House Yoga, in Richmond Va, has helped my ADHD tremendously.

You might be wondering, can Yoga help ADHD. It does, I know it does. Anatomically it makes sense. People with ADHD have changes in neural functioning that the ‘normal’ population isnt gifted with. During my evaluations with ADHD clients, we follow exactly what the SHINE for Doctors program, created by Dr. Hallowell; has trained us to perform.

You may be sitting there, reading this, thinking: “how in the world… this doctor is saying

Yoga Helps ADHD

Invariably, the client has dysfunctional core strength, proprioception, integration, changes in oculomotor processing,; just to name a few things. As it turns out, studies have shown that the ADD brain has one hemisphere of the brain that , not only, is smaller, but also functions weaker than the other side. The big technical term is called ‘hemisphericity’.

Yoga helps ADHD by integrating balance, focus, and self esteem in ways that most exercises can’t. Personally, doing Hot Yoga at my fav studio,

Hot House Yoga Richmond Va

, has helped my ADHD tremendously.

I found wisdom in speaking to one of their owners, Jimmy Yax, along with the following article from http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/2569

Will yoga be the next prescribed treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? An estimated 2.5 million children between 4 and 17 take Ritalin, Adderall XR, Strattera, and other prescribed drugs for the disorder. Unfortunately, the FDA has concluded that some of these drugs carry a troublesome risk of mania and hypomania, and may be associated with suicidal impulses.

As concerns about the safety of these drugs grow, researchers in Australia and Germany have found that children with ADHD may find relief and improved focus with yoga. “Yoga can be a lifetime friend,” says Pauline Jensen, coauthor of a 2004 study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders. “It increases concentration, promotes mental and physical discipline, and induces confidence.” Though parents in Jensen’s research reported that the 8- to 13-year-old boys who practiced yoga once a week for five months were less hyperactive, the findings did not conclude that yoga and ADHD could replace drug treatment.

However, a 2006 German study found that children undergoing drug treatment for ADHD can greatly benefit from doing yoga and that forward bends are particularly effective. “Forward bends increase exhalation by lengthening and deepening the breath,” says the study’s coauthor, Nicole Goldstein, M.D. “This is key in developing concentration.”

At our Chiropractic office we’re blessed to have a yoga studio where I can work face to face with clients. Im finding that integrating twisting poses, and balance poses, increases the connections and focus of my clients. Our Chiropractic center, Health Link Family Chiropractic, is located just east of Richmond. (804) 559-6818

I chose these pics on purpose to give people an idea of what helps my ADHD during yoga..

author: eric etka

Yoga And Adhd

Interested in doing Hot Yoga in Richmond at

Hot House Yoga

9665 West Broad Street, Suite 7
Richmond, VA 23060
P. (804) 622-0099

Hot Yoga Richmond

Add Focus Help

Many people in the real world, as well as, online are looking for ADD focus help. Many entrepreneurs are battling with the constant communication, information, changes, and reformatting of the Internet. Kids, parents, and adults in the real world are also looking for solutions for ADD focus help. Ironic as it may sound, people that have the traits of ADD/ADHD have an incredible ability to focus and be productive. The challenge comes in finding what works for individuals in their won worlds. Here are several ways to achieve ADD focus help.

1. Go with Strengths, Unfocus on Weakness: I know that seems obvious when you read it, but so many people are thinking they should be working on their weaknesses to strengthen themselves. I believe thats a waste of time. (delegate, refer, or outsource your weaknesses)
2. Distraction be Damned: each person has particular things that distract them; we’re all different. Something that may completely rock my brain into “Turbo” might drive you erratic… On our Facebook page, we’ve created audios , ideas, environment changes that fans have sent in that they like and helps their brain. Track the things that take your focus away – limit or eliminate them completely – Organize the workspace. (or if that’s your weakness, have someone do it for you) Be ruthless with this step.. no grey areas, get rid of distractions
3. Rockets need Rocket Fuel: Since Im a Chiropractor, this part has been completely ingrained into my daily rituals and lifestyle. So Im going to give you the concentrated gold nugget version right here. Red meat, dairy, grains and sugar ALL cause inflammation in the human body. Many people are sensitive to wheat and gluten. The closer to God made it, the better. Humans need at least 50% of their body weight in grams of protein (divide your weight by 2, then that # GRAMS of protein) The kidneys can only properly deal with 8 oz of water per hour. Sleep and naps are essential for the ADD Brain. Consider what is coming into all your 5 senses; make it the best that you possibly can. This includes exercise.
4. Now vs. Not Now – there are so many jokes about procrastinating. So many slogans about taking the bull by the horns, or ‘just do it’. Simply put, people need ADD focus help in starting the project immediately. Do this by creating Structure, Novelty, and Motivation.
5. Create Rituals – all of us needing ADD focus help are finding that we are operate with different environments. One of the most important things to do is to control your environment so that it supports you the best. Performing the ritual of getting ready will be a cue to your brain, that “okay, we are getting ready to create, produce, complete tasks”. Think about it, we do it for our kids, with getting ready for school, dinner, and bedtime. We can do this to signal our brain that we are ready to rock.

Even if you’re not looking for ADD focus help, the above list will help you create an awesome environment to produce and complete tasks.

Add Focus Help

author: eric etka

Mindfulness With Adhd

Mindfulness with ADHD

Many people are under the wrong assumption that people with ADHD can’t focus.  Creating mindfulness with ADHD may seem ironic in the phrase, but it is swiftly gaining curiosity from psychologists and therapists. Working with clients and receiving my own continual training; I have discovered that the ADD Brain has special times of day when it’s in ‘Turbo’ mode. It is during these times that we can create unbelievable things; both positive and negative. Striving to find the next level in harnessing my brain’s ridiculous power, I came across research and studies regarding mindfulness with ADHD.

People with an ADD Brain have a special gift that the rest of the ‘normal’ people can never even comprehend. Our ability to harness our intentional thoughts can cause time, space, and physics to be transcended. (It’s my blog, I can say that Anyone who has been introduced to the Law of Attraction or the movie “The Secret” understand what I’m saying. The practice of mindfulness with ADHD is not an easy road to walk. But I have heard so many stories and seen in my personal, instances where – in 20/20 hindsight, I can directly connect the thoughts I was having to certain things becoming a reality. Much faster than other people can do. Tough part is getting someone with ADHD to be fully present and harnessed into their mindfulness with ADHD.

Its been noted by many ADHD experts that we aren’t very good at self recognition. Why would we want to be? If you have ADD/ADHD, I can only imagine the thoughts you have about yourself from other people pointing their finger at you, feeling different, feeling let down, or remembering the things you forgot, or didn’t follow through on, etc.. Im here to help you.. Here are some important things to know:

1. Being different is AWESOME… your ability to be creative, curious – combined with your brains energy causes you to do amazing things, both good and bad, so lets get focused.
2. ADD/ADHD isn’t a disorder – it’s a set of traits, it’s an anatomically different brain, it is genetic, the digestive system is different, when you learn this, its not an excuse, its just knowledge.
3. Your ability to create is unmatched – Given the correct training, I believe you can change things in your life as quickly as you can get the thoughts straight in your head, fill them with all the love in your heart and connect all 5 senses to them.
4. You are not bad, wrong, or a nuisance. –  the majority of this world functions in a linear pattern; not the pattern that we think and operate in. I’ve begun saying this, “ADD stops for no one”. You are not bad, wrong, or a nuisance, you simply think differently than society has set of the fences, boundaries, and structure. SO what? Every one who changed the world thought ‘outside the box’. (let’s just stay clean, and sober, and out of ‘jail’)
5. You CAN meditate, do yoga, calm your mind –  Maybe not the first time, but with structured practice, at the right times of day for your brain; you are so capable of being present when you are completing a task, talking to people – without interrupting – beginning a project, and being in a loving faithful relationship. (yes, all those things are possible.)

Many people with ADD find extreme focus when they are in high stimulus activities. I have found ways to create that hyperfocus anytime I have to.  You can do it too. My life is riddled with mistakes and victories… But presently, I am having more success in my life than ever before. If you want to know more, just enter your name and email above and we’ll get in touch with you.

Mindfulness With Adhd

author: eric etka

Yoga And Adhd

Can Yoga help ADHD. It does, I know it does. Anatomically it makes sense. People with ADHD have changes in neural functioning that the ‘normal’ population isnt gifted with. During my evaluations with ADHD clients, we follow exactly what the SHINE for Doctors program, created by Dr. Hallowell, has trained us to perform. Invariably, the client has dysfunctional core strength, proprioception, integration, changes in oculomotor processing,; just to name a few things. As it turns out, studies have shown that the ADD brain has one hemisphere of the brain that , not only, is smaller, but also functions weaker than the other side. The big technical term is called ‘hemisphericity’.

the following article from http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/2569

Will yoga be the next prescribed treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? An estimated 2.5 million children between 4 and 17 take Ritalin, Adderall XR, Strattera, and other prescribed drugs for the disorder. Unfortunately, the FDA has concluded that some of these drugs carry a troublesome risk of mania and hypomania, and may be associated with suicidal impulses.

As concerns about the safety of these drugs grow, researchers in Australia and Germany have found that children with ADHD may find relief and improved focus with yoga. “Yoga can be a lifetime friend,” says Pauline Jensen, coauthor of a 2004 study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders. “It increases concentration, promotes mental and physical discipline, and induces confidence.” Though parents in Jensen’s research reported that the 8- to 13-year-old boys who practiced yoga once a week for five months were less hyperactive, the findings did not conclude that yoga and ADHD could replace drug treatment.

However, a 2006 German study found that children undergoing drug treatment for ADHD can greatly benefit from doing yoga and that forward bends are particularly effective. “Forward bends increase exhalation by lengthening and deepening the breath,” says the study’s coauthor, Nicole Goldstein, M.D. “This is key in developing concentration.”

At our Chiropractic office we’re blessed to have a yoga studio where I can work face to face with clients. Im finding that integrating twisting poses, and balance poses, increases the connections and focus of my clients.

I chose these pics on purpose to give people an idea of what helps my ADHD during yoga..

author: eric etka

Yoga And Adhd

Adult With Adhd

Being an adult with ADHD, as well as, an entrepreneur with ADHD, it has always been surprising to me that I can get so focused on something, but then out of the blue, something grabs my attention. The entire joke behind people yelling, “Squirrel!” has become synonymous with being an adult with ADHD. Some folks call it the “shiny object syndrome”, which oddly enough is S.O.S.

There are many guides and helpful hints for the adult with Adhd community to help us stay focused and not be so distracted. It will be interesting to see what the comments will show up below.

Distractions don’t only have to be the things in place site that cause our attention to shift. I’ve learned from my boss that many of our distractions can be the things in our minds that are unfinished tasks. Do you understand what that mean? Any unfinished business that needs to be attended to will be taking up space in your head; not even paying rent…

So let’s take this a step further, being an adult with ADHD, we have the tendency to start projects and not finish them. We get excited about certain things then never get back to them. Many of us have the personality that begins a project and inspires others to finish it. Others have the personality that just leaves unfinished projects along the way of our life path.

Adult with Adhd

Here’s a simple set of steps to minimize, not only, distractions right in front of you, but also the ones that are taking up mental energy inside your head.

1. Write down 7 unfinished things – number them in terms of ease of completing
2. Determine if you can complete it or you can delegate/outsource it
3. Take your ‘One a Day’ and complete one task each day to total completion.
4. Cleaning clutter in the house – TRAF – Toss, Refer, Act, File. (power through it)
5. Organize a rewarding work and living environment
6. Set systems in place so that they don’t return (most important)

Completing things that need to get done will actually help create time. It happens a lot that an adult with ADHD will lose track of time. Simply stated, once the thing is done, and a system is in place that automatically completes it or keeps it taken care of, then all that time is freed up.

Organization is the key to growth. No one wants to grow and expand to only create more chaos, unfinished

At our wellness center near Richmond Va, we accept clients who are looking for help with their ADHD issues. The SHINE for Doctors is a comprehensive neuro, chiro, nutritonal, treatment program that only chiropractors who are licensed and certified by Dr. Edward Hallowell can perform.

Adult With Adhd

Adult With Adhd

Rockstar Project #1 – NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL – 100% COMMITMENT

When I turned 30 I started asking my mother some very hard questions, trying to figure out what in my childhood I didn’t know about that had shaped me into the wonderfully successful adult with ADHD, but, privately, a train wreck I had become. I was able to stay completely clean and sober for 8 solid years, completed both a bachelors degree and doctorate in that time; built business with income over $250K consistently, but in between the last few years, I began self-sabotaging myself again. I knew there had to be answers to these recurring issues, because there is no effect without a cause. Long story short, my biological father was alcoholic, my step dad was also, and my mother spent majority of her time covering up his lifestyle. Somehow, my sister, one of my heroes, got through it all unscathed.

Growing up and continuing to life and operate as an adult with ADHD, my emotions and feelings were amplified. If you’re an adult with ADHD, then you know what Im talking about. I became very scared of how powerful I was, combined with the hurt of lack of validation or appreciation, or being told ‘im so proud of you’ – (which I hear daily now) I didn’t have very much training or control over how my emotions would come out. Needless to say, I hurt more people than I helped back then. Thank God that’s over with.

Turns out that being an adult with ADHD has it’s massive drawbacks, along with it’s incredible gifts, when we take care of ourselves. Studies show (yes, I have the references for all the following facts)adult with adhd

1. that 50% of alcoholics and addicts have ADHD.
2. Problems succeeding in school and graduating
3. Problems at work, lost productivity, reduced earning power
4. Problems with relationships (OMG, I know right?!?)
5. More driving citations and accidents
6. Problems with addictions, overeating, and obesity
7. Problems with the law.

Let’s get to the punchline here… Introducing extra chemical into my body to dampen my powerful feelings and emotions led me down a road of total destruction. In my active life I was fearless in conquering anything physical. I can surf hurricanes, snowboard any mountain any where in the world, run faster than most people through world class mt biking trails, and have no doubt that I’m going to continue all that as I get older (no 40 y.o. jokes here, shut up).

Put your seat belt on for this one. Most people reading this have no idea what it takes to really be committed to something. I mean Gods honest 100% – I don’t care – come hell or high water – temptations – bribes – threats – i am committed to doing this completely … you know that I’m right. From New years resolutions, to personal, to deals with your God, to marriage vows… not man people can honestly say that they’ve been perfectly 100% never crossd the line, never tinkered here and there, blurred the edges or something… (those who have, I am very proud of you, and you are an incredible person)… My point is, staying clean and sober is my #1 priority in my lie, because with out that, nothing else is possible. That is an ‘inarguable’. Everyone who has known me in that lifestyle of alcohol and/or drugs would agree. So, i admonish you to check you double yellow lines and see where you are crossing them; im still not perfect with all of mine, but I certainly am with not drinking any alcohol or taking un-necessary drugs/OTC/pharmaceuticals.

Alcohol is a depressant that destroys lives. Drugs are only able to be made because the body has the receptors for them; which means that the body CAN make it’s own chemical to fit that receptor. Being a human being – at your utmost power – means that you can experience everything.

It’s amazing to watch and learn of other successful people with ADHD or alcohol or addiction problems like my two friends at Empower Network, who’ve created an  amazing way for people to get bring their passion and creativity to the internet and get paid for it. Absolutely incredible since I started marketing online at the same time as David Wood, but then I broke my shoulder and fell into a downward spiral until I got completely clean and sober for the last time.

If you’re an adult with ADHD, you are not alone, you have something powerful about you, and I can help you with your coaching or refer you to a chiropractor that is trained in SHINE for Doctors.

p.s. I you’re passionate about something in your life, or you’ve been trying to make money online, check out Empower Network and optin to get the video, I’m sure you’ll be happy that you did.

Adult With Adhd