ADD and the Evolving Workplace

As technology evolves, workplaces continue to change. Many workplaces offer work from home opportunities, allowing employees to do their jobs without stepping foot in a workplace. Working in a bathrobe and slippers without leaving the house may sounds luxurious to some.

For people suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder (or ADD), a condition known to impact a person's ability to focus or complete tasks, remote work may make it difficult to complete tasks. Fortunately, there are ways to address these challenges utilizing one or more of the following strategies:

1. Get a noise machine

ADD can cause car horns, thunder, and other everyday sounds to shift concentration away from work. Getting a noise machine can help to drown out background noise, making focusing on tasks more manageable.  Noise machines come with different sounds, such as white noise or rain sounds. There is no one size fits all way to program the machine; try experimenting with different sound and volume settings to see what works best for you.

2. See a psychiatrist

Stimulants are commonly utilized by psychiatrists to help patients with ADD stay focused. Additionally, some anti depressants can be used off label to help manage ADD side effects. Speak with a psychiatrist to explore what option may work best for you.

3. Go to therapy

For people with and without mental health diagnoses, task completion can be difficult when there is a lot on the mind. This is particularly true or people with conditions that impede their ability to maintain concentration. Talking to a therapist can help process emotions you may be struggling with. In addition, some therapists can help identify and work on coping skills specifically related to ADD symptoms.

4. Workout

Staying focused while sedentary at home the whole day is nearly impossible. Incorporating exercise into a workday has been shown to improve productivity and concentration. This does not necessarily mean you need to join a gym. Something as simple as taking a long walk or doing a yoga video can be helpful.

ADD symptom management is possible, even when working remotely! Anyone with the condition can try these different coping skills to help mitigate symptoms associated with ADD.

Written by: Sara Fraum

5 Practical Ways to Survive this Holiday Season

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This Holiday season is like none we've ever seen. The isolation can be intense. What does this do to our Holiday traditions, the parties, the friends and the family members which make our season bright? Here are 5 practical ways to survive this Holiday season while managing stress, depression and anxiety: 

1. Don't isolate yourself: Those of you who are completely alone might consider staying 

with your family or have another single friend spend a couple weeks with you. If you have your own family engage in fun activities that ignite some new traditions. For example, some people have opted to go cut down a live Christmas tree. Record yourself Christmas caroling with some of your friends and send them as Holiday cards. The possibilities are endless. 

2. Put your marital conflict on hold: Vow to resolve your problems after the Holiday 

season. Focus instead on what is positive about your relationship. Why did you originally fall in love? Of course, this doesn't mean if the conflict is so intense that you are hurting each other. If that is the case perhaps you could isolate from each other during this time. Go home to your respective families to catch a break. 

3. Keep a Holiday Journal: Write down your feelings about this Holiday season both 

negative and positive. It's much better to externalize our emotions. It's also easier to identify emotional patterns after you've been logging them for a while. After the Holiday season is over you can make an effort to work on resolving the negative emotions. You could also focus on what you're grateful for in your life. This helps you focus on the positive aspects of your life. Talk about what's working for you right now. 

4. Pick up a new skill set: Wanting to learn a new language? Perhaps look for an online 

class or group that's learning via Babble. Find a new hobby that involves individual time as well activities with others. 

5. Read a great self help book: Wanting to work on your self-esteem, over-eating or anger 

issues. Now is the time to get a head start on doing something positive to help you grow emotionally and psychologically. Start the new year on the right path. 

Any effort you make to change your life will pay off in the long run. I know that it can be difficult to make these changes by yourself. If you need help don't hesitate to call. We're here 

Check out at info@greaterchicagocounseling.com or by phone at (312)955-0319. 

How do we survive constant change?

How do we survive constant change? It seems that the environment in which we live in is filled with constant crisis and uncertainty. You cannot turn on the news without being bombarded with negativity. Yes, I realize that the news often tends to focus on the negative rather than the positive happenings.  However, it seems to me that the news is supercharged with horrible new realities each day.  From pandemic death tolls and rising unemployment numbers to news of constant violence.

So, what are the emotional and psychological effects that I am seeing in my practice?. I am seeing more anxiety than I can ever remember. It is especially true of my individual clients who are over 40.  As I was driving home the other evening, my son and I witnessed the aftermath of a 59 year old man having taken his own life by jumping in front of a Metra train.  Unfortunately, this behavior has become an all to frequent occurrence.  So, what gives?

For a person to have a general sense of well being there needs to be a certain level of predictability.  Middle age individuals tend to be less likely to want to take risks.  Rather, people tend to become creatures of habit. We tend to engage in the same rituals day after day.  We fold our towels the same way, buy similar groceries from the store, call the same friends, practice the same religious belief and even have sex in the same position.

While this may strike some as boring to many others, it symbolizes comfort.   I believe that what I am seeing today is a severe erosion of esteem, confidence and comfort for many individuals in their middle years. Middle aged individuals are questioning whether they still add value to society.  I think it stems from so many middle aged individuals having lost their jobs.  To this individual, their jobs were not just careers but came to represent identity.  Just think about how you describe yourself at a dinner party?  Do you at some point talk about what you do for a living?

As always I like to point out the possible solutions.  I believe it is important in times like these to focus on what we have accomplished rather than what we are missing.  No one can take that away.  During stressful and unpredictable times in our life we need to meet our needs more diligently.  For example,  relying on our friends and family to highlight our sense of worth.  People forget to go to others for support – it really does make a difference.  Additionally, lean on whatever faith you have had in your past.  It is amazing how much this can lead to solace.  Lastly, don’t forget to exercise and eat healthy.  Exercise can release those endorphins and eating healthy keeps the stress from damaging our immune systems.  And, if these tactics don’t work there is always therapy.  Even a short stint in your psychologist’s office can help you right the ship.

Don’t forget that help is just a phone call away.  Call Dr. Goschi now at (312) 595-1787 or email me at barbara@drgoschi.com