Scatterbrain: do you feel like an engine revving in neutral—putting out lots of energy, but not getting anywhere? ADHD could be sabotaging your career and relationships

Natural Health, Dec, 2005 by Niika Quistgard-Devivo

1. Coaching

While psychotherapy typically deals with thoughts and emotions related to the past, coaching focuses on building the future by developing strategies to attain life and career goals. "Many individuals with ADHD are creative, intelligent people who are frustrated with their lack of achievement," says Pare Milazzo, an ADHD coach and chair of the ADHD Awareness Campaign for the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. "When they learn strategies that support working memory and executive functioning, they start to see sustained success." (For more information, visit the ADD Coach Academy at addca.com or ADHD Coaching Associates at adhdca.com.)

2. Tai Chi

A tai chi practice may reintroduce the brain and nervous system to a fluid, sustained state of concentration. A University of Miami School of Medicine study found that taking two 30-minute classes a week for five weeks reduced ADHD symptoms like anxiety, daydreaming, and hyperactivity. The benefits continued during a two-week follow-up period without classes.

3. Neurofeedback

In 2005, the Journal of Clinical Psychology published findings showing that neurofeedback had an effect comparable to stimulant medication in helping ADHD adolescents and adults intentionally regulate brain activity. This technique uses monitoring equipment to display a visual representation of your brain state. Working with a specialist--a health-care professional with additional training--you learn to differentiate between different brain wave types, and independently regulate brain wave activity for increased concentration and focus.

4. Interactive Metronome Therapy

A new method for addressing cognitive challenges of many kinds is exhibiting promise for people with ADHD. Interactive Metronome Therapy is a computer-based technology where sensors measure accuracy as you try to synchronize hand and foot movements with a given beat. The immediate audio and visual feedback allows for progressive refinement of the exercise, which helps develop focus, increase stamina, filter out distractions, and improve self-monitoring of mental and physical actions. For a list of resources, visit interactivemetronome.com.

5. E-surfing

Help for people with ADHD is as close as your computer. Visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (add.org) and the National Resource Center on AD/HD (help4adhd.org) for information and advice. At Webjillion.com, click "Temptation Blocker" to temporarily lock out distracting software such as browsers and games; it's a free download for Windows users.