Dr. Russell Barkley

They literally are correcting the neurogenetic basis in the brain

that is giving rise to your symptoms.

So part of owning it is realizing if this is neurobiological, there is nothing wrong with a biological agent being part of the treatment package.

It's not the sole thing we do, but it's an effective component, one of the most.

Okay, so we've got evaluation, education, medication.

Next, modification.

What can I do to modify my behavior in order to cope better with the demands of this disorder?

That's where cognitive behavior therapy for executive function deficits come in.

That's where adult ADHD coaching comes in.

That's where learning mindfulness meditative approaches, like in John Mitchell and Lydia Zylaska's new book that just came out on mindfulness-based practices for adult ADHD.

These are the things we want you to participate in.

And if you're on medication, you're more likely to benefit from them than if you're off your medication because they're just what the medication does to help you with organizing yourself and persisting and motivating yourself.

So number four is modification to the extent that you can.

Remembering it's neurobiological, but there's some latitude there.

that, you know, some give and take and how you deal with yourself.

Number five, accommodations.

Accommodation refers to how can I physically change my environment so that while my disorder is still there, I'm not impaired by it.

And that means looking at your workspace, looking at your computer and saying, okay, all games go on the computer over in my den.

and only the computer in my office has work apps on it.

Even then, I'm going to download apps that deal with time management and self-regulation that block out distracting websites, but no gaming on this computer.