Women with Attention Deficit Disorder : Embracing Disorganization at Home and in the Workplace

by Solden, Sari

• ISBN13: 9781887424059
• ISBN10: 1887424059
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-10-01
• Publisher: Pub Group West

Summary

In this pioneering exploration of ADD, Sari Solden combines real-life histories and treatment experiences with the latest clinical research to create a new screening checklist specifically for women. She highlights the special challenges women with ADD face, describes what to look for and what to look out for in treatment and counseling, and outlines empowering steps that women living with ADD may use to change their lives. Solden poignantly depicts the shame many women experience as they find themselves unable to live up to expectations ingrained early in life. Through exercises, self-talk, and client stories, she helps women dismantle their self-images as "slobs" or "space cadets" and enjoy success on their own terms.

Author Biography

Sari Solden, MS, MFCC, is a psychotherapist in private practice, who specializes in individual, couple and group work with Add adults and their partners. She trains and serves as a consultant to mental health professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of adult Add. She is a frequent presenter in local, regional, and national conferences and has contributed to national Add publications. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where she obtained a Masters Degree in clinical counseling at California State University. She holds a marriage and family counseling license (MFCC) in California. She recently returned to Michigan, where she is licensed as a professional counselor. In addition, Ms. Solden has received several awards for her "creative writing". She also plays drums and keyboard in an amateur jazz/rock band. Ms. Solden's son, Evan, is a college music student. She currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband, Dean.

Table of Contents

Essay : the buried treasure
Coming out of the (messy) closet : introduction to my personal and professional story	p. 1
An equal opportunity disorder : girls and AD/HD	p. 8
"Dance with the lady with the hole in her stocking" : a portrait of women's lives before diagnosis	p. 17
"Who am I?" and "what's the matter with me?" : the impact on a woman's developing self-image	p. 31
The disorder of dis-order : understanding disorganization	p. 40
The job from hell : a woman's job description	p. 55
The emotional legacy : shame and guilt	p. 65
Secondary effects : underachievement and a depressed mood	p. 78
A third secondary effect : relationships and self protection	p. 91
Are you friendship challenged? : getting back on the road to relationships	p. 100
Finding your way : self-assessment and paths to diagnosis	p. 119
Cases of mistaken identity : diagnostic difficulties for women	p. 135
Solden's "MESST" model of treatment : medication, education, strategies, support, and therapy	p. 153
The beginning of the "MESST" medication	p. 162
"Let's get physical" : women's treatment issues	p. 180
The middle of the "MESST" : education and strategies	p. 188
The rest of the middle of the "MESST" : support	p. 203
The end of the "MESST" : therapy	p. 213
Essay : diamonds in the rough	p. 230
From chaos to creation : learning to embrace disorganization	p. 232
Are you staying or going? : restructuring your work life	p. 238
Shake, rattle, and roles : restructuring your personal life	p. 256
Yours, mine, and ours : renegotiating relationships	p. 273
One of a kind : redefining your self-image	p. 293
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