You always hear about the problems. You don't hear about all of the wonderful qualities of being ADD, such as being intelligent and creative and seeing things from a unique perspective. People with ADD have a huge amount of energy and are hard workers - when it is something that intrigues them. Click Here and I'll send you a free copy of "29 Positive Aspects of ADD."

Unfortunately, most people only think about the negative qualities: disorganized, lazy, moody, hot tempered, fidgety or hyperactive, dreamy, easily distracted, forgetful, unpredictable, impulsive. What people don’t consider is society would not fare well without them, for these are the inventors, the creators, the CEOs, the risk-takers like firefighters, police, astronauts.

Instead of focusing on the negative, we need to maximize ADDs strengths and teach them coping strategies. Family members need to understand ADD and not personalize the negative behaviors. And, they all need to understand this is a neurological disorder; and since it may be hereditary, chances are more than one person in the family is ADD.

When a Person has ADD, It Affects the Whole Family

ADD children constantly live with pain, disappointment, and rejection. They live in bewilderment about the negative effect they have on others.

Siblings live with confusion, chaos, and a pesty brother or sister. They may feel embarrassed in front of their friends, annoyed at their ADD sibling, and angry at all the attention parents must devote to that child.

Parents may be at different levels of awareness about ADD and have different ideas for dealing with their ADD child, thus causing marital battles.

ADD Parents may have grown up with negative behaviors, incorporating a sense of failure. They may have a poor work history or are under-employed; they don’t understand why they have failed relationships and problems with their bosses and co-workers.

Spouses are frustrated and angry, feeling unheard and unappreciated. Their needs always come second as they mop up their spouse's failures. When their spouse lets them down, they usually take it personally.

The Whole Family often revolves around the chaos; routine events become time consuming ordeals. Predictability is rare. Family members may feel their only choices are to live with the hostile disorder or to walk on egg shells.

TREATMENTS

It is possible to make life easier for everyone. ADD is hereditary, so at least one child and one parent may have this diagnosed or undiagnosed neurological condition. However, their styles and issues can be different, meaning they need different types of interventions. A thorough evaluation is necessary.

Since ADD impacts the whole family, the most effective treatment is to help those with ADD recognize how their behaviors bother others and learn coping mechanisms. And, the whole family needs to express their feelings and learn strategies to deal with the negative -- and maximize the positive -- aspects of ADD.

Other treatments may include individualized therapy and group therapy for the ADD family members. People with ADD are insightful about others but not insightful about their own behaviors. These treatments teach them to better read interpersonal cues, to express their frustration, and to learn coping skills.

Another treatment option is Multi-family Therapy Groups. These are composed of several families, including siblings and extended family members. They receive support from each other – those with similar difficulties; they share different management strategies; and they learn to positively reframe the creative ADD attributes.

Here are two very useful resources for women and for the whole family:
ADDmirable Women and Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder.