Playing with Adult ADD/ADHD

[hroark2112]

When I was a kid, I was diagnosed with ADD. This was a LONG time ago, well before any kid who just didn't listen to his teachers was put on medication. My mom (bless her heart) was given a choice...Valium for her, or medications for me. Guess which one she chose?? Yup...Valium it was. I wasn't any better, but she could cope much better!!

Fast forward about 30 years. My attention span SUCKS. I know this, but haven't quite figured out what to do yet. 18 months is as long as I last at a job, 18 months is WAY long for a relationship, and if I live in one place for too long, I get edgy & restless. So...I'm single, go through lots of jobs, and move around.

Almost 5 years ago now I decided to get back into hockey. I had played street hockey as a kid, but never ice hockey. Naturally, I started with roller hockey first. I almost regret this now, but it is what it is. Obviously, I have several issues that are keeping me from playing in the NHL. The significant lack of talent overrides the really cool gear and my mask fetish. The fact that I started on wheels instead of blades has handicapped my movement on ice, simply because it's not habit yet. All these are minor, however, when compared to my biggest problem. Focus. Attention span. This week is apparently one of my bad weeks. Starting from last Monday, I've played like crap about 80% of the time. Tuesday night, against a team that really was about 100X better than my team, we lost 9-1. Wednesday, I was horrible, but the other team had no goalie and we won 10-4. Thursday I played against a team with a goalie who either kept his glove closed & on top of his pad all night, or above the crossbar....he couldn't skate, had a pissy attitude....and I sucked hard. Luckily, we won 14-4 (I think, they stopped counting on the scoreboard at 9) but if we had played a good team, I'd have been screwed. Sunday was another debacle...I sucked hard and we lost 5-3. At least 2 of the goals were terrible. Tonight was more of the same, lost 5-1 (admittedly the team I subbed for was terrible, but still!!).

It all comes down to my focus. I can't seem to stay on task here, and I'm drifting around a bit. Anyone have any advice? Anything herbal/non-narcotic I can do to help? I would really prefer to steer clear of medications, if at all possible. I'm just wanting to play better and keep my teams in some games, even when we're overmatched - which does happen frequently!

Any advice is helpful!! Thanks!!

[AL-E-Gator]

Dr. AL-E-Gator here . . .

Concentration - well there are two ways to address this, and let's try the IN-expensive way first.

In order to provide the brain with a substrate that can be used to make neurotransmitters that help with focus, I'd have You try DMG (aka DiMethylGlycine). I've had plenty of ADD/ADHD kids & adults use this with good results at 100-200mg taken 3x per day on an EMPTY stomach (30 minutes prior to eating at least. . .) This can be really helpful.

A more expensive route can be by contacting a lab in Wisconsin (NeuroScienceinc.com) and getting a hold of their Neuro-Select panel. It is a Urine Test, and can help by delineating the exact Neurotransmitter levels that You are operating with - and then able to come up with a combination of natural products which can help You balance the neurotransmitters (re-balance what is out of balance in Your customized case). I've used this with great success, as it is tailored according to an individual patient (cost of test $200). The treatment is non Rx, and therefore can be accessed without a Physician - although to have a Doctor help You with what You may need to do is really quite helpful. I'm sure that they would help You find a Doctor Near You to help you interpret the test and do what is necessary.

Hope this helps!

Dr. A-

[Martysgirl74]

I echo what Al-e-gator said. There are quite a few things that can cause ADD/ADHD from chemical imbalances to food alergies and vitamin deficiencies. There are also a variety of non-narcotic treatments. I would find a therapist in your area that specializes in treating ADD/ADHD. I'm certain that they will be able to find a method that will work for you.

[Moving Target]

^^^ I completely agree with whats been said above

But on an immediate note, why don't you make a set of goals that you can refer back to when you're aware that you've become 'restless'?

.....

It could be a simple list, made whilst your feeling lucid and focused?

It would become in effect, a message from your past, reminding you of the plans you had and urging yourself to keep to them?

.....

You could even have some fun with it and create 12 envelopes, each containing a sets of monthly instructions - that lead to an overall goal?

ADD aside, we're all pretty crap at keeping to our goals and ambitions in life. I respect that ADD makes things doubly hard, but don't beat yourself up about it. You just need to find a balance.

:)

[AL-E-Gator]

Thanks Moving Target - I left out the part about the self talk, and how Hroark should not be beating himself up. Setting goals, having some dreams, and working - each day - toward becoming a healthier Person - will also make You a better 'Tender.

Hroark, as the old phrase goes, "God Doesn't Make Junk". That includes You too, and I will put You on my Prayer List. The fact that You jump into the nets makes me believe in You, as well as do (I'm sure) a lot of the others here who have read your plight. You can do it, and if You are interested - I'd be glad to provide some insight into the health care aspects of conquering Your illness - contact me privately, and I'll be glad to do so. I'm offering You my hand, brother. I want You to be a happy man, and I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is.

God Doesn't Make Junk

Alex Thermos

[JerseyGoalie27]

Hi Hroark,

I can't add much to the discussion as far as medications or cures or fixes for your everyday life with ADD. I've had some friends/doctors in the Medical profession ask me to get tested for it, but for whatever reasons, I've passed.

When I was a kid, it wasn't called ADD, it was "hyper-active". My aunt used to call me "Fidget" because I could never sit still.

In keeping with your topic, I have similar focus issues when I'm in net. I've gotten the nickname "Twitch" because when the puck is stopped or down at the other end of ice, I'm in constant motion. I kick my legs, shuffle my skates, shake my arms, and twitch my head and shoulders like I have Tourette's.

Only when the puck is in my end or headed in towards my end of the ice do I seem to settle down. I tell myself that I've played in net for years and that my body just knows what to do, so I "turn my brain off". That is, I try not to think, because once I start, the thought process doesn't stop.

To help with this, I was told to develop a pattern for myself to follow. I try to do the same things every game not because of superstition, but to keep my mind focused on the routine.


1) When I first get into the net at beginning of each period, I check my angles against the line markings on the sides of the boards.

2) I do a couple pad slides from post to post, then from post to center crease.

3) After my slides, I telescope out to the slot, then skate back into dead center of the post.

4) I bang the posts like Hextall. (Left, Right. Left, Right. Left, Right. Bottom left, Bottom right. Upper left, Upper right.)

5) I tap my pads with my stick. (Left goal pad, Right goal pad. Left shoulder, right shoulder. Then top of my helmet.)


I do that before the opening face-off of every period.


For stoppages down at the opposite end of the ice, I drop to my knees butterfly style, and wait for the puck to drop. Once it does, I get up quickly and skate to the top of my crease.


And for those pesky moments when I can't "shut my brain off", I think of a song from my pre-game mix, and sing it in my head. This prevents my head from thinking about anything else but singing this song. It's kind of like a reset button to clear my head of extra thoughts.

And if I feel like messin with the other team, I'll sing out loud. Gotta admit, kinda fun to see the looks on players faces when you're making saves while singing Godsmack.


This is what I do to cope. Hopes this gives you a few ideas.

The TBG

[hroark2112]

Funny, I'm a bit opposite of you, TBG. I'm not at all ritualistic, I don't tap the posts in any order or at any specific time, and I've never really developed many "must do" habits. I find myself to be much less "wacky" than many of the goalies online in that I don't have all the far out rituals and superstitions that so many seem to have...getting dressed in a certain order, tapping posts in a certain order, taking a drink after every save, talking to my goalposts, listening to a certain song before I hit the ice. I just can't lock myself into any of the because I know that, if I did, I would play HORRIBLY if I got something wrong in my ritual, so I just refuse to develop them.

I've been working a bit on my focus, and have an appointment with my family doc to do some testing. I've done a bit of research, and have taken a bunch of tests to determine what "type" of ADD I have. Fun stuff!!

[The TBG]

Hey, everybody has their own thing, so no big deal. =)

I don't consider what I do a "ritual". I don't think of it as something that will make or break my game. One of the books I read when I was younger talked about finding your best mindset and trying to recreate that mindset to help perform your best.

I had problems with my angles, so someone suggested working using the boards to check my angles. I grew up in Philly a Hextall fan, so I banged the posts like he did. Everything I do now, I've done for years and years, so it's all just a habit now.

Off the ice, I don't have anything I "MUST" do, but on the ice, when I've got a ton of nerves and energy and I need to calm myself down, I had to find a way to release it. The above was just my way of coping with it. It's what I do to keep my head in the game and not wandering off about what shows I've got TiVo'd or what I need to make for dinner, or even obsessing about the last goal I gave up.

Hopefully, you'll find what it is that lets you focus on your game. Then it won't be a ritual, it'll just be a habit that helps keep your focus.

Good luck, man! And keep stopping the puck!

[Goatee220]

Once you get the results back from your family Doc, you might want to get a written diagnosis in your HR file at work. ADD/ADHD falls under the "Americans With Disabilities Act" and can get you some special accomodations at work, such as a longer day (with more breaks built in), etc. I have ADD as well, and just the ability to wear headphones at work really helps me focus. Normally they frown upon that here, but they let me do it because they know I'm way more productive wearing them.
Good luck!
Pat

[kevinsane]

I have ADHD and take Ritalin. I would highly recommend a book called "Driven to Distraction", written by two Doctors with ADHD.:)

[Codfodder]

I am sure I have ADD and have been told by my Doctor I do. (Must be mild, cuz I think I am doing okay)However; I am sad to say, I saw an episode of Ally MacBeal (go easy on me) where her choice was meds or existing in a slightly dysfunctional way. She flushed the pills......no biggie but it made an impression on me.

So, I went through 4 great jobs in 7 years (by choice) due to boredom. Once our kids came along, I was lucky enough to be able to give them priority and focus on them. When I was single, I did what I wanted-when I wanted, regardless of the consequences.

Since kids, I have held the same job for 8 years, a new record. I believe the hectic life of being on the road and 2 small kids has given me enough diversions to keep me interested.

I always do things I never tried. After 20 years of playing position hockey, I switched to goal for the challenge. As long as I am learning I am good. I took up golf at 27.

When I get bored…………I find a something new to try.

The 3 biggest things I find are great for me.

· Regular exercise really calms the wandering mind
· There is no such thing as normal (it is a relative term) everyone is unique
· Make sure my desk is clean so I can focus on my tasks so I can pay for my new gear J

Might check out that book kev..ty

Cod

[Cujo_64]

I work with 3 goalies who have ADD and there is a way to talk to EACH of them.... One of them we have a 1 word that I use and when I say that word he will stop what he is doing and listen... I have only had to do this twice within the last 4 months, before that it was once a practice. He has started taking medicine and that has helped his focus. The other 2 I have had no issues with besides the normal paying attention sometimes, but they have been medicated since before I worked with them.

I have also started working with Adults more now and noticed a lot of them try to make themselves believe they need to tap their posts or do certain little quirks to make themselves better. After they realize that it isn't going to help them... they stop and end up playing a lot better.

[flyersfan2788]

You need to lose some weight.


I have ADHD and I smoke weed, it helps a lot. You should try that.


Now why would you risk a ban on this board, too? Neither of these are meaningful, intelligent, or sensible posts. I would even go so far as to suggest the first one could be construed as a personal attck, especially coming right on the heels of being banned over at the ****.

I don't have the original post that he got edited on on ****, but here is a link for the ban.

http://www.goaliestore.com/board/bugs-suggestions/79791-no-jokes.html


Sprawl? Martysgirl? Scott?

Hoark, I was a non-diagnosed ADD growing up, and I have tried Ritalin, but it really brought out the aggressive side in me, and I am not usually like that. I would be considered a mild case, though.

Josh

[Sprawl]

I have seen

And i am keepign an eye open

Feliks, consider yourself warned..

Attitude like that attacking members for any reason in not tolerated

[Cujo_64]

Wow I hope I don't get ganged up on here too....

http://www.goaliestore.com/board/bugs-suggestions/79808-server-too-busy.html

There's a "link" for you...the new guy just doesn't count I guess....wow...nice! Thanks guys! :D

The comments you make are just ..... idiotic to be honest on most accounts.... if you are here to talk about goaltending that's cool, but don't come here talking smack about others or talk about illegal substances... just common sense stuff man... nothing personal against you... just stating ok ?

Hope things work out for you here.


Rob

[Sprawl]

Feliks

there's no gang up. I am 100% impartial to what happens over there.

Every new member of goalielife is created equal and gets equal opportunity here. I will not judge and i will give the benefit of the doubt (I did approve your user afterall :p)

however, please read the rules (THIS GOES TO EVERYONE).

Personal insults are not tolerable. there is no tolerance. There is a difference between two friends who are being jockular and when your first post is immediately to someone i know you're not friends with stating "Lose some weight"

if you started off with everything else you've posted and avoided such commentary, i'd have never even looked at your name and lookedinto you.

[snlsmith]

I was diagnosed a several years ago with ADD. It does helps me in hockey though. All of these hang ups people have with their gear doesn't affect me, because I am never able to focus on it. I have played with all types of pads and can switch from one style to the next with no break in time. I can even play in any gear straight out of the box. It took me a long time to figure out my Boddams were too small becasue I could never focus/remember long enough to check it out once I was dressed.

Oddly enough though, when I play, I get so focused on the game that I rarely notice the crowd or my surroundings.

I have been prescribed most of the common meds (not at once :)) with none seeming to have any effect, other than adderral, which I had a bad reaction to even on a very small dosage. For the past two years or so I have not been on any meds. I am functional without them, but was hoping something would help.

[radicals goalie 35]

I agree, I'll just leave it at that.........
ritalin (sp) is something that is different varying person. zombifies some, really helps others... drug wars are bad, mkay.