Chapter Summary (#1-4)
We’re going to be posting summaries of the different chapters of Pills Don’t Teach Skills.
Here’s the Summary of Chapters 1 to 4
1. Attitude – Opening with the famous quote entitled “Attitude” by Charles Swindoll, I focus on how important attitude is to work through ADD, I explore a personal experience of narcissism and a bar fight that unknowingly was ADD impacting me at that time in my life. Positive reinforcement regarding attitude is further supported with a list of famous people who have ADD and the many positive traits of people with ADD such as creativeness, energy and public speaking success. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
2. Symptoms and Behaviors – There are many symptoms and behaviors associated with ADD, which are detailed. More importantly, I share what the many symptoms and challenges I faced were and offer a real personalized view. Relating to a personal story was very important to me as I feel it makes this boo “real” and offers something for people reading to relate to. Also included is reference to an on line ADD screening tool to assist in diagnoses. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
3. The Wake Up Call - On my 36th birthday, my former wife and I stood outside on a beautiful new deck I had built with my own hands in the back yard of our home dream home, so I thought. I now understand the saying “a house doesn’t make a home”. To this day I still remember the words exactly as she said them, “I need to leave, I can’t do this any more”. Those words at that time seemed so surreal, and I was numb. I wasn’t numb with pain or hurt as I later discovered, but I was numb with confusion, disorientation and being completely in the dark with how I had ended up in this situation. ADD was impacting my marriage. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
4. Counseling and Medication - One of the first and hardest steps I took was to seek counseling. When I sat in the horribly uncomfortable counselors chair that seemed to travel into this place in time through a time machine (dirt included), my mind was closed. It really wasn’t very open for a while. As I sat and listened, those typical closed-minded thoughts raced through my head like “what a waste of time” and “this guy has read too many self help books”. I soon came to realize the benefits of counseling and also embarked on a journey taking a medication called Concerta. Upon starting the medication and prior to the success I experience, my Doctor stated, “Pills Don’t Teach Skills, it will take more than that”. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
Stay tuned for the Chapter Summary on Chapters 5-8