Chapter Summary (#5-8)
Continuing with the chapter summary of Pills Don’t Teach Skills, here are chapters 5 through 8.
5. Coaching - Enter Pete Quily. Pete is an ADD and life skills coach. Pete started by letting me know that coaching works best when you have clear goals, which are based on your needs and values. My very first coaching session, Pete and I met by phone. That’s how Pete does it, and for me it was very effective. We chatted about my journey through ADD, what I have experienced and where I was going. How my experience progressed and the tremendous value in utilizing an ADD coach are part of the experience I share. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
6. Meds Are Not Enough - The phrase “pills don’t teach skills” is one of the most accurate an impacting statements I heard in my challenge of dealing with ADD. As I started medication, I focused on a two year plan that involved much more than just medication. I needed to completely understand what challenged me, how it impacted me and correct it. There were two steps to correcting my ADD challenges, the first being medication and the second being learning and maintaining new life skills. Taking medication, that was the easy part. I did very well with that, the pill went in my mouth and down it went with a quick sip of water. Joking aside, that was just the beginning and the medication allowed my brain to be ready to learn and retain new skills. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
7. When Medication Has Done Its Job - The benefits of medication can not be argued in my case. They were an important part of the puzzle in winning my battle against ADD. There also comes a cer
tain point in time for some people, not necessarily all people, but in my case, to stop taking medication. The medication had done it’s job. I was on Concerta for just under two years and as noted by Dr. Gabor Mate when I originally started, there was and is no way to know how long I would be required to be on medication. There are people who have been on medication for years and years, some for a short period of time and some who will never be able to leave medication alone. For me and fortunately, I experienced success with medication and the time came for me to reevaluate it’s use. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.
8. Power of The Mind – Our mind is so powerful and it is a valuable tool in wining the battle against ADD. In fact, I’d like to introduce you to your own best friend and worst enemy, your mind. It is an instrument capable of creating a magnificent life. As long as you remain in control, it will act as your best friend. However, if you don’t remain at the wheel, in control, it will run on autopilot. Without direction from you, it will operate aimlessly, eventually running amok, and prove to be your worst enemy. The good news is your conscious and subconscious minds work as a team and provide you with the means to lead a rewarding life. The bad news is all too often, no one taught us how to use our mind properly. A helpful tip is offered at the end of the chapter.