Hutchinson - The Brilliant Reality of ADHD

Insightful, positive, motivational - most of all: inspiring and helpful.

-Nancy Ratey Ed.M., Harvard University - Diplomate, ABDA MCC, SCAC

Strategic Life Coach and Author of The Disorganized Mind

Bryans insightful writing gives marvelous voice to those with ADHD

-Gina Pera Author of Is It You, Me or Adult A.D.D.? and Advocate

To know that you are not alone, to understand that others have gone through or are going through similar feelings and issues this is freeing and healing. Your message is hopeful and your approach to life is so positive. Thank you, Bryan, for your caring and compassion for others.

-Keath Low MA, psychologist, clinical scientist at the Center for Development and Learning University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Medical School and About.com guide to ADD/ADHD About.com is part of the New York Times Company

I find comfort, solace, understanding and belonging in all of Bryans work. He has chosen to make his voice the voice of all of us who are finding our way out of the fog, and discovering the beauty of ADHD, and Im so thankful for his wisdom, guidance and above all, love for all of us!

-Jen K, aka NerdyMommy.com

Its so comforting to know we are not alone with the heartbreaking inconsistency of our mystifying ADD symptoms. You truly help people gain not only an understanding of ADD but of themselves.

-Ariane Benefit, M.S.Ed., Organizing and ADHD Coach - Author of Neat & Simple Guide to Organizing your Office

As a person with AD/HD who always felt not of this world, to me, reading Bryans work is like seeing for the first time a reflection appear on the other side of a mirror which had appeared empty for so long.

-Anya, ADDer World reader

The mind of someone with ADD/ADHD is different, and at times difficult for others to comprehend. Here we can find solace and comfort along the way to finding ourselves. Our personal relationships are enriched by what we can discover through meds, therapy and sharing with each other. Thank you, Bryan for the wealth of information and bringing the world to us!

-Rochelle N., ADDer World reader

Bryans work helps readers understand the everyday medical and practical limitations of the AD/HD label, and personalizes the interesting nuances of the recovery process.

-Dr. Charles Parker, Writer, Speaker, Neuroscience Consultant and author of Corepsychblog.com

Bryan always supports a positive way of working with AD/HD rather than making it an excuse not to live your life to the fullest.

- Cara Baker, ADDer World reader

Your writing helps so many. You really get it. Thank you for being here for us!

-Stacey, ADDer World reader

Bryans blog has been a great place to meet other ADHD adults and families who have similar struggles and successes to my own!

-Liza C. ADDer World reader

Copyright 2009 by Bryan L. Hutchinson

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, photographic including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

ISBN 978-0-7414-5332-7 Paperback

ISBN 978-0-7414-7400-1 eBook

INFINITY PUBLISHING

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West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2713

Toll-free (877) BUY BOOK

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Special thanks to:

All with ADHD, our families, our friends

All who help us along the road to

recovery and fulfillment!

~Bryan

T o be beat down, criticized, punished and live with regret and guilt all of our days?

No. There is another way a positive, self fulfilling way. I am going to share that way with you.

Life is more than we give it credit to be and yet too many of us live within a shell of fear and anxiety. We walk the halls of our life flinching from the slightest sound which echoes within our minds, on and on, and on. We fight against it, we try to be strong and we try to walk tall. We try to show confidence and strength. We go day to day wearing the mask of life as strong courageous human beings. But why does it have to be a mask, why does it have to hurt so much, why cant we just be understood and accepted for who we are? Why do others try to hurt us and tear us down? Why do we want to give up and yet still continue?

I know this all too well, I have lived most of my life wearing a mask. No, I am not a doctor, therapist or a coach. I am someone who has been there and done that. I have lived through, survived and overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Attention Deficit Disorder.

In todays world if you voice limitations then you are considered a loser, unless you do it in secret, if you hide your feelings. For this reason we wear a mask just to get by each and every day. But the mask has its own repercussions too. Yes, indeed, it does. A mask is just a false representation of what we want to show others, which is supposed to represent who we are. The reason masks do not work is because a mask is just that, a mask.

When we wear a mask we are trying to send out signals of a representation of who we think we should be according to the perceptions of others. It doesnt work. The mask is flawed. Too much and you come across as arrogant, too little and you come off as odd. Masks are not really masks. Our true feelings always show through in our eyes. When wearing a mask our eyes show clearly our greatest vulnerability to others. Others might not recognize the vulnerability in our eyes for what it really is though, it could be mistaken for something else and leave others with a strange feeling about you which rubs them the wrong way. Youve heard the saying, I just dont like that person and I dont know why. Have you ever been described negatively as arrogant, pompous or a know-it-all? Maybe people think you are stuck up? Its all the same. Its confusion due to the masks we wear, not a true testimony of who we really are.

In order to live positive, happy and fulfilling lives, we have to learn to take our masks off and just be who we are. Sometimes that means changing our lives completely and sometimes that means leaving friends behind who we thought were helpful. Sometimes taking off the mask means you have to find out who you really are. I was there and it took a lot of therapy to find my real self. I want to help others realize that who we are is all we need to be and we do not need to live by others expectations, or, what we think others perceive us to be. What we perceive from others and what really is isnt always the same. Remember, you are not the only one who wears a mask. Everyone does it at some point and usually never realizes it. Go out into the day, take a walk and view the actresses and actors as they pass you, we all have a part to play, either real or not so real.