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Does anyone have any tips for impusle control? I think I have ADHD... I get the urge to do/say something and I do it. I make really poor decisions when I'm mad or sick and I need some tips on how other people control the impulse. Anything?
I had some of those little ruber/silicone bracelets made (kinda like the Livestrong ones) and had the slogans that really helped me printed on them....
Several that help me were Easy Does It, and THINK........
I can look down throughout the day and see the slogan and really put more focus into working it.
I have one for everyday of the week-lol!
Keep it simple:) shelly
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Put down the magnifying glass and pick up the mirror!
DITTO what Shelly said... I have the silicone bracelets, metal Bracelets, Rings with Quotes, Necklaces, the whole 9.. .For I to have an uncontrollable erge to Express my self, and 90% of the time... I should Mind MY OWN Business...lol... So they do come in handy when I need an Al-anon PUSH in my day... ;) Plus I have the Serenity Prayer in my Office, "On One Ring" and In My Car... lol... I NEED This Program to keep come chokin people half the time ;o) And Keeping my sanity...
My Family is slowly disapproving of my program for Lately my final words to them usually say... "It NOT My Business"... They "I" think are tired of hearing it... Hopefully they will soon get the Point :)
Good Luck to Ya... Been there.... Done That.... & Bought the T-Shirt :o)
Shelly my practice is focus, focus, focus...write out my plan/program and give myself space to not finish it all if that happens. Practice saying NO when NO stops me from over doing especially stuff I haven't planned out and those reactionary enabling, "I'm so nice to everyone" trips. Don't over plan and focus on finishing (biggie). I've got cultural slogans..."When in doubt DON'T!!" and "DON'T react!!"
Keeping in mind that I am ADHD helps because when I find myself suddenly rerouted I don't kick my butt for it and give myself some slack (not excuses). I stay in the now and reality and try not to fool around with denials of any kind.
First step when waking up? "Trust God" then go from there and at the end of the day check out how I did. Helpful? I'll bet there is more coming. (((((hugs)))))
First, when I have the urge to pop off, I have to ask myself how do I feel and what do I need? My impulses are not about any other person or situation. They are about me. It is my character defect. If I am in a HALT moment it is much more difficult to control my emotions esp anger. It is my responsibility to take care of myself. No one else is going to do it.
Another thing I realised is that my urge to pop off was often directly related to my own unreasonable expectations. Our Tradition 5 states that we are to try to encourage and understand our alcoholic relatives. I resented my AH for having a disease that he did not choose to have. That is not very encouraging or understanding. So, I worked very hard to change my own attitudes about that.
Then I realised that I could take that concept one step further and try to be understanding of others who did not always see things my way. Surely if I could be encouraging and understanding of my AH, I could learn to be understanding of others who had not touched me so deeply.
I know this may not seem to have much to do with impulse control, but if I could learn to keep my expectations more reasonable and be more understanding, I would find myself suffering less of the anger and frustrations that come with daily living. It follows logically that if I am less angry and frustrated and have more serenity, that I would have fewer impulses to control.
This was a long struggle for me, but a wonderful healing journey. I no longer have the anger and rage that ruled my life for so many years. I am truly grateful for that. I know it would not have been possible without this program and all the people who have touched my life through it, including you CG.
I am living proof that it works if you work it.
In recovery,
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~Jen~
"When you come to the edge of all you know you must believe in one of two things... there will be earth on which to stand or you will be given wings." ~Unknown
They "I" think are tired of hearing it... Hopefully they will soon get the Point :) 
