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Focused Forward

Navigating the Storms of Adult ADHD

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Focused Forward

By: James M. Ochoa LPC
Narrated by: James M. Ochoa
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About this listen

Now updated with edited narration for listening ease.

In Focused Forward: Navigating the Storms of Adult ADHD, author and self-proclaimed "ADHD-er" James M. Ochoa, LPC, goes beyond the management and scheduling techniques most ADHD books focus on to deal with what really holds so many ADHD-ers back - the emotional fallout of ADHD. He helps listeners identify, manage, and alleviate symptoms of a PTSD-like condition he calls emotional distress syndrome, with practical, proven advice including:

  • Understanding the link between ADHD and emotional distress
  • What emotional distress syndrome (EDS) feels like
  • How to construct an emotional safe place
  • How to recruit your own me support group
  • Eight essential tools to help you cope
  • And more....

With wisdom, humor, and plenty of (sometimes painful) empathy, Focused Forward will help adults with ADHD move past the pain and shame toward a future full of possibility, balance, and joy.

©2016 James M. Ochoa (P)2016 James M. Ochoa Attention Deficit Disorders Children's Health Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Health Special Need Witty Emotions
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Most relevant  
I need to listen again to actually get any concrete use from this, but it was good the first time around so I am happy to do so. As someone who is still trying to understand the condition and its role in their own life, it's a lot to take in, however there are many subjects that resonated with me. True words in the book though: take what you need and leave the rest. As far as narration goes, it was okay, but perhaps a little monotonous at times, I had trouble staying attentive... but maybe that's just me. His repetition of "parentheses" phrases was comical at first but got a little grating after a while. I suppose that's what happens when reading quite literally aloud though. Worth a listen or a read for those trying to figure themselves out.

Enjoyable and relatable

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This book was incredibly helpful in understanding the “what” I’ve been going through in terms of distress.
I am a late diagnosed adult and this book has enabled me to demystify my life.
The only thing I would have liked would have been the removal of the use of the words parentheses and quote from the audio. It was interfered with the flow for my add brain to follow. That said it was an incredible experience that has now made life a little clearer.

A real beacon of hope

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This book had potential however the narration is akin to a 2nd grader learning to read aloud in class. For someone with ADHD this is excruciatingly painful. I got halfway through and had to stop listening. There are few good ideas but nothing I haven’t heard before. The author even uses a few passages from more reputable audible books on the subject. I had high hopes for this book as having ADHD is debilitating emotionally and I was searching for ways to help with this however the message is lost within a stunted and laborious narration with little direction offering very little in the way of solutions or management of the issue. Repetitive and often contradictory this book loses it’s message through lack of scientific and definitive concepts. After all, the author is not qualified as a psychiatrist, neuroscientist or anything other than a counsellor and it shows regardless of the 20 years he has been in practice. I would choose an alternative read.

Average at best

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I respect the personal story & experience of the writer so that gets 4 stars as it takes a lot of courage to put our story out there. But for ADHD I found it to be a lot of fluff and not a lot of practicality. I’m not so sure I agree with some of what is said either....
A non ADHD professional recommended the book to me, however I wouldn’t recommend to someone with ADHD. I couldn’t relate to a lot of the writers experiences with ADHD.

Recommended to me but I wouldn’t recommend

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