Interviewed by CNN. Take that, ADHD!
Hear this article read to you:
After my last interview went so poorly in my opinion, I wondered if I'd ever have another opportunity to do a better job. Although it is true the interviewer took liberties with what I said and even put words in my mouth, I believed I was ultimately responsible. You see, I rambled.
Yep, one of my more entertaining quirks is my tendency to talk until not only the cows come home, but until their progeny is born, raised, lost on the prairie, and found by archeologists centuries later. It's a gift.
You might find this hard to believe, but not everybody can appreciate such a gift, especially people on a deadline.
When I was contacted by Ms. Landau from CNN I was both wary and excited. Here was either the opportunity to do things right, or an opportunity to add another nail in my very well-built coffin. Fortunately for me, ADHD comes with an upside: rumination. Although it can degrade into worrying and problem finding, I have learned to rein it in. Ever since that first interview my mind has been working furiously on how to avoid such a situation again.
My answer? Preparation.
This time I asked for more information about the interview, and more importantly, what angle the interviewer was coming from so I would be better able to answer her questions. I lucked out when she sent me her questions in reply. I went over my answers out loud with my oldest daughter until I could concisely and pithily answer each one. Even though the day was busy and I was running out of interview time, I made sure I was prepared. Then I made the phone call. The difference was a tight eleven minute interview versus a meandering thirty minute interview.
ADHD may have claimed the first interview, but I wasn't going to let it claim the second. Read them and judge for yourself:
Moodiness And Depression - Ohio's NewsNet5.com
Less sun, more depression for people with SAD - CNN.com
Ms. Landau did a wonderful job. Aside from my anecdotal comments, it is a very informative article. To those who have discovered my blog by way of CNN, welcome to The Splintered Mind. I hope you find something here that brings you back again and again.
After my last interview went so poorly in my opinion, I wondered if I'd ever have another opportunity to do a better job. Although it is true the interviewer took liberties with what I said and even put words in my mouth, I believed I was ultimately responsible. You see, I rambled.Yep, one of my more entertaining quirks is my tendency to talk until not only the cows come home, but until their progeny is born, raised, lost on the prairie, and found by archeologists centuries later. It's a gift.
You might find this hard to believe, but not everybody can appreciate such a gift, especially people on a deadline.
When I was contacted by Ms. Landau from CNN I was both wary and excited. Here was either the opportunity to do things right, or an opportunity to add another nail in my very well-built coffin. Fortunately for me, ADHD comes with an upside: rumination. Although it can degrade into worrying and problem finding, I have learned to rein it in. Ever since that first interview my mind has been working furiously on how to avoid such a situation again.
My answer? Preparation.
This time I asked for more information about the interview, and more importantly, what angle the interviewer was coming from so I would be better able to answer her questions. I lucked out when she sent me her questions in reply. I went over my answers out loud with my oldest daughter until I could concisely and pithily answer each one. Even though the day was busy and I was running out of interview time, I made sure I was prepared. Then I made the phone call. The difference was a tight eleven minute interview versus a meandering thirty minute interview.
ADHD may have claimed the first interview, but I wasn't going to let it claim the second. Read them and judge for yourself:
Moodiness And Depression - Ohio's NewsNet5.com
Less sun, more depression for people with SAD - CNN.com
Ms. Landau did a wonderful job. Aside from my anecdotal comments, it is a very informative article. To those who have discovered my blog by way of CNN, welcome to The Splintered Mind. I hope you find something here that brings you back again and again.
Comments
I read your article on CNN and I immediately thought I needed to post a comment to your blog. I too live in SLC. I discovered I had SAD about ten years ago. I could no longer handle the symptoms. I bought this (http://www.alaskanorthernlights.com/products.html) light therapy box from this web site and have used it faithfully for 1/2 hour at 18" away every morning from Halloween to Valentines Day as instructed. It has saved my life! The symptoms disappear when using the light as instructed. It really works. You really need not suffer anymore from SAD. Good luck. A fellow SAD sufferer who no longer suffers! :):)
We live a 7 hour drive north of the 49th parallel. Right now, its dusk by 4pm and no hint of sunrise again until after 7:30 am. Those are some long dark nights for a child with SAD.
We have found many things work well for him, but nothing works as well as the coming of spring. Thank you for speaking out about this issue. Its big.
I never thought about replacing all the lights in the house though...what a great idea! Been sitting in front of a 'grow light' and feelin like a plant all winter gets old *grins*
Thanks for a great article! Good job!
Wolfie
Anyway, I wanted to say good job with the interview. I have written about my depression and SAD several times in my own blog, as well, so I appreciate the light you shed on it (pun intended).
-Sean
I randomly read the article on CNN and figured there can't be too many Douglas Cootey's in the world. Digging through your blog I realized your brother Jason was one of my buddies growing up in Sandwich.
You are an excellent writer, and while we don't share the same struggles (which isn't, in even the slightest way, suggesting that I don't have a plethora of my own), your insights are interesting and decidedly human.
- Mark Emery (formerly of Dogwood Drive)
Annie Bankss
Get Rid Of Your Depression
Sounds like the interview went very well indeed! Ya done good.