Ayenda Lambert is a professional Second degree Reiki practitioner in Philadelphia. I met Ayenda when she attended Reiki and Medicine in Columbia, MD, and asked her to share her wellness story as a GUEST BLOGGER.
Reiki and ADD
by Ayenda Lambert
I remember the Spring of 2001. My daughter was just a few months old, and I was struggling with being a new mother and full-time homemaker. Basic everyday responsibilities — feeding and changing the baby, cleaning up, and making dinner — were nearly impossible to complete. I felt like something was wrong with me. Friends said, “Be patient, you’re in uncharted waters,” but I feared there was more to it.
Things got worse. I missed appointments and family events. My apartment filled with incomplete projects. I became more and more withdrawn. I was grief stricken when my father died at age 48. I knew I needed help. Although happy with the results, I felt increasingly disheartened by the prospect of taking meds for the rest of my life.
I became Mom-on-a-Mission, sleeping 4-5 hours a night, and scouring the internet until I discovered that my low self-esteem, extreme distractibility, self-judgment without mercy, outbursts of anger, anxiety, and defensiveness were all common to ADD.
I continued researching, and felt a flood of emotions – anger, defeat, confusion, and sadness. In the Spring of 2002, a local psychologist gave me a formal diagnosis: ADD, Panic Disorder, and Depression.
I took the prescribed medications diligently. A heavy, wet blanket lifted from my mind. I started completing thoughts and executing tasks, and felt so empowered. Life was manageable, and I was proud that I had taken responsibility, and made the changes needed to change my life.
Fast forward four years.
I was seeing a therapist, and had returned to the workforce, but was still taking meds. Although happy with the results, I felt increasingly disheartened by the prospect of taking meds for the rest of my life. Whenever I expressed those concerns to my psychologist, he offered no options, and urged me to continue the medications.
The sudden death of my step-father at age 52 added grief to my mounting frustration. A friend suggested a Reiki Practitioner might help me cope.
I went to my first Reiki appointment with walls of fear and doubt—which melted quickly into love and trust.
I continued receiving Reiki treatments, and was rewarded with unexpected insights that carried my self-recognition far beyond ADD. I saw where my decision-making process was faulty, and began proactively confronting challenges with new confidence, and only occasional ADD moments. When I felt myself reverting back to old habits, I practiced breathing exercises to regain focus and clarity.
On April 27, 2008, after months of Reiki treatments, I took another step towards my personal wellness and growth: I was initiated as a Usui Reiki I Practitioner.
This was a momentous occasion for me, as if I had climbed Mt. Everest. I looked back proudly at all the tears and frustration that I had turned into learning blocks and stepping stones toward a healthier, stronger me. This feeling of perseverance and triumph was too good to keep to myself, so I began sharing Reiki treatments with family and friends.
Months later, against my psychologist’s recommendation, I stopped taking the medication.
It’s been two years since I made that decision, and I’ve not thought about the medications again. Now I manage my life with daily Reiki self-treatment, time management skills, and to-do lists. I’ve never felt happier or more fulfilled.
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Related Reading: ADHD Without Drugs by Sanford Newmark, MD
If you or someone you know has used Reiki treatment to help address ADD or ADHD, please tell us about it.
Thankyou for sharing your story Ayenda. It speaks of courage & hope. It never ceases to amaze me how consistent Reiki self-practice gently opens us to a new way of perceiving & responding to life. I think it is especially wonderful that you have taken that gift & used it to help others.
Wendy, thank you so much for posting your experience. Everything you wrote speaks of balance amidst the continual, changing needs of a classroom. I hope the benefit your Reiki self-practice has brought to your students will inspire and encourage many parents, kids, and teachers.
I teach middle school, and many of my students are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. There might be others in the mix, too, but nothing official has been documented. Some are on meds; some are not. Some have supportive families; some do not.
In my daily routine, before I walk into our building, I do a bit of self-Reiki and set my intents for the day, my students, their learning, and the classroom. I follow a few other habits with Reiki at the building, in my classroom, etc..
What I have learned and seen over the years, is that I’ve been allowed to better understand the needs of all of my students, especially the ADD and ADHD ones. My perceptions of them have changed, and we’ve integrated a ton of structure with creative flexibility into our classroom.
People often walk by and question things, but the feedback from the kids and their scores validate it all.
Obviously in a school there is NO hands-on Reiki. Yet, I know it is occurring through various moments, random conversations, and support that is provided to/for my kids– all of them.
I can think of one class this year where about 1/3 of the group is probably diagnosed or not with ADD or ADHD. In 6 weeks, the kids have come so-so far. They come after PE and now know how to settle in. They listen during class discussions, and they are (ever-so-patiently…) learning to treat each other with respect.
Sure, they’re still 8th graders, but they seem like high schoolers at times to me. Their true character is shining through with love and determination. They WILL succeed.
Wendy! I found your classroom experiences to match my own, yet with a very different age group. I teach part-time at a state university. I have come to realize the profound difference it makes when we bring our own solid, balanced selves, as teachers, to the uncertainties of our students’ lives. I am sure that we are not alone in this experience, Wendy, and it makes me wonder if reaching out to teachers might be very worthwhile for all parties involved.
Sukhada, thank you for sharing your story. Please tell us more about how Reiki has made a difference for you, since you’ve been practicing for 11 years. Were you not practicing daily self-treatment before your diagnosis?
Hi this is my story. I have been doing Reiki for 11 years. About 4 years ago I was diagnosed as having ADD & being Bipolar. I was nursing my second child at the time. I was prescribed some medicine & was only able to take it for 2 days. I started on the lowest dose & then when I increased to the next dose started to feel awful. Drowsy & nauseated. I stopped taking the medicine & have never looked back. Reiki has been my saving grace. I am now a Reiki Master Teacher. I teach Reiki according to the style taught by the International House of Reiki which includes Hara breathing & regular meditation. Self Reiki helps me a lot & meditation. Without Reiki I do not like to think of where I would be with my life. Regular Reiki & Body Work from other Practitioners has helped me too.