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Rewards for Tax-Filing Procrastinators?

April 11, 2012 in The Basics | 2 comments

It’s tax season, and researcher Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D. is talking about procrastination on today’s Talk of the Nation radio show. He suggests that a “reward system” might combat our national tendency to procrastinate on filing tax returns. You can listen to Ferrari make his case on the show’s podcast (available by 6 p.m. EDT).

Trouble is, Americans procrastinate in many other areas, from starting a work project to washing those dirty dishes. In fact, Ferrari says that 20 percent of the population are chronic procrastinators. (That 20 percent figure caught my attention, because it’s very close to the higher estimates of ADHD prevalence; more below.) As Ferrari’s profile on the Adelphi University website explains:

“Everyone procrastinates, but not everyone is a procrastinator,” says Ferrari.  “We all put tasks off, but my research has found that 20 percent of U.S. men and women are chronic procrastinators.  They delay at home, work, school and in relationships – procrastination is a way of life for them.  Let’s put 20 percent in perspective.  That’s higher than the number of people diagnosed with clinical depression or phobias that are considered to be major problems.”

Yes, the “official” research tells us that only 4.4 percent of the U.S. adult population has ADHD (and only 10 percent of these adults are being treated for it). But there are problems with that 4.4 figure, as I wrote in my book, Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?:

Many researchers suspect the true adult population with ADHD lies closer to 10 percent – and possibly as high as 16.4 percent. It all depends on how broadly the diagnostic criteria are applied.  The bottom line: Anywhere from 9 to 35 million U.S. adults age 18 and older likely suffer some degree of impairment from undetected or untreated ADHD.

If you have a tax-filing strategy – a way to get past the mind-numbing tasks involved – please share it with us!

 

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Join Us in Leicester, UK, on March 24, 2012

March 20, 2012 in The Basics | No comments

This Saturday (March 24, 2012) in Leicester, United Kingdom, I will be joining local experts to talk about Adult ADHD. The full-day event, “Practical Responses to Adult ADHD,” is sponsored by ADDISS, the national charity devoted to ADHD. If you’re within traveling distance, I hope you will join us at this rare opportunity to learn and share camaraderie. For more information, visit the ADDISS website here.

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North to Alaska – ADHD Capital of the World?

February 25, 2012 in Essays on ADHD, The Basics | 7 comments

Sunny Aldrich at the Fur Rendezvous' Running of the Reindeer:" "it's kind of like the Running of the Bulls... except with a lot more carrots."

This guest post from Sunny Aldrich comes to you thanks to a random exchange on Facebook. It went like this:

Gina: Here in San Francisco, we are looking forward to hosting this year’s CHADD conference! I hope out-of-towners can add a few days to their stay for enjoying the area.

Sunny: I can’t wait! Anywhere warm sounds good right now. :-) It was -4 in Wasilla, AK today.

Gina: You’re in Wasilla?? You’ll be a big celebrity in SF!

Sunny: No doubt! Alaskans are more like visitors from another planet. The rest of our countrymen are used to foreigners. But not the kind who hunt moose, ski in bikinis, bicycle in -40 weather and eat whale blubber or dried fish. Next year’s conference should be here. I’m convinced this is the ADHD capitol of the world.

Gina: I just read Levi Johnston’s book (Deer in the Headlights), and I’m convinced of that, too! :-)

Sunny: Well it makes perfect sense! ADD’ers are “mavericks” who seek adventure, want to take the road less traveled, like to try new and different things and want to march to their own drum. Adrenaline junkies? Alaska’s the place. Extreme sports? Doesn’t get more extreme than here. Can’t sit at a desk and want an outside job? Alaska’s got those to spare. Just watch Deadliest Catch and Flying Wild Alaska and all those shows… And since it’s hereditary I think there’s a REASON Alaska has the highest paid teachers in the U.S.! They should get hazard pay, as far as I’m concerned. My son’s kindergarten teacher had six boys with ADHD in her mixed grade class (K-2nd) out of 21 kids. Including my kid I could pick out at least 3 others just in that grade level with moderate to severe ADHD. Mine was the only one medicated… poor lady!!

Gina: Sunny, would you write a piece about this for the ADHD Roller Coaster blog?

Sunny said yes, and here it is:

By Sunny Aldrich

When I was first diagnosed with ADHD and began to learn more about it, I started seeing it all around me.  My best friend, her husband, her brother-in-law and even co-workers seemed to have so many of the tell-tale signs and quirky personality traits that are so distinctive to ADHD. I told myself I was being ridiculous and clearly had some form of ADHD paranoia. It was a bit reminiscent of my first moose-hunting trip here in Alaska with my family, when every tree stump or brownish, moss-covered boulder looked like a moose. Read the rest of this entry »

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Picture It: Sleep

February 22, 2012 in The Basics | 2 comments

In my workshops and presentations, attendees frequently express surprise when I talk about ADHD-related sleep challenges. I hit some highlights here at You Me – and Adult ADHD (the monthly blog I write on Adult ADHD and relationships).  Australian writer Matthew Bush wrote a guest column on this blog about winning his lifelong battle with sleep. And I am working on The ADHD Roller Coaster Guide to Sleep. Meanwhile, Jason at Frugal Dad has allowed me to share this great graphic that I hope will inspire you to at least start thinking about taking your sleep seriously.

sleep

Source: http://frugaldad.com

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Neurofeedback for ADHD: State of the Science

January 30, 2012 in ADHD medication, science of ADHD, The Basics | No comments

People often ask me if neurofeedback is an effective treatment for ADHD. Given that the expert consensus is “maybe” or “sometimes,” I try to answer along those lines, pointing out that many factors should be considered. For example:

  • How quickly do you need results (is a child about to fail a grade or an adult about to lose a job or relationship)?
  • How plentiful are your resources (if you try neurofeedback and it doesn’t work, is there money left in the budget for traditional treatment)?
  • What are the credentials and reputation of the clinician providing the neurofeedback?

Some people assume that neurofeedback is safer than medication, but the fact is that potential for its side effects has never been studied.

Thanks to David Rabiner,  Associate Research Professor at Duke University’s Department of Psychology  Neuroscience, I can share with you (below) a sophisticated analysis of the research.  Dr. Rabiner has long performed the excellent service of parsing the research around ADHD in his newsletter, Attention Research Update. You can subscribe to his free newsletter here, and read through the substantial archives once you are subscribed

As a layperson, I appreciate his clear writing style, but research terminology can be complex and this analysis might be “too much information” for some of us. Please consider that clear-cut answers aren’t always easy to give on complex subjects.

The bottom line, as Dr. Rabiner writes below:

“The research reviewed here indicates that if parents obtain high quality neurofeedback treatment for their child there is a reasonable basis for expecting that benefits will occur. The decision to do so should be made with the knowledge that medication treatment and behavioral therapy would be regarded as having stronger research support at this time.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Listen Up! “You Me ADD” Now Audiobook

December 22, 2011 in ADHD in the News, The Basics, View from the Roller Coaster, Welcome | No comments

At least weekly since my book was published, I receive an e-mail asking when the audio version will be available. Thank goodness I can finally say NOW.

Seeking a unique gift for yourself or loved ones this holiday season? How about a comprehensive spoken-word guide to understanding the broad strokes and small nuances of ADHD as well as its treatment strategies (step-by-step medication guidelines, the types of therapy to seek/avoid, and more), with three chapters devoted to the effect on relationships when ADHD goes unrecognized. And lots of first-person stories, advice from top experts, and much more. Perfect for listening to on those long commutes, working out at the gym, taking a walk……

Tantor Audio published the audio version this month (featuring an award-winning narrator), and you can access it in several formats (downloadable Mp3 files, two CDs with Mp3 files, and a case of 12 CDs) and through several outlets:

  • Tantor Audio’s website: To download the free chapter (my author introduction), register with Tantor and click back to the book’s page and click on the link at the top of the page.  You can also listen to a sample on the book’s page; look below the cover image.
  • Amazon.com
  • Barnes&Noble.com
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One Man’s “Rugged Reality of ADD”

December 1, 2011 in Denial about ADHD, Essays on ADHD, The Basics | 65 comments

A new friend has graciously agreed to share his Success Story story with ADHD Roller Coaster readers:

The Rugged Reality of ADD, by Dylan Rosen

Do not read this if you are looking for a “Happy ADD Story.” I do not have the gold medals of Michael Phelps or the arm of Terry Bradshaw. My life has been a struggle from the time I walked into first grade to my current age of 30. If you want something real and authentic to someone’s experience with ADD, however, I hope you will read on.

My silent struggle

When I was in elementary school, my ADD symptoms were as classic as the Rolling Stones were to Rock ‘n Roll. However, I did very well. Teachers always said I was bright.

I did well in middle school too, even making the president’s list one marking period.

As I moved from middle school to high school, a couple things changed. My grades went from A’s and B’s to C’s and D’s. My relationships changed too. I grew apart from old friends and was not able to make new ones. I viewed myself as a loner, a recluse. My confidence was slipping, and I had begun to experience the awful taste of depression.

The pressure from my school’s academic standards became unbearable. I did not do well under that pressure, coupled with the negativity I always received at home. My parents expected high academic performance from me. After bringing home a poor interim report one semester, I was threatened to be sent to technical school, which frightened me. Going to trade school, growing up where I lived, was a sign of absolute failure. Read the rest of this entry »

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“You, Me, ADD” Now Available for Kindle

November 23, 2011 in ADHD and Driving, ADHD and Health, ADHD and Relationships, ADHD Diagnosis Issues, ADHD in the News, ADHD medication, Adult ADHD Myths, and Intimacy, Brain Storming, Denial about ADHD, Driving, Finding Support, Money, Practical Solutions, Questions about Adult ADHD, science of ADHD, The Basics, View from the Roller Coaster | 1 comment

A quick note to let you know that my book, Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?, is available as a download from Amazon.com for Kindle devices and Kindle applications for iPads, iPhones, PCs, and so forth.  Just click on the book title above to go directly to the product page.

Please tell your friends in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom that the Kindle is available on Amazon.com in those countries. (This is the English version.)

Thank you for spreading the word.

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What’s Up With Generic Concerta?

October 24, 2011 in ADHD medication, The Basics | 62 comments

After advising caution regarding generic medications for ADHD here and here, I’m now hearing that Concerta is recently available in a generic form in the United States. (A generic has been available in Canada for some time, but it is a different type of generic.) The question: Does this generic perform as reliably as Concerta? Maybe. In fact, it might be the exact same medication.

Original Concerta, 54 mg

The details are hard to come by in a field swimming with lingo: co-licensed product, single-source generic, authorized generic, bioequivalent and clinically equivalent. My conversations with pharmacists and the manufacturer’s scientific liaison leave me thirsting for straight talk with no tricky qualifiers. Internet searches and first-person reports in online forums are made murky by the apparently marked difference between Canada’s generic Concerta and that in the U.S.. (Forum participants seldom specify where they live, presumably because most don’t realize there is a difference between the two countries’ generic versions of Concerta.)

The U.S. generic for Concerta is  methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets.  It is a co-licensed product by exclusive agreement — that is, a deal between the original manufacturer (Ortho-McNeil) and the pharmaceutical marketing arm of Watson Laboratories. Read the rest of this entry »

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Amen Clinic San Francisco Opens

September 13, 2011 in Finding Support, Gina Out and About, The Basics | 3 comments

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Daniel Amen, M.D., so I was happy to see him at the opening of his newest Amen Clinic, just south of San Francisco, and welcome him to Silicon Valley, my backyard. 

If I hadn’t lucked upon his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life more than 11 years ago, it might have taken me far longer to discover the impact of Adult ADHD not only on society but also on my personal life. Thanks to that book, my husband was diagnosed with ADHD and I went on to help further this critical message: ADHD is real and ignorance of ADHD has real consequences for all of us.

Thanks to a subsequent book by Dr. Amen, Healing A.D.D., I learned even more and gained tremendous validation about the tough relationship issues I was experiencing (along with hundreds of people in the online support group that I lead for the partners of adults with ADHD). As far as I know, he was among the first (if not the first) to detail these interpersonal challenges, including those around sexual intimacy. Moreover, Amen balanced this validating narrative with compassion and optimism about our ability to take better care of our brains and, in so doing, elevate our lives. Read the rest of this entry »

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