ADHD reWired

Hey there, ADHD reWired listeners, this is not a typical episode. This is a bonus episode that I am dropping in your feed. It is audio from a webinar with that we recorded on April 1, 2020. Diana is a medical doctor and a member of the ADHD reWired community, and I am just really grateful that she could spend an hour with us answering questions from a lot of you. Diana answered questions from the ADHD community on a variety of things like, how to keep yourself safe if you have asthma if you have kept yourself at home for two weeks can you be reasonably sure you don't have the virus and her thoughts on working from home. She also addressed how to keep people six feet away from you when they don't understand the meaning of social distancing and where to find your states updated information on the number of infected people and deaths from the coronavirus. They discuss throwing away the bags you bring your groceries home in, taking off your shoes when you walk in the door, and washing down your fruits and vegetables. Diana believes that you can use soap instead of disinfectants and that if you rinse with hot salty water, you can reduce your risk by forty to fifty percent.  Diana also debunks some myths around the virus and believes that it will not go away; we are all going to become immune to it. The virus doesn't seem to mutate as fast as the flu virus, so she believes that it will take about two years for a new strain to hit, and by then we should have a decent vaccination.  Diana shares that dealing with this virus while also having ADHD has enhanced all of her symptoms and made everything more intense. Have you noticed the same thing? Do you have any questions? This is the episode you need to listen to, so sit back and hit play. You'll learn: [03:14] Enjoy this special bonus episode with Dr. Diana Hager. [03:20] Diana starts out by giving us a little of her background and qualifications. [03:55] How has COVID19 impacted your work? [04:40] Diana answers Tara's question about how to keep safe when you have asthma. [07:11] Can we be reasonably confident that we don't have the virus if we have been quarantined for over two weeks? [09:22] Diana believes that if you work from home, you don't have to worry about touching your face at your desk. [10:58] How do you suggest we keep people six feet away from us when they don't seem to understand why. [13:31] Diana shares the world map that is updated with total infected and total deaths. [16:00] Check your state's health department for the most accurate totals. [18:00] Eric speaks about how he handled the sack he got his prescriptions in. [19:07] How can my partner, who is installing air conditioning units, protect himself when he goes to people's homes? [21:40] Diana doesn't think regular cloth masks are effective when working in the medical field. [24:35] Diana believes that sleep is very important, sleep when you can get your full amount of sleep will help your immune system the most. [26:01] Covering your hair and rinsing off your groceries are things that you should do when bringing your groceries home. [28:03] How can we keep ourselves from being bored to death? [30:05] Diana says that when our percent per day comes down below ten percent, the curve is flattening. [33:59] Can I use soap instead of disinfectants? [34:49] Diana shares that gargling with hot salty water can help forty to fifty percent. [36:51] How can you tell looking at a death rate of say 10% whether that is due to insufficient testing or the overwhelmed medical system? [38:18] Diana speaks that it could be another month before they do widespread testing. [41:06] What should someone do if they have an urgent medical need and they live in a hot spot? [44:16] Diana addresses a question about being exposed from walking on our dog's paws or the road. [45:37] Diana says that the virus is nothing more than a strand of genes inside of a protein capsule. [47:18] How do we handle mail and Amazon deliveries? [48:10] As a doctor with ADHD, how is ADHD showing up for you with all of this? Has it become more intense? [49:49] Diana debunks some myths around the virus. [51:12] Are we going to have to deal with this in the fall? [52:56] Are babies safe? Are children? Expectant mothers? [55:05] Is there anything else you want to share with the listeners? [55:29] Thank you so much for coming on the show and answering questions.

Do you know anyone who has been diagnosed with both Autism and ADHD? Listen, as and his guest Becca discuss her diagnosis, how ADHD shows up differently in women, why she is interested in studying conscientiousness in this realm and much more on this episode of ADHD . Becca is earning her master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and hopes to use her knowledge in individual differences, such as ADHD in personality and training in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, to help organizations create inclusive work environments for employees.  Becca challenges the statement that people with Autism and ADHD are not high in conscientiousness. She shares her understanding of Autism and how it shows up for her, and how she has been told that she can't be on the spectrum because she is so smart. Eric discusses the difference between Autism and Aspergers and the arguments around both. Listen, as Becca speaks about how gender and conscientiousness change the manifestation of ADHD, withdrawing from people because of her daily struggles and what led her to seek a diagnosis for ADHD. She shares her sensory challenges, and the never-ending battle to be on time. Did you know that social communication is an executive social function? Eric and Becca discuss the fact that women are socially wired to mirror their environment and how she works through social interaction. Eric asks a hypothetical question about a red pill and a blue pill if one of them would cure ADHD. Would you take it? Becca shares her struggles with Autism and ADHD; some of them are embarrassing, while others are frustrating. Her goal is to help others by telling her story and let people who have the same issues know they are not alone. This is one of those conversations that will make you look at yourself and say, hmmm. You'll learn: [02:32] Becca, welcome to the podcast! [03:01] Becca shares her diagnoses of Autism and ADHD. [06:46] She challenges the statement that people with Autism are not high in conscientiousness. [09:03] Eric shares the definition of conscientiousness. [10:03] Becca questions whether people with ADHD are low in conscientiousness. [12:00] Have you been told you can't be on the spectrum because you are so smart? [13:14] Eric says that it is essential to understand that we are all different in the way we show up. [13:37] What got you interested in studying consciousness in this realm? [15:34] Becca shares her understanding of Autism and how it shows up for her. [18:02] Becca speaks about having a case manager come to talk to her and her mom and ask if she could use a spoon and fork. [19:45] Eric chats about the difference between Autism and Aspergers and the argument around both. [26:02] Becca speaks about how gender and conscientiousness change the manifestation of ADHD. [28:44] Have you felt shame or guilt because you forgot to go to the store or didn't have dinner? [30:18] Becca speaks about withdrawing from others because she struggles to manage her everyday life. [32:00] Becca shares a story about what led to her diagnosis of ADHD. [33:03] Becca chats about the struggle to be on time when she goes somewhere. [34:37] What is the hardest part for you of having ADHD? [36:34] Becca speaks about having sensory challenges and what it is like for her. [38:38] Did you know that social communication is an executive social function? [40:20] Eric speaks about some studies that show women are more socially wired to mirror their environment. [47:32] Becca shares how she works through social interaction in her brain. [49:30] Do you show empathy differently from people around you? [51:18] Becca speaks about smiling and laughing at funerals when everyone else is crying. Not because she is happy, but because she can't control it. [53:32] Eric chats about teaching micro-expressions and training. [56:02] Are you different but not less? Do you know your strengths and challenges? [58:16] Eric speaks about the hypothetical question about if you could take a pill to make your ADHD go away would you take it? [1:00:52] Is there anything you want to say to the listeners? [1:01:03] Becca, thank you so much for sharing your story! [1:01:18] If you are wondering if you have Autism or ADHD, find a specialist. [1:02:36] If you are a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at

What is it about the word suicide that makes you want to whisper? Is it a feeling of shame, guilt, or isolation? Listen, as your host and his guest Dr. Lindsay Weisner discuss the stigma around the word suicide and how important it is for people to have the conversation. They also share that talking to someone about your feelings lets you know that you are not alone, and it might help you find happiness in your life, and much more on this episode of .   Lindsay is a clinical psychologist in Long Island, NY, and graduated from . She was awarded fellowships in child development at the and the . Lindsay also received her doctorate at and pursued postdoctoral training at the . Dr. Weisner is the current host of the and the Co-Author of the book Listen, as Lindsay describes being diagnosed with ADHD at forty-two, her son being diagnosed, and the impact that the prescribed medicines have had on them both. Lindsay also speaks about the book she co-authored and her mom's substance abuse and mental health issues. She shares about her mom's multiple suicide attempts, what that did to her family, and why she believes that helping individuals who are thinking about suicide is her calling. Talking about mental health issues and suicide isn't easy, but if you push the trepidation aside and open up the conversation, you might be surprised at what you can accomplish. Dr. Lindsay Weisner's passion is to help bring light to people who only see darkness. If you resonate with any of this, please listen to this episode and start the conversation. You'll learn: [02:38] Lindsay, welcome to the show! [05:10] Lindsay shares about being diagnosed with ADHD eight months ago after she was told she wasn't living up to her full potential as a child. [07:16] She speaks about her son being diagnosed with ADHD and depression.  [10:11] Lindsay shares how getting him on meds changed him completely. [11:11] She chats about being diagnosed with ADHD and what that meant for her. [14:00] They discuss her being a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. [18:44] Lindsay discusses her book and why she wrote it. [19:49] Eric warns that they will be talking about suicide. [21:16] Lindsay talks about winning the first-ever Cosmopolitan Fiction in 2014 and meeting the author she wrote the book with. [25:24] Lindsay speaks about a slew of teenagers in her small town killing themselves.  [28:04] She talks about growing up knowing her mom had some substance abuse issues and finding out her mom had attempted suicide. [30:03] Lindsay chats about being in graduate school and her mom's other suicide attempts. [36:50] Lindsay shares what made her want to work with the suicidal population. [38:48] She discusses the , which allows someone to be put on a 72 hours hold against their will. [43:15] Lindsay chats about setting up an event to raise awareness of suicide. [45:33] Lindsay speaks about all the celebrities she got to back the event. [47:54] How are you coping with this and taking care of yourself? [50:26] Lindsay gives her insight into why people are afraid to bring up suicide. [54:25] Lindsay shares her favorite one of the ten steps, which is 'find your passion, find your purpose.' [57:41] Thank you so much for sharing with us on the podcast today. [59:17] If you are a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at Find Lindsay:  @psychshrinkmom |

Does humor help you get through insane moments in your life? Eric and Jessica wanted to do this special episode to give you the listeners some ideas on what you can do to stay sane during this uncertain time in the world, and humor is at the top of the list along with exercise and staying in touch with the ADHD community. They share the alternatives they found for exercise when the gym is too risky, why going to the store can bring on anxiety, and what they plan to do if they run out of toilet paper. Jessica speaks about what the media is reporting and how, at times like this, reporters need to be very careful about what they share. Eric and Jessica chat about the paper product shortage, the hope that mindsets will change once this is over, and the good that can come from all of this uncertainty. They discuss why social distancing is so essential and how this would be a good time for a futuristic technology like doors that don't have a doorknob. Since laughter is always the best medicine, they share jokes, Facebook posts, comments, and other nonsensical things to lighten the mood because you can only take so much of this new reality. Eric and Jessica also chat about being kind to your significant other if you are both stuck working from home. Try not to fight. Have you heard that meditation exercises are a great way to cope with stress and anxiety? Listen as Eric and Jessica give some tips and ideas on ways to use this technique. They also share how grateful they are for their ADHD communities and the hope that this episode will ease some issues that can come from the craziness in this beautiful world we live in. You'll learn: [02:38] We wanted to do this episode to share ideas on how to stay sane during this crazy time. [03:16] Jessica is here to discuss the importance of humor in this unique situation. [05:22] They speak about how things are weird now, especially for those with ADHD. [07:12] Have you found an alternative to exercise? What is it? [09:50] Eric shares how exercise helps him cope with life, but it isn't worth the risk of going to the gym. [12:01] Eric chats about what he found to replace going to the gym. [14:34] Jessica speaks about how overwhelming things are right now and how it is affecting her mental health. [16:40] Does going to Costco or Sam's right now cause you to have a panic attack? [18:51] When watching the news, think about what information you need in your life. [21:01] They discuss the shortage of toilet paper and paper towels and alternatives if they run out. [22:43] Jessica believes that some good stuff will come from all of this uncertainty. [23:42] Eric hopes the mindset changes around the culture of selfishness. [25:04] Jessica says that is very important for the media to be careful with what they share. [27:37] Eric shares why social distancing is so essential to keep the virus at manageable levels. [29:25] They discuss some funny things they have read on Facebook. [32:30] Are you working from home with your significant other? Are you fighting? [34:15] Eric speaks about posting on his Facebook page asking everyone how they were doing. [36:21] Jessica chats about posting on Twitter and the responses she is getting. [38:35] Eric and Jessica share jokes that were published in their groups. [42:01] Eric shares the audio of a government official forgetting to take their mic off when they went to the bathroom. [45:01] Do you think there will be futuristic technology put in place because of the coronavirus? [47:16] Jessica shares that Forbes agrees with her that laughing is the best medicine to deal with COVID-19. [49:00] Without a routine, do you feel like you don't know what you are doing or get anything done? [51:07] If you are new to ADHD and don't have any coping strategies and are quicker to frustration, try meditation practices. [53:49] Eric describes how you can use food as a form of meditation. [56:10] What do you have to have to keep you sane for the next few weeks? Food? Exercise? [59:00] Eric shares how his seasonal affective disorder makes him feel. [1:01:23] They feel like this situation is stripping everyone back to the basics. [1:03:58] Do gratitude practices make you feel worse?  [1:05:21] You can't chase happiness because a lot of things we do to pursue happiness make us unhappy. [1:07:26] Eric speaks about being grateful for the community that they have. [1:09:36] Jessica, what are you doing this weekend for self-care? [1:13:10] Drink water, hold on to an ice cube, or dunking your head in water are ways to ground you during an anxiety attack. [1:15:21] Eric discusses family planning during this time of self-quarantine. [1:16:45] While we may be dealing with some severe stuff, let's try not to take ourselves so seriously. [1:18:42] Stay connected to the community if you need to talk. [1:19:54] If you can support Jessica on Patreon at , it would be much appreciated. [1:25:30] If you are a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles: ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Groups The 16th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability groups are ending soon.  ArC 17 Summer Sessions run July 11th – Sept. 19th. We only have 9 spots remaining. Please visit to learn more and sign-up for our Last Scheduled Registration Event on June 11th at 3 PM CT.  You don’t want to miss it! Support the Podcast on Patreon Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me. With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  One perk example is our Patron-only Group Coaching Sessions. Learn more at . ADHD reWired Facebook Group: If you would like to apply to join the ADHD reWired Secret Facebook group, go to and fill out the application. Productivity Q&A Get your ADHD questions answered live! These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30 PM CT. Go to Want to be a guest? Hey! What about you? Do you have a story? Are you a coach? Are you an ADHD Clinician? If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, .

Has your ADHD meds made a difference in your life? Listen as and his guest, , discuss this and much more in this episode of . Jordan is a semi self-employed professional tattoo artist and single parent. He was diagnosed with ADHD about two years ago and is just now learning how profoundly his ADHD has affected his life and relationships and is possibly the reason he started doing tattoos as opposed to a more conventional career. Jordan shares the reason he started doing tattoos, why he enjoys giving and getting them, and the connection for him between pain and expression. He gives his opinion on what people don't understand about tattoos and the challenges he faces with being a single dad and his work schedule. Jordan chats about raising a child who has ADHD, how he reels himself in when his son is disrespectful, and how his meds have helped him in both work and his life at home with his son. Have you ever wanted to get a tattoo? Jordan talks about some tattoos he wishes he didn't have and why he got them. Take notes as he explains some ways to remove them and why colors sometimes don't look the same when you use them to cover up specific colors of tattoos. Listen as Jordan discusses how ADHD affected his past relationships, what he has learned about himself and relationships, and what he will look for in his next relationship. Jordan also describes his seasonal depression and the final thoughts he wants to share with the listeners. You won't want to miss Eric's conversation with this fascinating man with a highly misunderstood career. You'll learn: [02:31] Jordan, welcome to the show! [03:41] Jordan shares why he started in the tattoo field. [05:20] Why do you think tattoos are your passion? [07:32] Jordan explains the connection for him between pain and expression. [08:56] What do you think people don't understand about tattoos? [10:45] Jordan speaks about the tattoo on his face, why he got it there. [13:36] Jordan discusses being a single father and the challenges with his schedule. [15:08] Jordan shares what it's like being ADHD and raising an ADHD child. [16:24] What do you think helps you reel yourself back in when he's disrespectful? [23:32] Jordan explains why he said that his job is the most terrible, perfect job. [26:44] Jordan shares how being diagnosed with ADHD and taking the meds have affected his work. [28:50] Have you ever made a mistake when doing a tattoo? Can you tell us about it? [32:45] Jordan chats about constantly diagnosing his clients mentally with ADHD. [33:41] Do you have any tattoos you regret getting? Can you tell us why? [38:59] Jordan discusses how in hindsight he can see how ADHD affected his past relationships. [41:56] They talk about his son's mother and the relationship he had with her before being diagnosed with ADHD. [43:17] Jordan shares what pushed him to seek a diagnosis. [44:02] Jordan speaks about his last relationship and how it was affected by his ADHD. [45:42] What have you learned about yourself as a result of going through relationships now that you have ADHD? [47:55] Jordan chats about not wanting to disappoint people and feeling like he was never enough. [49:36] Jordan shares what he will watch for and look for in his next relationship and the whiteboard on which he writes everything he needs to remember. [51:52] Do you have any final thoughts for your listeners? [52:54] Jordan, thank you so much for sharing your story! [53:47] If you're a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at Find Jordan: |

Forgiveness and acceptance are critical when learning to manage your ADHD while remembering it is a rollercoaster, and the goal is to make the ups and downs a little less extreme. This is just one of the topics we cover in our monthly Q & A session with guests Brendan Mahan and Will Curb. We are taking questions from you the listener about situations that you want to talk through. It doesn't matter if it's personal or professional, we are here to give you our perspective and see if we can help you find some answers.  Our first question today is how to revive yourself after a hard task when your tank is empty, and Lauren asks for tips when prioritizing projects. Debra has two topics she wants to discuss: one is about comorbidities like attentive type anxiety and depression, and the second is advice on coping strategies for a nineteen-year-old. Another listener is requesting tips for scheduling life stuff rather than work stuff, Emma wants some ways to manage her hyperfocus at work, and Princess wants to know what the first thing she should tackle when trying to control her ADHD. A listener asks if it's okay to take her medication only during the week and take the weekends off, and Eric shares that it is recommended to maintain your dosage each day seven days a week. Listen in as we cover a wide range of topics, and we provide some creative takeaways no matter what stage you're in with your diagnosis. Listen in as we discuss not only your questions but also the struggle we still have dealing with our ADHD. Please note that when we discuss medications, we can only address personal experience. Anytime you have been prescribed a drug, you should reach out to your provider regarding your and your experiences. Not all medications are useful for all people. There are a variety of options, and you'll need individual help to determine which medicines are right for you. Your Resources: You'll Learn: [02:21] Welcome our monthly Q & A with Will Curb and Brendan Mahan. [03:23] Erica asks the first question about how to revive after a hard task when your tank is empty. [06:01] Erica and Eric speak about coping mechanisms. [08:20] Brendan shares his thoughts on Erica's question. [09:47] Will suggests scheduling a five to ten-minute walk to give the brain a break. [12:01] Lauren wants to know their best tips for prioritizing. [14:18] Eric shares a book that he requires his members to read called "."  [16:00] They speak about prioritizing self-care and planning goals in advance. [19:26] "You can do anything, but you can't do everything." [25:45] Debra has a question about comorbidities like attentive type anxiety and depression. [27:10] Eric shares his thoughts on how common anxiety and depression are with late-diagnosed ADHD. [28:43] What are some coping strategies for a nineteen-year-old in college? [30:11] Eric shares his college experience at nineteen and how hard it was for him to go to morning classes. [32:31] is a book that Eric recommends to any college student. [34:02] A listener wants some tips for scheduling life stuff rather than work stuff. [36:18] Brendan shares his ideas on this subject and how he handled it. [39:51] Will gives his insight on working so much you don't have time for life stuff. [43:30] Emma has a question about managing her hyperfocus at work. [46:09] Eric speaks about going into hyperfocus in a planned way. [49:12] Brendan, do you have anything you want to add? [51:22] Will shares his thoughts on hyperfocus and what she could try. [52:37] Princess wants to know the first thing they suggest to tackle when trying to manage her ADHD. [55:01] They all speak about knowing when ADHD wins and don't beat yourself up; forgiveness and acceptance are so important. [57:19] Do you recommend continuing your medication on weekends? [58:35] Eric chats about what can happen when you don't take your medicine as prescribed. [1:00:52] Will shares his experience with taking his meds. [1:03:14] As always, talk to your doctor and make sure they know ADHD. [1:04:10] Thank you, Brendan, and Will for being on the show. [1:05:24] If you're a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at

Do suspect you have , but you don't know for sure because you have to wait months for your diagnosis? That is precisely what Eric's guest Angela is waiting on. Listen as Eric and Angela discuss the challenges she is facing trying to cope with this while balancing school, work, and family life while also dealing with and Angela shares how watching the way her son acted gave her flashbacks to herself at that age and was the catalyst that made her look into ADHD as a cause. She also speaks about having migraines most of her life and how her parents' mistrust of doctors made it challenging to find a medicine that would help. Angela describes what she goes through when she wakes up with a migraine and what steps she has to take to make sure she can function with her busy schedule. When you went to college, did you know what you wanted to do, or did you change majors multiple times? Listen as Angela shares her journey through college to finally determining that psychology is where her heart is. She also discusses her diagnosis, her pregnancies, going back to school to get her graduate degree, and why she won't stop until she achieves it. Angela speaks about how important it is to her to learn all she can about ADHD, so if the diagnosis is definite, she will know what to do and how to help her son. Angela is a very strong, determined woman and even though she has faced adversity her whole academic career she has never let go of the to finish what she started. Her strength and determination are to be celebrated, and maybe listening to her will push you forward to finishing something you didn't think you could do.  You'll Learn: [02:44] Angela, welcome to the show! [03:40] Angela shares that she has been waiting since October for the evaluation to diagnose ADHD. [04:27] What triggered the thought that you might have ADHD? [07:02] Angels speak about her family not really believing in doctors and dealing with migraines without proper treatment. [09:04] Angela chats about her sensor sensitivity and how it can sometimes be overwhelming. [11:20] Angela describes how it feels when she wakes up with a migraine. [13:09] How do you get up every day knowing that one of these episodes can knock your whole day off-kilter? [15:58] Angela shares why she has her drive and grit to succeed and doesn't let anything stop her. [18:00] Angela chats about being able to sing opera and what caused her to lose the joy of singing. [20:30] She speaks about how hard the decision was to quit singing. [22:50] Angela says that singing didn't fulfill her, and she felt like she was preparing to make other people happy when she didn't care about it at all. [26:43] Angela describes all the different majors she chose at the University of Oregon. [29:15] Angela shares what made her get into psychology. [32:44] How long has it taken you to get through the undergrad years in college? [35:00] Angela speaks about her grades and having incompletes which kept her from graduating in 2010. [36:54] She started taking pre-reqs for nursing in 2014 while pregnant. [37:41] How was your pregnancy with all of your sensory sensitivities? [40:34] Angela shares that two years after her son was born she went back to the for psychology and has almost finished her degree. [43:01] Being a stay at home mom left her feeling unfulfilled because she had things she wanted to do. [44:43] Angela shares when she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. [46:31] Angela describes what having Fibromyalgia feels like. [53:00] What was the tipping point that made you want to seek out an ADHD diagnosis? [55:14] Angela says that her life has a bunch of pieces like a messy puzzle. [57:55] Angela shares her job as a project coordinator for a neuroscience experience, and how much time it takes. [59:13] Angela started reading about ADHD and it resonated with her. [1:00:19] How has the experience been for you as you learn more about ADHD? [1:03:03] Angela speaks about the struggle she faces going back to school for her graduate degree. [1:04:52] Angela shares that she let her professor know the issues she was having and her waiting on the ADHD diagnosis and his lack of response. [1:07:10] They discuss how nervous she was to come on the podcast and talk about her possible ADHD diagnosis. [1:10:10] Eric acknowledges Angela's grit and tenacity to keep going to school even though it has taken many years. [1:12:36] Are you someone who appreciates harmony and beauty? Someone who resolves issues? [1:13:09] Angela, thank you for sharing so much with us! [1:15:20] Eric believes that everyone should make their mess their message. [1:16:46] Angela, do you have anything else you want to share with the listeners? [1:19:27 ] If you're a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at

Have you ever just wanted to sit in a closet for some quiet time to study and eliminate distractions? Listen in as Eric and his guest Merage Ghane discuss why she did this, and many other topics on this episode of . Merage is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student in the eighth year of her PH.D. She shares her journey through being turned down many times to Ph.D. programs to finally being accepted and then getting her diagnosis. Merage shares the struggles she had in college with concentration, how her parents reacted to her ADHD diagnosis, and why she chose to research the topic of uncertainty for her dissertation. Merage also discusses her research, what she is looking for within the study, the details of the scenarios she puts her test subjects through and how this research plays out in real-world situations with the variables that can affect the analysis. Listen as Merage shares why she initially started her research on individuals with autism and attention networks, what she is looking for with her research, and the hardest thing about managing her ADHD while going through the P.h.D program. Merage used her real name in this episode because even though there could be repercussions, the fact is that she has ADHD, and she doesn't want to hide it. Merage and Eric discuss how magical the ADHD community is, and what takeaways from the alumni coaching group she finds helpful. Merage is showing everyone that people with ADHD can accomplish anything they set their minds too. She isn't letting her diagnosis slow her down, and neither should you. If any of this resonates with you, plug in and listen to this amazing woman. You'll Learn: [01:46] Merage, welcome to the show! [02:37] Merage shares where she went to school and where she is now. [03:27] She shares her story from almost being diagnosed with ADHD in high school to her college career. [05:04] Merage speaks about grad school and taking time off to get married. [07:33] Have you always had a resilient spirit? [08:10] Merage shares when she was actually diagnosed with ADHD. [10:00] Merage speaks about studying in a closet with a silence please on the door. [13:08] When you were diagnosed were you struggling with classes? [14:20] Merage chats about being a girl with ADHD and how many women are diagnosed. [16:09] She shares how telling her parents about the diagnosis and their acceptance. [17:56] Merage tells us her parents were immigrants and how that affected who she trusted as she grew up. [20:47] Merage shares what her research is about and how she decided to research this topic. [26:00] She speaks about the issues she is studying for her dissertation. [26:58] What are you looking for with this research? [28:33] Merage describes the scenarios she puts before her subjects. [31:41] How does your research play out in real-world situations? [33:03] Merage shares the variables she is looking at that can affect the outcome of her research. [34:27] Merage says she takes a very dimensional approach to psychopathology. [37:34] Are you looking at the day to day decision making? [40:32] Merage shares why she started looking at individuals with autism and attention networks. [42:45] They speak about social executive function and how emotions change often and move quickly. [44:23] Merage chats about a 3-minute talk competition she took part in and why. [45:28] What's the hardest thing for you while managing your ADHD through a P.h.D program? [46:13] Merage shares why she decided to use her real name even though there could be repercussions. [54:23] Merage speaks about being in some coaching groups and the relatable experiences people shared. [56:18] Why did you want to join the coaching groups? [58:21] She discusses the challenges she had finding room in her schedule for the groups and how flexible the supervisors were. [1:00:56] What did you take away from the coaching groups? [1:02:51] Merage shares how she has been sleeping and the fact that she isn't getting any natural light. [1:05:02] What are some things from the alumni sessions that have been helpful? [1:08:02] Eric speaks about the ADHD conference and how magical the ADHD community is. [1:09:10] Do you have anything else you want to share with the listeners? [1:11:24] Merage thank you so much for being on the show today! [1:15:05 ] If you're a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at

Breaking down the increments of time to organize behavior for people with ADHD is like driving in fog at slow speed. Listen to Eric and his guest as they discuss this, and many other topics on this episode of . Dr. Ramsay is the co-founder and co-director of the and an . He is also the author of five books, including the recently released , along with many articles with issues relating to ADHD.  How do we break down tasks to make them more actionable? Listen as Eric, and Dr. Ramsay discuss Cognitive Behavior Therapy, the difference between agency and efficacy, automatic negative thoughts, and core beliefs. Dr. Ramsay also shares that there are no trade secrets with coping strategies; the issue is with implementation and follow-through. Eric wonders if clients can be taught to change the questions they ask themselves and instead of being discouraged because all of something does not work, look and see if a part of it will work, look at the smaller picture.  Listen in as Dr. Ramsay shares the difference between procrastination and front end perfectionism, along with general cognitive disorders in the general population versus overgeneralization with ADHD. Dr. Ramsay says that it is ok to start toward something with the end in mind, but remember to implement the next incremental step to reach the goal.  Eric and Dr. Ramsay both share some extraordinary information about ADHD. Even though Cognitive Behavior Therapy sounds hard, these two break it down into layman terms so that we can all understand it. Small steps with realistic expectations can help you reach whatever goal you want to achieve. You'll Learn: [02:47] Dr. Russell Ramsay, welcome back to the show! [03:09] Dr. Ramsay why are we rethinking adult ADHD? [05:40] He speaks about the main cognitive theme in CBT [Cognitive Behavior Therapy]. [08:04] Dr. Ramsay discusses a scale that measures distorted positive thoughts. [09:57] Do you know the difference between agency and efficacy? [12:30] Dr. Ramsay speaks about automatic negative thoughts and core beliefs. [15:45] There are no trade secrets for coping strategies we know they work, the problem is implementation. [18:06] How do we break down tasks to make them more actionable? [28:56] Dr. Ramsay addresses the overgeneralization of distortions in positive and negative ways. [31:46] Eric wonders if maybe clients should be taught to change the questions they ask themselves. [33:17] Dr. Ramsay says that writing is hard for everyone, so if you can sequence your thoughts conversationally, it can help you express things in a more precise way. [34:20] Are there differences in general cognitive distortions in the general population versus overgeneralization with ADHD? [37:02] Dr. Ramsay speaks about procrastination and front end perfectionism. [38:03] Dr. Ramsay shares some areas of perfectionism that many people do not recognize and productive procrastination. [41:04] What something you can do behaviourally even though it is not actionable? [47:44] Dr. Ramsay discusses the unrealistic expectations of reality, lowering the bar of sufficiency. [50:30] Organizing behavior across time towards an outcome that we want to achieve. [51:33] Dr. Ramsay says to start with the end in mind but implement the next incremental step toward your goal. [53:51] How long does it take for replacement thoughts to become automatic? [56:39] Dr. Ramsay gives examples from a study of framing bias and remarks that framing a task so that it is actionable makes it seem more natural to accomplish. [57:43] Dr. Ramsay, do you have any final thoughts for our listeners? [59:28] Thank you so much for being on the show today. [1:00:41] If you're a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at Find Dr. Ramsay: by J. Russell Ramsay

Have you ever heard anyone say, "lazy is learned helplessness brought about by a lack of skills"? This is just one of the topics we cover in our monthly Q & A session with guests Brendan Mahan and Will Curb. We are taking questions from you the listener about situations that you want to talk through. It doesn't matter if it's personal or professional, we are here to give you our perspective and see if we can help you find some answers.  We start with a question about doing tasks when you don't feel well and how to hit a pause button around these tasks instead of a stop button. Getting accountability groups set up when you want to make sure you are accomplishing what you set out to do, how to ask a friend to be your accountability partner, and how to set up ground rules about what accountability is and isn't. It is always easier to have an accountability partner that is doing something similar or at least in the same ballpark as what you are doing. A mom of a 7th grader asked the team how she should respond to his failing grades and his resistance to taking the prescribed medicines. Laura asks for tips on how to not beat yourself up over a failure to complete calendar tasks, and Jennifer from the U.K. wants to know if they have ever had someone on the podcast from an area where the resources are limited. Jennifer is also curious about the team's response to podcasts that are selling products to manage ADHD like essential oils as an alternative to medicines. Listen in as we cover a wide range of topics, and we provide some creative takeaways no matter what stage you're in with your diagnosis. Listen in as we not only discuss your questions but also the struggle we still have dealing with our ADHD. Your Resources: You'll Learn: [02:19] Welcome our monthly Q & A with Will Curb and Brenden Mahan. [03:00] Madeline starts off with a question about getting tasks done when she is not feeling well. [04:40] Will and Brenden give their feedback on what is a priority when they are not feeling well. [07:01] Eric speaks about having the flu and the response he got when he couldn't get an episode out. [08:50] Beware of the guilt, shame and anxiety feelings that can surface. [12:08] Blake has an issue with his accountability and is asking for help. [14:35] Eric asks if there are certain things he has found helpful in the past. [15:45] What is the purpose of your need for accountability? [18:05] They discuss setting up a daily task list and sharing it with someone. [20:21] The follow up is a crucial thing with accountability. You need to report back to someone. [23:21] Alexis is asking how do you choose a non-therapist to be your accountability partner? [23:41] Eric speaks about needing to know what accountability is and what it isn't. [24:29] Will says that setting up ground rules, in the beginning, is very helpful. [26:20] Do you need an accountability partner to be doing something similar to what you are doing? [32:02] Andrew feels either everything is great or everything is terrible and wants to know if they have any tips to help to level this out. [33:57] Eric wants to know what time he is going to bed versus what time he is falling asleep and when he is waking up. [36:34] Do you regularly? Do you eat correctly? [39:08] When you have ADHD you have to think about your brain, do things that self-monitoring. [40:20] A mom shares that her son is struggling with school and resistant to meds, she is asking for ideas. [41:35] Brenden says that she needs to find out where the breakdown is at school and activate his school team to help figure this out. [44:09] Do you know where the skill deficit is? What is going on right now? [46:51] Brenden gives an example of how it feels to kids when they are trying hard, but the outcome doesn't show it. [48:46] Laura wants to know how to manage the tendency to ignore your calendar to-do list? [50:03] When you realize you haven't looked at your calendar, look at it, don't beat yourself up. Be more resilient, get up when you fall down. [52:03] If you can only get one thing done today, what would that be? [52:44] Will shares his tricks for getting back on track when he falls down. [54:18] Don't beat yourself up because you missed a few days on your calendar starting with today. [58:48] Jennifer wonders if they have ever had anyone on their podcasts from different areas like the U.K. about the limited resource. [1:03:08] Do you have any tips for people looking for evidence-based resources on ADHD? [1:05:05] Drug-free advertising for all-natural approaches for ADHD keeps people from trying the medication that could get their lives together. [1:07:11] Brenden gives his insight into alternative ways to manage ADHD. [1:10:30] Will believes that the more things claim to cure, the less it probably cures. [1:11:26] Eric says that they support science and are curious about magic is what he believes is the consensus. [1:12:03] Jennifer, thank you for your questions! [1:13:16] Will and Brenden thank you as always. [1:13:31] If you're a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at