ADHD reWired

Episode 18 | Could it Be Bipolar Disorder Be Bipolar Disorder   Could it Be Bipolar This Week on Episode 118 of ADHD rewired we are joined by Dr. Roberto Olivardia. Eric and Roberto discuss the many of the ways we can determine if our ADHD is our only passenger. ADHD and Bipolar disorder are very commonly misdiagnosed. Roberto shared with us some amazing statistics. 70% of people with Bipolar Disorder have ADHD 20% of people with ADHD have Bipolar Disorder 50% of people with Bipolar Disorder attempt Suicide and 20% succeed at their attempt. Dr. Olivardia shared many important facts about Bipolar Disorder. Proper Diagnosis can take up to 17 years Loss of interest in things people are interested in normally Severe mood swings Bipolar Disorder in incredibly under-diagnosed Dr. Olivardia stressed the importance of getting a proper diagnosis. Many clinicians know little to nothing about ADHD and it is best to get a mood disorder expert. Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, MA, where he specializes in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), executive functioning issues, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He also treats the various issues that accompany learning disabilities, such as stress and negative self- esteem. He is co-author of The Adonis Complex, a book which details the various manifestations of body image problems in men. He has taught courses at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Boston College. He has presented at many talks and conferences around the country. He is on the Scientific Advisory Board for ADDitude Magazine, a publication serving the needs of individuals with ADHD and Learning Disabilities. For questions and comments for Dr. Roberto Olivardia, you can email him at   Get you copy of “Chasing Kites” at Contact Eric Tivers through his website at

Episode 117 | David Goodman This episode could easily have been called “Helping Your Doctor Understand ADHD Part II”, and may still be pending approval. This week Eric managed to track down Dr. David Goodman. Dr. Goodman is widely known in his circles for publishing a 50 page book, consisting of mostly tables to help clinicians diagnose and treat patients. Eric Tivers refers to this as the cliff notes for ADHD. Dr. Goodman sites three types of physicians: Informed Trained and actively helping those of us with ADHD. Educated and up on the latest research. Uninformed Not trained and unable to identify or treat those with ADHD Misinformed Prejudice toward those claiming to have ADHD. Non-believers and critics who doubt its very existence. The most amazing thing I heard from this episode was the fact that ADHD is the most researched conditioned all of medicine and this is according to the Scientific Council of the American Medical Association.                 Eric Tivers and Dr. Goodman then speak about a host of other topics including: People who believe ADHD is simply a matter of will power ADHD treatment allows the person to be the person they are supposed to be. What we can do to arm our physicians Things to know about pharmacists. For more information about Dr. Goodman go to Also: Get you copy of “Chasing Kites” at Contact Eric Tivers through his website at

116 | Helping Your Doctor Understand ADHD   ADHD reWired is proud to have Dr. David Pomeroy join us in the virtual studio. Dr. David Pomeroy founded Brain Health NW in 2005. He is a Family Medicine physician with over 25 years of office practice experience, with the intent of providing thorough evaluations and holistic medical treatment for Attention Deficit Disorders and mood disorders in children, teens, and adults. Mission Statement: “The mission of Brain Health NW is to provide compassionate, informed and up-to-date high-quality care to individuals and families affected by behavioral, psychological or psychosomatic disorders. This was a very unique show in that Eric and Dr. Pomeroy discuss issues surrounding ADHD at the Clinical level. To be clearer, Eric tailors his questions to doctors who may not me up on the Latest ADHD research need to know. There is a problem in the medical community surrounding not just ADHD but mental illness. 15 minute monthly appointments in many cases. This sort of drive by delivery of patient care is just not satisfactory. Another problem is fear. Many doctors are fearful of lawsuits resulting from medication. They when through a host of different medications and discussed side effects, effectiveness and criteria for subscribing them. Dr. Pomeroy has had extraordinary success by monitoring and testing and re-testing. This show is a must hear for Doctors. If you have a doctor with whom you are friendly, We here at ADHD reWired would encourage you to share this show with them. For more information on Dr. Pomeroy: Dr. Pomeroy’s recommended sites          Kathleen Nadeau PHD                                     Rick Green Dr. Pomeroy’s Podcast

Deadline for the ADHD Coaching reWired is Friday May 13th http://coachingreWired.com   115 |  Your Weight is Not Your Fate     Sam Lomeli is a hero to many people prom the ADHD community and may not even be aware of it. Sam is certainly a hero of mine. Sam grew up being picked on and was the butt of many jokes. Sam was overweight (like Eric was) through the years he spent in school.  It was Sam’s calling to ultimately be a champion for people he would meet much later in life. Sam began his crusade by volunteering at charitable organizations such as: The Salvation Army and The Special Olympics. His biggest accomplishment was his volunteering to build wheelchair ramps for disabled veterans and non-veterans who could not get in or out of their homes. He has built over 250 wheelchair ramps for people without the ability or means to have them any other way. Today Sam helps people believe that they can lose weight like he did. While speaking to his wife Kristen, he ran the idea of a podcast by her. She told him she never saw her light up like he did when he talked about helping other people, and so the “Tips of the Scale Podcast” was born. Eric and Sam discuss these things in depth at the beginning of the show and then get more into the psychology of people who are overweight. Sam mentions he has found so much of a person’s self-worth is tied to their own perception of their appearance. Sam talks about the things people tell themselves about what their self-worth is. His clients feel like their value is determined by their looks and achievements. He further states that these same people have a tough time when asked when is the last time you remember being happy. They believe that to be happy they must obtain the validation of those who judge them, or of those people who do not struggle with being overweight. Sam teaches his clients their happiness comes from them feeling good about themselves. Sam is truly a hero if ever I have heard of one. He has made a career of helping people who are seemingly unable to lose weight and/or feel good about themselves alone. We hope you listen and learn more about Sam and about the “Tips of the Scale” podcast. To contact Sam: Website: Follow him on twitter:   To join the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group go to

A member of the most recent ADHD reWired Coaching & Accountability Group is paying it forward.     After Jessica’s ADHD diagnosis, she spent years trying to learn as much as possible about her condition and tried every strategy she came across with little success.  Despite all her efforts, she continued to have trouble keeping up at work and home, and believed that she simply needed to work harder and longer.  She would regularly wake up at three or four in the morning to try and get caught up, yet fell further and further behind.  She was mad that things were so hard, angry that she had ADHD, and was looking for the missing piece of the puzzle that would allow her to get her work and home life under control.  While listening to the ADHD reWired podcast, she heard about the Coaching & Accountability Group and knew it would be a game changer.     Jessica was determined to find success and thought that participating with an intensive group coaching program would provide her with the tools she needed to meet her goals.  She felt the frequent meeting times, supportive accountability, and productivity tips might be the only way she would ever achieve inbox zero.   Despite understanding how helpful this group would be, she knew she simply couldn’t afford it.  It wasn’t until her Grandfather passed away and unexpectedly left her with a generous inheritance that she was able to use his gift to invest in herself.  And she did, by joining the ADHD reWired Coaching & Accountability Group.   After the group finished, I spoke to Jessica about her 10 week experience.  What she shared with me was amazing.      Jessica joined the group because she desperately needed help with her productivity.  She thought the missing piece of the puzzle would be strategies, techniques, and technical know-how to get to inbox zero.  But after 10 weeks, she found that that the biggest benefit was something totally unexpected; she learned to accept herself and her ADHD.  She learned that the missing puzzle piece was being kind to herself, and for the first time in her life, showed herself kindness.     Jessica did improve her productivity.  She even hit inbox zero once.  But the improvements she saw extended far beyond her daily work.  She drastically improved her sleep.  She even reported that there have been significant improvements in her marriage.  But to Jessica, learning to accept her ADHD was the greatest benefit of all.  And that, she said, was really unexpected.        Jessica is now eager to pay it forward. With her gift of $1400, we will be awarding two $700 Scholarships to two people who like herself herself, are highly motivated to do the work to get their ADHD reWired, but are not able to make the investment.

Time is almost up. RegisterToday!forthecoaching and accountability group just go to Ep.114|LivingYourMission Jennie Friedman is an ADHD coach out of New York. She is thehost of the “See in ADHD” Podcast and the cohost of the“The ADDCouple”podcast. Jennie graced the ADHD reWired studios with herpresence for the second time and this show was a lot of laughs asis always the case when Jennie present. Jennie is a member of Podcast Paradise,anonlinegroupofpodcasters and after seeking their counsel, shetoretoolabit.Jennie has recently re-launched her podcastandhascommittedto anamazing 5 shows per week. Jennie decided thatshehaslearneda lotsince the original launch that she referredtoasthe“SilentLaunch”. Jennie also goes to explain that muchofthiswasdo toher having a freak-out over her blog andthepressureshewasputting on herself. She finally told herself thatifshemustwritethen perhaps it is best she finish her next book. Jennie and Eric spend a great dealoftimediscussingVerticalHeterophoria, and the work of . OneofJennie’slistenersand close friends Renee Brooks wasrecently onaveryspecial show doneby Jennie’s See in ADHD’sPodcast Somewhere in the second half of this episode of ADHD reWired theshow took a bit of a turn as Jennie takes Eric to task on hisunwillingness to brand Tom Nardone with the title ofproducer.Jennie Admits to a bias as she claimed to be a raving fanof Toms.She is perhaps the first person to have finished thebook.She even mentioned she has a signed copy of the book that isalso signed by Tom’s wife Yvonne. Eric also believes his copy to besigned by Yvonne, but I can assure you it was not. This show is among the best and it was fantastictohearEricandJennie laugh at themselves and each otherthroughoutthewholeshow.These notes cannot possibly do it justicesopleaselisten toandenjoy episode 114 of ADHD reWired You can reach Jennie at

Episode 113 | Markers for ADHD   Dr. Brown and Eric Tivers began the 113th Episode of ADHD reWired by discussing “Cookies and Accountability”. It was a great story about Dr. Brown and his wife and the temptations of a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Eric got a lot of information out of Dr. Brown and this show will most likely call for a second or possibly third listen to get it all. 2 conditions under which those with ADHD do well. Interest Pressure Most ADHD people have no problem focusing on tasks they are interested in or tasks for which they are afraid of consequences.   Dr. Brown went through the 6 different markers he looks for when diagnosing and during treatment of his ADHD patients. Activation Can they get organized and/or get started? How much are they procrastinating Attention / Focus Can they focus or shift focus. Do they get locked on to one thing and can’t get back on the current task Alertness Do they finish things in a reasonable amount of time? Many people do not get the necessary amount of sleep Are they able to sustain effort? Managing frustration & Emotions Do their emotions come on too strong or too weak Some of them get excited with “What ifs” Obsessing about things they will do or buy at a later time. Working Memory Can they keep one thing in mind while doing something else? No so much the long term but short term memory Monitor and self-regulate actions Do you come across to others as you intend to.   To contact Dr. Thomas Brown:

Episode 12 Improvement through Improv Rachel Hamilton is currently attending the ADHD rewired accountability group with Eric Tivers and 11 other people. We are fortunate she was able to take time to be with us this week to share her story.   Rachel was diagnosed with ADHD not long ago. She was at the Burning Man event when a friend of hers offered her a Ritalin. Rachel is now aware of the repercussions of taking ADHD meds recreationally, but nevertheless she did indulge years ago, and it had a profound effect on her. After taking a Ritalin she felt organized and together.   Things just felt right and she had an unfamiliar awareness she had never before experienced. This made Her curious and she began to learn more about ADHD through the reading of books and articles.   Rachel tells of the fact that nothing has been a bigger eye-opener for her then the interactions she has had with the others in the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group   About Rachel Rachel began teaching almost twenty years ago and she feels passionately that Improv skills are great training for both theater and for life. Her teaching style is upbeat and nurturing – she creates a safe space where everyone can feel safe and supported, and where everyone can do their best work. Rachel designs and implements improv workshops all over the country for both actors and non-actors, offering Improv as a tool for training in performance as well as for personal development. Born in DC, Rachel has lived, loved and worked in all the major cities; Chicago, LA and most recently NYC. Last year, in a conscious quest for more tranquility and natural beauty, Rachel made the brilliant choice to move her base to Sausalito, California and is delighted to be bringing her deep well of experience to the Bay Area’s vibrant Improv scene.

Dr. Doug Puryear, over the last few years, has established himself a blogger an author and an advocate for ADHD people and professionals. Doug provides real life strategies for those with ADHD to learn ways to cope with the problems they have has a result. In this episode, one of the ADHD community’s heroes, Doug Puryear joins the ADHD reWired virtual studios. This is truly one of the most amazing episodes we have ever put out. Doug shares details of his life seemingly without fear or reservation. This certainly is among the more powerful episodes of ADHD reWired. Doug speaks about his childhood with ADHD and the abuse he suffered. Doug battled most of his life with ADHD and was not aware of it until age 64. Doug has a new book out called “The Bully” This is the story of Doug going from being a bully to being the fun-loving guy so many have come to love Website: Facebook: Facebook profile LinkedIn: Blog:

110 | A Healthier Relationship with Medication guest Stephen Tonti   Stephen’s primary focus is writing and directing for film and various other multimedia projects. On top of being a film director, Stephen also tours as a public speaker advocating for men and women diagnosed with ADHD. In 2013, Stephen was selected for the Carnegie Mellon University TEDx Student Speaker Competition. He gave his first speech on the subject there, in front of over 700 fellow students, professors, and various educators. His talk is on YouTube and has gathered almost 680,000 views to date. Stephen is yet unsigned, but will begin giving an updated version of his TED talk on tour later this year. Stephen graced the ADHD reWired virtual studio this past January. Stephen is quite a character. Stephen, like many ADHD people is quite stubborn, to the tune that he while having an argument with his girlfriend about whether he was ADHD or simply had ADHD, he proceeded to give a public talk to further affirm his point of view. This lead to the end of that relationship. Stephen has since grown in his knowledge of ADHD. Once believing that medication was only a last result for adults only, he now does not advocate one way or the other. Stephen states that medication alone is no guarantee of success, and that medication too often gets the credit. Stephens’s ADHD life philosophy is:   DISCOVER                            Discover it exists UNDERSTAND                       Understand and research to find out what ADHD is. Get the whole picture ACCEPT                                  ADHD is real. You have ADHD. ADHD is not made up SSUPPORT                              Get support for your ADHD. Support others who have ADHD. Give ADHD. Avoid shame at all costs!   Today it is quite normal to see and/or hear Stephen Tonti talking to himself. That is talking to himself out loud. He does this even if others are around. There is no need to be frightened this is just one of his own methods he uses to coach himself. If you would like to contact Stephen you can reach him at