Adult ADHD
| Guest Blog
By Ava GreenI didn’t always believe that adult ADHD is real. That might surprise you. Especially since I’ve had a hand in almost everything TotallyADD…
Adult ADHD
| Rick
| TotallyADD Blog
By totallyaddauthor“I don’t believe in ADHD.”
“Isn’t that just a big Pharmaceutical scam?”
“It’s just the internet.”
You’ve probably heard stuff like this. Probably again and again. You may be sick of hearing it.
Adult ADHD
| Rick
| TotallyADD Blog
By totallyaddauthorIn the years since I was diagnosed I’ve noticed 2 things that undermine my resolve and success. One is when a new ADHD-Friendly tool, strategy, or practice that I take on doesn’t actually work for me.
The other that sabotages my ability to make permanent changes and stick with new habits is when a tool, strategy, or practice does work for me. Especially if it works well.
For example…
Holistic Strategies
| Rick
| TotallyADD Blog
By totallyaddauthorShe shook my hand, “Thank you, so much. Your talk was so informative. Our son has ADHD, and I am pretty sure my husband might. But he refuses to get tested. Or even discuss it”
Adult ADHD
| Rick
| TotallyADD Blog
By totallyaddauthorIs it possible to ‘cure’ ADHD? To answer that we need to time travel…
Our documentary, ADD & Loving It?! is a surprise hit on PBS. The network is delighted. I am stunned and sent reeling. (I’ve yet to recover. I wake up reeling. And I love it!)
ADD & Loving It?! tells the story of comedian Patrick McKenna and his wife Janis, dealing with his mid-life diagnosis of ADHD. It was hailed by the critics as, “Unique, different, and ground-breaking.” And these are real TV critics, not my family members using made-up Facebook profiles.
Within days of the first broadcast we are flooded with messages of gratitude, relief…and calls for help…
Adult ADHD
| Rick
| TotallyADD Blog
By totallyaddauthorLike many adults diagnosed many years ago, I learned about the disorder by reading books… Okay, skimming books.
I have to tell you, there was far less information, but I was overwhelmed by what there was. And because the research is ongoing, today there’s even more to learn. In fact, there’s always more for me to learn… And some things I’ve had to unlearn because of new research and discoveries. Today it’s almost impossible not to feel overwhelmed by Blogs, Podcasts, E-Books, videos, and more.
Where to start?…
Adult ADHD
| Rick
| TotallyADD Blog
By totallyaddauthorA few months ago I blogged about those dark moments, when things would overwhelm me, and I wished I’d never been diagnosed. “It would have been better to just carry on like I was.”
That despair engulfed me when my best efforts, latest strategy, or brilliant new tool, would fail. One step forward, 37 steps back. (Warning: Steps may be exaggerated for dramatic effect.)…
Adult ADHD
| Emotional Journey
By totallyaddauthorDon’t you love when someone explains a complicated idea in a way that makes it instantly clear? That sudden, “Aha! I get it.” It instantly makes sense.
This morning a friend of ours had to escort her mom to see a new therapist. Mom is struggling with anxiety. And she was upset. Our friend was confused, “I would have thought she’d be happy and excited. New hope.” But my wife, Ava, pointed out, “When someone is struggling with anxiety, any kind of change is stressful. Uncertainty feeds the anxiety.”
The friend got it, instantly, “Ah… Of course.”…
Adult ADHD
| Rick
| TotallyADD Blog
By totallyaddauthorHave you ever heard the term ‘Reward Deficiency Syndrome’? From what I understand, it came out of research by Dr. Kenneth Blum and others. They were searching for a specific genetic glitch that might increase the risk of alcoholism.
They understood that something as complex as an addiction can not be caused by any single gene, but the one gene being studied did seem to increase the risk…
Adult ADHD
By totallyaddauthorAn eventful week! And it’s not over.
On Tuesday I went to Queens Park, the seat of government for the province of Ontario, where I had lunch with the Speaker, the Hon. Dave Levac. Mark Tishman, from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care joined us as well. Very moving conversation.
For me, it renewed the hope that we can keep doing what we are doing at TotallyADD.com. Because at the moment the future is by no means guaranteed. Many ADHD organizations are struggling. Some have had to close down. This week we were sad to hear that ADD Resources in Seattle is no more.