Sometimes you just need to put a face with a name in order to remember something. It is also helpful if that face has characters that represent what the face is all about or helps you remember more about the face. Linda Roggli, the ADDiva, is very creative. She put a face on the names of the key neurotransmitters that impact those with ADHD. The cartoon faces really help bring a context to each neurotransmitter. Continue reading “Attention Deficit Disorder: Meet the Neurotransmitters”
Author: Jan Owens
ADHD Meds: Straight Answers to Big Questions
Many individuals fear the long-term effects of taking stimulant medications. Question is are there long-term effects if you don’t take them? In this podcast, Rick Green of Totally ADD, shares his philosophy on the topic and offers insightful information to help people make an educated decision on taking medications. Rick is not pro-med, but he is anti-suffering. And we are both pro-education.
Continue reading “ADHD Meds: Straight Answers to Big Questions”
ADHD: Is Dopamine Something You Can Feel?
Booyah! Is that what dopamine feels like? Dopamine is the reward neurotransmitter and, in a way, ground zero in the context of ADHD. Think of your brain like Pavlov’s dog. If you push a lever and don’t get dopamine, you find another lever, and so on and so on till you find a lever that gives you dopamine. At that point, the problem is not pushing the lever but, rather, not pushing it. Continue reading “ADHD: Is Dopamine Something You Can Feel?”
ADHD: Emotional Self-Regulation – Live, Unplugged & Real
The hardest part of ADHD is managing emotional self-regulation. The first step is to notice you are in an emotional state. This is exceptionally hard because it requires self-awareness, which is a challenge for those with ADHD. Step two is to use your thinking brain to down-regulate your emotions, which also is hard because, when you are in a fight, flight, or freeze state, it is hard to remember what you know to do. Step three is to brainstorm and move forward. Years ago, I was able to record a powerful coaching call. Continue reading “ADHD: Emotional Self-Regulation – Live, Unplugged & Real”
ADHD: When Fixed Appears as Broken
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – May 25, 2020
We live in a society that fosters negativity and self-limiting beliefs. Just look at the daily news, the endless array of advertisements for things to “fix” us, or the fascination with the mishaps of celebrities as just a few examples. The ego loves weakness, and we feed into it by focusing on it; and for some, this focus invades every aspect of life. The result for many is staying “stuck” and not moving forward. To bring about real change, we must be willing to have a more open mindset.
Here’s a parable that I feel illustrates this point beautifully, and then I’ll share a lived ADHD experience to open your mind: Continue reading “ADHD: When Fixed Appears as Broken”
ADHD and Thoughts: The Jigsaw Puzzle in Your Mind
Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have lots of thoughts. Some thoughts go to the puzzle they’re working on in their mind; some thoughts might go to a puzzle they might be working on in the future; and other thoughts they don’t know what to do with. ADHD coach Jeff Copper uses a jigsaw puzzle as a metaphor to help you begin to witness the real challenges of ADHD in putting thoughts together to solve puzzles and problems. Continue reading “ADHD and Thoughts: The Jigsaw Puzzle in Your Mind”
The Impact of Exercise on ADHD with Dr. John Ratey
Dr. John Ratey co-wrote the book, Driven to Distraction, one of the most popular selling ADHD books of all time. He also wrote Spark: How exercise will improve the performance of your brain. Dr. Ratey has ADHD himself and dedicated a chapter in his book to the impact of exercise on ADHD. In our conversation, he shares the science and his personal story. Continue reading “The Impact of Exercise on ADHD with Dr. John Ratey”
When Things Suddenly Make Sense
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – May 4, 2020
Did you ever run into somebody who’s able to articulate something in such a way that all of a sudden it makes some sense? Years ago, I was coaching a woman who said, at the end of our first coaching session, that she wanted to work on her lists. We learned during her discovery session that she is very visual. Knowing this, I asked what it would be like if she just drew a picture instead of writing words. After we got off the call, she gave it a shot. Continue reading “When Things Suddenly Make Sense”
ADHD and Emotions: A Visual Metaphor for Context
ADHD is a self-regulation and working memory challenge. Two things that those with ADHD need to regulate are attention and emotion, according to Dr. Russell Barkley. Yes, according to Dr. Barkley, emotions are as much a part of ADHD as attention. The words “emotional self-regulation” are just words. Often it is easier to “get” what the words mean with a visual metaphor. Continue reading “ADHD and Emotions: A Visual Metaphor for Context”
ADHD and High IQs, with Dr. Thomas E. Brown
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has nothing to do with intelligence or IQ. If 2% of the general population are eligible for Mensa, then 2% of the ADHD population are eligible for Mensa. There is a difference between having knowledge and having the ability to apply knowledge. Those with ADHD know what to do; they struggle doing what they know to do. Continue reading “ADHD and High IQs, with Dr. Thomas E. Brown”