By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – January 22, 2024
Life in a family of five where they all have ADHD can be a unique and challenging experience. The dynamics in such a family are often characterized by high energy levels, impulsivity, and difficulty with focus and organization. With everyone sharing similar traits, there may be a sense of understanding and empathy within the family, as they can relate to each other’s struggles. But it can also lead to chaos and frustration, as it might be harder to maintain routines and responsibilities. Continue reading “How Teens Raise ADHD Parents”
Have you ever meditated and noticed your mind wandering? Congratulations, you’re meditating correctly. You might be wondering, “What does meditation have to do with my ADHD?” The answer is in a paradigm shift, because meditation is all about paying attention to your attention! It’s like a workout for your mind, helping you become more aware of the present moment and improving your ability to control what you focus on. 
Everyone can feel stress and anxiety, but those with ADHD probably experience it more than others. Stress at its core is a physiological response to perceived threats or anticipation of an event where you may or may not be prepared. Reactions may be triggered by situations where you feel you have no control; it may feel like you are being attacked by a lion. When stress ignites the limbic system, it’s like throwing gasoline on a fire. 
Many of those diagnosed with ADHD are sensitive to their senses, and this can create maddening distractions. It looks something like this. Imagine you have ADHD and are sensitive to light and you’re trying to write a paper. You’re focused, organizing your thoughts, and then there is a flash of light that grabs your attention. In that instant, everything in your working memory is erased and you have to start over… UGH! 
What is chronic fatigue? What is fibromyalgia? Are they related to attention deficit disorder? Although ADHD is not typically associated with either chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, it does seem to be an unusual combination of features that those with ADHD complain of. For answers, I interviewed Dr. Joel Young, a psychiatrist at the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine (
One of the biggest challenges with ADHD is self-awareness. To learn self-awareness, you need to look in the mind’s mirror. With ADHD, executive functioning is impaired, and it’s very effortful to be self-aware so you can override the automatic brain. That’s why the pause may be the most helpful tool to manage your ADHD.
Comedians make us laugh by using humor making fun of human nature. For instance, comedian Jeff Foxworthy popularized the phrase, “You may be a redneck if…” and then adds a peculiar behavior or trait poking fun at what it means to be a redneck. Another humorous example is one we learned from comedian Rick Green, that you can’t laugh and cry at the same time. 
What is Executive Function Deficit Disorder (EFDD)? What does self-regulation have to do with EFDD, and what does all this have to do with ADHD? For answers to these questions and more, I reached out to Dr. Russell Barkley, the world-renowned ADHD expert, affectionately called “ADHD Genius.”