ADHD | Distraction Podcast hosted by Dr. Ned Hallowell

Listener Q&A: Which Is Better for Neurodiverse Brains, Multi-Tasking or Single-Tasking?

Posted June 21, 2021 by admin 776

Today’s question comes from 16-year old Emily who wrote:

I’m 16 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD in the third grade. I know that those of us with ADHD are often very good at multitasking… or so we think. But I’ve recently heard about the term “single-tasking,” (focusing on doing one thing at a time) as being a better way to accomplish some tasks, which I totally struggle with. Can you talk about which method is better for neurodiverse brains, and how we can get better at focusing on one thing at a time?

Today’s question is answered by guest-expert, Dr. Maryellen Ruth, Director of the Diagnostic Center at Forman School.

If you have a question or comment you’d like us to address in a future Q&A episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to [email protected].

Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need.

Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our producer is Sarah Guertin.

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Pulling Yourself Out Of Depression

Posted June 15, 2021 by admin 492

College student Andrew Ewald opens up about his struggles with ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD and bipolar disorder (and how he’s overcoming them) in this frank conversation about the ups and downs of living with mental health problems. Listen as our host shares some of his own struggles as well.

Reach out to us! Record your question or comment on your phone using the voice memo app and send it to [email protected].

Distraction is a production of Sounds Great Media. This episode was produced by Sarah Guertin and recorded and mixed by Pat Keogh.

This episode was originally released in October 2019.

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Dav Pilkey’s Magnificent Message

Posted June 10, 2021 by admin 604

Through his extremely popular books, including the Captain Underpants and Dog Man series, author Dav Pilkey has brought laughter and joy to millions of kids and adults around the world. In this mini episode the author with ADHD and dyslexia answers several questions we received from some 4th and 5th grade students at Green Acres Elementary School in North Haven, Connecticut. And Ned shares his own thoughts on Dav’s books and message.

To learn more about Dav Pilkey and all of his books visit his website HERE.

To hear the full-length Distraction episode featuring Dav’s amazing life story click HERE.

Send us your questions and episode ideas! Email [email protected].

This episode was originally released in January 2019.

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How To Help Your Child Stop Lying

Posted May 27, 2021 by admin 526

Lying is a common problem in children, but especially for those with ADHD. It’s a dangerous habit but it is a solvable problem and there are strategies you can use to work past it.

In this mini Ned responds to concerned mom who reached out about her 11-year old son who is struggling with telling the truth. She’s tried various forms of punishment with little success and is concerned about her son ruining future opportunities and relationships because of the lying. Dr. Hallowell shares some insights and suggestions for our listener, along with a healthy dose of optimism too.

Do you have a question or show idea? We’d love to hear it! Email us at [email protected].

This episode was originally released in March 2019.

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Your Recurring Struggles Are Trying To Tell You Something

Posted May 20, 2021 by admin 509

You might have asked yourself at some point, “What do I want out of life?” But have you ever asked yourself what you’d be willing to sacrifice for your goals? Ned talks about drive and determination, and how to figure out what you really want. He thinks the secret to uncovering your greatness might lie in recognizing the recurring struggles in your life!

Mark Manson’s article mentioned in this episode: https://qz.com/584874/you-probably-know-to-ask-yourself-what-do-i-want-heres-a-way-better-question/

Reach out to us with your questions and show ideas! Email [email protected].

This episode was originally released in October 2018.

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Fight Procrastination with the Mantra “Do It Now”

Posted April 29, 2021 by admin 632

Procrastination is a common problem in the world of ADHD. In this mini episode, Ned shares how he gets himself to do the things he doesn’t want to do, like taking out the trash. He also talks about why the bad habit of procrastination is so alluring to neurodiverse brains.

If you have a question or comment you’d like us to address in an episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to [email protected].

Learn more about the programs being offered this summer at Landmark College! There’s a summer program for high school students, a summer bridge experience, and a college readiness program. Go HERE to learn more. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.

Learn more about our sponsor OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day. Distraction listeners will SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com.

Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media and produced by Sarah Guertin.

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Jessica McCabe on Why ADHD Brains Are Drawn to Crises, Sponsored by Landmark College

Posted April 28, 2021 by admin 714

Jessica McCabe joins Ned for a conversation about how ADHD brains respond to crises. The queen of the ADHD kingdom (as Ned dubs her in this episode) talks about the struggle she faced in college with dropping everything to help those around her. Jessica learned that responding to someone else’s crisis was a way to distract herself and avoid doing the boring stuff, like homework. And as Dr. H says to her in this episode, “Boredom is our kryptonite!”

The pair talk about why neurodiverse brains are draw to stimulation and the importance of recognizing what’s really going on when you drop everything to help someone else and avoid your own responsibilities.

An extra special thanks to our sponsor Landmark College in Putney, Vermont for making this episode possible!

Check out Jessica’s videos at HowtoADHD.

Share your thoughts with us about this episode! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to [email protected]

Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media and produced by Sarah Guertin.

Do you know a student with ADHD or other learning difference looking for a higher education experience? Tell them about our amazing sponsor, Landmark College, in Putney, Vermont. Learn more about their summer programs HERE.

Check out this episode!

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Strengthen Your Cerebellum to Improve ADHD Symptoms

Posted April 27, 2021 by admin 828

Dr. John Ratey joins Ned to share the latest research on how underdeveloped cerebellums affect executive functions like regulating emotions and staying focused. They discuss Dr. Jeremy Schmahmann’s Dysmetria of Thought theory, and share specific ways those with ADHD can build up this part of their brain.

Learn more about Dr. John Ratey HERE.

Reach out to us with your questions and comments. Write an email or record a voice memo with your thoughts and send it to [email protected].

Thanks to our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness! Distraction listeners, you can SAVE 20% on your first order with the promo code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com.

Click HERE to learn more about our sponsor, Landmark College, in Putney, Vermont. It’s the college of choice for students who learn differently.

Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our producer is Sarah Guertin.

This episode was originally released October 2020.

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Q&A with Dr. H: How Can I Be More Supportive of My Partner’s ADHD?

Posted April 26, 2021 by admin 624

Today’s question is about ADHD and romantic relationships. A listener reached out with the following:

“I recently started a wonderful relationship with someone who has ADHD. After about a month symptoms started flaring up and resulted in confusion and some difficult emotions.

I’m looking for advice on being as supportive a partner as I can be while he is dealing with this. And although I know there might not be anything— any way I can help.

I have concerns that maybe I was just an object of hyper focus in the beginning and now that is past. I also have concerns that our relationship threw a wrench in his routines and contributed to this happening.

I feel bad thinking that and he does still want me in his life. So maybe that thinking is just my own insecurities kicking in. I really care about this person and just want to do what I can for the best outcome.”

In response, Ned shares his best advice on navigating a relationships with someone who has ADHD. He also gives lots of credit to his wife, Sue, for their successful marriage!

If you have a question you’d like addressed in a future Q&A episode just like this reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to [email protected].

Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need.

Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Check out this episode!

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ADHD and the Evolution Advantage

Posted April 22, 2021 by admin 834

Dr. H talks about how the genetic variant DRD4 7R (which is linked to ADHD) enabled hunters to be more alert and innovative in early humans, and how modern life has evolved to benefit more sedentary behaviors. But there’s good news, because Ned thinks that is changing!

Happy Earth Day!

A Hunter in a Farmer’s World by Thom Hartmann

If you have a question or comment you’d like us to address in an episode please reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo on your phone and send it to [email protected].

Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day! Distraction listeners can SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com.

Students who learn differently love Landmark College and so does Ned! Sign up now for one of their summer programs! Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.

Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

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Q&A with Dr. H: How Do You Help Someone Who Refuses Help?

Posted April 19, 2021 by admin 632

Ned responds to a worried mom who reached out looking for ways to help her 17 year old daughter. She wrote in part,

“My daughter has been given numerous amounts of education about ADHD, she seems to have the right combination of medication now, and she gets exercise daily from being a studio competition dancer.

But she is still struggling. She is 17.5 yrs old, without a driver’s license, never had a job, she still operates in the world of now and not now, fights most structure that would help tackle tasks, closed off to any type of personal suggestion/coaching for ADHD, really struggling daily in most executive function skills such as organization and time.

17.5 is a hard age to still be living daily in what you describe “transparency, to the point of being honest to a fault”, especially with the lying and the “tendency to externalizations or blame others while not seeing their role in the problem” and it is becoming a huge concern for us about what her adult future will be like.

As her parents we feel very stuck, defeated and devastated that her future will be nothing but struggles that she doesn’t have to have, but will.

How do we help her be more receptive toward putting structure into her life and embracing the help of a coach? Both would give her more control over her outcomes, not just reacting to situations. These are the only two things I can think of that we haven’t already included in her life.”

If you have a question or comment you’d like Dr. Hallowell to address in a future Q&A episode just like this reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to [email protected].

Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need.

Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Check out this episode!

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Jessica McCabe Shares the Science Behind Why ADHDers Are More Creative – Sponsored by Landmark College

Posted April 16, 2021 by admin 835

How to ADHD creator Jessica McCabe joins Ned for a conversation about creativity. Jessica opens up about the doubts she had when she first started her YouTube channel, shares the latest research on how neurodivergent brains are more creative than neurotypical ones, and underscores the importance of finding support for your creativity. (As you’ll hear in this episode, for Jessica, that support came from Dr. Hallowell!)

An extra special thanks to our sponsor Landmark College in Putney, Vermont for making this episode possible!

Check out Jessica’s videos at HowtoADHD. BTW, she now has over 628,000 subscribers!

Share your thoughts with us about this episode! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to [email protected]

Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media and produced by Sarah Guertin.

Do you know a student with ADHD or other learning difference looking for a higher education experience? Tell them about our amazing sponsor, Landmark College, in Putney, Vermont. Learn more about their summer programs HERE.

Check out this episode!

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