More Attention, Less Deficit

I’ve found that all the strategies that are helpful for hyperactivity and impulsivity, are really just variations on four basic themes. It’s really helpful to understand them.

I've found that all the strategies that are helpful for hyperactivity and impulsivity, are really just variations on four basic themes. It's really helpful to understand them.

I’ve found that all the strategies that are helpful for distractibility, are really just variations on two basic themes. It’s really helpful to understand them.

I've found that all the strategies that are helpful for distractibility, are really just variations on two basic themes. It's really helpful to understand them.

Using ADHD as an excuse for poor performance is disempowering because it gives the impression that the person can’t do any better. By contrast, using it as an explanation helps the person understand how and why things go badly and, more important, what she can do differently to increase the odds of success.

Using ADHD as an excuse for poor performance is disempowering because it gives the impression that the person can't do any better. By contrast, using it as an explanation helps the person understand how and why things go badly and, more important, what she can do differently to increase the odds of success.

People with ADHD usually have good intentions but have trouble reliably turning those desires into action. There are important neurological reasons for this, so it’s important to use the right strategies when trying to close the gap.

People with ADHD usually have good intentions but have trouble reliably turning those desires into action. There are important neurological reasons for this, so it's important to use the right strategies when trying to close the gap.

Understanding ADHD is really important-I mean really understanding, not just superficial stuff. (One year anniversary episode!)

Understanding ADHD is really important-I mean really understanding, not just superficial stuff. (One year anniversary episode!)

Although a small number of clinicians use brain scans to diagnose ADHD, there just isn’t enough research available on this technique for it to be considered reliable. So save your money.

Although a small number of clinicians use brain scans to diagnose ADHD, there just isn't enough research available on this technique for it to be considered reliable. So save your money.

The proposed changes to the official diagnostic criteria have been made public. It’s interesting and really important, so we’ll discuss why as well as hit the highlights.

The proposed changes to the official diagnostic criteria have been made public. It's interesting and really important, so we'll discuss why as well as hit the highlights.

Your prescriber will probably start you at a low dose and move you up until you find the amount that’s best for you, based on balancing desired effects with side effects. (Third episode in a three part series on medication.)