Claim OwnershipGina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster
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You have questions about Adult ADHD? I work hard to provide answers. — Reliable answers honed over 20 years of primary research, writing books, blogging, presenting at major conferences, and leading support groups. — Preeminent ADHD experts including Russell Barkley, PhD, endorse my work. — These podcasts share readers' most popular posts from my award-winning ADHD Roller Coaster blog—the second and oldest website of any kind on Adult ADHD. — Founded in 2008. — My long-awaited online courses are available NOW — For individuals, couples, and professionals. — Thanks for listening—and subscribing — Gina Pera, author and educator: "Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?" and "Adult ADHD-Focused Couple Therapy: Clinical Interventions" — Blog: https://ADHDRollerCoaster.org — Training site: https://adhdsuccesstraining.com/adult-adhd-solving-the-four-essential-puzzle-pieces-consumers/
23 Episodes
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Too often, ADHD is treated as “just” a mental issue. But what about the body? In this episode, I unpack what I call Physical Strategies—a foundational corner piece in solving the ADHD puzzle. We’re talking about the real-world effects of poor sleep, poorly managed medication, erratic eating, and neglected exercise. Each one can amplify ADHD-related struggles—and make other solutions harder to access. I also explain why getting these basics in place can be a complete game-changer—not just for ...
Retirement: freedom at last—or a free fall into dysfunction? In this episode of the ADHD Roller Coaster, Adult ADHD author and expert Gina Pera explore what she calls ADHD Retirement Syndrome. I The sudden loss of external structure, purpose, and identity can turn what’s supposed to be the “Golden Years” into something far more chaotic, especially when ADHD goes undiagnosed or poorly managed. You’ll hear real-life examples of how ADHD can quietly derail retirement plans—and what you can do t...
“Drug holiday”—sounds relaxing, right? Not for everyone with ADHD. In this episode, I share real-world stories—including a raw, revealing account from reader Katy Rollins—about what really happens when ADHD medication takes a break. Spoiler: it’s not always sunshine and calm. We’re talking late-night obsessions, hyper-cleaning marathons, and emotional exhaustion. Whether you’ve considered taking a med break—or just want to better understand the role medication plays in ma...
ADHD doesn’t just affect one person—it affects the entire relationship. In this episode, Gina Pera shares five radical yet essential perspectives that can dramatically improve how couples navigate ADHD-related challenges. These aren’t your typical therapy clichés or pop-psychology platitudes. They’re hard-won insights from decades of experience, research, and helping couples around the world. You’ll learn: Why teamwork—not independence—is essential for ADHD relationship successHow to stop bla...
In this episode, Gina Pera explores how ADHD-related brain chemistry can contribute to these post-orgasm challenges—and what you can do about it. From early historical observations to modern neuroscience, from SSRI and stimulant options to alternatives like Karezza, this is a candid, compassionate look at a deeply personal issue. 🧠 Gina was among the first in the field to speak publicly about potential ADHD-related intimacy challenges. She first tackled this topic in her groundb...
Could your ADHD treatment plan be making your sleep—and your symptoms—worse? In this episode, Gina Pera explores a critical but often-missed topic: the overlooked risks of antidepressants and sleep apnea in ADHD treatment. Drawing from her in-depth blog post, Gina unpacks the science, the real-world consequences, and why many prescribers—and even patients—miss the bigger picture. You’ll learn: How sleep apnea often flies under the radar in ADHD adultsWhy antidepressants can worsen sleep ap...
This episode is the audio version of my blog post on a sensitive but essential topic for ADHD-challenged relationships: Why the common advice to “just express your feelings” often backfires—especially when ADHD is in the mix. 📝 Read the full post here: Why Telling Your ADHD Partner “You’re Hurting Me” Isn’t Helping https://adhdrollercoaster.org/tools-and-strategies/why-telling-your-adhd-partner-youre-hurting-me-isnt-helping/ We’re told that honesty and vulnerability improve relationshi...
With Gina Pera | ADHD Roller Coaster Just thinking about getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? Who can you trust? In this episode, I walk you step by step through what a thorough, evidence-based Adult ADHD evaluation should look like—and why it matters. 📝 Read the full post here: The Adult ADHD Diagnosis: How Is It Made? https://adhdrollercoaster.org/the-basics-about-adult-adhd/the-adult-adhd-diagnosis-how-is-it-made/ In this episode, y...
This first-person story paints a vivid picture of what it’s like to move through the world with undiagnosed ADHD: Constantly trying harder—but falling shortWondering why life seems harder than it should beLiving with a quiet but relentless sense of failureReceiving constant feedback that "You're not good enough"Whether you're living with ADHD or love someone who is, this first-person account offers a rare window into the lived experience. 📝 Read the full post here: When Adult ADHD Feel...
This episode is the audio version of a popular blog post—all about overlap—and confusion—between Cyclothymia (a mood disorder) and ADHD. 📝 Read the full post here: Cyclothymia and ADHD: A Risk Factor—or Misdiagnosis? https://adhdrollercoaster.org/the-basics-about-adult-adhd/cyclothymia-and-adhd-a-risk-factor-or-misdiagnosis/ In this episode, I explore the risks of misdiagnosis and the fallout from confusing mood instability with core ADHD traits. Many individuals with ADHD are misdiagn...
1This is the audio version of one of the most popular posts at the ADHD Roller Coaster blog: "Breaking Out of ADHD Relationship Dysfunction—After Not Breaking a Fall" Read the full post here: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/breaking-out-of-adhd-relationship-dysfunction/ In this episode, I share a personal story that reveals hard-earned insights about ADHD, relationships, and what it takes to break out of long-standing patterns. My hope is that it helps smooth your ride—more fun, less whipl...
This episode is the audio version of an important blog post, where I break down urgent issues affecting many ADHD medication users: What’s going on with the Concerta authorized-generic (the brand-name product sold as a generic by Patriot, a Janssen subsidiary)?What’s the status of the ADHD stimulant shortage that began in late 2022?Most importantly: What can you do now to protect your treatment and advocate for yourself or your loved one?Read the full post here: Janssen Quietly Ends Con...
What can a published study — and an excerpt from my first book — explain about ADHD, empathy, and the neurotransmitter dopamine? That’s what this post is all about. I started noticing a remarkable phenomenon 20 years ago. That is, stimulant medication, which targets dopamine, enhances empathy (or at least the ability to act on empathy) for many adults with ADHD. How is this possible? You can read this popular blogpost (and the comments!) here: ADHD, Empathy, & Dopamine: A Boo...
For many obvious reasons, ADHD-challenged relationships tend to teem with arguments and conflicts. Especially when neither partner knows ADHD is in the mix! Apart from that, why do some people with ADHD self-medicate with argument? What does that phrase even mean? I wrote about this in my first book, in 2008. Since then, we hear about it more online—but seldom in a useful context. Simply, self-medicating with argument refers to the stimu...
This podcast draws from a blog post at ADHD Roller Coaster. You can read the full post (and comments) here: Why A Support Group for the Partners of Adults with ADHD? excerpt: A support group for the partners of adults with ADHD? That struck many people as a strange concept in 2003, when I advanced it in the essay below. A decade later, the need still remains puzzling to some—angering to others. That includes some mental-health professionals—even those with high-le...
Adult ADHD-Focused Couple Therapy TM. Why create a special model for Adult ADHD-challenged couples? Why not just use standard couple therapy? Great questions. I’ll answer them, at least in part, in this podcast. · I first explained in 2008 why standard couple therapy is typically unhelpful in my book, Is It You, Me, or Adult ADHD, including a chapter called “Why the Wrong Therapy is Worse Than No Therapy.” This book is as releva...
Author and Adult ADHD Educator Gina Pera explores the complex relationship between ADHD and empathy. She shares a compelling story from Taylor J., a mother with late-diagnosis ADHD who feared her daughter's apparent lack of empathy signaled narcissism. Yet an ADHD diagnosis and subsequent treatment revealed a different narrative. Gina delves into how ADHD-related challenges can mimic narcissistic traits and discusses the transformative impact of appropriate interventions. This...
· How can you be blindsided by an ADHD diagnosis? It’s easy. · Our culture has alternate explanations for virtually all ADHD-related challenges—e.g. depression, anxiety, and trauma. Even in this 21st Century, the mental health profession has not caught up to the science. · When we finally learn, we are shocked: Why did we not know this before? · How many relationships are imperiled by unrec...
What was your “light bulb” moment—when you discovered the possibility of Adult ADHD for yourself or your partner? In this podcast, I share results from the ADHD Partner Survey—the most comprehensive study of Adult ADHD lifestyle issues, particularly as regards relationships. The survey question was: “How Did You Learn Your Partner Might Have ADHD?” (read the original post at that link) ADHD Roller Coaster podcasts share the audio version of the most popular posts at my blog:...
Adult ADHD was made an official diagnosis in 1994. For years before that—and years after as well—millions of people struggled without benefit of diagnosis. We humans love to solve mysteries. And when we don't have accurate explanations, we tend to create alternate narratives. Typically, this is not helpful.In this podcast, I share selected results from my ADHD Partner Survey, the first and most comprehensive research into the real-life manifestations of Adult ADHD. Respondent...
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