It’s June! To me, that means Father’s Day and my dad’s birthday, had he not committed suicide back in 1987. So, it wasn’t my favorite month, until I married. It’s much more fun to celebrate now with my husband being the great dad he is.
Still though, June brings up a lot of feelings about my dad.
I’ve written a lot about growing up with an ADHD father. You can click the link to my Pinterest page, which provides links to all of those articles.
Life moves forward, but some things don’t change much. I still miss him.
That got me thinking about things that do change.
“Ever forward!” the cry of a coach
One big change is that the See in ADHD podcast has been under a “reconstruction” phase.
Stay tuned! New episodes will come out after the 4th of July!
Also, the Reach Furthur Coaching Group is going strong. If you haven’t checked it out, please do, its a fabulous tool.
We talk about all kinds of things like mindfulness, time blindness, executive functions, ADHD medication…
Ooo, that reminds me…
There are several episodes already dedicated to exploring the tool of ADHD medication. These are some of our most listened to episodes.
One my favorites is the one with ADHD expert, Rick Green.
Many of them are interviews with folks like you and me who share their real life experiences.
People want to know what the “best med” out there is. For that question there is no single answer.
That’s why they are called medication trials. You literally have to try it and see what happens.
Don’t misunderstand me, there’s information that helps doctors determine what type of medication would best suite you according to your genetic makeup, your symptoms, and your lifestyle. But even after all of those considerations are taken into account you still have to try it and see for yourself. Everyone is unique.
I can tell you about one of the newer ADHD medications out there
I had the good fortune of being able to interview Dr. Manisha Madhoo, VP of Global Medical Affairs at Shire Pharmaceuticals, about a Shire-sponsored study that was presented at the American Psychiatric Association conference in New York City.
I was curious about their ADHD medication, Mydayis.
You see, my friend, Liz Lewis of A Dose of Healthy Distraction, first interviewed Dr Madhoo as she was writing an article about sleep and ADHD and how Mydayis affected sleep in Shire’s study participants.
Liz has been a previous guest of mine and we are going to air another podcast episode about this soon! Meanwhile, here’s the link to her article, Is Poor Sleep Quality Aggravating Your ADHD Symptoms?
When I spoke to Dr Madhoo, the focus was on the one thing that makes Mydayis stand out in the marketplace. (I’m always interested in what the science community is doing.) She explained that a company like Shire doesn’t go into creating a new medication for the sake of creation. After all, they have formulated other ADHD medications.
What they do is look at the unmet needs of the population, specifically, a long lasting solution for folks. Imagine, a medicine you can take once and have it work throughout the day and into the evening hours. In fact, it’s effects last up to 16 hours!
Now, that’s coverage like none other! I agreed with her when she said, “Shire is always looking at the frontier and coming up with more.”
That’s what it takes in business and in life. “Ever forward!”
My dad unfortunately, didn’t succeed in that. He didn’t have the ADHD tools and supports that come from coaching groups, podcasts, articles, research findings or medications to help him with his ADHD.
That is what inspires my work. Talking about experiences and sharing ADHD tools and strategies to help everyone better strive and thrive is a labor of love.
Happy Father’s Day! Happy June.
Being typical in an ADHD family sparked my passion to educate on how to embrace our differences so we can focus on the important business of loving one another.
~ Jennie Friedman
Thank goodness, I saw this article in the morning (and with coffee too) or I would not be able to read it (no offense to the author at all!!). First of all, I feel for you, Jennie. It is hard to lose someone you love and it is hard to lose a person that way. I am really sorry. ADHD itself doesn’t lead us to depression. It is more of the side effects of it. Or like what I like to say, living in a world of non-ADHDers. This world is so mean to us ADHD folk, THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND!! Trust me, I was there many times (but March I hit my lowest low, it was close to the end for me). That is why it is so wonderful to have support groups, Jennie and ADDitude magazine to be on our side. We are smart people but often times we feel we do not belong.
These groups are among MANY of the tools for us. Medication is very important, it helps an ADHDer feel more “normal”. If this new medication, Mydayis comes out, it may be a game changer. I’d love to take my Adderall all the time, but it goes in waves, it peaks and then wears off. On a good day, lasting only 6 hours. Plus, it interferes with my sleep, gives me MORE anxiety than I already have and a couple more side effects. My problem is, “okay, so I might be good for 6 hours, what do I do for the other hours in the day?” I guess I could keep popping pills but I only have 30 in a given prescription and it’s not like it is consistent in effectiveness either. I really dislike when it wears off. Somedays, I don’t even take it because I know it’s going to last 5-6 hours, then when it wears off, my symptoms feel larger because the med was working before.
If there is something that can last 16 hours, that would be awesome!!!! Even if this med doesn’t help me or if there are side effects that are over the top for me, it means there may be even more just like it in the making! That is a game changer!
Finally, I think groups and the other tools could have helped out Jennie’s dad. Most people don’t understand how big of a problem ADHD is to someone with it. It is not an excuse, it is not made up, it is REAL. We are not lazy, stupid OR crazy. Society just doesn’t know how to fit us in. But by using these tools MAYBE instead of surviving we can learn how the thrive!
Thanks for your response, Nathan!
I really wish my Dad had had the proper support available to him. But it was ’87. We knew not what we know today.
As for your meds, maybe check with your doctor to see what options may be available to you for longer coverage.
You are correct! You aren’t just your ADHD nor lazy, stupid or crazy. Keep striving!
Best,
Jennie
As your client, I can say, it’s no accident that you’re such a fantastic ADHD coach and human being. Look at what’s driving you!! You’re all heart and compassion, along with a creative ability to brainstorm and come up with unique solutions. Are you sure you don’t have ADHD? 😉 I guess you can be creative without it. Looking forward to your upcoming podcasts and more coaching sessions!
Hi Lisa!
LOL, you aren’t the first person to ask me that question! 😉
ADHD or not, I am blessed to “get” it! I want everyone to see what I see, and hence, See in ADHD.
Thanks for your response, see you soon!
Best,
Jennie
Thanks for the info! I’ll definitely check it out. Inspirational too 🙂
Good for you Jennie that you made it your passion to help people with ADHD find ways to live, love, cope and thrive with their ADHD. You know your dad is looking down and is proud of you for making such a difference. Very interesting about the new ADHD med. I bet that will be so helpful to so many people. It is so nice to have more options.
Thanks, Judy, you just made my day!
Best,
Jennie