My ADD / ADHD Blog

All My Children - Adult ADHD

Okay, I admit it, I watch daytime TV. I've been watching the ABC Soap All My Children since before I was born. I was actually named after the character of Tara on All My Children.

I learned today that All My Children is doing a story line about Adult ADHD. The character of Damon is reckless, impulsive, and in trouble with the law. Last week they were describing his behaviors and I laughed thinking it sounded like a text book case of ADHD. On today's show they actually suggested that Damon might have ADHD.

It's going to be very interesting to see how the All My Children Adult ADHD Story line plays out. All My Children had a story line about Autism a few years ago and did a great job. The ABC Soap General Hospital has a story line about Bipolar Disorder and has raised awareness. I really hope All My Children helps to educate and raise awareness about Adult ADHD.

I'm wondering how they are going to make Damon's ADHD traits stand out, since the majority of the characters on daytime TV are very ADHD-like. I'm waiting for Susan Lucci's character of Erica Kane to be diagnosed with ADHD too.

Today Show Children and ADHD

The NBC Today Show did a great segment today on Children and ADHD. If you missed it you can watch the segment right here.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

If you are looking for additional resources for Adult ADHD or Child ADHD check out ADDClasses.com. The ADD Parents Club and the ADD Audio Library are two excellent resources for parents of children with ADHD

Dr Phil Show: ADHD and Marriage

For years Dr. Phil has been upsetting the ADHD Community by having guests on his show who showed signs of Adult ADHD and treating them poorly. In the past Dr Phil totally ignored the signs of Adult ADHD especially in couples. Has Dr Phil finally started to wise up and become educated about Adult ADHD?

We will soon find out because next week on April 15th Dr. Phil will be filming a show with Dr. Edward Hallowell about Adult ADHD and Relationships. They are currently looking for couples to be on the show and people to be in the audience.

More information can be found on the ADHD and Marriage Blog.

Dr. Phil and ADHD

Last week Sharon Howell made blog post about Dr. Phil dismissing ADD. There was recently a woman on the Dr. Phil show who told him she had ADD/ADHD and he told her that she didn't. This really doesn't surprise me at all. Dr. Phil has been doing this to people on his show for years. This has been a very popular topic of discussion in the online ADD/ADHD communities over the past few years too.

So, what do I think of Dr. Phil?

First of all I have never met him in person but, from what I've seen of him on his shows and in the media I think he's pompous jerk! He's right up there with Jerry Springer and the rest of the has-been talk show hosts! Actually I think he's worse than the rest of the talk show host because he uses the term Dr. Yes, he was once a licensed psychologist but as far as I know he hasn't been licensed in any states for quite some time.

He obviously doesn't seem to get how much damage he does to people on his shows! Sure he wants us to think he's in it to help people but he's just doing this stuff for money and ratings now. Just look at what he did to Britney Spears and her family. He told them he wanted to talk to her to help her and her family, then he upset them by speaking to the media! He wants ratings and to be the center of attention.

I'm actually surprised people still watch his show. I know I got bored with him quite a while ago. I say we set him straight and have him come and sit through the next ADDA Conference (the entire conference). After a few hours with us he won't be doubting the existence of adult ADHD! I'd also love to see the look on his face and ask him "How's that workin for ya?".

Paris Hilton and Fox News

I'm going to refrain from giving my opinion on the whole Paris Hilton jail thing. However, I am going to tell you that the Paris Hilton getting out of jail and having to return to jail thing makes for some ADD Friendly TV. I thought Larry King was really interesting last night but I was really impressed by Fox News earlier this afternoon. Fox News really knows how to capture the ADD audience!

I made the decision a while ago not to have a television in my office. I used to have one in my old office and I almost never left it. This afternoon I took a break from working and turned on the TV in my living room. As I was flipping through the Channels I ended up on Fox News. The 15 or so minutes that I watched it was great. Who else but Paris Hilton could get Al Sharpton and Anne Coulter to come to an agreement on anything? Oh and have you seen that Sheriff from Arizona? He's quite entertaining too!

Lost or American Idol?

Okay I openly admit that making decisions is not one of my strengths! For example tonight I still don't know whether I'm going to watch the season finale of Lost or American Idol. I am planning to record Lost plus it will also be available for me to watch online later too. So it would make the most sense for me to watch American Idol.

Who am I kidding? I will probably end up flipping back and forth between both of them not being able to decide how long to watch each show...lol

Women with ADHD

The CBS Early Show did a segment yesterday about Women with ADHD. I was pleasantly surprised with the the segment. If you weren't able to see it yesterday you can watch it here now!

What do you think of it?

The Real ADD Deal

Wow it's been a while since I've posted about TV and ADD!

A couple of months ago I started watching a show on A&E called Flip This House. Right as I really began getting into it they totally changed the show around and brought in a new cast. I was happy to learn that TLC picked up the show and re-named it The Real Deal. 

I'm convinced that Richard Davis, the Team leader has Adult ADD.  When my husband and I watch the show together he laughs and says that Richard Davis is "one of you".  Has anybody else seen the old episodes of Flip This House or the new show The Real Deal? If you have, do you think Richard Davis IS one of us?

Pretty Trash

This morning I had my television on and was half paying attention to it. As I was leaving the room Martha Stewart was going to commercial. There was something saying that when the show came back we could learn how to make our trash look pretty.

Make my trash look pretty? Is she for real?? If my trash makes it from the floor, my desk or anywhere else into the trash can then I am very happy.

Pretty Trash is yet another reminder to to me that Martha Stewart doesn't have ADD. Oh and by the way I didn't watch the actual segment on how to make my trash look pretty...lol

Adult ADD and Relationships on the Today Show

When I checked my email this morning I received something from somebody who works for NBC's Today Show. They are planning do to a segment this coming Tuesday about adult ADD. Later in the day I ended up talking to somebody from the show on the phone and found out the show is going to be about how ADD affects relationships.

I was asked some questions about how how having ADD affects my relationship with my husband. For the most part I said that education about ADD has been very important to both my husband and me. She also spoke with my husband who talked about frustration before both of us really began to learn about Attention Deficit Disorder.

They don't know yet if they will use us for the show. I have a feeling we may be a bit too boring for TV since we actually get along with each other.

Tags:adult add adult adhd Today Show