From Ruth’s Desk: Insights & Strategies for Life with ADHD

One Thanksgiving, I found myself struggling with low self-esteem, battling my inner critic, and feeling overwhelmed. More than anything, I wanted to preserve my relationship with my nearly adult daughter. She was racing full speed ahead into adulthood, where it seemed...

Thanksgiving comes every year. It's meant to be a celebration of gratitude and family values, right? But let’s be honest—who has time for gratitude when you’re busy planning an entire feast, coordinating family schedules, and gearing up for the Black Friday marathon...

Everyone seems to be talking about Imposter Syndrome these days, so let’s dive in. I encounter it often—both in the people I coach and in myself. Let me walk you through what it feels like to experience Imposter Syndrome and how those affected tend to think. When...

Our brains, weighing just about 3 pounds, are the biggest consumers of energy in our bodies, accounting for roughly 20% of our total energy expenditure. Engaging in deliberate, top-down thinking, switching between tasks, and making numerous decisions throughout the...

I recently started using ChatGPT. One of my overall rules for life is Stay relevant. Embrace learning new things. So along those lines. I explored the wonders of ChatGPT. My Jiminy Cricket kept chirping in my ear about the ethics of using AI. Isn't using ChatGPT like...

Giggles loves to play catch! Dear Dr. Ruth, I have ADHD and I'm drowning. I teach as an adjunct professor, I'm working on my dissertation, and I have a second job just to make ends meet. I know exercise would boost my mood and productivity, but I just can't find my...

This is Giggles. She is planning her next meeting with the roosters. Dear Dr. Ruth, I've just completed my PhD, and now my department head has tasked me with facilitating a committee. This committee has a tight deadline to generate recommendations that will form the...

Goats Never Run Out of Energy! Dear Dr. Ruth, I'm a PhD student dealing with ADHD, and I'm struggling to sustain my energy levels throughout my dissertation work. I have these intense bursts of energy, but they fizzle out before I can accomplish what's truly...

My dog knows how to get quality sleep and exercise. We're still working on the nutrition part. She loves to eat trash out of the garbage. Dear Dr. Ruth, I am a PhD student with ADHD. I'm writing my dissertation.  My perfectionism is kicking in which triggers my...

Lonely calf reminds me of how dissertation writing can feel isolating. Dear Dr. Ruth, I am struggling with my dissertation and I have ADHD. I try real hard. I have good days and  bad days. Some areas are organized but other are not going well and are messy. It's all...