Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

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Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

Gina Pera

24 episodes

1 month ago

We often hear how unrecognized or untreated ADHD affects adults who have it. But what about the partners who live with them—especially when symptoms go unmanaged for years? In this episode, I (Gina Pera) share a critical post from the ADHD Roller Coaster blog, spotlighting the hidden emotional, physical, and psychological toll that poorly managed ADHD can take on partners. I revisit my groundbreaking ADHD Partner Survey from 2004–2006 and connect those findings to a new 2025 study that finall...

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All content for Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster is the property of Gina Pera and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

We often hear how unrecognized or untreated ADHD affects adults who have it. But what about the partners who live with them—especially when symptoms go unmanaged for years? In this episode, I (Gina Pera) share a critical post from the ADHD Roller Coaster blog, spotlighting the hidden emotional, physical, and psychological toll that poorly managed ADHD can take on partners. I revisit my groundbreaking ADHD Partner Survey from 2004–2006 and connect those findings to a new 2025 study that finall...

Show more...

Society & Culture,

Health & Fitness,

Episodes (20/24)

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

ADHD Relationships: Other Partners Also Bear Hidden Burden

We often hear how unrecognized or untreated ADHD affects adults who have it. But what about the partners who live with them—especially when symptoms go unmanaged for years? In this episode, I (Gina Pera) share a critical post from the ADHD Roller Coaster blog, spotlighting the hidden emotional, physical, and psychological toll that poorly managed ADHD can take on partners. I revisit my groundbreaking ADHD Partner Survey from 2004–2006 and connect those findings to a new 2025 study that finall...

1 month ago

14 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

ADHD Physical Strategies: Why Sleep, Medication & More Are Essential—Not Optional

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 ...

1 month ago

8 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

ADHD Retirement Syndrome — The Golden Years or the Lost Years?

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...

4 months ago

6 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

ADHD Drug Holiday — Or Horror

“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...

4 months ago

7 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

ADHD in Relationships: Five Radical & Essential Tips

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...

5 months ago

7 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

ADHD and Sex: Post-Orgasm Irritability, Sadness, Jerkiness

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...

5 months ago

12 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

Antidepressants, ADHD & Sleep Apnea: The Overlooked Risks

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...

5 months ago

9 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

Telling Your ADHD Partner “You’re Hurting Me” —Doesn't Work!

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...

6 months ago

27 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

The Adult ADHD Diagnosis — How Is It Made?

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...

6 months ago

12 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

On With My Vent, in All Its Offensive Glory

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...

7 months ago

28 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

Cyclothymia and ADHD — A Risk Factor or Misdiagnosis?

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...

7 months ago

7 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

Breaking Out of ADHD Relationship Dysfunction—After Not Breaking a Fall

Send us a text This podcast is the audio version of a popular post at the ADHD Roller Coaster: Breaking Out of ADHD Relationship Dysfunction—After Not Breaking A Fall In this story, I share with you some hard lessons learned. My hope is this might help you to smooth your roller coaster ride. More fun. Less whiplash! [Please note; the first release of this podcast contained an error. I have fixed! Apologies!] Here’s how ADHD couple conflicts typically develop —and become entrench...

2 years ago

34 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

What's Up with Concerta and General Stimulant Shortage?

Send us a text This podcast is the audio version of my latest blog post on: What's happening with Concerta's authorized-generic (brand sold as a generic, by Janssen subsidiary Patriot)?What about the general shortage of stimulants that started in fall 2022?What can consumers do now?To read the full post, find the links, and follow the conversation in the comments: Janssen Quietly Ends Concerta Authorized-Generic CLARIFICATION: Readers have asked if Janssen will continue to manufacture Conce...

2 years ago

33 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

ADHD, Empathy, & Dopamine: A Book Excerpt, Study, and Definition

Send us a text 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, & ...

3 years ago

21 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

"Self-Medicating with Argument"—Meaning and Connection to ADHD

Send us a text 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 refe...

3 years ago

11 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

Why A Support Group for the Partners of Adults with ADHD?

Send us a text 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 tho...

3 years ago

17 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

Evidence-Based Therapy for ADHD-challenged Couples

Send us a text 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 bo...

4 years ago

12 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

ADHD, Empathy, And "Raising a Narcissist"

Send us a text ADHD symptoms can interfere with innate empathy—not to mention empathic actions. When Taylor J had children, she vowed not to be like her parents: narcissistic. She and her husband—both late-diagnosed—had tried to "teach empathy" to their oldest child, but the lessons never took. Or did they? Listen and find out! In the discussion around "drugging children", what gets lost? Science and compassion. You can read the post ...

4 years ago

14 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

Blindsided by the ADHD Diagnosis: One Wife's Story

Send us a text · 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 imp...

4 years ago

10 minutes

Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

How Did You Learn About ADHD?— results from the ADHD Partner Survey

Send us a text 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 po...

4 years ago

8 minutes