Got ADHD? Turn It Into Your Superpower!

Carla Marie Manly (0:00)

Do you or a loved one tend to get distracted easily? Do you notice chronic behaviors such as difficulty with attention to detail, forgetfulness, restlessness or impulsivity? If so, ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder might be at the root of what's going on. Many people with ADHD, even those who receive appropriate diagnosis and care, find that they suffer with a variety of symptoms that can affect identity development, self-esteem, emotional regulation, daily life routines, and so much more.

Today, we're joined by two top specialists who take a very strength-based approach to providing neurodiversity-affirming care for adults with ADHD. Today, we'll focus on this listener's real-life question. I love my husband, but his ADHD behavior drives me crazy. He can focus on a project really well if it interests him. But the moment I ask him to do something that doesn't interest him, he's off to something else within minutes. I learned to cope with most of his ADHD behaviors, but this one drives me crazy. Now, I'm noticing that this impulsivity and distractibility is also occurring with our two 11-year-old twin daughters. Do you have any tips for me?

With that issue as the focus of today's episode, I'm Dr. Carla Marie Manly, and this is Imperfect Love. Please note, as this episode may contain sensitive information, listener discretion is advised.

Welcome to Imperfect Love with Dr. Carla Marie Manly, psychologist, author and relationship expert. I'm here to help unravel mysteries and misconceptions about love, relationships and mental health issues, plus everything in between. Love is complicated, people are imperfect, and relationships surely can be tough. Together, we'll navigate this messy, imperfect space of real life.

So today, I am thrilled to introduce two experts in the field of ADHD, Micah Saviet and Elizabeth Ahmann. Micah is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in ADHD and trauma. Elizabeth, also known as Liz, is a wellness coach, professor, researcher. And both are authors of the wonderful book, Flourishing with Adult ADHD. Welcome to the podcast, Micah and Liz. It's such a delight to have you with us today.

Elizabeth Ahmann (3:01)

Thank you so much for having us. We really appreciate it.

Carla Marie Manly (3:03)

It's such a joy to have you both. And also I'm excited to talk about the book that you've done, which is a really well-researched, wonderful book that is much needed in this world. So thank you for that. And before we launch into Adult ADHD and how to manage it and work with it, could you tell our listeners, first Micah and then Liz, just a little bit about what makes you, you?

Micah Saviet (3:30)

Yeah, that's a great question. Part of what makes me me is that I am an adult with ADHD. So it gives me an intimate understanding of, you know, how our neurobiology is different, how our system wiring is different. Because I understand it from really a lived experience.

So I think that's a big part of my identity and big part of what I bring to my professional expertise. And I have a kind of a, I would say a hyperfixation with research and getting evidence-based practice out there. That's one of my biggest hyperfixations. I'm also a big cook. I do a lot of cooking and gardening as well.

Carla Marie Manly (4:15)

Nice. Okay. On the cooking, just a little, what is one of your favorite things to cook?

Micah Saviet (4:19)

Yeah. I'm big in the air fryer nowadays. I love air frying, you know, salmon teriyaki is my big one. Yeah.

Carla Marie Manly (4:28)

Well, thank you for sharing a sneak peek into your life. I appreciate that Micah. And also, thanks for sharing that yourself have ADHD, because I think the more that we talk about it and let people know that you can be really successful and high functioning with ADHD. It doesn't, we don't need to be ashamed of it. We don't need to hide it. We can just learn to channel all that energy into working with it. So thank you. Now, Liz, can you tell our listeners just a little bit about what makes you, you?

Elizabeth Ahmann (4:59)

Thank you for the question. I will start with my link to ADHD. Also, I am not a person diagnosed with ADHD, but I am married to a person with ADHD, and I have children with ADHD who I had the privilege of homeschooling. So I worked with their wonderful traits very closely, and they're now very successful adults with a lot of self-determination.

So that's how I found my way into this ADHD topic. But prior to that, I have a background in nursing and worked for a long time in pediatric nursing. I have a doctorate in public health. I'm very interested in research. Actually, Mike and I together have done a number of studies on both health and wellness coaching and ADHD coaching.