Gina Pera's Adult ADHD Roller Coaster

This episode is the audio version of an important blog post, where I break down urgent issues affecting many ADHD medication users:

• What’s going on with the Concerta authorized-generic (the brand-name product sold as a generic by Patriot, a Janssen subsidiary)?
• What’s the status of the ADHD stimulant shortage that began in late 2022?
• Most importantly: What can you do now to protect your treatment and advocate for yourself or your loved one?

Read the full post here:
Janssen Quietly Ends Concerta Authorized-Generic
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-medications/janssen-quietly-ends-concerta-authorized-generic/

The post includes important clarifications, links, and reader comments.

Quick clarification mentioned in the podcast:
Many readers have asked: Will Janssen continue manufacturing Concerta?
Janssen is still producing Concerta at its Puerto Rico facility—but questions remain about its continued use of the OROS technology (Alza’s patented delivery system). Janssen began phasing out its California production site in 2019, but details are scarce. Consumers are often the last to know. Janssen does not return my phone calls or answer emails.

Is Medication Working for You or Your Loved One?
If you suspect your prescriber is missing key factors—especially around medication options beyond Concerta, Adderall, or Vyvanse—you’re likely right.

Tips, tricks, and therapy are often not enough. Sometimes, real progress starts with understanding how physical health affects ADHD symptoms and medication response.

🎓 Take a deep dive into ADHD as a physical condition in Course 2 of my online training program:
Solve Your Adult ADHD Puzzle – Course 2: Physical Strategies
Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies

This course focuses on:

• Sleep
• Medication
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• And more

Sophisticated science—made practical.
Step-by-step. Life-changing. Even life-saving.

Perfect for individuals, couples, and professionals.

🆓 Preview free lessons at the course page above!

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/

Why learn about potential ADHD-related physical manifestations?

Because, I believe, it helps us to move beyond seeing ADHD as simply about "focus" and "distractibility."

When my husband, whose ADHD late-diagnosis inspired my work 20 years ago, seemed unable to detect a powerful scent, I started sleuthing.

Could this, too, be related to ADHD—or something else entirely?

You can read the original post here: Can ADHD Affect Your Sense of Smell?

Thanks for listening!

Gina

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/

This is the audio version of one of the most popular posts at the ADHD Roller Coaster blog:

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

Read the full post here: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/the-basics/breaking-out-of-adhd-relationship-dysfunction-after-not-breaking-a-fall/

In this episode, I share a personal story that reveals hard-earned insights about ADHD, relationships, and what it takes to break out of long-standing patterns. My hope is that it helps smooth your ride—more fun, less whiplash.

Here’s what we cover:

• How ADHD relationship patterns become entrenched—often before diagnosis
• Why distorted assumptions and poor coping responses develop on both sides
• How to distinguish ADHD symptoms from these ingrained behaviors
• Why even good medication or therapy may not produce results—unless you understand this

These are issues I’ve tackled in my writing and presentations around the world—from San Francisco to Turkey.

Related episode:
ADHD, Empathy, and Dopamine – Podcast: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-and-relationships/empathy-dopamine-and-adhd-a-study-book-excerpt-and-definition/

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/

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 adults
• Why antidepressants can worsen sleep apnea and cognitive symptoms
• Why “treatment-resistant depression” might really be “misdiagnosed ADHD with unrecognized sleep apnea”
• The importance of understanding how physical health influences ADHD symptoms—and medication response

This episode is for anyone navigating the ADHD treatment maze—or supporting someone who is—and wants to avoid costly missteps.

📝 Read the full blog post, including links to research:
Antidepressants, ADHD & Sleep Apnea: The Overlooked Risks

🎓 Go Deeper: Online Training – Physical Strategies for ADHD
Take the guesswork out of managing sleep, medication, exercise, and nutrition. Step by step, Gina breaks down complex research into practical strategies to help you finally start feeling better. Once and for all!
Explore the course here »

💸 Special Offer:
As a podcast listener, take 15% off the Physical Strategies for ADHD course with code POD15 at checkout.

Recommended for:
Adults with ADHD, partners and loved ones, clinicians, and anyone struggling with confusing or incomplete treatment results.

Subscribe for More:
If you find this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. It helps others find this life-changing information!

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/

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

Send Gina a text!

READY TO GO DEEPER — AND ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS?

💬 I love helping you better understand the complexity of ADHD as it applies to you, not a stereotype!

My online training program walks you through everything step-by-step:

Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle
For adults with ADHD and their partners. Includes expert video lessons and optional peer Q&A Zooms.

Learn more: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/

Podcast listener discount: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off any course.

Thanks for listening!
—Gina Pera

🔗 About My Work: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/about-gina-pera/