Ty Pennington – ADHD Advocate
ByTy Pennington – the likeable host of ‘Extreme Home Makeover’ has become a national spokesman for Shire, the maker of Adderall.
Ty shares that he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when he was younger. He also shares that he really benefits from taking Adderall to help with his ADHD.
Ty stepping forward is a wonderful development in the world of ADD/ADHD. While there are many famous people with ADHD, few speak about it publicly.
On September 20, 2006, Ty Pennington will be hosting an ‘Ask the ADHD experts’ day. This is an opportunity for people to call in and ask questions about ADHD from experts.
You can read about the event here
The website for the event is here.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about ADHD, and also to help raise awareness about ADHD – so share it with your friends, family, with staff at schools, mental health workers, etc.
Also, if you have kids with ADHD, make sure to watch Ty’s show – Extreme Home Makeover – at least once with your child. You will show them how someone has succeeded with his ADHD, and even uses his energy and enthusiasm to create a great show.
Is there any list that match up ADHD traits, being that there is bascially 6 “types” of ADHD, with different types of medication that might work for them? I am a “multi-tasker” and exhibit traits that you had in your other blog.
Become these symptoms of hyperactivity in adults:
• Yes/ at least involve myself too much- Workaholic
•Yes/ at times- Overscheduled/overwhelmed
•When I’m on it’s high intensity- Self-select very active job
•Possibly- Constant activity leading to family tension
•I am talkative, but to be descriptive- Talks excessively
Become these symptoms of impulsivity in adults:
•yes Low frustration tolerance
•yes Quitting jobs
•yes Ending relationships
•yes Driving too fast
•yes Losing temper
•YES Addictive personality
Is there anyway to self-diagnose and try out different medications? I don’t really have the funds to go to a psychiatrist for help.
Thanks, Kurt
Hi Kurt,
‘s work.
Regarding 6 types of ADHD, I believe that you are referring toDr. Amen
Standard psychiatric diagnoses include the three types of ADHD – including the inattentive type, the hyperactive impulsive type and the combined type.
Regarding diagnosis – really you need a professional to help out. In my experience, there are few family doctors who are comfortable diagnosing and treating, though they are out there. Even if you are able to ‘self diagnose’, you would need a doctor to write prescriptions.
It is tricky if you don’t have the insurance to get to a doctor (that’s one of the reasons that I love our Canadian health care system), but you will need a proper diagnosis to go ahead and get treatment.
I’m concerned. I’ve been doing research on AD\HD and I’m wondering how all of these professionals know for sure that lives are being saved by using amphetamines.
Ty’s story sounds to me like he was taking performance enhancing drugs in college to improve his grades. Something that should be frowned upon.
Also, he may have turned out to be a good comedian if he’d just worked on his behavior instead of taking drugs to force him to listen to his mother; we’re not fortune tellers.
If slavery or segragation were still legal in the united states i’m sure there would be a lot more adults on amphetamines.
Brendan,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
There is a tremendous amount of research showing that medication can help people with ADHD or ADD improve their lives signficantly.
I suggest that you continue learning more about it – Ty Pennington is putting himself out there – to help many kids, teens and adults feel more comfortable to talk about their use of medicine for ADD or ADHD.
I support Ty for being an advocate.
I would like to suggest a type of show – or event like the extreme makeover – but a make over for homes with ADD adults and /or children. My Brother, who is mildly ADD himself but doesn’t acknowledge it – has two adopted boys ages 7 and 9 now who are extremely ADD/ADHD. Yes, They both are medicated. The issue is
he and they need structure – he takes care of from getting them up to putting them to bed, he takes care of the house, his wife and pets, does the cooking and the grocery shopping as well as works full time , volunteers at his church and helps anyone he can. He needs help in having his house organized so it is not so much work. I visit once a year and see many things that can be done. I may bring up one or two ideas, but he just doesn’t have the time and I feel anymore would only make him feel like he was being criticized. Heaven and I know he is a Saint. The towels are stacked 6 ft high from the floor… how are those two boys to get a towel without the whole stack coming down ? . unless everytime they want one someone has to get it for them. So there is my suggestion – a show were someone goes in and organizes a home affected by ADD.
I have a question. Is ADHD considered a medical condition or a psychiatric condition? I had always thought it was medical, but have been told it’s psychiatric. Please let me know. Thanks.
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