The SPWN approach spawns productive new habits — Procrastination requires not just being slow or late in accomplishing a goal, but consciously delaying work on a task despite one’s awareness of negative consequences. I may be crass in pointing out that while most Americans claim to be anti-crastination, many of us, at least occasionally, indulge in procrastination. …

Head trauma contributes to ADHD, PTSD and CTE — Despite head trauma being the major cause of death and disability for those 44 and under, we’ve been slow to take this aspect of brain health seriously. Yet brain health is clearly part of mental health. Regular and sufficient sleep, a healthy diet, and exposure to a nurturing and stimulating…

Is a peacock on the plane worth two on the couch? — I moved to San Francisco in 1990, the same year that President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). At the time, seeing a non-human mammal in a restaurant or street car was an anomaly. In the three decades since then, our urban landscapes have changed dramatically. …

Developing positive traditions for transitions — Switching tasks challenges everyone. Our brains are designed for repetition. We derive comfort from doing the same things over and over. Curiously, even though individuals with ADHD often seem to thrive on novelty, change, and diversity, forced transitions pose particular difficulties for this population. …

Is the popular brain hack really harmless? — I hadn’t heard about brown noise until a few weeks ago when a reader asked my opinion about it. Millions suddenly started listening to YouTube and TikTok recordings of brown noise this summer. Clips of people responding to brown noise also soared in popularity. Does brown noise really help with…

Compensating for irresponsible corporations — For half a year, spasmodic Adderall shortages have sabotaged millions of Americans that rely on this medication to treat their ADHD and other conditions. …

Lessons from Small Town Living — Some people think that I live in an airport. Not that I’ve become a post-COVID jetsetter — far from it. It’s because my descriptions of the concrete and glass house where I now live in Hawaii conjure up an airport. Actually, the house’s round shape softens its brutalist bones. The…

Balancing risks and advantages of devices that record sleep patterns — We’re sleepwalking through an era of sleep deprivation. 10% of Americans report getting insufficient sleep almost every night, about a quarter get insufficient sleep half the nights, and fully 70% have at least one night of insomnia a month. Millions of people use watches, cell phones, and other devices to…

Can ADHD shed light on truth and deceit? — People with ADHD get in trouble all of the time for being too candid. They’ll tell you when your pants make you look fat. They’ll let the boss know that her business plan is idiotic. Yet some people with ADHD seem to lie frequently. …