[Misc] ADHD - NEURODIVERSITY

The Clamp · Jul 26, 2024

I had tests for the numbers disorder when I was at school. They were inconclusive.

Funnily enough this was raised after some tests for dyslexia. Which were gain inconclusive.

I was at a military boarding school in the late 80’s so the attitude was very much “get on with it”. Which to be fair, probably had some part in my overcoming some eductauinal issues I had.

While it’s important to diagnose anything serious, it’s worth pursuing the idea that there isn’t an issue with an individual and it could be they’re just not particularly academically bright. And that’s okay, we don’t have to excuse our shortcomings.

This is where resilience and common sense play their part.

But I absolutely support diagnosis and support for dyslexic sufferers.

Half Time Pies · Jul 26, 2024

Uh_huh_him said:
My Daughter has a diagnosis and I have an Autistic son.
Daughter is on Concerta - which I believe is a variant of Ritalin.
She says it helps, but she doesn't like to be on it all the time.

Not formally Diagnosed, but pretty sure I have ADHD.
Inability to retain focus on work items and leaving them until the last minute, is the bane of my life.
CBA, to get a diagnosis, which i assume is a pre-requisite to get any medication.

I went on a bit of a crash diet last year, which included 48 hr fasting once a week and minimal carbs.
I found my focus improved significantly during this period.
This may imply my focus issue, is more diet related than ADHD.

Who knows?

I would say it’s possible that ADHD is causing you to have diet issues. My take based on experience and what I have read is that as we are low on dopamine we tend to be drawn towards activities that a high dopamine return, one of which is high in sugar/ carb foods. As I understand it dopamine peaks are usually accompanied by much lower lows, which will make adhd symptoms worse, and this can set up a cycle of addictive behaviours whether this is to eating certain foods or drugs/ drink etc as people chase the next high. They call this self medicating and is probably why people with ADHD are statistically more prone to addiction. I have been on a number of Fad diets over the years and found that any diet that restricts my sugar or carbs intake generally has positive effects on my symptoms. The hyper-focusing tends to make me quite successful at doing them but as soon as I lose interest I unfortunately go back immediately to my old eating habits.

JetsetJimbo · Jul 26, 2024

Half Time Pies said:
...any diet that restricts my sugar or carbs intake generally has positive effects on my symptoms. The hyper-focusing tends to make me quite successful at doing them but as soon as I lose interest I unfortunately go back immediately to my old eating habits.

Lol this is EXACTLY how it's gonna go with me, I know it. But I've never tried any kind of diet really, and I'm quite curious to see what it would do to my symptoms. I'll give it a go after my holidays in a couple of weeks.

Half Time Pies · Jul 26, 2024

The Clamp said:
I had tests for the numbers disorder when I was at school. They were inconclusive.

Funnily enough this was raised after some tests for dyslexia. Which were gain inconclusive.

I was at a military boarding school in the late 80’s so the attitude was very much “get on with it”. Which to be fair, probably had some part in my overcoming some eductauinal issues I had.

While it’s important to diagnose anything serious, it’s worth pursuing the idea that there isn’t an issue with an individual and it could be they’re just not particularly academically bright. And that’s okay, we don’t have to excuse our shortcomings.

This is where resilience and common sense play their part.

But I absolutely support diagnosis and support for dyslexic sufferers.

Excluding other possible reasons for symptoms would be a key part of any assessment though wouldn’t it and you wouldn’t know until you had the assessment whether or not you had dyslexia or not. We had my son assessed recently as we didn’t know if his struggles in English were related to his ADHD or if he was also Dyslexic. The assessment came back negative for Dyslexia but did identify that he had slow verbal processing and also that he had some particular strengths in other areas which was really useful to know.

Uh_huh_him · Jul 27, 2024

Half Time Pies said:
I would say it’s possible that ADHD is causing you to have diet issues. My take based on experience and what I have read is that as we are low on dopamine we tend to be drawn towards activities that a high dopamine return, one of which is high in sugar/ carb foods. As I understand it dopamine peaks are usually accompanied by much lower lows, which will make adhd symptoms worse, and this can set up a cycle of addictive behaviours whether this is to eating certain foods or drugs/ drink etc as people chase the next high. They call this self medicating and is probably why people with ADHD are statistically more prone to addiction. I have been on a number of Fad diets over the years and found that any diet that restricts my sugar or carbs intake generally has positive effects on my symptoms. The hyper-focusing tends to make me quite successful at doing them but as soon as I lose interest I unfortunately go back immediately to my old eating habits.

Yup.

That's me in a nutshell.

Right Brain Ronnie · Jul 27, 2024

Just one of the ADHD greats, which is completely on topic.

I give you Adam Peaty

Come on Adam.

Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty says he has 'self-destructive' tendencies

Britain's three-time Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty says he has been in a "self-destructive spiral".

www.bbc.co.uk

ChickenBaltiPie · Jul 27, 2024

Right Brain Ronnie said:
Does anyone know anybody that actually takes prescribed drugs for their ADHD?
If so do they like the new them?
Does it calm themself to a level of boredom or can they adjust it.
Also has their admin accuracy and speed picked up.

I have a friend who swears it has been revolutionary and changed her life. She describes it as you do.

Right Brain Ronnie · Jul 27, 2024

ChickenBaltiPie said:
I have a friend who swears it has been revolutionary and changed her life. She describes it as you do.

Thanks for your feedback. I am very much anti anything you stick in your body which is unnatural, but I want to stabilise my motor which is often in 6th gear and foot to the floor stuff, in your 60s this is harder to maintain. I'm game for a different type of trip at times.
Does she take breaks from the drugs and does she feel reliant on them?

aolstudios · Jul 27, 2024

Diagnosed last year, which after my initial cynical reaction has made complete sense.
There is a school of thought that suggests ADHD is entirely trauma related. I disagree but mine really turboed after a long period of that.
This lady (if you're used to Americans) is excellent, I reckon...

madinthehead · Jul 27, 2024

I am currently seeing a psychologist and she seems convinced that I dont have ADHD because I am extrovert and social. All online quizzes/ symptoms all fit.. I am currently on anti-depressants and they have improved a lot of my symptoms, although I am sleeping/ tired more..

Half Time Pies · Jul 27, 2024

madinthehead said:
I am currently seeing a psychologist and she seems convinced that I dont have ADHD because I am extrovert and social. All online quizzes/ symptoms all fit.. I am currently on anti-depressants and they have improved a lot of my symptoms, although I am sleeping/ tired more..

It might be worth getting a second opinion on that, both introverts and extroverts can have ADHD.

BadFish · Jul 27, 2024

madinthehead said:
I am currently seeing a psychologist and she seems convinced that I dont have ADHD because I am extrovert and social. All online quizzes/ symptoms all fit.. I am currently on anti-depressants and they have improved a lot of my symptoms, although I am sleeping/ tired more..

I am suspicious of the dismissal of Adhd because of being extrovert and social. I am not sure that comes into diagnosis. I know lots of people who are classic adhd and social/extroverted.

topbanana36 · Jul 28, 2024

I was diagnosed as an adult back in 2003 at the maudsley before it became in vogue.

I was given dexamphetamine which eased the hyperactivity. However, after a few helter skelter years. I chose to ditch the meds and the “specialist” treatment and find my own strategies.

I have embraced my disorganisation, impulsivity, my hyperactivity and actually love who I am.

My colleagues and family find it funny that I lose the same things daily. So do I but it’s part of me.

Half Time Pies · Jul 28, 2024

topbanana36 said:
I was diagnosed as an adult back in 2003 at the maudsley before it became in vogue.

I was given dexamphetamine which eased the hyperactivity. However, after a few helter skelter years. I chose to ditch the meds and the “specialist” treatment and find my own strategies.

I have embraced my disorganisation, impulsivity, my hyperactivity and actually love who I am.

My colleagues and family find it funny that I lose the same things daily. So do I but it’s part of me.

I love this! Not quite there yet myself (i still beat myself up for losing the same things daily) but having put in place a lot of my own strategies think I am heading in this direction.

Jackthelad · Jul 28, 2024

ADHD and OCD seem like they cross over, I wonder what percentage of people have both are I would predict a high number.

General question does anyone know if these are connected to addiction? And would addiction be treated differently if the addict had one or both of these?

Half Time Pies · Jul 28, 2024

Jackthelad said:
ADHD and OCD seem like they cross over, I wonder what percentage of people have both are I would predict a high number.

General question does anyone know if these are connected to addiction? And would addiction be treated differently if the addict had one or both of these?

There are studies that have shown that people with ADHD are 3 times more likely on average to abuse or be dependent upon alcohol or drugs than adults without ADHD. This is particularly the case when the ADHD is undiagnosed and/ or untreated. https://www.additudemag.com/the-truth-about-adhd-and-addiction/amp/

I suspect one cause of this is the low levels of dopamine that are usually present in the brains of people with ADHD. There is a good book ‘Dopamine nation’ which explains a lot about the role of Dopamine in craving and addiction. Amazon product

madinthehead · Jul 29, 2024

Half Time Pies said:
It might be worth getting a second opinion on that, both introverts and extroverts can have ADHD.

BadFish said:
I am suspicious of the dismissal of Adhd because of being extrovert and social. I am not sure that comes into diagnosis. I know lots of people who are classic adhd and social/extroverted.

Agreed.. Next appointment on Wednesday, I am going to point out all the stuff which doesnt fit her current diagnosis (recurrent middle degree depression )and ask her to explain why that would cause my other symptoms.. If that still doesnt help, maybe I need a second opinion..

DavidinSouthampton · Jul 29, 2024

Right Brain Ronnie said:
Does anyone know anybody that actually takes prescribed drugs for their ADHD?
If so do they like the new them?
Does it calm themself to a level of boredom or can they adjust it.
Also has their admin accuracy and speed picked up.

My daughter has been recently diagnosed with ADHD.
she is (you won’t like this) a doctor who is trained as a GP but is leaving that to go in to a hospital surgery job - breast surgery. She qualified as a surgeon before going in to GP training.
the Diagnosis itself was a relief for her - actually confirming what she had thought for a long time. She is now on the right medication and is at the moment thriving and going very well, having previously had about 18 months to 2 years Of mental health issues, confidence, panic attacks and so on.
the surgery job - she wants to be part of a team - will, she thinks, suit her much better than the loneliness of being GP, even in a very supportive practice. She always wants to be too thorough! She has always had superb patient feedback as a GP, mostly because she wants to spend too much time with them, listens and seeks to understand what’s going on For them.

Right Brain Ronnie · Jul 29, 2024

DavidinSouthampton said:
My daughter has been recently diagnosed with ADHD.
she is (you won’t like this) a doctor who is trained as a GP but is leaving that to go in to a hospital surgery job - breast surgery. She qualified as a surgeon before going in to GP training.
the Diagnosis itself was a relief for her - actually confirming what she had thought for a long time. She is now on the right medication and is at the moment thriving and going very well, having previously had about 18 months to 2 years Of mental health issues, confidence, panic attacks and so on.
the surgery job - she wants to be part of a team - will, she thinks, suit her much better than the loneliness of being GP, even in a very supportive practice. She always wants to be too thorough! She has always had superb patient feedback as a GP, mostly because she wants to spend too much time with them, listens and seeks to understand what’s going on For them.

I am pleased she has a diagnosis as this always opens up an understanding, so she can try and use it to her best advantage.

I don't have a problem with doctors in general just striking greedy ones, and poor performing ones. My GP surgery are excellent in every way.

I totally understand her empathy towards her patients, I do wonder if the medication could have helped her in the GP job?

I know the amount of emails etc and admin would not have worked for me at all. Far too overwhelming.

Personally speaking a more hands on tasks would always work over a heavy admin tasks everyday of the week for me.

I hope it all works out for her.

ChickenBaltiPie · Jul 31, 2024

Right Brain Ronnie said:
Thanks for your feedback. I am very much anti anything you stick in your body which is unnatural, but I want to stabilise my motor which is often in 6th gear and foot to the floor stuff, in your 60s this is harder to maintain. I'm game for a different type of trip at times.
Does she take breaks from the drugs and does she feel reliant on them?

My friend said: ‘‘They are not addictive and they are not like antidepressants which need a month or so to build up. I take them when I need to focus. It's like taking paracetamol in that they work for about 4 hours and then the effect is gone.”

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[Misc] ADHD - NEURODIVERSITY

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