5 Things People with ADHD Should Know
In observance of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month this October, we wanted to share five of the MANY things people should know about having ADHD and having a loved one with the diagnosis. ADHD is a common but difficult condition that interferes with normal functioning and can make work, school, and social experiences more challenging. Luckily, there are important factors to implement to help you stay on track and overcome obstacles.
1. ADHD is a brain-based disorder
Often, we hear patients and even our own loved ones with ADHD talk about negative experiences with schools, families, and friends about how their symptoms are being done on purpose. This can be extremely difficult for those with ADHD to develop confidence and navigate their social networks. It is hugely validating when we show patients their qEEG mapping that represents the impact of ADHD on their symptoms. They no longer feel alone nor gaslighted. They understand that these symptoms are not because of poor character but a combined result of environmental and genetic influences on brain development.
Studies have examined the differences between people with ADHD versus those who do not have ADHD. Significant structural and functional differences affect executive functioning, such as attention, inhibition, concentration, and memory. It is also highly heritable; children with parents who have ADHD have a 40-60% chance of also having the diagnosis.
2. Medication does not have to be the only treatment
We do not discourage medication for treating ADHD symptoms as they can be very effective for many people. However, we encourage an integrative psychological and brain-based approach to address the abnormalities present in the brain across subtypes of ADHD. Different interventions include neurofeedback neurotherapy, neurostimulation, and audiovisual entrainment. According to meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials, neurofeedback protocols (theta/beta (TBR), sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), and slow cortical potential (SCP)) reveal efficacious outcomes (Enriquez-Geppert et al., 2019).
3. There may be more than 3 subtypes of ADHD
According to the DSM-5, there are three subtypes of ADHD (predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation; predominantly inattentive presentation; combined presentation), but according to SPECT imaging studies, the Amen Clinics have identified 7 subtypes (classic ADHD, inattentive ADHD, overfocused ADHD, temporal lobe ADHD, limbic ADHD, Ring of Fire ADHD, anxious ADHD). To learn more about these subtypes, click this link: https://www.amenclinics.com/conditions/adhd-add/
4. You are not alone.
There is nothing like sitting in a room with individuals with similar experiences that you had thought you were alone with. Hearing their struggles, their perseverance, and strategies for success can really bring back the hope that those with ADHD may have lost. There are support groups and group therapy opportunities for individuals with ADHD. Hills Neuroscience offers group therapy for children and adults with ADHD and mindfulness-based training to improve attention, present-moment awareness, and focus. There are also resources for your loved ones, your educators, and friends in the community. Some resources include:
https://chadd.org/affiliate-locator/
https://add.org/adhd-support-groups/
5. Mindfulness based psychotherapy is an effective path to managing ADHD symptoms.
According to a recent meta-analysis, Mindfulness-Based Interventions are as effective as other add-on active treatments for ADHD symptoms and some associated features and conditions (Olivia et al., 2021). At Hills, Dr. Delli Colli has found that the book, The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD: An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions, and Achieving Your Goals, has been an effective adjunct for building skills in and out of sessions for patients with diagnosed ADHD and ADHD-related symptoms. One of Dr. Delli Colli’s close friends who has ADHD bought the book to read while on an airplane and funny enough, she forgot the book on the plane. Please keep in mind that we do not expect perfection from our patients, but rather we support our patients in each step they take to manage their ADHD symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Our personalized approach to ADHD treatment at Hills Neuroscience Integrative Psychology will help you to fully engage in life situations and create a path forward for success on your way to the hilltop.
To see if our services are right for you, please call 1 858 880-4019 for a free phone consultation or submit a consultation request at https://www.hillsneuroscience.com/contact/.
References:
Enriquez-Geppert, S., Smit, D., Pimenta, M. G., & Arns, M. (2019). Neurofeedback as a Treatment Intervention in ADHD: Current Evidence and Practice. Current psychiatry reports, 21(6), 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1021-4
Oliva, F., Malandrone, F., di Girolamo, G., Mirabella, S., Colombi, N., Carletto, S., & Ostacoli, L. (2021). The efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder beyond core symptoms: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. Journal of Affective Disorders.
