up:: Psychology, Trauma, Autism
Gabor Maté
Criticism
Gabor Maté, a prominent Canadian physician and author, has faced significant criticism for his views on mental health, particularly regarding ADHD and trauma. Here are the main points of criticism:
- Oversimplification of ADHD causes: Maté claims that ADHD arises primarily from childhood trauma and environmental factors, rather than being a highly heritable brain disorder.12 This view contradicts the scientific consensus, which shows a substantial genetic contribution (70-80%) to ADHD.3
- Lack of scientific evidence: Critics argue that Maté’s theories about ADHD and trauma lack sound scientific basis. Twin studies have found no significant contribution of shared family or rearing social environment to ADHD symptoms.45
- Potential harm to patients and families: Some experts worry that Maté’s ideas could lead to harm by blaming parents or guardians for a neurodevelopmental disorder.67 This is compared to the discredited “refrigerator mother” theory of autism from the 1940s and 1950s.8
- Overemphasis on trauma: While trauma is an important factor in mental health, critics argue that Maté tends to view everything through the lens of trauma, potentially overlooking other contributing factors.9
- Contradicting established research: Maté’s work is seen by some as contradicting well-established research on ADHD and other mental health conditions.10
- Simplistic view of complex issues: Some critics argue that Maté’s explanations for ill health oversimplify complex and incompletely understood causes.11
- Promoting unproven treatments: There are concerns that some of Maté’s proposed solutions, such as psychedelic-assisted therapy, may be getting ahead of scientific evidence.12 13 14
While Maté’s work has resonated with many people and brought attention to the role of trauma in mental health, the scientific community has expressed significant reservations about his theories, particularly regarding ADHD. Critics emphasize the importance of adhering to evidence-based approaches in mental health treatment and diagnosis.
— #genAI/perplexity
Why Dr Gabor Mate’ is Worse Than Wrong About ADHD - YouTube
ADHD is primarily genetic, not caused by trauma
Dr. Gabor Maté claims ADHD is caused by childhood trauma and adverse experiences, not genetics. However, multiple large scientific studies show ADHD is highly heritable (70-80%) and primarily genetic.
Key quotes:
“ADHD has a high heritability 74% what does that mean it means that the vast majority of variation in the human population in degree of ADHD symptoms is driven by differences in genetics and genetic architecture not by the environment not by Parenting by genetics”
“this review of the genetics of ADHD as he says ADHD has a high heritability 74% what does that mean it means that the vast majority of variation in the human population in degree of ADHD symptoms is driven by differences in genetics and genetic architecture not by the environment not by Parenting by genetics”
Reflective questions:
- How might understanding the genetic basis of ADHD impact treatment approaches?
- What are the potential dangers of attributing ADHD primarily to childhood trauma?
Heritability of ADHD, Genetic factors in neurodevelopmental disorders
ADHD increases risk of adverse experiences
Rather than trauma causing ADHD, research shows that having ADHD increases the likelihood of experiencing adverse events throughout life due to associated challenges.
Key quotes:
“ADHD polygenic risk scores uniquely explain variance in the adversity score meaning that the more ADHD wrist genes you had the more severe your ADHD was the greater the likelihood you were going to be exposed to adverse childhood events”
“we know this to be true that having ADHD sets you up for a variety of adverse outcomes as a result of your symptoms and risk-taking and limited self-regulation and poor executive functioning”
Reflective questions:
- How can we better support individuals with ADHD to reduce their risk of adverse experiences?
- What interventions could help mitigate the challenges associated with ADHD that lead to increased adversity?
ADHD and risk-taking behavior, Executive functioning in ADHD
Parental ADHD and family environment
Parental ADHD is a major risk factor for children developing ADHD, both due to genetic transmission and the creation of potentially more chaotic family environments.
Key quotes:
“Parental ADHD is the single biggest risk factor or predictor of a child having ADHD if the parent has a diagnosis their offspring are eight times more likely to develop that disorder Than The Offspring of families that don’t have ADHD”
“we also know that parental ADHD and its underlying genetics can contribute to chaotic unsystematic adverse family ecologies”
Reflective questions:
- How can we support parents with ADHD to create more structured environments for their children?
- What resources or interventions might be helpful for families where both parents and children have ADHD?
Intergenerational transmission of ADHD, Family dynamics in ADHD
Dangers of oversimplifying ADHD causes
Dr. Maté’s thesis oversimplifies the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in ADHD, potentially leading to harmful misconceptions and parent-blaming.
Key quotes:
“it’s not this ridiculously simple and silly idea of trauma causes ADHD and that answers the question so I’m sorry there is a whole Suite of underlying genetic and environmental effects that are going on here that we need to appreciate”
“indirectly what mate is doing is what Bruno bleheim did 50 to 60 years ago for autism and what re researchers in ADHD were doing 50 years ago as well blaming the parents for the child’s condition”
Reflective questions:
- How can we promote a more nuanced understanding of ADHD causes in public discourse?
- What are the potential consequences of promoting oversimplified theories about complex neurodevelopmental disorders?
Complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders, Public understanding of ADHD
Importance of evidence-based understanding of ADHD
The speaker emphasizes the need to rely on scientific evidence and large-scale studies rather than oversimplified theories when understanding and addressing ADHD.
Key quotes:
“when we look across time at longitudinal studies what we see is that future adverse childhood experiences are directly predicted by the severity of ADHD and even by the number of genes that predispose to ADHD in those individuals”
“our research literature just doesn’t support these ideas about the role of parenting and childhood adversity causing ADHD”
Reflective questions:
- How can we encourage more evidence-based approaches to understanding and treating ADHD?
- What role do media and popular psychology play in shaping public perceptions of ADHD, and how can we ensure more accurate information is disseminated?
Evidence-based approaches to ADHD, Science communication in psychology
Quotes
- The well-differentiated person can respond from an open acceptance of her own emotions, which are not tailored either to match someone else’s expectations or to resist them. She neither suppresses her emotions nor acts them out impulsively. ― Gabor Maté, When the Body Says No
- “Trauma involves a lifelong pushing down. A tremendous expenditure of energy into not feeling the pain. But as we heal, that same energy is liberated for Life and for being in the present. The energy of trauma can be transformed into the energy of Life.” ― Gabor Maté
- When I am sharply judgmental of any other person, it’s because I sense or see reflected in them some aspect of myself that I don’t want to acknowledge. — Gabor Maté, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
- “Passion creates, addiction consumes.” ― Gabor Maté, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction