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ADHD
ADHD How Anyone Can Improve Their Focus
ADHD Overview
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a condition characterized by lack of attention, impulsivity, and in some cases, hyperactivity.
- It is highly heritable, with a 75-91% chance of inheriting it if a close relative has ADHD.
- ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence. People with ADHD can have a hyper focus and incredible ability to focus on things they enjoy.
Brain Circuitry in ADHD
- In ADHD, the default mode network (involved in mind-wandering) and task-related networks (involved in focus) are working together in an abnormal, correlated way.
- This leads to difficulty sustaining attention and filtering out distractions.
- People with ADHD often have lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in motivation, reward, and attention.
ADHD Treatments
- Stimulant medications like Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine) are commonly prescribed for ADHD. They work by increasing dopamine levels.
- Up to 35% of individuals aged 17-30 take Adderall regularly, even without an ADHD diagnosis, to improve focus and productivity.
- Behavioral therapies, like learning to control blinking and gaze, can help train attention.
- Dietary changes, particularly eliminating simple sugars, can have a dramatic positive effect on ADHD symptoms.
Supplements and Emerging Therapies
- Omega-3 fatty acids may have a positive modulatory effect on ADHD symptoms.
- Citicoline and alpha-GPC, which increase acetylcholine, show promise for improving focus and offsetting cognitive decline.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an emerging technology being studied for ADHD treatment.
Optimizing Focus for Everyone
- Deliberate breathing and a 17-minute interoception exercise can significantly improve focus.
- Controlling visual focus, like practicing a focused gaze, can enhance attention.
- Physical strategies, like subtle foot tapping, can help maintain focus and stillness during detailed tasks.
- Limiting smartphone use is crucial, as excessive phone time is eroding our attentional capacities.
The key to managing ADHD and optimizing focus is combining appropriate treatments (medication, behavioral therapy, diet) with deliberate practices to strengthen attention in daily life. Small, consistent habits can lead to significant improvements over time.
We need to talk about TikTok’s ADHD misinformation problem - YouTube
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that must manifest before age 12 and persist in multiple settings. Diagnosis requires a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, each requiring six or more symptoms for at least six months.
Inattention symptoms include failing to give close attention to details, difficulty sustaining attention, not listening when spoken to, not following through on tasks, difficulty organizing tasks, avoiding tasks requiring sustained mental effort, losing necessary items, being easily distracted, and forgetfulness in daily activities. These symptoms must significantly impair social, academic, or occupational activities.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms include fidgeting, leaving seat in inappropriate situations, running or climbing in inappropriate situations, being unable to play quietly, acting as if driven by a motor, excessive talking, blurting out answers, difficulty waiting for a turn, and interrupting others. These symptoms must also be present before age 12 and impair functioning.
Professional diagnosis of ADHD is essential due to its complexity and overlap with other disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. Self-diagnosis based on anecdotal experiences from social media can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments. Differential diagnosis by professionals ensures accurate identification and appropriate intervention.
Risks of Self-Diagnosis
Self-diagnosis of ADHD based on social media content can result in improper use of stimulant medications, which are harmful if not medically indicated. It can also cause individuals to incorrectly attribute normal human experiences or symptoms of other conditions to ADHD. Accurate diagnosis is critical to avoid these risks and ensure proper management of any underlying issues.
Many TikTok videos attribute normal experiences such as daydreaming, low self-esteem, and feeling overwhelmed to ADHD. While these can be associated with ADHD, they are not definitive symptoms and can arise from various other conditions or normal life experiences. Understanding the clinical definition and criteria of ADHD is essential to avoid misinformation.
Labeling oneself with ADHD can be appealing as it provides an explanation for certain behaviors and experiences. However, this can lead to over-identification and misattribution of symptoms, which may hinder accurate diagnosis and treatment of actual conditions. Professional evaluation is necessary to differentiate ADHD from other issues.
ADHD Module
Quotes
- ADD is not a problem of knowing what to do; it is a problem of doing what you know. – RUSSELL A. BARKLEY, PH.D., “Improved Delayed Responding”