Mama Got Issues: ADHD, Bipolar & Trauma

What Do You Mean By ADHD?

• Alicia Stowers • Season 1 • Episode 2

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Alicia:

The disclaimer, the following was for education and entertainment purposes only. It does not replace or supersede information and healthcare plans from your healthcare provider or healthcare team. If you have questions about individualized treatment, please consult your healthcare team or. Welcome to Mama Got Issues. My name is Alicia. We're all about ADHD, bipolar and trauma over here. I was diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar in 2016. Then I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2021. After less than successful attempts, I'm on a mission to educate myself and others about ADHD, bipolar and trauma. I invite you on my journey to wellness. Hey there today, we are starting a series on the definitions of what these conditions actually are between ADHD, bipolar and trauma. I am actually going to start with ADHD. And buckle in it's a little bit of a educational, one and we'll get more into the interviews with people coming up. What is ADHD? ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder per the CDC. ADHD is one of the most common neural developmental disorders of childhood. It is usually diagnosed in childhood and often into adulthood. However, I do want to preface this by, well, I do want to say that during this pandemic, there are quite a few people who are seeking ADHD diagnoses because being at home alone, trying to focus on work has really revealed certain things to a lot of people. You will also hear ADHD referred to as a neurological disorder and a mental illness. Okay. So part of CDC, children ever diagnosed with seniors with ADHD per a national 2016 parents survey is 6.1 million or 9.4% of children at that time. So why does. The H D happen?. Gene is number one. There's evidence of a strong inheritant contribution. This is supported by twin studies, adoption studies, family studies, and molecular genetics. Reporting in some studies, it is as much of a 79% inherited liability with developmental word problems, reading ability, IQ mood, and or conduct problems. So, in my case, I have ADHD. At one point, my husband was referred for an ADHD evaluation that his family declined and now both of our children have ADHD. So my family is evidence of that strong inheritability. And then there's also some susceptability genes as a possible reason this happens. So that abnormalities and the dopamine D four and the five receptor genes are associated with ADHD. So dopamine is a chemical in the brain associated with enjoyment or kind of like a high. So like we, if you think of that feeling you get, when you eat a really good sweet or cookie, where it's just like, Oh, hi, that is dopamine. Dopamine also plays a role in, addiction, because. It just gives you that feeling of a high and you're constantly chasing it in addiction. So, dopamine transported genes, in particular, D a T one lead to low levels of dopamine in the brain and patients with ADHD. Some rare genetic disorders, deletion syndromes, and chromosomal abnormalities are associated with ADHD. Also, for example, Neurofibromatosis type one, angel men, fragile X syndrome and more so just basically these rare conditions, the abnormalities, when these, the rare conditions lead to abnormalities in their dopamine production and that leads to them possibly having ADHD. So another thing associated with ADHD, are neuro imaging and neurochemistry. So with looking at neuro imaging, which is just imaging of the brain and neurochemistry, which is looking at the various chemicals associated with the brain dopamine norepinephrine, epinephrine. These are all things that kind of contribute to our responses to certain things. Whenever you say adrenaline, that they're speaking of epinephrine. So that's just an example of one of those chemicals. ADHD and thought to result from hypoactive frontal cortex and subcortical structures to do, to just structures within the brain. And the frontal cortex is like what? It sounds like one of the front cortexes are sections of the brain and subcortical, so below, those cortical cortexes structures that decreased production of dopamine. And nor epinephrin neuro imaging studies confirm abnormalities in the frontal sub cortical networks that are still associated with ADHD. But neuro imaging is not a valid tool for diagnosing ADHD, because it's just not sensitive enough. Then there's the thought of pregnancy and childhood factors contributing to ADHD. For example, maternal cigarette smoking and drug and alcohol consumption and specifically with fetal alcohol syndrome and also drug use during pregnancy. There's also very low birth weight, prematurity, fetal hypoxia brain injuring may also predispose to ADHD. There's also maternal stress. Then there's also toxins and dietary factors, exposure to the toxins, such as pesticides in particular polychlorinated, biphenyls, PCBs. I don't know exactly what those are, but this is what they saidin my research. Okay. So lead and deficiencies of iron and zinc were studied. So all of these things that I'm speaking about, are not definitive things that are known to lead to ADHD. Of things that have been researched to see if there's a correlation between them and ADHD. Now, the strongest one, the strongest evidence happens to be the genes, but to continue with the food and toxins. There's the possibility of a food additives contributing sugar coloring agent omega three fatty acids. And an elimination diet have been studied in relation to ADHD symptoms. Those are randomized clinical trial has been shown some benefit in using an elimination diet and improving ADHD symptoms. Now, there are quite a few people that I've heard speak about leaky guts as a contributor to ADHD or exhibiting ADHD like symptoms. This is why it's so important to see a medical provider and get a comprehensive evaluation. There are also psychosocial factors that have been researched in relation to ADHD, like an association with severe early psychosocial adversity, low parental education, poverty deprivation, negative parenting bullying, peer victimization. Family discord associated with this also. Per the DSM, which is the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders version number five, which was published in 2013. ADHD in children is identified primarily in children, ages eight, a three through 18 years old, the diagnostic criteria are six or more symptoms classified as inattentive or hyperactivity or a combined type, which is a combination of inattentive hyperactive, impulsivity. The symptoms have to be present for more than six months to a degree that is maladaptive or just causes issues and inconsistent with developmental levels. And it has to be present in two or more settings. Inattentive ADHD symptoms: a fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork's work or other activity often has difficulties sustaining attention and task or play activity. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly. Often does not follow through on instruction and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace, not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand the instructions. They often have difficulty organizing tasks and activities. There's also the frequent avoidance and dislike or reluctance to engage in tasks that requires sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework. Often loses things necessary for task or activity. For example, toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools often. Easily distracted by extraneous or outside stimuli. Is often forgetful and daily activities. Okay. So I'm going to be real. I lose stuff all the time. It is insane how much I lose stuff. It is a running joke in my family because I can never find my house shoes. My house shoes obviously are full of a demon or some kind of like entity that makes them run away. Because there's no reason on God's green earth that I can't findthese goddamn house shoes most of the time. Also, I know that my children act as gremlins sometimes and they moved my house shoes. I think they do it to mess with me. I don't have proof. They're only six and 10. So maybe they're not doing this to mess with me. Maybe they're doing it'cause they're six and 10. Okay. Hyper activity. They often fidget with hands or feet or squirms in the seat. Often leave their seat in classroom or other situations in which remaining seated is expected. Often runs about a climb successively on structures in which it is inappropriate an adolescent or adults. This may be also limited to subjective feelings or restlessness. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly. Often is on the go or often acts as if they are driven by a motor.Often talks incessantly. Hi. My name is Alicia. I talk a lot. I've talked a lot my whole life. And I don't think there's anything I can really do to change it. Short of a vow of silence, which I will immediately fail. My nickname in childhood by my cousin Jr. Was Motormouth. So impulsivity often blurts out answers before questions have been completed. Often has difficulty or waiting turn often interrupts or intrudes on others. Like for example, butts in the conversations or games. If I've ever butted into your conversation or if I've ever like, I don't know, just blurted out the answer to your question before you can finish it. I apologize. I've been working on this my whole life and I don't know if I'm going to be successful, but I'm better now than I was before. The impairment must occur like I said, previously in two or more settings before the age of 12. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social academic or occupational function. These symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorder. And are not better accounted for by another mental disorder, for example, a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or personality disorder. I do want to just take a moment to let you guys know that there is research into adult onset ADHD. I'm not 100% percent on how credible the research is, or how not credible. Because I'm pretty sure it's being conducted by very well credentialed and experienced researchers. However, I'm just not sure on how much evidence they have for it, but there is an argument to be made for adult onset ADHD. I'm just not 100% familiar with it, but I want it to mention it to you guys. So here are the things that the DSM does not tell you. ADHD occurs on a spectrum. It is really it's like any condition. You have people who have mild ADHD and severe ADHD. I fall somewhere in the moderate area. It also, doesn't tell you that even if you are primarily attentive or primarily hyperactive impulsive, either way, you're still more than likely going to have symptoms in inattentive or hyperactive, hyperactive impulsive. You may be primarily inattentive, but you still have hyperactive impulsive symptoms. Or you may be primarily hyperactive impulsive, but you're still going to have inattentive symptoms. The DSM doesn't tell you about that. And even though there's a section for combined. Most people actually fall under combined type, but are not acknowledged to be combined type. You still have the diagnosis of primarily inattentive or primarily hyperactive impulsive. Okay. ADHD is a condition that is considered neurodivergent. So neuro divergent is just a term to describe people's brains that do not function in the typical way. So you will hear people described as being neuro-typical or neurodivergent. You can live well with ADHD. There are so many people who have ADHD that are very successful. Most importantly, to me, and this one took a very long time for me to understand and internalize. There's nothing wrong with ADHD people, their brains just work different. And a huge part of me coming to that realization was when my children were diagnosed with ADHD. There's nothing wrong with my babies. They may be occasional gremlins who moved my house shoes. But at the same time, they're my perfect babies. You know, I mean, you can't look at a six year old and then be like, there's something wrong with you. That's not right. And that is cruel in its own way. To look at a child of that age and immediately labeled them as broken in some way when they're not. They're just different. Like I said, previously, they're many successful people with ADHD, doctors, nurses, hello, scientists, business people, entrepreneurs, athletes. So some famous people with ADHD are Michael Phelps, Justin Timberlake, Simone Biles, Jim Carey. I don't know who surprised by Jim Carey having ADHD because yeah, he's like walking poster kid for hyperactive impulsive ADHD. Ryan Gosling, Michael Jordan, bill gates, Stephen Hawking. If you notice the majority of people I listed on are men, and there's a reason for that. Okay. So some ADHD myths are number one. It occurs because of bad parenting. No, it's just brain differences. Number two, it is made up. No ADHD was first described by Sir, Alexander crichton quite a Scottish doctor in 17 98. Again, it was described in 1844 by Heinrich Hoffmann Finnegan in 1902 by sir Frederick still 1908. Frank tread goal, France karma and Hans Paula. Now in 1932, the stimulants was first used in 1937. Raecemic amphetamine specifically by Charles Bradley and then in 1944, Leandro Panas on described it in 1954. That's the first time that Ritalin was used in the treatment of ADH. Number three, people with ADHD just need to try harder. ADHD is not about motivation or laziness. And usually people with ADHD are already trying really, really hard, like much harder than. People with ADHD, can't ever focus. It's all about interests. As a matter of fact, there's something called hyperfocus. So once you capture the interest of a person with ADHD, they're going to pay attention. You know, frequently I've heard it being said like,"Well, they can't, they could play them video games, but they can't do their homework." But it was video games are interesting to them. It's providing that dopamine boost that they need to accentuate their ability to focus and hyper focuses. Whenever you become interested in something and there's like, nothing else is you, something is interesting to you and you start working on it. Four hours later, you kind of pop your head up and you're like, oh my gosh, I haven't gone to the bathroom. I have any, I'm late to this all because you were hyper-focused on something. Number five, all kids with ADHD or hyperactive. Not true. There are quite a few kids that are inattentive. A part of the characterization of all kids with ADHD being hyperactive are typical thoughts of ADHD. Which is, you know, a little boy running around, being crazy climbing on things. However, a lot of people have discounted that girls have ADHD also. The presentation for girls is very different than the presentation for boys. And because girls are so much better at some adaptive things, their ADHD is hidden much quieter. That brings us to number six, which is only boys have ADHD when the truth is that girls are just underdiagnosed. Number seven, ADHD is a learning disability. No ADHD has nothing to do with your learning ability. Very many kids with ADHD have very high intelligence and they do not have a learning disability. ADHD is a disability, but it's not a learning disability. There are some learning disabilities that co-occur with ADHD like discalcula or dysgraphia or dyslexia, but those things are not actually the same as having ADHD. Number eight, kids with ADHD will outgrow it. Nope. Many don't outgrow it. In reality, a lot of people with ADHD, a lot of kids with ADHD learn skills that help them mask their ADHD. No many don't outgrow it. And this pandemic has really put a spotlight on all of those that did not outgrow it. Because when you're sitting at home and you're trying to focus and you have nothing to stimulate you, except for that computer, then they find themselves having a lot of trouble focusing. That has led to a huge increase in the number of adults being diagnosed with ADHD in particular women. I mentioned that previously. Number nine, ADHD is over-diagnosed. So the diagnosis rate of ADHD increased 5% per year, according to the national survey of children's health. In 2014, the national survey of diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and Tourette's syndrome found that children are being very carefully diagnosed by the healthcare providers nine out of 10 children in a study with 2,976 children, were diagnosed using the best practice. Possible explanations for the increased diagnosis. Our awareness of health care providers like increase the wellness by the health care providers increase the awareness for the parents. More screenings by pediatrician and other primary health care providers are primary caregivers, decreased stigma, better treatment options, and more cases. From possibly suspected the environmental causes such as prenatal exposure to toxins or increased blood lead levels. Number 10, children with ADHD are over-medicated. There's actually evidence that treatment is either appropriate or undertreated. Number 11 minority children are over-diagnosed and over-medicated so according to national health, institute survey, the, in H I S between 2011 and 2013, it showed the minority children are not overdiagnosed or over-medicated. Non-Hispanic white children have the highest rate of diagnosis. According to parent reports, one longitudinal study of a kindergarten class between 1988 to 1999. With 17,100 subjects found that minority children are less likely to receive the diagnosis. The study also found that children with ADHD were most, were much likely to use meds if they were Hispanic African-American or other races and ethnicities. Number 12 people with ADHD are lazy. This one is a pet peeve for me. Cause I got called lazy a lot during my life. And it pisses me off. So people with ADHD actually need more structure and reminders to get things done, especially activities that require sustained mental effort. Also without interest, they may like lack motivation and their symptoms manifests that way. So this is the catch 22. You need more structure to be successful in these areas. However, structure is not your strong suit. As a matter of fact, chaos may just be your strong suit. This is a very, very tricky one. If you've ever been to my house, and, and I know you well, you're, you're familiar with this. Just because it's really hard. It's really hard to focus enough to clean or anything like that. And I get it done. Occasionally, usually in a flurry before people come over, but it gets done. So that's what matters. Number 13, having ADHD isn't that serious? Yes. ADHD alone is not life-threatening. However, it has very serious effects on the quality of life. People with ADHD are more likely to have many conditions intersect with ADHD or, or what we call comorbidities. This includes anxiety, mood and substance abuse disorders, depression, eating disorders, et cetera. So what do you do? You've got ADHD. And you've got all this crap going on and you don't know what to do. So there's many treatments, including meds therapy, et cetera. Per research meds are the most effective treatment. How was it? I can tell you from personal experience, meds alone, don't do the trick. Taking meds doesn't magically make one more likely to acquire skills and effective coping mechanisms. The most important thing is to find something that works for you. There's something called an ADHD coach. And that is a pretty great thing. If you can find one because these are people who can help you develop skills or a plan to cope with the things your ADHD makes difficult or areas you would like to improve in. So alright guys. Thank you. If you made it this far, my next episode, we will have a visitor that I'm beyond excited to interview. She is a fantastic person. So smart. So successful and I just enjoy her so much. And so I really look forward to you coming back the next episode to meet her and to listen to that interview. So thank you so much again. have a great. Please, rate, review, subscribe, share. I'm really excited to be doing this and I'm just so grateful that you are here and that you're on this journey with me. Take care.