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Debunking 10 ADHD Myths & 5 ways to spot the scammers!
Episode 714th February 2024 • ADHD Powerful Possibilities: New and Late Diagnosis & Beyond • ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders
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ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders (ACCG) presents: Debunking common ADHD Myths

Welcome back to "ADHD Powerful Possibilities," where your host, ADHD Coach Katherine, dives deep into the world of ADHD myths.

This week, we're tackling the misinformation surrounding ADHD, how to spot reliable information, and why it's crucial to sift through the sea of myths.

Join me to debunk some of the most common and offensive myths about ADHD, explore the impact of misinformation on emotional well-being, and equip you with tools to critically assess ADHD-related information.

Timestamps & Highlights:

  • [00:00:00] Introduction to the episode: The prevalence of ADHD myths and the importance of accurate information.
  • [00:00:57] A shocking example from a council meeting in England, sparking the need for this episode.
  • [00:01:42] The double-edged sword of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram in spreading ADHD awareness and misinformation.
  • [00:03:32] Deep dive into a popular myth: Can a ketogenic diet cure ADHD?
  • [00:05:42] The dangers of promoting restrictive diets as cures for ADHD, especially among vulnerable groups.
  • [00:07:06] The real impact of diet on ADHD and the importance of a balanced approach.
  • [00:09:39] Debunking the myth that modern diets and schooling create ADHD.
  • [00:10:32] Why ADHD myths persist and the role of impulsivity in their popularity.
  • [00:12:46] Countdown of the top 10 myths about ADHD, providing clarity and debunking misinformation.
  • [00:21:01] Five critical questions to help you evaluate the reliability of ADHD information.
  • [00:25:17] Managing impulsivity in information consumption and the benefits of community support.
  • [00:28:04] Preview of the upcoming episode on building an emotional regulation toolkit for ADHD.

Key Takeaways:

  • ADHD myths often contain a grain of truth but are largely misleading and harmful.
  • Critical thinking and skepticism are essential when encountering new ADHD information.
  • Consulting reputable sources and healthcare professionals is crucial for accurate understanding.
  • Emotional well-being can be significantly impacted by misinformation about ADHD.

Resources Mentioned:

  • Notion template for tracking energy, focus, and creating personal ADHD management strategies - coming February 28th 2024.

Call to Action:

  • Share this episode with someone who might benefit from debunking ADHD myths.
  • Leave a review and let us know the most outrageous ADHD myth you've encountered.
  • Stay tuned for our next episode on creating your own emotional regulation toolkit.

Closing Thoughts:

Misinformation about ADHD is rampant, but armed with the right tools and a critical mindset, we can navigate through the myths to find the truths that empower us. Remember, understanding and managing ADHD is a journey, and you're not alone. Join us next time for more powerful possibilities in the world of ADHD.

Contact Information:

  • For questions, feedback, or to share your ADHD myth experiences, contact us at admin@lightbulbadhd.com or @adhd_coach_katherine on instagram

Thank you for tuning in, and see you in the next episode of "ADHD Powerful Possibilities."

Connect with Katherine here:


Website

Instagram

Tiktok

Facebook

Youtube

LinkedIN

Threads 


Support for ARFID:

Look for people with specific training on ADHD and ARFID, who also have experience with the Food Chaining technique.


  List of Easily Accessible Resources for Reliable ADHD Information  

  Charities and Organizations:  

1.   USA:   Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)(https://chadd.org) - A national non-profit organization providing evidence-based information and support for ADHD.

2.   UK:   ADHD Foundation (https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk) - Offers support and information on ADHD, including training and resources for both individuals and professionals.

3.   Australia:   ADHD Australia (https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au) - Provides information, resources, and support services for people affected by ADHD across Australia.

4.   Europe:   ADHD Europe (https://adhdeurope.eu) - An organization advocating for the rights and dignities of people with ADHD across Europe.


  Online Directories for Healthcare Professionals:  

1.   USA:   Psychology Today’s Therapist Directory (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/adhd) - Offers a comprehensive directory of therapists with ADHD expertise.

2.   UK:   The British Psychological Society’s Directory (https://www.bps.org.uk/public/find-psychologist) - Find accredited psychologists with experience in ADHD.

3.   Australia:   Australian Psychological Society’s Find a Psychologist (https://www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist) - A tool to locate psychologists with various specialties, including ADHD.

4.   Europe:   European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA)(https://www.efpa.eu) - Provides resources and information on finding psychologists in European countries.



Banaschewski, T., Häge, A., Hohmann, S., & Mechler, K. (2024). Perspectives on ADHD in children and adolescents as a social construct amidst rising prevalence of diagnosis and medication use. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 1289157.(https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1289157/pdf?isPublishedV2

Emmerson, J. (Year). White Rabbit: ADHD, Medication, and How the 60s Changed Everything.

Oweini, A. A., Awada, G. M., & Obeid, L. (2023). Impact of Credibility of Online Information on ADHD in the MENA Region. _The Turkish Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation_, 44(3). [https://dx.doi.org/10.52783/tjjpt.v44.i3.430](https://dx.doi.org/10.52783/tjjpt.v44.i3.430)

 Fridman, M., Banaschewski, T., Sikirica, V., Quintero, J., Erder, M., & Chen, K. (2017). Factors associated with caregiver burden among pharmacotherapy-treated children/adolescents with ADHD in the Caregiver Perspective on Pediatric ADHD survey in Europe. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 13, 373-386. https://www.dovepress.com/factors-associated-with-caregiver-burden-among-pharmacotherapy-treated-peer-reviewed-article-NDT

Grazioli, S., Crippa, A., Rosi, E., Candelieri, A., Ceccarelli, S. B., Mauri, M., Manzoni, M., Mauri, V., Trabattoni, S., Molteni, M., Colombo, P., & Nobile, M. (2023). Exploring telediagnostic procedures in child neuropsychiatry: addressing ADHD diagnosis and autism symptoms through supervised machine learning. _European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry_. 

[https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02145-4](https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02145-4

Nigg, J. T., & Holton, K. (2014). Restriction and elimination diets in ADHD treatment. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 23(4), 937-953. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1056499314000563

Pelsser, L. M., Frankena, K., Toorman, J., & Rodrigues Pereira, R. (2017). Diet and ADHD, Reviewing the Evidence: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses of Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials Evaluating the Efficacy of Diet Interventions on the Behavior of Children with ADHD. PLOS ONE, 12(1), e0169277. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0169277


Wolraich, M., Chan, E., Froehlich, T., Lynch, R. L., Bax, A., Redwine, S. T., Ihyembe, D., & Hagan, J. (2019). ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines: A Historical Perspective. Pediatrics, 144(4), e20191682.](https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/144/4/e20191682.full.pdf


Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Kollins SH, Wigal TL, Newcorn JH, Telang F, Fowler JS, Zhu W, Logan J, Ma Y, Pradhan K, Wong C, Swanson JM. Evaluating dopamine reward pathway in ADHD: clinical implications. JAMA. 2009 Sep 9;302(10):1084-91. doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.1308. Erratum in: JAMA. 2009 Oct 7;302(13):1420. PMID: 19738093; PMCID: PMC2958516.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2958516/

Wolraich, M., Chan, E., Froehlich, T., Lynch, R. L., Bax, A., Redwine, S. T., Ihyembe, D., & Hagan, J. (2019). ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines: A Historical Perspective. _Pediatrics_, 144(4), e20191682. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/144/4/e20191682.full.pdf](https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/144/4/e20191682.full.pdf


Transcripts

Speaker:

RODE NT-USB & Susan's iphone (work) Camera:

Welcome back.

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My friend, it's ADHD,

powerful possibilities.

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And it's ADHD coach Katherine here.

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This week, we are looking at ADHD myths.

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Why are there so many bits

of misinformation around how

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Can you tell if somebody is

giving you correct information?

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How can you assess if a bit of

information is actually reliable or not.

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Thank you so much for all

your questions, your emails.

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I absolutely love it.

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And they are going to be

part of future episodes.

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It really makes a difference

because I'm on my own working here.

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But knowing that it makes a difference

for you means that I am so happy to

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keep going with this And this week

we're going to look at the myths

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that are circulating around ADHD.

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Some of you will have seen recent footage

from a council meeting in England where.

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Let's assume people with

not very much information.

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. Asked if the increasing rates

of young people and children.

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with additional support needs was

down to Something in the water.

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Or if Actually ADHD was just because a

parent wasn't doing their job, right?

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Yes.

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He actually said little Willie

is actually just badly behaved.

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It's not that he has ADHD, but

mum gets a diagnosis of ADHD.

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And suddenly she's off the hook.

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There are Facebook groups, apparently

with parents swapping tips on how

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to get their children diagnosed.

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I have to say, this is the most offensive

nonsense I've heard for quite a while.

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In a sea of offensive, myths

and nonsense about ADHD.

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So well done those counselors for

prompting me to make this episode today.

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It is both wonderful and terrifying

how huge platforms like TikTok And

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Instagram are focusing on ADHD on

the one hand, Lots of people are

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recognising that their challenges are

not a personal weakness or a flaw and

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are connected to autism, ADHD, other.

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Challenges that we have like them.

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On the other hand, there

is so much misinformation.

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And something like 50 plus

percent of TikTok videos

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about ADHD are Actually wrong.

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They're giving you information

that is misleading.

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And potentially harmful.

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And the problem is those are

the ones that tend to spread.

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And are very popular.

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How can we help people assess information?

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And understand that Incorrect information

has an impact on your emotional life.

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Which also has an.

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Impact on your ADHD and how you

function from a day to day basis.

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I've heard lots of myths

at one time or another.

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And the worst ones generally

have a few facts sprinkled in

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or just enough truth to sound.

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credible.

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There are whole podcasts where a

myth About ADHD has become the.

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Focus of that episode.

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And it becomes really difficult.

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As a coach, as somebody who

cares passionately about facts

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and accurate information to

deal with this on a daily basis.

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And then somebody said, well,

how do I know the difference?

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here I am.

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I'm going to help you work out.

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What's true.

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What's not true.

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And how to.

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pick out the good bits from the bad.

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So let's look.

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at a really big, popular myth and

explain why it's so popular and why

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these things tend to pick up speed.

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The first one we're

going to look at is that.

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A ketogenic diet, which is one

where carbohydrate is under 20%

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percent of your overall diet.

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And is very high in fat.

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Can somehow cure ADHD.

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It's connected to this broader

brain metabolism model.

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And unfortunately I've heard some people.

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Link ADHD to conditions like dyslexia.

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Dementia.

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And this idea that if you eat a

very high, fat, low carb diet,

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you can cure these things.

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You can cure dyslexia.

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The fact is.

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There is no substantial evidence.

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To prove this.

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Although your diet is really

important in ADHD, and it can

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have an impact on our thinking.

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Our level of energy, all these things.

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There is no single study.

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that shows Without any debate

that a ketogenic diet will

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reduce or get rid of ADHD.

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Why?

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because for many people, if

not 85 plus percent of people.

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ADHD is a genetic

neurodevelopmental condition.

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Yes.

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Some people may have ADHD, like traits.

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They may have them after things

like lead Poisoning, there are

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other types of medication or

conditions that look like ADHD.

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But that's why.

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It's job for.

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a Really qualified psychiatrist

to do an assessment.

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The studies.

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That people are using to say a

ketogenic diet can cure ADHD.

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Have been done on rats and mice.

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Not humans.

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And although we've got anecdotal evidence

from individuals that they have changed

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their diet and their ADHD traits.

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have reduced.

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they've maybe felt more focused,

they've had more energy they're

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Better able to manage things like

planning their executive functions.

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We can't take that as clinical evidence.

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And it's definitely not something

that we should be claiming as a cure

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because there is a significant crossover

between ADHD and disordered eating.

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If not outright clinical.

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Eating disorders.

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The rates Of anorexia bulimia

binge eating disorder.

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And ARFID.

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Are much, much higher in

teenage girls with ADHD and

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also in the autistic population.

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than in the neurotypical

group of the same age.

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And if you suggest that one

particular diet is a cure for ADHD.

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What is the impact going to be on

this vulnerable group of people.

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We know that rates of obesity

in adults with ADHD are higher.

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But it's not the diet

that's causing the ADHD.

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The ADHD leads us.

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To consume.

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These refined high Sugar

high carb refined foods.

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Because they treat our ADHD our

underlying dopamine deficiency.

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inability to regulate.

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Our impulse management.

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That's ADHD, not the food.

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There is Some suggestion that the

bacteria in your gut can influence

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the food choices that you make.

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But it's not one direction.

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If your brain is looking for

dopamine and you live in a country

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where cheap refined, sugary, fatty

food is cheap and fully available.

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You will quickly learn that

this is a temporary mood fix.

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It gives you a little boost

of dopamine and glucose.

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Your brain feels better.

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So you're gonna go back for.

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it.

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That's your brain.

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not, the food.

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Okay.

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Neuro-typical people experience that too,

but until you have been somebody with

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ADHD and experienced that overwhelming.

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Focus.

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That impulsivity, that Compulsion almost.

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You're just not going to understand.

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And it's why many people, when

they take ADHD medication, find

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that they are able to tune out

or turn down the volume of those.

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, Voices, That impulse control.

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need for refined sugar.

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And the reason I find it particularly

offensive is because so many young people

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with ADHD also have ARFID, which is

avoidant restrictive food intake disorder.

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And yes, it's a negative label,

but that's because it is.

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It makes life difficult for those

young people, for their families.

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As they get older, people start to

feel socially excluded because they

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do not have the same freedom around

food as their friends might have.

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It's a real problem.

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It causes health problems, but it also

causes social and mental problems.

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So to suggest that if you focus on

this one diet, Your ADHD will be cured.

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Feels really irresponsible.

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And if you're a parent

of a child with ARFID.

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Please, please.

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Chicken nuggets do not cause ADHD.

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And if you force your child, to

Push beyond what they can eat.

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If they can actually eat,

without gagging or throwing up?

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The damage that's going to do to the

trust and connection that you two have.

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Isn't worth it.

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There are other ways to manage that.

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And I will talk about them.

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I'll put them in the show notes.

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But please this particular

myth needs to be put aside.

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Yes diet.

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has an impact on your

health and it can affect.

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The significant level of ADHD

traits, But it's not worth it.

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the other myth is that modern diets

and modern schooling create ADHD.

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And this is the idea.

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Again, following on from chicken nuggets.

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That chicken nuggets and being made

to sit still in school for seven

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or eight hours a day, cause ADHD.

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And if we just fed kids kale chips

and let them roam around on farms.

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They wouldn't have ADHD.

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No.

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they would still have ADHD.

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You just wouldn't be inconvenienced by it.

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And you might not notice it.

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But they would still have trouble

reaching their potential because when

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they did try to sit down and do some work.

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Then they would struggle even more.

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Different types of school

might suit them better.

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And there are types of school that you.

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know, allow a lot.

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More autonomy, a lot more movement and.

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Things like that.

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But if your child is over the

diagnostic threshold, there's going

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to come a point in their life.

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Where they need to do work.

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That is going to be held back.

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Because of their ADHD, not their

intelligence, not their capability.

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Not their Wisdom if.

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you like.

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Not their talents or their strengths,

but their executive function

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limits, which are caused by ADHD.

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Which is a neurological genetic condition.

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But why are these myths so stuck?

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Why can we not get rid of them?

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Put the media aside for a minute.

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The first is that humans

love easy answers.

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If something is difficult,

complicated has lots of factors in it.

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We're going to go for something

that is really quick and easy.

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And provides a simple solution every time.

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Even when it's wrong.

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But with ADHD, we are particularly fond

of these things because our impulsivity.

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Fixes really quickly onto a solution.

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And.

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I don't know many people that would

say I would love to have ADHD.

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I don't know many people who

regard their ADHD as 100%.

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percent a Positive.

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experience.

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Generally.

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there are aspects of it that we

would get rid of if we could.

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And so a simple solution.

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Our impulsive brain is going to

jump straight to it and think,

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yes, this is the one answer.

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This is the diet.

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This is the app.

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This is the program.

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This is the book.

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We quick fix solutions because.

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Well, they're Easy.

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We don't need to do something every day.

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We don't need to spend time sitting with

uncomfortable facts about ourselves.

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It is so important.

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That we get real.

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Factual useful information about ADHD.

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And that we.

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Take time.

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To deal with the challenges that we

have and the information is there.

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It's just maybe not broadcast on

gigantic multinational podcasts.

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And the reason that I

am so passionate about.

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Debunking myths is because

the emotional fallout.

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From another quick fix,

not working is what I see.

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It's I'm a failure.

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I can't even do this.

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This didn't work I'm broken.

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That narrative.

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That is quite often in place

before people look for coaching.

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And which quite often means people

actually need therapy or counselling Is.

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Quite often the result of a myth

That has been promoted and a quick

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fix solution that has gone wrong.

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And it's just the last straw.

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So let's do a countdown of

the top 10 myths about ADHD.

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And I will give you the myths.

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I'll explain why it's not true.

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And I will explain the Reason it's

there, the impact it's going to have.

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So let's begin with myth number one.

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ADHD is not a real condition.

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ADHD is in fact, a real well recognised

neurological difference in the

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brain and often genetics of about

5 10% percent of people worldwide.

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And this is proved with

decades of scientific.

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research.

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The reason this one's so damaging

is people like those counsellors in

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the beginning of the programme say,

well, they're just badly behaved.

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They don't need any support and it

makes us feel terrible about ourselves

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because we're not doing a good job.

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So that's myth.

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Number one, ADHD.

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Isn't a real condition.

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Myth Number two people with

ADHD just need to try harder.

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In fact, it's the structure

and function of your brain.

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That means things like attention.

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Impulsivity.

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And self regulation are affected

by the structure of your brain.

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Not a lack of effort.

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If anything.

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You are trying, way

harder than other people.

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And this puts a huge emotional burden

on people with ADHD and their families.

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And can increase our feelings

of failure and low self esteem.

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Myth number three people.

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With ADHD, just can't focus.

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Actually people with ADHD have lots

of attention and we can really focus.

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We can actually experience hyper

focus when we focus on something

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for hours and often forget to

drink, eat, or go to the bathroom.

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And that's because we are interested.

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So ADHD is nothing to do with attention

or inability to have attention.

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It's all about our focus and interest.

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And this is one of the reasons why

people misunderstand ADHD medication.

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It doesn't increase our

attention or our focus.

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It Actually allows us to regulate it

It gives people a feeling of calm.

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Myth number four, all kids

with ADHD are hyperactive.

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There are in fact.

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three, not seven, three

presentations of ADHD.

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Inattentive, combined and hyperactive.

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And those three presentations can change

over the course of your lifestyle.

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can change over the

course of your lifetime.

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The stereotype of the hyperactive

ADHD little white boy is why many

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people of colour, many women and

girls, many inattentive young

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boys and men are missed and not

diagnosed until much later in life.

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Which brings us to myth number five.

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Only boys have ADHD.

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ADHD actually affects boys and

girls and we believe in adulthood

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the numbers are about equal.

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It's just that.

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Girls tend to be missed because they

are socialized to behave in a different

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way and our expectations are different.

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There's some suggestion girls are more

likely to experience inattentive ADHD

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but this may be diagnostic prejudice.

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And the problem

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with this is that the emotional

fallout for girls and women with

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ADHD can be unrecognised until

they've had three or four other

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diagnoses and they are struggling with

significant mental health problems.

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Myth number six.

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ADHD is a learning disability.

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ADHD is not the same as dyslexia,

dysgraphia or other learning disabilities.

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They can occur at the same time,

in the same way as autism can

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occur with dyslexia, dysgraphia,

other processing problems, but

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they are not the same condition.

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And this is one of the reasons why

people who can achieve a lot, who

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are high performing but have ADHD,

are missed until they burn out and

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have other mental health problems.

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Myth number seven.

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If you have ADHD as a

kid, you'll outgrow it.

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Don't worry about it.

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This used to be widespread until fairly

recently, but we now know that for a

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significant number of people with ADHD in

childhood, this continues into adulthood.

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And, in fact, inattentive people who

are missed in childhood experience

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more problems when they get older

as the increasing demands of

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daily life impact their executive

functions and they start to burn

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:

out and have mental health problems.

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And this is really unhelpful because if

you expect to grow out of it and actually

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you don't, and you go to university

or you have a family and you're really

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not coping, instead of saying, well,

of course I need to have a different

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structure in place, I need more support,

I need to look at life differently,

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you're going to feel like a failure.

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:

So the emotional impact

of that one is huge.

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Myth number eight.

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ADHD is a dietary issue and it's

caused by food dyes and additives.

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We've all heard this one.

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The kid ate a really processed piece

of cake with like red or blue food dye

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and now they're bouncing off the walls.

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Let's have a look at this.

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So first, not all kids with ADHD

react to colorings, some do,

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:

but that is not ADHD, that is a

sensitivity to a food ingredient.

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And ADHD is a neurodevelopmental

genetic condition, may or may not be.

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Which may or may not occur at

the same time as an allergy or

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:

sensitivity to a food additive.

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:

Again, it means we're missing kids who

are not reacting to these food additives.

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:

And it can mean that some children are

excluded from social occasions where

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:

that type of food may be present.

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:

myth number nine.

346

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ADHD medications are

harmful and overprescribed.

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:

There is a lot of online chat about

everybody getting ADHD medication,

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how easy it is to get, how it's

misused, how everybody feels

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:

better when they're taking that.

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:

Let's have a look.

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:

It's just not true.

352

:

ADHD medication, when carefully

monitored and safely prescribed,

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is one of the most evidenced and

safe medications you can get.

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:

There are a number of people who do not

respond well to stimulant medication,

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:

which is why it's important to have

a good assessment and a Thoroughly

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supportive process while you're titrating.

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And there are different kinds of

medication that you can use, you

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:

don't have to take stimulants.

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:

One of the reasons I think this one

is so popular is because it's suddenly

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:

being discussed in the same way as

antidepressants were discussed in the

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:

90s when SSRIs were first made popular.

362

:

It's not that people weren't

depressed before, it's just that

363

:

they found a new way of treating it.

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:

With more or less success,

which is another topic.

365

:

And myth number ten, ADHD is

the product of modern society,

366

:

mobile phones, the internet.

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:

If we all went back to living in some

mythical bucolic agrarian age where

368

:

everybody got up when it was light and

went to bed when it was dark and had

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:

horses and stuff, nobody would have ADHD.

370

:

Actually, historical records and research

show that ADHD has always existed.

371

:

Some people have taken this so

far and suggested it's a hunter

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:

adaptation and we would be people

out on the plains looking for danger.

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:

Let's not deal with that today.

374

:

But this idea that ADHD is only

just happening is incorrect.

375

:

And actually one of the first people

to record ADHD in a medical way was

376

:

Sir Alexander Creighton who was born

in Edinburgh and in:

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:

what we can recognise as ADHD.

378

:

So these myths are incredibly popular

even today when we know that we have

379

:

data that says no, it's not true, or

it's only slightly true in a tiny way.

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:

They're in the newspapers,

they're on the internet, they're

381

:

in books, they're everywhere.

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:

And why?

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:

I

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:

think a lot of it comes down to money.

385

:

And attention is currency now.

386

:

So if you can grab attention by

making a big claim, , then you

387

:

will get the attention that you

want and the money might follow.

388

:

So here's how we're going to inoculate

you against misinformation and allow you

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:

to assess these ADHD myths when they crop

up in a new version, because they will.

390

:

Here are five questions that allow

you to decide if you trust this

391

:

information about ADHD or not.

392

:

Number one, who is the

source of the information?

393

:

Is it a reputable organization?

394

:

Is it a scientist who's been

specifically in the field of

395

:

ADHD research for a long time?

396

:

Or is it a medical institution and ideally

one that isn't selling you a solution?

397

:

Number two, does this new solution

or news site an article in full?

398

:

Does it give you the, does it give you the

source so you can go and read it yourself?

399

:

And is it from a reputable medical

journal that has been peer reviewed?

400

:

So you want to look for reputable

journals where people are saying

401

:

this has been reviewed, rather

than somebody taking one fact and

402

:

ignoring the rest of the evidence.

403

:

Number three.

404

:

Is this a quick fix solution or are

they talking about long term change?

405

:

Be wary of any solution that

offers an immediate fix, whether

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:

that's for ADHD or anything else.

407

:

Managing ADHD is generally a lifestyle.

408

:

issue and it is a long term process.

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:

We make small changes and we do

it in a way that is sustainable.

410

:

Number four.

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:

Are there financial interests involved?

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:

Now, I'm an ADHD coach and people do

pay me for my time and my experience.

413

:

But, is this information in a

podcast, in a program, in an email

414

:

being given to you by somebody who's

going to sell you a supplement?

415

:

A book, or some other form of

financial incentive, only they

416

:

can offer you the solution for.

417

:

And are they the only people

that can offer you this solution?

418

:

There are hundreds of ADHD coaches you can

go to, I do not benefit from this podcast

419

:

in that way, but if somebody's selling

you a supplement and they have the secret,

420

:

they have the cure, that's a pretty good

clue that this is not motivated by, this

421

:

is not a reliable piece of information.

422

:

And finally, does this line up with the

current medical understanding of ADHD?

423

:

And by that I mean the big guys, you

know, people like Dr Barkley, people

424

:

who understand the genetics, the

neurology, the bioscience of ADHD,

425

:

who have been doing this long enough

to understand that it's not one thing

426

:

over another and that it's complicated.

427

:

You generally find a lot of

these myths and solutions come

428

:

from people who are mavericks or

outside of, day to day science.

429

:

And that is also a big clue.

430

:

Maybe they're onto something, but

you use your judgment and assess

431

:

that with all of this context.

432

:

And although we all want a solution

to ADHD, which can be great but

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:

can also really cause problems, and

difficulties that affect our whole life.

434

:

We need to accept that these are

going to be long term management

435

:

processes and not quick fix solutions.

436

:

We need to have a realistic expectation

of what is possible in a certain amount

437

:

of time and we need to accept that

this is going to require some effort,

438

:

usually some choice on our part.

439

:

Just remember we are more likely with

our impulsivity to Attach on to some

440

:

new piece of information to find out

all about it, and, quite often we're

441

:

a bit more trusting than we should be.

442

:

We often see the good things in

people when really there isn't.

443

:

What can you do with this impulsivity

and how can you manage it when

444

:

it comes to new information?

445

:

Because I think it's useful

also to apply it to any type of

446

:

information that you, come across

and maybe go down a rabbit hole on.

447

:

I know some people, when I talk to them,

they've almost made themselves board

448

:

of ADHD because they've got so much

information online, they've listened

449

:

to the TikToks, the Instagrams, the

podcasts, they've read the books,

450

:

and they still don't feel any better.

451

:

How do you manage that?

452

:

Because that's an impulsive thing.

453

:

So first of all, just accept

that this is what our brains do.

454

:

Acceptance, radical self acceptance,

is key to making changes with ADHD.

455

:

Accept.

456

:

We want to know everything and that

interest is fuel for our brains.

457

:

It's great.

458

:

It's one of the strengths that you

will have in whatever you do in life.

459

:

Your red and amber traffic lights in

your brain are maybe a wee bit dodgy

460

:

so we need to reinforce External ways

to do that and external ways to pause

461

:

before we consume more information.

462

:

And if you discover that you've

spent three hours today listening

463

:

to ADHD podcasts and actually you're

just feeling worse, take a pause.

464

:

Please give yourself permission to step

away from it for a while, to come back

465

:

and to identify what you actually need.

466

:

Yes, you may want to know more

about the genetics of ADHD.

467

:

You may want to understand your brain.

468

:

Is it helping you, or

are you feeling worse?

469

:

When you've got this new information,

it might be worth talking it over

470

:

with a friend, with a family member,

or in an online group or community.

471

:

And I know that sometimes, Our family

members get a little bit tired of the

472

:

amount of information we are sharing.

473

:

So that's when things like online

groups can be really helpful or

474

:

in person communities if that's

available for you locally.

475

:

You might want to have a

journal, a notebook, where you

476

:

write down the new information.

477

:

You might be somebody like me, who keeps

a kind of notion bullet journal type

478

:

thing, where everything that I learn

goes in there and I have a reference.

479

:

I have a notion sheet for the

journal articles that I read and a

480

:

summary so I can come back to it.

481

:

And that way, I can take my time and

think about the information before I

482

:

keep going and pursuing more and more.

483

:

and not doing anything with it.

484

:

You might want to include the five

questions that I gave you earlier about

485

:

understanding information and I will

make a little document template thing

486

:

for you which you can get from the

show notes so that you've got those

487

:

five questions you can stick it in your

owner's manual, into your notion, into

488

:

your, Bullet journal, whatever you use.

489

:

So whenever you get a new information,

whether that is, this type of diet

490

:

is going to cure ADHD, you can run it

through those five filters and assess

491

:

whether you want to accept it or not.

492

:

And this is also going to be included

in the Notion template, which I'm

493

:

working on just now, that allows

you to track your energy, your

494

:

focus, your sleep, and so much more.

495

:

Because I think it's one

of the most flexible tools,

496

:

that we can build outwards.

497

:

with ADHD.

498

:

Keep your eyes open for that.

499

:

You might want to use some of your

community, you might want to find a

500

:

community that allows you to take a sense

test of whether this is accurate or not.

501

:

Because there's going to be somebody

in the community who's heard

502

:

it before and who will say, Oh,

yeah, well, actually, that's true.

503

:

Or, uh, kind of, they've maybe

taken that the wrong way.

504

:

And ideally, look for one

where there's some moderation.

505

:

People tend not to go into too many

spirals and negativity spirals.

506

:

And look for something compassionate

and warm and welcoming.

507

:

So I hope you've enjoyed my rundown of

the main myths about ADHD and the way you

508

:

can filter information so that you're able

to assess whether it's reliable or not.

509

:

I think it's really important that

you're in control how you assess that.

510

:

And you're able to make judgements

about the knowledge that you're

511

:

relying on when you manage your life.

512

:

If it was helpful, please share it with

someone, especially if they've given

513

:

you the ADHD is just bad behaviour or

ADHD is chicken nuggets type of thing.

514

:

If somebody's given you a

myth, share this with them.

515

:

Tell them to go look at the show notes.

516

:

I've got facts to back up all of these

things that I've just shared with you

517

:

from reliable scientific journals.

518

:

And remember to be kind and patient with

yourself, to encourage your critical

519

:

thinking because we're kind of standing

at the front of a It's a tidal wave of

520

:

information about ADHD and a tidal wave

of misinformation and misunderstanding.

521

:

It's hard work sometimes to be the person

who says, well, actually, and if you don't

522

:

do it every time, that's totally okay.

523

:

Give yourself a hug.

524

:

It's hard work.

525

:

As long as you don't allow it to affect

your own emotions and you are being

526

:

kind to yourself and understanding

why you do things your way or why

527

:

your family do things their way

then There's an element of let other

528

:

people manage it for you, okay?

529

:

Because it can have a big toll on

your mental health and well being.

530

:

In a couple of weeks I'm going to

be sharing the toolkit that you

531

:

can use for managing your emotions.

532

:

And it's like a pick and mix.

533

:

Do you remember the picking and

mix in Woolworths where you'd go in

534

:

and there'd be all these different

kinds of sweets that you could pick?

535

:

That's kind of what I'm going to bring on

in a couple of episodes for an emotional

536

:

regulation lollapalooza for ADHD people.

537

:

Okay, so please share this, leave

a review, let me know what is

538

:

the most outrageous myth that

you have heard about ADHD and are

539

:

any of these a surprise to you?

540

:

Have any of these been given to you

directly and have you argued back?

541

:

I would love to know.

542

:

Let me know and come back next

week for the next episode of

543

:

ADHD Powerful Possibilities.

544

:

And until then, take care.

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