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:
Key Takeaways:
Resources Mentioned:
Call to Action:
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:
Thank you for tuning in, and see you in the next episode of "ADHD Powerful Possibilities."
Connect with Katherine here:
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
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.
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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.
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: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.
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:It's not that people weren't
depressed before, it's just that
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:they found a new way of treating it.
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:With more or less success,
which is another topic.
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:And myth number ten, ADHD is
the product of modern society,
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:mobile phones, the internet.
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:If we all went back to living in some
mythical bucolic agrarian age where
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: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.
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:Actually, historical records and research
show that ADHD has always existed.
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: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.
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:But this idea that ADHD is only
just happening is incorrect.
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: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:
377
: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.
380
:They're in the newspapers,
they're on the internet, they're
381
:in books, they're everywhere.
382
:And why?
383
: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
389
:to assess these ADHD myths when they crop
up in a new version, because they will.
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: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?
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: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?
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: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
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: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
406
:that's for ADHD or anything else.
407
:Managing ADHD is generally a lifestyle.
408
:issue and it is a long term process.
409
: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?
412
: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
433
: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.