The other thing that helps my ADHD teen daughter (and myself) a lot is exercise: preferably things that are fun (so not just the gym). It helps with mood fluctuations, social interactions (being part of a team), giving positive structure to her day etc. It also helps to build self-confidence, discipline and self-efficacy.
Thank you, I have spent three years pouring over any research I could find about girls and women with ADHD across the lifespan. It took me two years to get a diagnosis bc I wanted to be as informed as possible. I was 43. I have always been overwhelmed by emotions, and transitions were incredibly hard. I now see that I have always had numerous sensory issues, but no one saw these as a problem, and on the surface, they were not. (An aside- my 6 1/2 year old son has dealt with sensory issues that directly affect emotion, and it’s been a battle to get others to see these as anything but behavioral /self-control issues.) mostly during changes and transitions, I would want to stay home where I felt “safe”, and no one could understand what I was afraid of. I was afraid of the overstimulation and corresponding emotions that I could not describe. Exactly at the time that I started menstruating at age 12 (I think?) I “started showing up everywhere”, as you say. No one knew of PMDD 30 years ago. My periods were terribly painful, and what you call the literal phase was horribly emotional and disruptive. I started taking birth control at age 14, and it helped somewhat, but I continuously had issues with efficacy, and had to switch often. Started on antidepressants around that time, and in the course of my journey I have been on so many psych meds that it’d be easier to list what I haven’t been on. And I have always struggled with anger, but I do believe it was in large part due to my feelings of not being heard, seen, understood, or taken seriously. And to top this off, I struggled with alcoholism from a young age, and I was in and out of the system across the east coast for decades. Not one person ever mentioned adhd. The very thing that scared me most, which fits the adhd profile of now, the lack of routine and structure and the comfort of the familiar…well, I used to say that the only trauma I had was of my own making. And no one disagreed with me. Aa is a wonderful thing for many, but it told me my failures were bc I was not completely honest or willing. So over and over I experienced starting over in the unfamiliar; new places, new people, new routines, new jobs, new residences. Towards the end, I was very familiar with the DSM-5, (depression, terrible anxiety, social anxiety, brief periods of outward self harm (but really my life has been an exercise in self-hatred, though things are slowly getting better). So in the end I came to the conclusion that I had Borderline. I sat in my last inpatient with the psychiatrist discussing this, she didn’t feel she could assess at that time; the problem was I never actually stayed sober long enough for a safe diagnosis. This was 8 years ago, and I’m stating this simply bc at that same rehab, the therapist was discussing the relapse cycle of addiction, specifically the role of dopamine in addiction, and I raised my hand and asked “could it be possible that some addicts are born with naturally low levels of Dopamine, indicating a lower baseline than average?” And the crowd kind of ah-ha’d. And the therapist said it was quite possible, but did not confirm. This is what I’ve lived. That rehab was not my last rodeo. And there have been hospitals and institutions that I landed in not so much bc of my addiction, but my emotional regulation issues and inhibition, what a nightmare of a cocktail (the perfect storm, as you say). And after I finally got my diagnosis (via TOVA), my results caused disbelief in the professionals I’ve worked with; as if to say “how could no one have seen this?!” The worst part, the painful part, is that no one believed me, (I am an expert in masking; it’s become a survival tool, I observe and study human behavior. I’m also smart and attractive (only pointing that out to make a point). Despite this, those disbelievers are beginning to listen. Especially after hearing this presentation. I have blamed myself for as long as I can remember for being weak. Dishonest. Lazy. Selfish. I could not stay sober. I could not be happy. I lost people, homes, my career, and every other job. Thing is, I’m an excellent worker as long as the job is dynamic, and not boring (huge issue for me. I spend so much time worrying that my children are bored. That’s how painful boredom can be for me. I always thought everybody had more than one thought at a time. But then I realized why I loved competitive sports so much. It was the only time I could ever think of just one thing. It was my hyper focus. Thank you so much for this presentation. It has forever changed my perception of myself, and I’ve always sought just a shade of validation, and you have given me this. Please let me know how I can become involved; the 10 year life expectancy you speak of did not phase me one bit. That’s how important I think it is to avoid missing this diagnosis, or in creating an entire treatment profile. Thank you so much.
I learned so much from this webinar! I would like to access letterlife but the link offers 30% off instead of free access. How do we get access for free as offered in her presentation?
Appreciate the summary of a difficult topic. But again there's this major emphasis on medication. I find it disturbing, especially when many other useful interventions aren't mentioned at all (like diet, exercise, art therapy)
Why is there no mention of diet? A gluten-free diet is super important. Don't take medication before you've tried it. Sugar, especially in sweets/processed foods is alsoa major issue (plus food additives).
Also music and art/drawing is so important with mood regulation. Why do you only talk about ADHD medication? Is it because Big Pharma are the ones willing to pay for research?
The other thing that helps my ADHD teen daughter (and myself) a lot is exercise: preferably things that are fun (so not just the gym). It helps with mood fluctuations, social interactions (being part of a team), giving positive structure to her day etc. It also helps to build self-confidence, discipline and self-efficacy.
Thank you, I have spent three years pouring over any research I could find about girls and women with ADHD across the lifespan. It took me two years to get a diagnosis bc I wanted to be as informed as possible. I was 43. I have always been overwhelmed by emotions, and transitions were incredibly hard. I now see that I have always had numerous sensory issues, but no one saw these as a problem, and on the surface, they were not. (An aside- my 6 1/2 year old son has dealt with sensory issues that directly affect emotion, and it’s been a battle to get others to see these as anything but behavioral /self-control issues.) mostly during changes and transitions, I would want to stay home where I felt “safe”, and no one could understand what I was afraid of. I was afraid of the overstimulation and corresponding emotions that I could not describe. Exactly at the time that I started menstruating at age 12 (I think?) I “started showing up everywhere”, as you say. No one knew of PMDD 30 years ago. My periods were terribly painful, and what you call the literal phase was horribly emotional and disruptive. I started taking birth control at age 14, and it helped somewhat, but I continuously had issues with efficacy, and had to switch often. Started on antidepressants around that time, and in the course of my journey I have been on so many psych meds that it’d be easier to list what I haven’t been on. And I have always struggled with anger, but I do believe it was in large part due to my feelings of not being heard, seen, understood, or taken seriously. And to top this off, I struggled with alcoholism from a young age, and I was in and out of the system across the east coast for decades. Not one person ever mentioned adhd. The very thing that scared me most, which fits the adhd profile of now, the lack of routine and structure and the comfort of the familiar…well, I used to say that the only trauma I had was of my own making. And no one disagreed with me. Aa is a wonderful thing for many, but it told me my failures were bc I was not completely honest or willing. So over and over I experienced starting over in the unfamiliar; new places, new people, new routines, new jobs, new residences. Towards the end, I was very familiar with the DSM-5, (depression, terrible anxiety, social anxiety, brief periods of outward self harm (but really my life has been an exercise in self-hatred, though things are slowly getting better). So in the end I came to the conclusion that I had Borderline. I sat in my last inpatient with the psychiatrist discussing this, she didn’t feel she could assess at that time; the problem was I never actually stayed sober long enough for a safe diagnosis. This was 8 years ago, and I’m stating this simply bc at that same rehab, the therapist was discussing the relapse cycle of addiction, specifically the role of dopamine in addiction, and I raised my hand and asked “could it be possible that some addicts are born with naturally low levels of Dopamine, indicating a lower baseline than average?” And the crowd kind of ah-ha’d. And the therapist said it was quite possible, but did not confirm. This is what I’ve lived. That rehab was not my last rodeo. And there have been hospitals and institutions that I landed in not so much bc of my addiction, but my emotional regulation issues and inhibition, what a nightmare of a cocktail (the perfect storm, as you say). And after I finally got my diagnosis (via TOVA), my results caused disbelief in the professionals I’ve worked with; as if to say “how could no one have seen this?!” The worst part, the painful part, is that no one believed me, (I am an expert in masking; it’s become a survival tool, I observe and study human behavior. I’m also smart and attractive (only pointing that out to make a point). Despite this, those disbelievers are beginning to listen. Especially after hearing this presentation. I have blamed myself for as long as I can remember for being weak. Dishonest. Lazy. Selfish. I could not stay sober. I could not be happy. I lost people, homes, my career, and every other job. Thing is, I’m an excellent worker as long as the job is dynamic, and not boring (huge issue for me. I spend so much time worrying that my children are bored. That’s how painful boredom can be for me. I always thought everybody had more than one thought at a time. But then I realized why I loved competitive sports so much. It was the only time I could ever think of just one thing. It was my hyper focus. Thank you so much for this presentation. It has forever changed my perception of myself, and I’ve always sought just a shade of validation, and you have given me this. Please let me know how I can become involved; the 10 year life expectancy you speak of did not phase me one bit. That’s how important I think it is to avoid missing this diagnosis, or in creating an entire treatment profile. Thank you so much.
Thanks for the headings and tabs. Very useful.
EXCELLENT WEBINAR..THANK YOU
Absolutely critical, wonderfully organized and presented.
As a parent, I really appreciate this video. Thank you.
Wow. Thank you for this.
I NEVER forgot my oral contraceptives but still developed major depression.
Extremely accurate and helpful. Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I learned so much from this webinar! I would like to access letterlife but the link offers 30% off instead of free access. How do we get access for free as offered in her presentation?
So a Copper-T (IUD) is potentially a good contraceptive. I (also ADHD) only discovered at the age of 46. Wish I had used it when I was young.
My wife used that and had extreme pmdd type mood swings. So I wouldn't assume you made a mistake.
Appreciate the summary of a difficult topic. But again there's this major emphasis on medication. I find it disturbing, especially when many other useful interventions aren't mentioned at all (like diet, exercise, art therapy)
They are mentioned.... 43:43
Why is there no mention of diet? A gluten-free diet is super important. Don't take medication before you've tried it. Sugar, especially in sweets/processed foods is alsoa major issue (plus food additives).
Also music and art/drawing is so important with mood regulation. Why do you only talk about ADHD medication? Is it because Big Pharma are the ones willing to pay for research?
Nat Centers