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ADHD isn’t a disorder in the sense that people that have it are “ill”. It’s a personality type, and the disorder part of it comes when the characteristics of th

by enneff 4y ago

ADHD isn’t a disorder in the sense that people that have it are “ill”. It’s a personality type, and the disorder part of it comes when the characteristics of that personality conflict with then life you lead. So of course children with ADHD do not function well in classroom settings where they’re supposed to just sit still and focus on something they’re not very interested in, all day. Most kids have some trouble with that. Kids with ADHD personalities really struggle. The same is true of adults. Some adults with ADHD gravitate toward professions that suit their personalities and thrive. Others have a lot of trouble trying to succeed in their work. A common pattern in high-achieving ADHD people is to do really well in school up until university, and then crash and burn once things get actually challenging. There are also a lot of interpersonal issues that people with undiagnosed ADHD may face. I think that the medication can help people with ADHD achieve things that they would really struggle with otherwise. (Note that the effects of the drugs are different to them compared to neurotypical people - you don’t get “high”.) But I’m not sure I agree with prescribing it to children. I think instead we should make schooling suit them better (and while we are at it, let’s improve it across the board - it is truly woeful atm). > Certainly I don't have any ADHD diagnosis but a lot of the symptoms resonate with me. The symptoms resonate with everyone because they are common experiences. The difference is a matter of degrees. You may procrastinate for a few days, but an ADHD sufferer will procrastinate for months and months.

FollowingTheDao 4y ago
I am going to say you are almost right. Yes, ADHD is a personality type, or a phenotype would be a better word. But this phenotype is not expressed the same 24x7 by people with ADHD. Sometimes their symptoms are easier or more difficult to manage. Why? This is because of the environment (diet, stress, etc). It is when the phenotype encounters and unmatched environment for the genetics that we find there is an expression of disorder.
- enneff 4y ago
  Isn’t that what I said in my first paragraph? What am I missing?
  - FollowingTheDao 4y ago
    I am saying, a child with ADHD might not have problems sitting in school if they have enough Omega 3 or B6 for example.
    - enneff 4y ago
      Yeah great point thanks.
astrange 4y ago
> ADHD isn’t a disorder in the sense that people that have it are “ill”. It’s a personality type, and the disorder part of it comes when the characteristics of that personality conflict with then life you lead. If it was a personality type, you wouldn't be able to treat it with medication. It's a difference in physical brain structure the same way schizophrenia is. There's far less side effects to Adderall than most other psychoactive drugs like SSRIs. > You may procrastinate for a few days, but an ADHD sufferer will procrastinate for months and months. Plenty of more physical effects than that, it's not all at the conceptual level. You also can't sleep well and your heart rate variability is different.
- cameronh90 4y ago
  > There's far less side effects to Adderall than most other psychoactive drugs like SSRIs. I would be cautious about saying that. They're very different and hard to compare directly. Adderall can cause or worsen hypertension, which can cause cardiac issues or stroke. It can also trigger anxiety and, particularly when abused, psychosis. If you stick to a low dose it's relatively benign, but with it being so intensely addictive, that's a significant challenge for some people. SSRIs have worse psychological side effects, especially in the start up phase, but they're fairly safe physically provided you don't mix them with other serotonin drugs. Personally I can't hack Adderall as it makes my anxiety reach psychotic levels while also making me quite sleepy.
  - astrange 4y ago
    Oh, I meant to say mental side effects. But don't SSRIs need a ramping-off period if you stop taking them? With Adderall you just get a bit tired for a week. I also don't find it addictive at all, ie I often forget to stop taking it. Forgot today in fact. The non-stimulant ADHD drugs like Intuniv are actually substantially more habit-forming, in that you can't quit them cold turkey or your heart rate will be quite affected.
- enneff 4y ago
  > If it was a personality type, you wouldn't be able to treat it with medication. I don’t follow your logic here. Why do you say that? FWIW what I’m saying here is supported by psychiatrists who prescribe the medication. > Plenty of more physical effects than that, it's not all at the conceptual level. Of course, I just gave one symptom that many people find relatable when looking at the list of potential ADHD indicators. The symptoms you mention can also be indicators of ADHD but many people can’t sleep or have variable heart rates unrelated to ADHD, so thanks for these physical examples.

by enneff 4y ago

FollowingTheDao 4y ago

I am going to say you are almost right. Yes, ADHD is a personality type, or a phenotype would be a better word. But this phenotype is not expressed the same 24x7 by people with ADHD. Sometimes their symptoms are easier or more difficult to manage. Why? This is because of the environment (diet, stress, etc). It is when the phenotype encounters and unmatched environment for the genetics that we find there is an expression of disorder.

enneff 4y ago
Isn’t that what I said in my first paragraph? What am I missing?
- FollowingTheDao 4y ago
  I am saying, a child with ADHD might not have problems sitting in school if they have enough Omega 3 or B6 for example.
  - enneff 4y ago
    Yeah great point thanks.

astrange 4y ago

> ADHD isn’t a disorder in the sense that people that have it are “ill”. It’s a personality type, and the disorder part of it comes when the characteristics of that personality conflict with then life you lead. If it was a personality type, you wouldn't be able to treat it with medication. It's a difference in physical brain structure the same way schizophrenia is. There's far less side effects to Adderall than most other psychoactive drugs like SSRIs. > You may procrastinate for a few days, but an ADHD sufferer will procrastinate for months and months. Plenty of more physical effects than that, it's not all at the conceptual level. You also can't sleep well and your heart rate variability is different.

cameronh90 4y ago
> There's far less side effects to Adderall than most other psychoactive drugs like SSRIs. I would be cautious about saying that. They're very different and hard to compare directly. Adderall can cause or worsen hypertension, which can cause cardiac issues or stroke. It can also trigger anxiety and, particularly when abused, psychosis. If you stick to a low dose it's relatively benign, but with it being so intensely addictive, that's a significant challenge for some people. SSRIs have worse psychological side effects, especially in the start up phase, but they're fairly safe physically provided you don't mix them with other serotonin drugs. Personally I can't hack Adderall as it makes my anxiety reach psychotic levels while also making me quite sleepy.
- astrange 4y ago
  Oh, I meant to say mental side effects. But don't SSRIs need a ramping-off period if you stop taking them? With Adderall you just get a bit tired for a week. I also don't find it addictive at all, ie I often forget to stop taking it. Forgot today in fact. The non-stimulant ADHD drugs like Intuniv are actually substantially more habit-forming, in that you can't quit them cold turkey or your heart rate will be quite affected.
enneff 4y ago
> If it was a personality type, you wouldn't be able to treat it with medication. I don’t follow your logic here. Why do you say that? FWIW what I’m saying here is supported by psychiatrists who prescribe the medication. > Plenty of more physical effects than that, it's not all at the conceptual level. Of course, I just gave one symptom that many people find relatable when looking at the list of potential ADHD indicators. The symptoms you mention can also be indicators of ADHD but many people can’t sleep or have variable heart rates unrelated to ADHD, so thanks for these physical examples.