Acceptance is painful

The very idea of ADHD confronts many presumptions

The scientific research evidence for ADHD is pretty overwhelming though. No doubt a significant group of children and adults have unexpected challenges in categories within Hyperactivity, Inattention and Impulsivity scales that cause them serious life problems. Two primary neuro-hormones, dopamine and noradrenaline(UK) / norepinephrine(US), seem to be involved. The main ADHD medications all help boost these two neurotransmitters. The high heritability of ADHD is very clear from family data, population studies, twin studies (NB environment has minimal effect), and genetic studies, still no clear blood test though.

There is no serious scientific debate about ADHD. Those who have or who are ADHD are statistically similar in many surprising ways, their behaviours, focus and interests do not relate to their history, experience, family, location, age, or IQ. They have common struggles and problems (eg procrastination), but also exhibit similar behaviours (eg jokey, people pleasing), emotional responses (eg RSD), interests (eg many, fleeting), thinking patterns (connecting every dot) and life outcomes (work struggles).

Many ADHDs

The microbiome is an emerging player to the list of causes too - it's inherited by the way. The microbiome produces most of the signaling chemicals: serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and GABA - used by the brain that affect ADHD. I suspect it may prove that some forms of ADHD come from how a child's inherited genes shape and manage their microbiome?

Controversy

• “pharmaceutical companies make up ADHD for unfair profit”
• “it’s just an excuse for bad behaviour or grades”
• “everyone is disorganised at times”
• “let kids be kids, don’t label them”
• “they should try harder, do it like me…”

The science and reality is that an ADHD brain is different.

ADHD Exists

For a sceptic, acceptance is painful.