ADHD Quackery
I am tired of so-called “professionals” making false claims for financial benefit.
I started writing a piece about Dr. Amen’s “7 Types of ADD” and how they’re essentially a repackaging of ADHD, with some made-up terms thrown in, in order to sell products.
As I worked my way toward the seven types this doctor has invented, without any evidence, or peer-reviewed studies, I didn’t even get past the false claims he makes about the causes of ADHD.
Researchers have cautioned against conflating externalizing behaviours with an actual ADHD diagnosis. They found that there was a temporary increase in ADHD-like symptoms after excessive screen time, but this was not related to a diagnosis at follow-up between 8 and 10 years old.
There could be multiple other explanations for this correlation. For example, parents with children who tend to be more hyperactive, or have challenging behaviours, may be more likely to use screen time and T.V. as a way to take a break.
Anecdotally, I grew up with no video games and limited screen time, and I still have ADHD. My son did not have any screen time until age 3, and even then it was extremely limited until he began school, yet he still has ADHD.
There’s no cure or quick-fix for ADHD or any other neurodevelopmental disorder. What has been proven most effective to improve the quality of our lives are: caring people, accepting and inclusive environments, supports for distressing symptoms, self-knowledge, and self-acceptance.
Don’t waste your time and energy pursuing unproven treatments that will likely not help and could even be harmful. You may or may not learn to love your brain, but it’s the only one you’ve got, and life will be easier if you learn to work with it rather than against it.
Read my article on Fourth Wave.