One can blame the screens, the multiple distractions, the crazy pace of life and claim that suddenly everyone has ADHD. Nice excuse to sell to a teacher, a lecturer, a boss. In fact, ADHD is not a twentieth-century trend. In fact it is a neurological disorder and no, literally everyone has it. Dr. Shirley Hershko, an expert in attention deficit disorders and learning disabilities and author of the book “Attention Deficit Disorder” with 12 important and surprising facts about attention deficit disorder.
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is neurological
Or in other words: developmental, biological, genetic, brain, innate. Brain research shows that ADHD is caused by a lack of dopamine, the same substance that is responsible, among other things, for concentration. These studies also show that the brain structure of someone with ADHD is different from that of people without the disorder. It was also found that a parent with ADHD has a 75% chance of passing it on to his children.
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Not everyone has it
We all have the feeling that more and more people have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder in recent years however the statistics suggest otherwise. In fact, huge studies over the years indicate that the rate of people with ADHD does not change, and statistics indicate 5% -10%. Awareness is rising, discourse is evolving, more people are turning to diagnosis, so the illusion is created that it is everywhere.
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She’s not just of children
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder continues into adulthood. Although the hyperactive side is often blurred or more controlled, the lack of attention is alive and kicking.
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It does not belong only to whites
It is true that the ratio in diagnoses is 1: 4 in favor of boys, but the reason lies in the fact that girls are more likely to miss attention deficit disorder. Studies have found that even in the same family, where one of the boys was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, his sister would be diagnosed 5-9 years later. Teachers also testified that they felt they were less likely to identify girls with ADHD. The reason is that the symptoms are different from what one tends to think.
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She is diagnosed by a specialist in the field – usually a neurologist or psychiatrist
The doctor makes a clinical diagnosis in which he checks that the symptoms appeared in childhood (up to age 12), that they affect the number of areas of life (and not just the studies), and that there is no other diagnosis that can explain them (such as anxiety).
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Once and for all: Ritalin is not a drug
It just prevents the rapid absorption of dopamine and leaves it longer in the brain, as in a person who does not have ADHD. It can be compared to a drug to balance the thyroid gland, if you want and when it does not excrete what it is supposed to excrete – the drug comes to the rescue.
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects other areas of health
Dopamine deficiency may also cause other disorders, such as eating disorders, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety and more. They are more common in people with ADHD.
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It has implications for a number of areas of life
Like studies, relationships, parenting, work. Thus, people with ADHD for example will be less focused on learning over time. Less attentive in conversations, they may forget to pick up the child from class or do not stand alone at work. It is everywhere and on every front of life.
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The good news is that it can be treated
Whether pharmacological, emotional or behavioral – everyone and what suits him. All the difficulties I have mentioned can be addressed and the impact minimized. The treatment works wonders for a person with ADHD. Attentive man Patient Will function 24 times (!) Better than those who are not treated!
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If we ignore it, it will get worse
The other side of the coin is that if the challenges are not addressed – both the difficulties associated with the disorder will worsen, as will the frustration. I have already seen whole lives ruined due to lack of care, and people who have blossomed thanks to proper care.
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It’s not on purpose
It is important to remember: it is not on purpose that attentive people forget, reject, delay, are inattentive, messy. It’s just hard for them to get organized and control time. Here too the reason is genetic. The prefrontal (front) brain is less developed, and is the one responsible for the perception of time and organization.
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It has wonderful sides to it
Scientific and clinical studies have found that people with the disorder are more sensitive, empathetic, creative, original, brave and fun. This is why there are high rates of attention deficit disorder in startups, media people, athletes and more.
Dr. Shirley Hershko is an expert in attention deficit disorders and learning disabilities, a researcher and lecturer at the Hebrew University, a diagnostician, therapist, parent counselor, facilitator of time organization workshops, owner of the podcast and community website and author of the book: “Attention Deficit Disorder”.