by Neurofreak on July 28, 2010
Reddit has an interesting post on defining ADHD. The argument: Is it a disorder or a simply a creative, independently motivated human phenotype?
Here’s what I had to contribute to the conversation — the long version:
ADHD = the creative phenotype. I was undiagnosed, but had my parents been wanting to accept the only solution available at the time, I could have and would have been put on medication as a child.
I am very, very, very thankful to them that they didn’t. I respect everyone’s right to disagree with me, but my general feeling on the subject is that allowing children to use amphetamines, even when prescribed, may set them up for problems later on… whether from side-effects (in the long-term), altering their development in some form, or simply by teaching them that drugs of one type or another can be an answer to their life difficulties. I think it’s a false quick fix for something that just takes hard work.
I submit to you this simple question: If you wouldn’t give your children marijuana, a drug undeniably mild in nature (relative to others), then why would you give them a substance that belongs to a classification known to be dangerous and habit forming? Are we going to pretend that it makes sense to be concerned about the long term effects of marijuana on the developing brain but just because Ritalin (etc.) has a great marketing team and is societaly endorsed that they have NO long-term impact on the development of personality? My personal opinion is that the average individual is better off dealing with their problems in a non-chemical way if possible. Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way — I know. Limited resources, time, etc.
More and more research is showing things like exercise can aid in enhancing neural plasticity, which ultimately means better capacity to change personal behavior over time. So… Perhaps as an alternative you should consider involving your child(ren) in some kind of intensive/strenuous (but safe) physical activities that literally encourages brain development.
Also… Isn’t “attentiveness” based on context? Most “ADHD” children I’ve met seem to be quite capable of maintaining attention when they’re playing video games, or enjoying themselves doing something. Most of the time, I think, what is defined as “inattentive” really just means “abnormally uninterested in pleasing me/jumping through my hoops.” (The only rewards/positive feedback for school is a little happy face drawn on tests. This doesn’t work for people who aren’t wired to be people-pleasers. In other words, ADHD children dance to the beat of their own drummer, and that’s why there is a higher proportion of “ADHD” in Entrepreneurs.)
That’s my thoughts on the subject, anyway.
by Neurofreak on May 26, 2010
Thanks to celebrities writing books about postpartum depression, pretty much everyone knows what it is (a clinical depression that affects as many as 25% of women after childbirth). But did you know that men can experience the symptoms as well? It was assumed that the major cause of this depression was hormonal changes, but studies have shown that hormone treatments may not cure this disorder, and most women recover through therapy (or a combination of therapy and medication). But it is a recently emerging fact that there are almost as many men as women suffering from depression after their babies come home from the hospital.
In truth, this is not unnatural, especially if you suppose that this after-birth depression is not hormonal in nature. Men face many of the same challenges as women when it comes to handling a newborn. There is an initial sense of euphoria at the birth of a child, but the reality of life with a newborn cannot be avoided. Your little bundle of joy will almost certainly keep you up throughout the night for feedings, changings, or who knows why? Babies have immediate needs and a piercing cry that would test even the most stalwart of parents. True, men don’t have the onus of breastfeeding, but they face other difficulties. Most women stay home, at least initially. Men, on the other hand, must suffer through sleepless nights and then function through work all day. Further, they often have feelings of inadequacy when it comes to baby-related tasks. They may feel that they don’t share the same bond as the mother or that they can’t perform even simple tasks correctly (hey, it takes time to learn to put a diaper on correctly).
And then there’s the almost inevitable fighting that occurs between partners who have been pushed to their physical and mental limits. In short, caring for a newborn and facing the challenges that come with it can be just as hard (if not harder) for men. Luckily, Paternal Postnatal Depression (PPND) is a disorder that can be treated, just like any other type of anxiety or depression. Men should not feel ashamed about admitting they have a problem. These disorders are common and understandable and there are several resources available to help fathers struggling with depression. For example, if individual therapy doesn’t appeal to you, you can seek out groups for new fathers or contact family services in your area for other support groups. You can also find help at your church or simply try talking to a friend. Really, just getting it out can be a huge help. If you do nothing, however, you stand to lose a lot.
Your depression not only affects your own health and well-being, it can have a huge impact on your relationship, as well as affecting your child’s emotional and behavioral development. As a parent, you want to do the best you can for your child. That means being a healthy individual. Do not allow any imagined fears of social ramifications stop you from getting the help you need to improve yourself and in turn, ensure a stable and loving household for your family.
Alexis Montgomery is a content writer for Online Degree Programs, where you can browse through various online degree programs to find a college that suits your needs.
