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SpeakerIt's only somewhat true that ADHD and trauma merely show similar symptoms.
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SpeakerFor many years, researchers believed that ADHD was genetic or only caused by a change in the brain structure.
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SpeakerScience now shows there's a strong association between childhood trauma and adult ADHD.
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SpeakerAccording to a survey, up to 17% of trauma exposed children meet the ADHD criteria as well.
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SpeakerSo what is the link between trauma and ADHD?
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SpeakerThe American Psychological Association defines ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as a behavioral symptom
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Speakercharacterized by six or more symptoms categorized as either inattention and/or inactivity.
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SpeakerThese symptoms usually hinder social, academic, or occupational functioning and begin to appear before the age of seven.
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SpeakerWhile trauma is an emotional response to a disturbing experience resulting in extreme fear, anxiety,
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Speakeror other deep psychological upsets such as dissociation, helplessness, confusion, and other disruptive feelings.
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SpeakerAlthough we've seen portrayals or have societal notions as to what ADHD is and what it looks like, recent studies point to its correlation to trauma.
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SpeakerTo truly understand ADHD, we must try to understand where it comes from.
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SpeakerHowever, while comparing both conditions, it's important to understand that in psychology, nothing is black and white,
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Speakersays James M. Greenblatt MD, Medical Director at Psychiatry Redefined and author of the ADHD book Finally Focused,
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Speakermeaning that trauma does not directly nor immediately cause ADHD, or not all ADHD is a result of trauma.
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SpeakerA 2018 survey conducted by Paul Fruin and his team, lifetime traumatic stressors and adverse childhood experiences,
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Speakerfound that many ADHD patients experienced a form of early childhood trauma or trauma suffered in utero.
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SpeakerThese traumatic events became stressor with long-lasting consequences.
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SpeakerIn some, the consequences were expressed as ADHD when they reached adulthood.
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SpeakerThis new study breaks the old thinking that ADHD only expresses itself during early childhood.
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SpeakerA 2019 study by Zin Chang and colleagues, associations between adverse childhood experiences and health outcomes in adults aged 18 to 59 years,
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Speakerexplains how adverse childhood experiences change the structure and functioning of the brain,
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Speakermaking these children more at risk of developing mental or somatic disorders.
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SpeakerBecause adverse child experiences also known as ACEs alter cognitive and effective processing and heightened sensitivity to stimuli,
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Speakerit's no wonder that ACEs can cause ADHD.
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SpeakerThis study is further backed by a 2017 study that compares ACEs scores and indices to ADHD diagnosis and severity.
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SpeakerThe study found that children with ADHD had had more traumatic experiences in their childhood than other children.
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SpeakerNow to be clear trauma or ACE not just encompass physical trauma but also emotional and **** trauma,
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Speakerneglect, socioeconomic hardship, familial mental illness, neighborhood violence and other factors.
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SpeakerThese researchers found a significant correlation between a traumatic childhood event and the severity of ADHD.
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SpeakerInterestingly enough, ADHD does not only express itself during childhood, it can also manifest itself in adulthood,
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Speakerbecause the ACEs or trauma cause long-lasting changes.
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SpeakerThese changes may take a while, depending on the social environment, to manifest.
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SpeakerA 2013 study published by Kevin M. Anhill and colleagues,
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Speakerposttraumatic stress disorder in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: clinical features and familial transmission,
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Speakeras well as many other studies find that adults with post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD or even CPTSD, are more likely to have ADHD.
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SpeakerIn adults, both these conditions are present: difficulty concentrating, irritability, or heightened sensitivity, restlessness and difficulty sleeping.
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SpeakerBecause both present similar symptoms, it's difficult to entangle them from one another.
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SpeakerSo how do you heal from trauma and ADHD? Treatment for both conditions differs from person to person.
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SpeakerSome do well with CBT or DBT therapies while others choose medication.
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SpeakerThere is a theory that presents neuroplasticity as an answer.
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SpeakerBecause trauma fundamentally alters the way your brain processes information, bolstering your neuroplasticity
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Speakerand reframing your perception and how your brain processes information may be helpful.
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SpeakerIt's always a good idea to seek professional help to choose the most suitable treatment.
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SpeakerDid you know about the links between trauma and ADHD? What are your thoughts on what you've learned? Let us know in the comments below.
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