So, the New York Times has this frustrating tendency to take on an issue around mental health (impact of THC, rise of anxiety in young people, increase in suicidal ideation and hopelessness) and act as if they have just discovered the phenomenon, years or decades after it’s prevalence.
Yes…and: My brother who was diagnosed with ADHD way back in the 90s now has a severe alcohol addiction, likely connected in part to needing to “come down” from the ADHD meds, but also because he has poor impulse control (yet is also brilliant, as so many are).
I don’t think we talk enough about the long-term effects - giving kids addictive meds and pretending it’s fine/no risk because they have a “disorder.” We at least need to be talking about addictive disorders openly to these kids. I really wish the NYT had mentioned that.
His experience has opened my eyes toward my own parenting and we’re in no rush to get my daughter “diagnosed.” She definitely has some of his same tendencies, but she’s flourishing and happy. Still, it’s hard: this week at the Y I saw a girl her age work on a jigsaw puzzle for an hour (!), something my kid would never do (she’d rather eat glass)…but we definitely reward kids who can do the equivalent of puzzles at school, such as standardized tests that take hours of concentration.
This is such a great point, Joy, and we don’t talk about the long-term effects enough. I’m glad to know how much can change in a generation in your family with a brilliant but different mind. Thanks for sharing your story!
I know many people who have used alcohol and other substances to silence their busy brains. A diagnosis and medication has helped them develop other strategies.
And when i hear talk if ‘ people will flourish in a different system’ i wonder where do children, hey even adults, access this different system instead of failing and suffering in the existing ones?
Great article and a challenge to the explosion of ADHD diagnoses, many of which are self-identified. Along with the diagnosis have come a range of add-ons, such as "rejection sensitivity dysphoria" rather than plain old vanilla anxiety, or "pathological demand avoidance" rather than reluctance to do things that seem boring or aversive. Sheesh! As a clinical psychologist, I often see this assumption of psychopathology rather than a willingness to tackle their neurodivergence. On the other hand, I have seen remarkable changes with meds. for some people where the impact of their distractibility was profound. Each individual is so unique, and the rush to diagnose and label take their toll, especially when people attach themselves to such a label.
Great read Dr. Duffy! Was definitely labeled as one of those kids with ADHD or ADD growing up and am glad I wasn’t diagnosed/medicated at the time! Also, making me rethink my recent diagnosis/medication for ADHD
Appreciate your thoughts, Blake. And listen, the meds can be super useful. Sometimes I just find that word ‘disorder’ to feel off and disempowering. See you VERY soon!!
Yes…and: My brother who was diagnosed with ADHD way back in the 90s now has a severe alcohol addiction, likely connected in part to needing to “come down” from the ADHD meds, but also because he has poor impulse control (yet is also brilliant, as so many are).
I don’t think we talk enough about the long-term effects - giving kids addictive meds and pretending it’s fine/no risk because they have a “disorder.” We at least need to be talking about addictive disorders openly to these kids. I really wish the NYT had mentioned that.
His experience has opened my eyes toward my own parenting and we’re in no rush to get my daughter “diagnosed.” She definitely has some of his same tendencies, but she’s flourishing and happy. Still, it’s hard: this week at the Y I saw a girl her age work on a jigsaw puzzle for an hour (!), something my kid would never do (she’d rather eat glass)…but we definitely reward kids who can do the equivalent of puzzles at school, such as standardized tests that take hours of concentration.
This is such a great point, Joy, and we don’t talk about the long-term effects enough. I’m glad to know how much can change in a generation in your family with a brilliant but different mind. Thanks for sharing your story!
I know many people who have used alcohol and other substances to silence their busy brains. A diagnosis and medication has helped them develop other strategies.
And when i hear talk if ‘ people will flourish in a different system’ i wonder where do children, hey even adults, access this different system instead of failing and suffering in the existing ones?
Great article and a challenge to the explosion of ADHD diagnoses, many of which are self-identified. Along with the diagnosis have come a range of add-ons, such as "rejection sensitivity dysphoria" rather than plain old vanilla anxiety, or "pathological demand avoidance" rather than reluctance to do things that seem boring or aversive. Sheesh! As a clinical psychologist, I often see this assumption of psychopathology rather than a willingness to tackle their neurodivergence. On the other hand, I have seen remarkable changes with meds. for some people where the impact of their distractibility was profound. Each individual is so unique, and the rush to diagnose and label take their toll, especially when people attach themselves to such a label.
ADHD has been my trusty writing companion my whole career.
That SO tracks! Trusty companion, I dig that.
Great read Dr. Duffy! Was definitely labeled as one of those kids with ADHD or ADD growing up and am glad I wasn’t diagnosed/medicated at the time! Also, making me rethink my recent diagnosis/medication for ADHD
Appreciate your thoughts, Blake. And listen, the meds can be super useful. Sometimes I just find that word ‘disorder’ to feel off and disempowering. See you VERY soon!!