#19: 🫥 Do I have ADHD?

Neurodiversity and ADHD basics

Feb 01, 2023

Hi friends 👋,

Do you have a science topic you’ve been wondering about and want to understand? Leave a comment and I’ll cover it in an upcoming Note.

💬 In this note:

🫥 The Basics of ADHD and Neurodiversity
📣 New Funds for DeSci
📚 Bridgertons Book 7

🫥 The Basics Of ADHD And Neurodiversity

After a late night rabbit hole of scrolling through ADHD instagram influencers, myself and many other adults are asking ourselves…do I have ADHD?

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person's ability to focus, stay organized, and manage impulsive behavior. It is a highly prevalent disorder, affecting approximately 5-10% of children and 2-5% of adults globally. ADHD has been recognized as a disorder for over 100 years, but the way it has been diagnosed and treated has changed significantly over time.

Why is it making headlines, again?

More adults are seeking help for the symptoms they are experiencing, and there has been a significant shift in the way ADHD is diagnosed and treated, with new evidence-based approaches being developed and more attention being paid to the importance of early intervention.

Social media is also playing a role in raising awareness, and the pandemic may have also been a catalyst. More Americans are seeking out treatment for the disease, and this is straining the healthcare system. In October 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced there was a shortage of Adderall, both the brand name and generic form.

This increased awareness of ADHD is also coupled with a growing recognition of the importance of neurodiversity and the need to destigmatize the disorder.

Neurodiversity! That term actually sounds pretty cool.

Neurodiversity is the concept that recognizes and values the diversity of human brains and the different ways in which they function. This perspective recognizes that conditions such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia are not disorders, but rather natural variations in the way the human brain functions. The neurodiversity movement aims to challenge the stigma and negative attitudes that often accompany neurodevelopmental disorders, and to promote a more inclusive and supportive environment for those who live with them.

What’s changed?

In the past, ADHD was often diagnosed based on a checklist of symptoms, without a thorough understanding of the individual's unique situation. However, in recent years, the diagnostic process has become much more nuanced and involves a thorough evaluation of the individual's symptoms, as well as their developmental, medical, and psychological history.

In terms of treatment, there has also been a shift away from relying solely on medication to manage ADHD symptoms. While medication can be an effective way to manage ADHD symptoms, it is not always the best option for everyone. Today, evidence-based approaches such as behavioral therapy, parent training, and coaching are becoming more widely used and recognized as effective ways to manage ADHD. In addition, there has been a growing emphasis on holistic approaches that focus on the individual's strengths and empower them to lead fulfilling lives.

Should I Self-Diagnose?

There is a growing trend of individuals self-diagnosing ADHD, particularly given the increased awareness of the disorder and the ease of access to information online. While self-diagnosis can be tempting, it is important to remember that ADHD is a complex disorder and that a proper diagnosis should only be made by a trained healthcare professional. Additionally, self-diagnosis can lead to individuals seeking out treatments that are not evidence-based or appropriate for their unique situation.

Who’s changing the way we manage, treat and diagnose ADHD?

1️⃣ Neurowyzr (formerly Cognifyx) is a digital health platform that uses AI to diagnose and monitor ADHD. Their platform collects data on a patient's behavior, including sleep patterns, activity levels, and other indicators, to help healthcare providers make more accurate diagnoses and develop effective treatment plans.

2️⃣ Iluria Health uses a smartwatch to analyze physiological vitals such as heart rate and movement patterns to provide an at-home tool to successfully manage and monitor ADHD continuously. The founders Birkat Klimshtein-Levy and Hagay Levy developed the technology as a better ADHD management tool for their own children.

3️⃣ Hypt Health founded by Vincent Zimmer is building a one-stop solution for ADHD to offer support across the complete patient journey. Hypt Health wants to offer every person with ADHD and their families the right diagnosis, a supportive community, the necessary tools, and individual therapy to harness their gift and use their ADHD as a superpower.

Want to know more?

Alie Ward does an amazing two-part series about ADHD on her podcast, Ologies. Listen to Part 1 with Dr. Russell Barkley and Part 2 with René Brooks, Jessica McCabe, and Jahla Osborne.

📣 New Funds for DeSci

On Monday, January 30th, the Decentralized Science (DeSci) community made headlines with the announcement of VitaDAO’s recently closed $4.1 million funding round. Investors include Pfizer Ventures, Shine Capital, L1 Digital, BeakerDAO, Spaceship DAO, and longevity enthusiasts Balaji Srinivasan and Joe Betts-LaCroix.

VitaDAO is a decentralized autonomous organization founded in 2021 on a mission to extend human lifespan and healthspan. The DAO boasts a community of 9,000 longevity enthusiasts, researchers, and contributors, and has already deployed over $3.5 million towards projects studying cellular biology, diseases of aging, and repairing age-related damage.

The newly acquired funds will enable VitaDAO to finance innovative longevity research, bring cutting-edge technologies to market that tackle the aging process, and expand its network of experts and enthusiasts around the world.

📚 Book of the Week

It's In His Kiss: Bridgerton (Bridgertons Book 7)

Over the last 2 years, I’ve read 6 of the Bridgerton books (there are 8 in total), and I have to admit that they start to become a little predictable.

Bridgetons Book 7: Hyacinth’s Story, is a little different. Of course there is a meet-cute and the standard coming-of-age steamy love story we yearn for from author Julia Quinn, but this book also has a little mystery and suspense to keep you captivated.

Netflix confirmed Season 3 of the Bridgerton Series and is officially in production. No release date is set but it is rumored for mid-2023. Season 3 will follow Collin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington.

⚡️ Check This Out

Do you have a library card?

For my American and English readers, your local library can unlock the world of digital reading to you. The apps Libby (formerly called Overdrive) and Axis360 allow you to access all the digital content your local library has to offer, that’s ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. All. For. Free. (OK…it’s actually your taxpayer dollars at work. So, you better take advantage of it.)

The library doesn't stop at just e-books and audiobooks, many libraries give you access now to Kanopy for movie streaming, and many e-learning resources, such as language learning softwares Rosetta Stone and Mango Languages.

Mango Languages taught me my first German phrase, “Das Fruhstück hier ist lecker, oder?” Not always useful but hey…it’s important to let people know when the breakfast here is delicious.

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