Focus

Focus, concentration, paying attention...sometimes it's easy to get distracted.   Is this a mental disorder?  Is adult on-set ADHD really a thing, or did you just not notice when you were younger?  Are there  ways of working with ADHD other than pharmaceuticals?

Music composed and performed by V. Karaitis

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Hey!  Thanks for listening!  I’m Chris Wagenti, and this is Who Gets It, Naturally.  Music was composed and performed by V. Karaitis.    I’m not selling anything, diagnosing anything; offering any cures or replacing your doctor.  I’m just sharing my passion for natural products.  If you’re pregnant, please consult your doctor before trying anything new.  Everyone is different so you may need to tweak the recipes a bit to work for you.  Always start with the least amount of essential oils…you can always add, you can’t take away.  Remember, these remedies don’t last forever, you need to reapply as needed.  If you are allergic to any of the ingredients I use, please substitute for something you’re not allergic to.  Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean you can’t be allergic to it.

I’m sure you’ve been hearing about all the tornadoes ripping through Oklahoma.  Even though Tulsa’s been spared, the thunderstorms have been rolling through.  These intense storms move quickly, and in turn, the barometric pressure changes as they move across the state.  This change in pressure affects my sinuses, hips and knees.  I literally feel when a storm is near. 
 This makes it difficult to concentrate at times.  Which brings me to this episode’s topic, focus.  One of my friends suggested it…a couple of friends fired off several topics each, and I thought I wrote down who suggested what, but I can’t find it.  So, apologies for not giving credit where credit is due… I sowwy!!!

This is just one example of how easy it is to lose focus.  The word “focus” has several meanings, depending on how it’s used.  For this episode, I’m referring to the following meanings, from www.dictionary.com:

1)       As a noun – 

a.                      close attention or concentration

b.                     the ability to concentrate one’s attention or to sustain concentration

2)    As a verb – 

a.                      Used with an object

                                                        i.      to concentrate

b.                     Used without an object

                                                        i.      to direct one's attention or efforts

Whether you call it focus, concentration, paying attention…there are times when everyone loses it.  And it’s easier than you think.  Several things can make you squirrel…lack of interest in what you are doing; being too tired; being overly stimulated; being stressed; not feeling well, be it allergies, a cold, a stomach ache, or a headache; being in any kind of pain.  When I’m involved in something I can tune out everything.  I get in the zone and am so involved it what I’m doing, I don’t hear anything going on around me.  I’ve had issues at work where people think I’m being rude.  I’m not ignoring them, I literally don’t hear them.  I’m so focused on my work, I truly don’t hear them.  But if a big storm is rolling in, and the barometric pressure starts to change, all bets are off.  The sinuses start to swell and the joints start to ache, and I can’t concentrate on anything.  

Time for that dreaded acronym…ADHD.  Not that I don’t believe in it, one of my cousins was diagnosed as hyperactive, or ADD…by today’s standards, it would be ADHD.  Not that he wasn’t a terror…I was usually the one who ended up with a bloody nose…but, then again, he was the only boy with 4 girls ranging in age from a few years younger than him to 6 years older than him (I’m 6 months older than him), his mom, 2 aunts and a grandmother.  And one of my nephews was diagnosed with ADHD while he was in school…I think he was just very bored.  This is a kid who, since he could talk, wanted to be a paleontologist.  

I have several issues with this syndrome and just think it’s overly used as a diagnosis and they are too quick to medicate for it.  ADHD is most commonly treated with stimulants.  Yeah, let’s give the hyperactive kids some speed.  Sounds counterproductive, but it does lend to one of the rules of natural healing…treat like with like.  For instance, if you move to a new region and start to have allergic reactions, you’re told to eat local honey.  Why?  Because bees make honey from pollen.  If it’s local honey, local pollen is used.  This introduces the local pollen to your immune system to quell the allergic reaction.  The most common prescriptions for ADHD are Ritalin, which is Methylphenidate, and Adderall, which is Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine.  Addictive narcotics.  Call me crazy, but I have a huge problem with kids being prescribed addictive narcotics.  

From personal experience, I have a problem with “syndromes”.  They are usually broad in definition, unknown causes, have no real “test” for diagnosis – it’s rule out everything else and this is what you’re left with,  and are said to only be treatable with a regimen of drugs.  If you actually dig deeper, you find the root cause and can usually find a natural fix.  

This is good…what causes ADHD?  One of my favorite answers – it’s unknown or unclear what causes it.  

Instead of digging deeper to find out, let’s load you up on some speed!

According to ADDitute, an on-line magazine dedicated to ADD found at www.additudemag.com/what-is-adhd-symptoms-causes-treatments/:  

QUOTE: “ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a complex brain disorder that impacts approximately 11% of children and almost 5% of adults in the U.S. ADHD is a developmental impairment of the brain’s executive functions. People with ADHD have trouble with impulse-control, focusing, and organization.

• Neuroscience, brain imaging, and clinical research tell us a few important things: ADHD is not a behavior disorder. ADHD is not a mental illness. ADHD is not a specific learning disability. ADHD is, instead, a developmental impairment of the brain’s self-management system. Both adults and children can be diagnosed with ADHD.” Ok, I want to stop there for a moment…ADHD is NOT a behavior disorder, mental illness or specific learning disability.  It’s a development impairment – which suggests there are factors that can be removed/changed/introduced to alleviate and/or eradicate the impairment.  Dig deeper to get to the root cause.  I experienced this with fibromyalgia.  Keep digging to find out why…once that’s fixed, the other symptoms subside.  The website lists some of the many symptoms, of which you can have all, or some.  Everyone is different.  It also lists the 3 different types of ADHD:  Primarily hyperactive-impulsive type; Primarily inattentive type (formerly called ADD); and Primarily combined type.  Your specific symptoms will dictate which type you are.  As the name implies, Primarily combined type is a combination of both Primarily hyperactive-impulsive type and Primarily inattentive type, and therefore the patient must exhibit at least 6 of the 9 symptoms of each.  According to the site, QUOTE: “The symptoms of ADHD are spelled out in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), which lists nine symptoms that suggest ADHD–Primarily Inattentive and nine that suggest ADHD–Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive. A child may be diagnosed with ADHD only if he or she exhibits at least six of nine symptoms from one of the lists below, and if the symptoms have been noticeable for at least six months in two or more settings — for example, at home and at school. What’s more, the symptoms must interfere with the child’s functioning or development, and at least some of the symptoms must have been apparent before age 12. Older teens and adults may need to consistently demonstrate just five of these symptoms in multiple settings.
• What Are the 9 Symptoms of ADHD – Primarily Inattentive Type?
• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities (e.g., overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate).
• Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (e.g., has difficulty remaining focused during lectures, conversations, or lengthy reading).
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (e.g., mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction).
• Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetracked).
• Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities (e.g., difficulty managing sequential tasks; difficulty keeping materials and belongings in order; messy, disorganized work; has poor time management; fails to meet deadlines).
• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (e.g., schoolwork or homework; for older adolescents and adults, preparing reports, completing forms, reviewing lengthy papers).
• Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
• Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (for older adolescents and adults, may include unrelated thoughts).
• Is often forgetful in daily activities (e.g., doing chores, running errands; for older adolescents and adults, returning calls, paying bills, keeping appointments)
• What Are the 9 Symptoms of ADHD – Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive Type?
• Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat.
• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected (e.g., leaves his or her place in the classroom, in the office or other workplace, or in other situations that require remaining in place).
• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate. (Note: In adolescents or adults, may be limited to feeling restless.)
• Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly.
• Is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor” (e.g., is unable to be or uncomfortable being still for extended time, as in restaurants, meetings; may be experienced by others as being restless or difficult to keep up with).
• Often talks excessively.
• Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g., completes people’s sentences; cannot wait for turn in conversation).
• Often has difficulty waiting his or her turn (e.g., while waiting in line).
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations, games, or activities; may start using other people’s things without asking or receiving permission; for adolescents and adults, may intrude into or take over what others are doing).”

END QUOTE

Again, I’m not saying there’s no such thing as ADHD, however, these symptoms are also signs of boredom, entitlement and conditioning.  Like, short attention spans…these kids are growing up on YouTube and TikTok with clips as short as 20 seconds.  Yes, I know someone who needs to literally write out a schedule of chores and how to complete them, like, take the garbage out to the trash can, then replace the bag.  But, I don’t believe it's so prominent that it affects 11% of children.  If it is that prominent, why?  What is causing this in so many children?  Something that used to be very rare has become too common.  And I especially don’t believe Ritalin and Adderall should be first option. 

The site also explains how physicians diagnose ADHD.  QUOTE:  “These subtypes are now considered “presentations” in the most recent version of the DSM, the DSM-V. Researchers determined that people often move from one subtype to another. For example, a child may present as primarily hyperactive-impulsive in preschool, and  lose much of the hyperarousal in adolescence to fit the primarily inattentive presentation. In college and adulthood, the same individual may transition to combined presentation.

The subtypes were primarily based on overt behavioral symptoms, and ignored less visible symptoms like emotional dysregulation, cognitive patterns, and sleep difficulties. Behavioral symptoms imperfectly capture the defining features of ADHD. Non-behavioral characteristics are increasingly recognized in research and diagnosis.”  END QUOTE

It further explains: QUOTE “There is no single test for ADHD. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will assess for any ADHD symptoms exhibited by you or your child in the past six months. They will also do a physical exam and review your medical history to rule out any other medical or psychiatric conditions that could be causing symptoms.

Your doctor or specialists will perform an assessment using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), which details the symptoms listed above.

ADHD Diagnosis in Children

A child may be diagnosed with ADHD only if he or she exhibits at least six of nine symptoms outlined in DSM-V, and if the symptoms have been noticeable for at least six months in two or more settings — for example, at home and at school. What’s more, the symptoms must interfere with the child’s functioning or development, and at least some of the symptoms must have been apparent before age 12. Most children with ADHD receive a diagnosis in elementary school.

When diagnosing a child, your doctor or specialist may also review school records and questionnaires completed by your child’s teacher and/or caretakers. They will likely talk with and observe your child, as well as conduct screening for learning disabilities. They will also rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD.

ADHD Diagnosis in Adults

Older teens and adults may need to consistently demonstrate just five of these symptoms in multiple settings. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms need to have been present before the age of 12. Symptoms must also not be better explained by another disorder.” END QUOTE

You’re depending on someone who may or may not have your child’s best interests at heart.  I know I sound sinical, but I’m talking from experience.  When my oldest sister was a freshman in high school, the senior English teacher subbed one of her classes.  She said something a bit obnoxious to my sister, who complained to the Principal.  My sister never had her for senior English.  She’s 6 years older than me.  I had this teacher for senior English.  We’re talking like 10 years later.  She called me Janet all year and I couldn’t get better than a C, no matter what I did.  Then at senior prom she told me I looked good which was surprising since that morning I looked like they were going to hand me a mop.  All of my friends grabbed my arm.  “No, you still have to graduate.”  And I wonder why I don’t trust authority figures.  

Bottom line, you need to do what you feel is right for your child.  In that situation, I would only consider the drugs as a last resort.  There are other options…they do depend on the symptoms your child is exhibiting.  And then it’s trial and error to find what works.  By the same token, there’s no guarantee the Ritalin and Adderall are going to do anything other than getting your child hooked.  I like playing devil’s advocate.  You really need to explore both sides of the coin.  Do your own research.

So, what are some of these other options?  

According to the National Institute of Health site, this info can be found at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-in-children-and-teens-what-you-need-to-know, QUOTE: “What are the treatments for ADHD in children and teens?

Although there is no cure for ADHD, currently available treatments may help reduce symptoms and improve functioning. ADHD is commonly treated with medication, education or training, therapy, or a combination of treatments.

Medication

Stimulants are the most common type of medication used to treat ADHD. Research shows these medications can be highly effective. Like all medications, they can have side effects and require an individual’s health care provider to monitor how they may be reacting to the medication. Nonstimulant medications are also available. Health care providers may sometimes prescribe antidepressants to treat children with ADHD, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved these medications specifically for treating ADHD. Sometimes an individual must try several different medications or dosages before finding what works for them.

For general information about stimulants and other medications used to treat mental disorders, see NIMH's Mental Health Medications webpage. The FDA website  has the latest medication approvals, warnings, and patient information guides.

Psychotherapy and Psychosocial Interventions

Several psychosocial interventions have been shown to help children and their families manage symptoms and improve everyday functioning.

• Behavioral therapy aims to help a person change their behavior. It might involve practical assistance, such as help organizing tasks or completing schoolwork, learning social skills, or monitoring one’s own behavior and receiving praise or rewards for acting in a desired way.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy helps a person to become more aware of attention and concentration challenges and to work on skills to improve focus.
• Family and marital therapy can help family members learn how to handle disruptive behaviors, encourage behavior changes, and improve interactions with children.

All types of therapy for children and teens with ADHD require parents to play an active role. Psychotherapy that includes only individual treatment sessions with the child (without parent involvement) is not effective for managing ADHD symptoms and behavior. This type of treatment is more likely to be effective for treating symptoms of anxiety or depression that may occur along with ADHD.

For general information about psychotherapies used for treating mental disorders, see NIMH’s Psychotherapies webpage.

Parent Education and Support

Mental health professionals can educate the parents of a child with ADHD about the disorder and how it affects a family. They also can help parents and children develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating to each other. Examples include parenting skills training, stress management techniques for parents, and support groups that help parents and families connect with others who have similar concerns.

School-Based Programs

Children and adolescents with ADHD typically benefit from classroom-based behavioral interventions and/or academic accommodations. Interventions may include behavior management plans or teaching organizational or study skills. Accommodations may include preferential seating in the classroom, reduced classwork load, or extended time on tests and exams. The school may provide accommodations through what is called a 504 Plan or, for children who qualify for special education services, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).” END QUOTE

As with other issues, natural remedies are not recommended, even though there are success stories out there.  Everybody is different.  One size does not fit all.  Maybe you need to find a naturopath who specifically deals with ADHD.  

Meditation can help with focusing.  Training yourself to put your thoughts in a bubble and letting them float away to destress can help with concentration.  

If the child is young enough, (like, not in their later teens) make a game out of organizing.

There are several alternatives I’ve discussed in past episodes that can help alleviate ADHD symptoms: Magic mushroom microdoses; Cannabis products; I think testing is even being done with LSD microdoses to help focus.

There are lots of essential oil blends specifically for concentration, attention and ADHD.  Individual essential oils that help are:  Vetiver, Rosemary and Frankincense help relax the mind and help with concentration; Lavender, Sandalwood and Chamomile have a calming effect and can help with sleep issues; Peppermint is energizing and calming; Mandarin, Orange, Ylang Ylang and Cedarwood are all also good to help focus.

You can crochet a wrist band, or buy one.  Bamboo is great because it absorbs, doesn’t smell and can take a beating.  Cotton absorbs, but it can smell if it gets too wet.  Add several drops to the wrist band and let your child wear it to school.  The scent will be with them all day.  

Get a 10ml roller bottle.  Add the essential oil to a carrier oil and teach your child how to roll some behind their ears and down the back of their neck.  They can reapply as needed.  

Diffuse oils in their bedroom, or where ever they do their homework.  

Do your homework to find what works for them. 

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email me at vobyjypsee@usa.com, or send a text from the podcast… You can follow me on X and Instagram … @vobyjypsee; or LinkedIn…search either Chris Wagenti, Who Gets It, Naturally or Voice Overs by Jypsee.  Please download this episode, and make Who Gets It, Naturally a favorite on your preferred channel so you don’t miss an episode.

You can buy me a coffee or get a membership at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vobyjypsee4.  Thanks for your support and for listening!  The next episode will be published on Sunday, June 16th.