October is ADHD awareness month.
ADHD is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders in the US affecting about 1 in 10 children. It is not simply a behavioral issue, as neuroimaging shows ADHD brains are structurally different, not bad just different from neurotypical brains.
Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, but researchers believe that girls often go undiagnosed due to symptoms presenting differently.
Left untreated ADHD may cause issues with school, relationships, and sleep.
Up to 60% of children with ADHD will be diagnosed with a co-occurring condition such as anxiety, depression, and learning difficulties. This is often referred to as complex ADHD.
There is a genetic component to ADHD but not a single gene responsible for symptoms. We were all born with certain genetic tendencies, but the way a gene plays out depends on both environmental and personal factors. There are both positive and negative factors affecting expression of a genes. Negative factors may include toxins, trauma, adversity, and stress. While positive factors include connection, exercise, adequate sleep, nutrient rich diet, and omega-3 supplementation.
A functional medicine approach to ADHD includes a thorough history and functional lab testing to uncover root causes of the symptoms so your child can thrive not just survive!