Prodigy or Pathology?

by Steven Geanopulos, DC

The traits many of us have that may be interpreted as ADHD can be the very same traits that give us some of the most successful and creative people in society. There is no shortage of examples of those with ADHD who have succeeded at the highest levels, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Michael Jordan, Mozart, Einstein, Bill Gates to name a few. These are examples where the traits of ADHD found in a healthy body and mind can give us a prodigy.

All too often however, when those very same traits are found in a not so healthy body and mind or when there is a specific health problem, we may see where ADHD traits can lead to pathology. This is happening at an alarming rate for many reasons. We can safely say that the world has, over the last 30 years, dramatically changed and continues to do so in a way that makes having ADHD traits more and more difficult to deal with and the likelihood of expressing pathology greater and greater. 

There are many health problems that can give us the negative signs and symptoms of ADHD. They include conditions that can be traced to genetics, health problems with mom while in utero (ie. Thyroid disorders), undiagnosed birth trauma, concussion, repeated mild concussions experienced in many of our most common sports, dysglycemia (metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, diabetes), PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), chemical exposure, undiagnosed food sensitivities and autoimmunity, psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, to name just a few.

If it is discovered that one of the above mentioned health conditions are present it could dramatically impact symptoms you may be feeling related to ADHD and may certainly impact your response to treatment. If you are treating ADHD only and not addressing conditions that may be causing the problems then you are only treating the symptoms.

Only a comprehensive wellness assessment and exam that looks at your physical chemical and mental health and history can reveal many of the above mentioned concerns. Fortunately many of them listed can be addressed with a natural approach so that we may reduce our dependence on medication or eliminate it altogether. 

The next several posts will address these concerns. The next post will focus on Thyroid health and ADHD.