I want to start a thread on whether or not you folks see ADHD on the rise/ (not just more people being diagnosed), and/or...........are we as a nation being poisoned by many "outside" factors? (or both)
I know for a FACT, that with the CHEMTRAILS in our nations skies, that we, as a nation are getting sicker and sicker by the day. The additives and genetically altered grains and foods are also adding to the deterioration of our physical health. I've done quite a bit of study on this, and the numbers are getting really frightening. Those who are say this is all nonsense better do some reading.
The chemtrails are adding mercury, barium and aluminum in our skies, which are causing heavy metal toxicity in humans around the globe, but especially here in the U.S. What is this doing to pregnant women? Is this also adding to the rise of ADHD?
epidemic ADHD vs. toxic nation: biggest issue of my ADHD life
Submitted by ADHDMomof2 on
I'm not sure whether more diagnosed cases are occurring due to toxicity. I mean this; I really don't know. There is certainly more awareness than when I was first diagnosed 19 years ago, so much so that saying someone is really "ADHD" is immediately understandable to everyone else. I am a teacher, and most of the time, at least where I work, I'd say the diagnosticians, be they internal or outside psychologists or psychiatrists, have it right (again, I am only speaking for where I work).
What I will say is that food sensitivities and allergies are exploding. I feel like there are more kids every year identified with food sensitivities, and I have more kids telling me they recently got diagnosed with a gluten or other allergy. Some of this is increased awareness (one student avoids gluten due to eczema), whereas I have others become aware from acute and more severe reactions.
I, myself, have a non-celiac gluten sensitivity that affects me neurologically to a profound degree. I have been gluten-free for a year and a half, and due to yeast, rice, sugar cane, corn and other sensitivities that total about a dozen and a half, I have been completely grain free. This has involved a massive overhaul of my diet, making different meals for my family and for me, hardly going out to eat any more, and bringing my own food to people's houses, parties, etc... It was a very steep learning curve for me, has been an enormous time-sucker for many months, especially for a working Mama with ADHD, but I have it under control in every sense now. It isn't always fun, but hey, I always have the option of making whatever I feel like instead of appeasing the entire family (not easy in my house), time constraints not withstanding :).
Here are the benefits that I have reaped as a result of this whole-foods/allergen-free diet:
1.My stomach doesn't hurt anymore. My mom took me to the MD many times as a child for unexplained stomach pain. Nothing was found, and eventually it became my "normal." Except that it wasn't normal. Once my stomach healed, I REALIZED the stomach aches went away. Completely. Also that they were there ;).
2. My ADHD impulsivity anger is mostly gone (yay!). That one is courtesy of gluten-removal. For those of us ADHDers who have this sensitivity, gluten proteins can't be broken down properly. These peptide chains have an "opiate-like effect." I don't remember whom I'm quoting here, but I've seen this elsewhere, and I can tell you that it is CRAZY, but TRUE!! Googly eyes, inappropriate laughter, alternating with temper, can't focus. Sound like being drunk? That's what it feels like, except that it is your life, and it's no fun to be underperforming and unpredictable. It's not as fun as it sounds, trust me.
3. I'm not as tired at night as a result of sugar cane/other carb crashes. This has allowed me to be more productive.
4. I'm not as foggy. In fact, I would say I am minimally foggy, though I still have plenty of other ADHD symptoms. They are all much milder now. See number 2.
5. I'm eating more fruits and veggies than I ever have, and frankly than the vast majority of people, and now that all my allergens are removed from my diet, I have learned to really love them!
6. I'm finally doing what is recommended and also eating protein at every meal, to help my dopamine levels. I honestly don't know how I existed with so little protein.
7. Now that my stomach has healed, my vitamin deficiencies have been addressed. B's, D's, Omega-3's, Zinc have all normalized. These have helped my brain function A LOT better, too.
8. Back on meds, and now they really work (!!!), at 1/4 of previous dosage. With all of the above addressed, I recently decided to go back on medication to see if it helped. I had been off it for months as my leaky gut syndrome just caused my meds to steadily work less and less. I was on the highest dosage of any of my doc's patients, yet it was like feeding me Skittles. A long time ago on a post, I said I knew there was something else going on, because I was trying SO DAMN HARD. Thank God for good instincts, and for being hyper-focused enough to pursue the issue.
9. I sleep so much better. I have ADHD, and I sleep better. That is NO SMALL FEAT. I don't know what that is about, but I can tell you that I have not known what it is to be well-rested since before puberty. Being chronically and hopelessly tired didn't exactly help my executive functioning, if you know what I mean.
10. I am on time much of the time. Once my B-deficiencies were addressed, I suddenly developed a "super-power." I could get my ADHD son, my daughter and me out to the car at roughly the same time, 5 days a week! This is something I never imagined. I don't want to sound like an arse, but I wasn't even trying that hard. I just knew what I had to do, and I did it! I think it is because I am less distractible and learn from my mistakes better. Also, not being foggy helps.
There are many other benefits, but I'm not sure if anyone would even want to read them. But, for those of you considering food allergies as a possible source of your, your spouse's, or your child's extreme ADHD symptoms, don't rule it out as nonsense. Honestly, it was only my desperation and willingness to try absolutely anything that led me to this. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
ADHDMomof2
ADHDMomof2: great post
Submitted by dedelight4 on
ADHDMomof2,
Thank you for the enlightening post. I have been suspecting things like this for a few years now, but I've never seen it addressed in medical articles or when my ADHD husband and I go to the Dr. I'm SO GLAD your new diet has worked SO WELL for you.
My oldest daughter is on a gluten free diet, and HER stomach aches stopped also. She is helping me find better ways of cooking and choosing food items when shopping. The hard part for ME is that my ADHD husband has a HORRIBLE DIET, and no matter WHAT I do, he will NOT change what he eats, even if he knows that changing would be BETTER FOR HIM. His mother raised him and his siblings on primarily junk food, and that's about all he eats. (plain red meat, plain hot dogs, plain potatoes, bread, cheese pizza, and tons of candy and soda) His stomach hurts every single day, and he has a terrible time sleeping at night. It's no wonder, but he has food phobias about eating the "right" kind of foods. It's weird I know. I wish he had your resolve to change this, because I know it would help his symptoms. (which have been worse lately)
Best wishes to you and yours.
ADHD Diet
Submitted by ADHDMomof2 on
Holy poo, that is a terrible diet your husband has. SO BAD FOR ADHD. Bad for anyone really, but does nothing except hurt an already compromised brain :(.
The only reason I have the resolve that I do is because I had, over time, gained an awareness of how much worse my ADHD was getting. I had been trying for years to improve myself, and I was getting worse. WORSE!! WITH MEDS!! WITH THERAPY!! WITH CONSTANT READING ABOUT ADHD!! It didn't make any sense to me until I stumbled upon an article in ADDitude magazine. This article saved my sanity. My resolve was rooted in absolute desperation to get better. I've always tried hard, I just never got the results I wanted until I began this adventure a year and a half ago. I was told by by Naturopath and my nutritionist that it would be a process, that could take months or years. That did not please this ADHD person who loves her immediate gratification! But it was so worth it.
I'm glad your daughter is helped by her gluten free diet. It does make a difference for those of us with issues!
I hope your husband eventually realizes what he is doing to his body and his mind. Change is hard, even when you're willing...
I return the wishes of luck to you and your family :)!
ADHDMomof2
One Last VERY Important Addition
Submitted by ADHDMomof2 on
11. My husband has said multiple times recently, "Your ADHD symptoms are under control."
Enough said :-)
Your so encouraging!
Submitted by c ur self on
If everybody w/add/adhd would confront their selves as you have done...more marriages...and more lives could be so much richer.