October is ADHD Awareness Month. ADHD exists in 1 in 20 human beings; Dyslexia 1 in 10, Dyspraxia 1 in 10, Autism 1 in 67, Dyscalculia 1 in 10.
20% human beings & ‘children’.Such prevalence tells us there is an evolutionary purpose why diversity of mind is akin to biodiversity.
Sometimes in therapy I talk to adults who tell me how it felt to be the ‘worst behaved’ in the class, and the time that the whole class lost their playtime because of them. How no one would play with them or even talk to them the next day. These aren’t inspirational memories. They don’t say ‘and from that day on, I was a reformed character’. They talk about how they felt shunned by their peers, and how they thought it must be all their fault. They talk about going home and getting shouted at or worse when their parents hear what happened.
Here’s the strange thing about children which I’ve learnt as a therapist. Something can appear to work in the short term whilst causing harm in the long term. This is particularly the case when it comes to using shame and anxiety to control behaviour.
For what works to create compliance can have long term unintended consequences for some. Like low self esteem and a lack of trust in other people. A sense that you are a loser or worthless. A feeling of hopelessness. A sense of deep shame which is held in the body.
They carry these things forwards with them. Children are learning how to think about themselves, how to think about the world. And some children have a much harder time than others. They get punished a lot more than others. They can grow up surrounded in negativity about themselves.
There’s a problem, however, because in the short term we don’t see any of it happening. In the short term, it can seem to work fine. We might not even see the distress involved, you can’t see it on children’s faces. ‘They don’t even care’, adults say.
It’s only when looking back that people say, those things hurt me.
No one wanted that to be the case, but it was.
I would like to formally document,that the GP’s I work with are amazing .The workload, the scope and scale of patient ailments seen each and every day,the paperwork,the support, the care, the sheer determination to do their best for patients is inspiring thank you 🙏🏻 #TeamGP
@gp_recept10n Having been a GP receptionist, I would echo this. I know things not great in some practices but don't slate us all! Some really caring staff out there
I went for a long run on a beautiful autumn day. Everything was perfect, the weather was just like today. A few weeks earlier I’d decided to cut my asthma medication in half, and that this would be fine if I did no high intensity exercise.
Traumatised young people often have a “sudden”crisis at important milestones.
It is important to remember that they don’t have sturdy brain development foundations,which normally gives kids the skills needed to“do growing up.”Question: Can we adjust our expectations of them?🧠🌱
#FundingFriday
The Participatory Arts & Mental Health Fund
£3K - £30K to support groups & orgs to try out new approaches or develop their existing work w/ people who experience mental health problems.
Deadline is 12 noon, Tues 18 July 2023.
More https://t.co/DYiup4UzSx
Learning about the importance of neuroscience should be at the seat of every educational establishment.Trauma informed responsive approaches,attachment theory,brain development & nurturing positive relationships. All of this will help create positive learning environments.🧠🌱
Some very useful information here from a source I have so much respect for. Very relevant given the recent publicity following the Panorama programme last week.
What is ADHD-& how to live with it successfully (& be married to a partner with ADHD) Watch this series of heartwarming, moving & candid video shorts by the Foundation-in partnership with NHS by people with ADHD for people with ADHD https://t.co/wIrb4aTkgC @NIMHgov
Been feeling rotten for a week now and could so easily have had a carnap tonight, but I am so glad I didnt. The smell of the flowers was amazing! Raising funds for @ResilienceLear1 with @Stepupstirling@Stirling_Nurse https://t.co/e8PYXF0HCn