James Donaldson on Mental Health - ADHD and Exercise

Studies show that even half an hour a day can help kids function better and feel better

Writer: Rae Jacobson, MS

Clinical Expert: Betsy Hoza, PhD

What You'll Learn

- Can exercise help kids with ADHD symptoms?
- Can exercise be a substitute for ADHD medication?
- What are some tips to help kids with ADHD get more exercise?
- Quick Read
- Full Article
- The importance of evidence
- A do-no-harm intervention
- Good habits, good health
- The “I” in team
- Many ways to get moving

We know exercising is good for us. It helps us stay healthy, feel better and have fun. But for kids with ADHD, exercising can also be a big help when it comes to managing their symptoms. Studies show that as little as half an hour a day of exercise can help kids — especially younger ones — focus (and feel) better. 

Exercise can be anything kids enjoy. Running track, swimming, playing tag, rock climbing — you name it. As long as it gets their heartrate up. Letting kids take the lead is key. The goal is to help them find something they’re happy to do every day. The more control they have over what that activity is, the more likely they are to keep doing it. 

With so many benefits, parents may wonder if exercise can take the place of ADHD medications. For now the answer seems to be no. Exercising does help kids manage symptoms, but it can’t do the heavy lifting that the right medication, or medication combined with behavioral therapy, can do. 

The bottom line: Exercise isn’t a miracle cure. But it can help kids feel happier and healthier and make it easier to manage their ADHD. 

The notion that physical activity has a positive impact on ADHD isn’t new, but a recent study showing regular physical activity decreased the severity of ADHD symptoms and improved cognitive functioning in children has a lot of people talking about the future of exercise as a treatment for ADHD.

Betsy Hoza, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Vermont and lead author on the study, says that the idea for the study came from a friend of hers who teaches elementary school and mentioned how much periods of in-school exercise seemed to help her ADHD students. She suggested Dr. Hoza and her colleagues investigate. “That made such intuitive sense,” says Dr. Hoza, “I was honestly a little surprised no one had documented it previously.”

The results were promising. Dr. Hoza and her colleagues found that for kids between kindergarten and second grade, as little as a half hour a day of moderate to vigorous exercise had a positive, measurable impact on their focus and mood. The results were similar for kids with the impulsive-hyperactive type of ADHD and those with the more inattentive type.

So what does this mean for parents and kids with ADHD?

The importance of evidence

For many parents looking for alternatives to ADHD medication, studies like this can be a beacon of hope. When non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD get press, they are sometimes hyped as cure-alls, so it’s important to take a closer look at the facts to see what they can, and can’t, truly offer.

In this case, the results of the study were promising but Dr. Hoza says it’s not time to stop using traditional ADHD interventions just yet. “When I talk to parents I say, ‘You need to know what the evidence-based treatments are and right now that’s stimulant medication, behavioral therapy and their combination,’” she explains.

The bottom line: Exercise isn’t a miracle cure for ADHD, but it can make a contribution to a child’s functioning better and feeling better, and it’s definitely something worth trying.

A do-no-harm intervention

What Dr. Hoza can say for sure is that exercise definitely doesn’t hurt. “It’s important to note that there is absolutely NO reason why a parent can’t add physical activity to the treatment they’re already using,” she says. “Unless a child has a physical challenge that would be exacerbated by activity, exercise is a do-no-harm intervention.”

While the findings regarding the impact of exercise on ADHD were most notable, Dr. Hoza says that that all the kids in the study—the group at risk for ADHD as well as the typically developing control group who were also participating in the half-hour exercise program—showed improved cognitive functioning.

Good habits, good health

This, Dr. Hoza says, is the most vital point. “The most important message is that physical activity is important for children’s development regardless of whether you have ADHD or not,” she says. “There’s other research that suggests it has cognitive benefits for all children and we all know the physical benefits.”

She’s right. According to the CDC, kids who get moving have lower rates of obesity, anxiety and stress, and are less prone to health problems later in life. Exercising during childhood also helps them build good habits that will follow them into adulthood.

The “I” in team

This is great news for kids who have a great time playing sports or running outside but for some parents, getting kids to exercise isn’t always so easy.

For a lot of kids, including some with ADHD or other learning challenges, gym class—if they still have it—is the worst part of the day. Organized sports are minefields of potential embarrassment for kids who struggle to remember multi-step directions, aren’t comfortable with physical contact or just aren’t as coordinated as their peers. Making exercise appealing to children who’d rather sit in the bleachers is a challenge.

“It’s really important for parents to pay attention to what kind of activity they’re enrolling their child in,” says Dr. Hoza. “In today’s world there are so many children’s sports that are very competitive, and those wouldn’t be the best choice for kids with ADHD who have a hard time following directions or might not be as coordinated as their peers.”

#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Many ways to get moving

If a child isn’t comfortable participating in team sports, look for noncompetitive activities that raise the heart rate without putting them in potentially stressful situations.

- Look into other kinds of activities such as swimming, track, fencing or martial arts.
- Talk with teachers about integrating more noncompetitive physical activities into the school day. Exercise doesn’t have to be limited to gym class!
- Help your child find something that suits them. Kids who find activities they enjoy are more likely to participate willingly and stay active as they get older.
- It’s easy to integrate exercise into daily life at home. Family bike rides, brisk walks to school or even just a simple game of tag in the yard can get everyone moving without the pressure of an organized activity.

So exercise isn’t necessarily the whole solution for a child who’s struggling with ADHD, but it can have a positive effect on concentration, and it is a vital part of healthy physical and mental development for all kids. “I just can’t think of a good reason not to have our kids exercising,” says Hoza.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does exercise help kids with ADHD?

Can exercise take the place of ADHD medication?

Parents may wonder if exercise can take the place of ADHD medications. For now, the answer seems to be no. Exercising does help kids manage symptoms, but it can’t do the heavy lifting that the right medication, or medication combined with behavioral therapy, can do.

What is the best kind of exercise for kids with ADHD?

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-adhd-and-exercise/

Studies show that even half an hour a day can help kids function better and feel better

Writer: Rae Jacobson, MS

Clinical Expert: Betsy Hoza, PhD

What You'll Learn

- Can exercise help kids with ADHD symptoms?

- Can exercise be a substitute for ADHD medication?

- What are some tips to help kids with ADHD get more exercise?

- Quick Read

- Full Article

- The importance of evidence

- A do-no-harm intervention

- Good habits, good health

- The “I” in team

- Many ways to get moving

We know exercising is good for us. It helps us stay healthy, feel better and have fun. But for kids with ADHD, exercising can also be a big help when it comes to managing their symptoms. Studies show that as little as half an hour a day of exercise can help kids — especially younger ones — focus (and feel) better. 

Exercise can be anything kids enjoy. Running track, swimming, playing tag, rock climbing — you name it. As long as it gets their heartrate up. Letting kids take the lead is key. The goal is to help them find something they’re happy to do every day. The more control they have over what that activity is, the more likely they are to keep doing it. 

With so many benefits, parents may wonder if exercise can take the place of ADHD medications. For now the answer seems to be no. Exercising does help kids manage symptoms, but it can’t do the heavy lifting that the right medication, or medication combined with behavioral therapy, can do. 

The bottom line: Exercise isn’t a miracle cure. But it can help kids feel happier and healthier and make it easier to manage their ADHD. 

The notion that physical activity has a positive impact on ADHD isn’t new, but a recent study showing regular physical activity decreased the severity of ADHD symptoms and improved cognitive functioning in children has a lot of people talking about the future of exercise as a treatment for ADHD.

Betsy Hoza, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Vermont and lead author on the study, says that the idea for the study came from a friend of hers who teaches elementary school and mentioned how much periods of in-school exercise seemed to help her ADHD students. She suggested Dr. Hoza and her colleagues investigate. “That made such intuitive sense,” says Dr. Hoza, “I was honestly a little surprised no one had documented it previously.”

The results were promising. Dr. Hoza and her colleagues found that for kids between kindergarten and second grade, as little as a half hour a day of moderate to vigorous exercise had a positive, measurable impact on their focus and mood. The results were similar for kids with the impulsive-hyperactive type of ADHD and those with the more inattentive type.

So what does this mean for parents and kids with ADHD?

The importance of evidence

For many parents looking for alternatives to ADHD medication, studies like this can be a beacon of hope. When non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD get press, they are sometimes hyped as cure-alls, so it’s important to take a closer look at the facts to see what they can, and can’t, truly offer.

In this case, the results of the study were promising but Dr. Hoza says it’s not time to stop using traditional ADHD interventions just yet. “When I talk to parents I say, ‘You need to know what the evidence-based treatments are and right now that’s stimulant medication, behavioral therapy and their combination,’” she explains.

The bottom line: Exercise isn’t a miracle cure for ADHD, but it can make a contribution to a child’s functioning better and feeling better, and it’s definitely something worth trying.

A do-no-harm intervention

What Dr. Hoza can say for sure is that exercise definitely doesn’t hurt. “It’s important to note that there is absolutely NO reason why a parent can’t add physical activity to the treatment they’re already using,” she says. “Unless a child has a physical challenge that would be exacerbated by activity, exercise is a do-no-harm intervention.”

While the findings regarding the impact of exercise on ADHD were most notable, Dr. Hoza says that that all the kids in the study—the group at risk for ADHD as well as the typically developing control group who were also participating in the half-hour exercise program—showed improved cognitive functioning.

Good habits, good health

This, Dr. Hoza says, is the most vital point. “The most important message is that physical activity is important for children’s development regardless of whether you have ADHD or not,” she says. “There’s other research that suggests it has cognitive benefits for all children and we all know the physical benefits.”

She’s right. According to the CDC, kids who get moving have lower rates of obesity, anxiety and stress, and are less prone to health problems later in life. Exercising during childhood also helps them build good habits that will follow them into adulthood.

The “I” in team

This is great news for kids who have a great time playing sports or running outside but for some parents, getting kids to exercise isn’t always so easy.

For a lot of kids, including some with ADHD or other learning challenges, gym class—if they still have it—is the worst part of the day. Organized sports are minefields of potential embarrassment for kids who struggle to remember multi-step directions, aren’t comfortable with physical contact or just aren’t as coordinated as their peers. Making exercise appealing to children who’d rather sit in the bleachers is a challenge.

“It’s really important for parents to pay attention to what kind of activity they’re enrolling their child in,” says Dr. Hoza. “In today’s world there are so many children’s sports that are very competitive, and those wouldn’t be the best choice for kids with ADHD who have a hard time following directions or might not be as coordinated as their peers.”

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Many ways to get moving

If a child isn’t comfortable participating in team sports, look for noncompetitive activities that raise the heart rate without putting them in potentially stressful situations.

- Look into other kinds of activities such as swimming, track, fencing or martial arts.

- Talk with teachers about integrating more noncompetitive physical activities into the school day. Exercise doesn’t have to be limited to gym class!

- Help your child find something that suits them. Kids who find activities they enjoy are more likely to participate willingly and stay active as they get older.

- It’s easy to integrate exercise into daily life at home. Family bike rides, brisk walks to school or even just a simple game of tag in the yard can get everyone moving without the pressure of an organized activity.

So exercise isn’t necessarily the whole solution for a child who’s struggling with ADHD, but it can have a positive effect on concentration, and it is a vital part of healthy physical and mental development for all kids. “I just can’t think of a good reason not to have our kids exercising,” says Hoza.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does exercise help kids with ADHD?

Can exercise take the place of ADHD medication?

Parents may wonder if exercise can take the place of ADHD medications. For now, the answer seems to be no. Exercising does help kids manage symptoms, but it can’t do the heavy lifting that the right medication, or medication combined with behavioral therapy, can do.

What is the best kind of exercise for kids with ADHD? https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-adhd-and-exercise/

Studies show that even half an hour a day can help kids function better and feel better

Writer: Rae Jacobson, MS

Clinical Expert: Betsy Hoza, PhD

What You'll Learn

- Can exercise help kids with ADHD symptoms?

- Can exercise be a substitute for ADHD medication?

- What are some tips to help kids with ADHD get more exercise?

- Quick Read

- Full Article

- The importance of evidence

- A do-no-harm intervention

- Good habits, good health

- The “I” in team

- Many ways to get moving

We know exercising is good for us. It helps us stay healthy, feel better and have fun. But for kids with ADHD, exercising can also be a big help when it comes to managing their symptoms. Studies show that as little as half an hour a day of exercise can help kids — especially younger ones — focus (and feel) better. 

Exercise can be anything kids enjoy. Running track, swimming, playing tag, rock climbing — you name it. As long as it gets their heartrate up. Letting kids take the lead is key. The goal is to help them find something they’re happy to do every day. The more control they have over what that activity is, the more likely they are to keep doing it. 

With so many benefits, parents may wonder if exercise can take the place of ADHD medications. For now the answer seems to be no. Exercising does help kids manage symptoms, but it can’t do the heavy lifting that the right medication, or medication combined with behavioral therapy, can do. 

The bottom line: Exercise isn’t a miracle cure. But it can help kids feel happier and healthier and make it easier to manage their ADHD. 

The notion that physical activity has a positive impact on ADHD isn’t new, but a recent study showing regular physical activity decreased the severity of ADHD symptoms and improved cognitive functioning in children has a lot of people talking about the future of exercise as a treatment for ADHD.

Betsy Hoza, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Vermont and lead author on the study, says that the idea for the study came from a friend of hers who teaches elementary school and mentioned how much periods of in-school exercise seemed to help her ADHD students. She suggested Dr. Hoza and her colleagues investigate. “That made such intuitive sense,” says Dr. Hoza, “I was honestly a little surprised no one had documented it previously.”

The results were promising. Dr. Hoza and her colleagues found that for kids between kindergarten and second grade, as little as a half hour a day of moderate to vigorous exercise had a positive, measurable impact on their focus and mood. The results were similar for kids with the impulsive-hyperactive type of ADHD and those with the more inattentive type.

So what does this mean for parents and kids with ADHD?

The importance of evidence

For many parents looking for alternatives to ADHD medication, studies like this can be a beacon of hope. When non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD get press, they are sometimes hyped as cure-alls, so it’s important to take a closer look at the facts to see what they can, and can’t, truly offer.

In this case, the results of the study were promising but Dr. Hoza says it’s not time to stop using traditional ADHD interventions just yet. “When I talk to parents I say, ‘You need to know what the evidence-based treatments are and right now that’s stimulant medication, behavioral therapy and their combination,’” she explains.

The bottom line: Exercise isn’t a miracle cure for ADHD, but it can make a contribution to a child’s functioning better and feeling better, and it’s definitely something worth trying.

A do-no-harm intervention

What Dr. Hoza can say for sure is that exercise definitely doesn’t hurt. “It’s important to note that there is absolutely NO reason why a parent can’t add physical activity to the treatment they’re already using,” she says. “Unless a child has a physical challenge that would be exacerbated by activity, exercise is a do-no-harm intervention.”

While the findings regarding the impact of exercise on ADHD were most notable, Dr. Hoza says that that all the kids in the study—the group at risk for ADHD as well as the typically developing control group who were also participating in the half-hour exercise program—showed improved cognitive functioning.

Good habits, good health

This, Dr. Hoza says, is the most vital point. “The most important message is that physical activity is important for children’s development regardless of whether you have ADHD or not,” she says. “There’s other research that suggests it has cognitive benefits for all children and we all know the physical benefits.”

She’s right. According to the CDC, kids who get moving have lower rates of obesity, anxiety and stress, and are less prone to health problems later in life. Exercising during childhood also helps them build good habits that will follow them into adulthood.

The “I” in team

This is great news for kids who have a great time playing sports or running outside but for some parents, getting kids to exercise isn’t always so easy.

For a lot of kids, including some with ADHD or other learning challenges, gym class—if they still have it—is the worst part of the day. Organized sports are minefields of potential embarrassment for kids who struggle to remember multi-step directions, aren’t comfortable with physical contact or just aren’t as coordinated as their peers. Making exercise appealing to children who’d rather sit in the bleachers is a challenge.

“It’s really important for parents to pay attention to what kind of activity they’re enrolling their child in,” says Dr. Hoza. “In today’s world there are so many children’s sports that are very competitive, and those wouldn’t be the best choice for kids with ADHD who have a hard time following directions or might not be as coordinated as their peers.”

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Many ways to get moving

If a child isn’t comfortable participating in team sports, look for noncompetitive activities that raise the heart rate without putting them in potentially stressful situations.

- Look into other kinds of activities such as swimming, track, fencing or martial arts.

- Talk with teachers about integrating more noncompetitive physical activities into the school day. Exercise doesn’t have to be limited to gym class!

- Help your child find something that suits them. Kids who find activities they enjoy are more likely to participate willingly and stay active as they get older.

- It’s easy to integrate exercise into daily life at home. Family bike rides, brisk walks to school or even just a simple game of tag in the yard can get everyone moving without the pressure of an organized activity.

So exercise isn’t necessarily the whole solution for a child who’s struggling with ADHD, but it can have a positive effect on concentration, and it is a vital part of healthy physical and mental development for all kids. “I just can’t think of a good reason not to have our kids exercising,” says Hoza.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does exercise help kids with ADHD?

Can exercise take the place of ADHD medication?

Parents may wonder if exercise can take the place of ADHD medications. For now, the answer seems to be no. Exercising does help kids manage symptoms, but it can’t do the heavy lifting that the right medication, or medication combined with behavioral therapy, can do.

What is the best kind of exercise for kids with ADHD? https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=15681

Treatment for mom or dad may be important for the kids, too

Writer: Caroline Miller

Clinical Expert: Dave Anderson, PhD

What You'll Learn

- Why is parenting harder for an adult with ADHD?

- What are the benefits of getting diagnosed and treated as an adult?

- How can parents with ADHD reduce stress and improve their parenting?

- Quick Read

- Full Article

- Moms with ADHD

- Treating parents with ADHD

- Managing problem behavior in kids with ADHD

- Who diagnoses and treats adult ADHD?

It’s a story we hear regularly: A child is diagnosed with ADHD and one of their parents realizes that they have it, too. While the parent might be surprised, the professionals aren’t. ADHD runs in families.

Parenting with ADHD can be overwhelming. If you’re not treated, you might not have the organizational skills to keep up with your kids’ schedules. You might also find it stressful to manage your child’s behavior.

It’s more common for women to learn they have ADHD in adulthood. That’s because ADHD looks different in boys and girls, so not as many girls are diagnosed as kids. And women with ADHD who are stressed out by parenting are often misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression.

If you have ADHD, treating it will help you and your children. You’ll be better able to manage their medication, make appointments and do all of the things necessary to make sure your child receives the proper treatment for their own ADHD.

If your child has serious behavior problems, which is common in children with ADHD, parenting with ADHD can be especially challenging. To manage your child well, you need to be consistent and calm. You also need to pay close attention to and respond positively to behaviors you want to encourage. And you can’t overreact. That’s hard to do if you also have ADHD.

Getting treatment for yourself can improve your parenting skills and reduce everyone’s stress. Treatment often involves stimulant medication and might also include behavioral therapy. You will learn how to become more organized and feel less overwhelmed. It’ll allow you to be more relaxed and comfortable with your children.

It’s a story we hear regularly: A child is diagnosed with ADHD and one of their parents, recognizing the symptoms, realizes that they have the disorder, too.

It’s often a surprise to the mom or dad, but to clinicians it’s not surprising. “We know ADHD is highly familial,” explains Mark Stein, a clinical psychologist and director of the ADHD and Related Disorders Program (PEARL Clinic) at Seattle Children’s Hospital. “That means 25 percent of the parents of kids we diagnose are going to have it.”

It also comes as no surprise to Dr. Stein that many parents who meet the criteria for ADHD don’t know it, and haven’t been diagnosed. There’s still a good deal of stigma and lack of understanding surrounding adults with ADHD.

Moms and dads with undiagnosed ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of parenting and struggling to meet their children’s needs. Lacking organizational skills, they may find keeping up with their kids’ schedules and managing their behavior very stressful. But in the case of moms, they are more likely to be treated for depression than ADHD, notes Dr. Stein, who is also a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the University of Washington.

This oversight is unfortunate, Dr. Stein adds, because treating the ADHD that’s underlying their problems would benefit both them and their children.

Studies show that intervention for kids with ADHD tends to be less effective when a caregiving parent has ADHD, too. Medication treatment requires a lot of parental organization to make appointments, deal with insurance, fill prescriptions, make sure kids take their meds and monitor side effects, and the child’s treatment is less effective if compliance with the treatment regimen isn’t consistent.

Behavioral treatment for kids with ADHD is also less effective when parents have ADHD. “There are a number of studies that look at behavioral parent training,” notes Dr. Stein, “and the biggest predictor of not responding is if a parent has ADHD.”

Moms with ADHD

It is especially common for mothers to discover that they have ADHD that was not diagnosed when they were children. That’s because ADHD presents in the two genders differently. Women tend to have the inattentive type of ADHD, rather than the hyperactive/impulsive or combined types. These women may have been chronically disorganized and underachieving back in school, but since they’re not as likely to be disruptive, they were more often overlooked.

“When we see moms who are seriously stressed out, being pulled between all kinds of things in their work and their family life, we tend to think of anxiety or depression,” adds David Anderson, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. “That’s because we associate depression and anxiety more with their gender, rather than seeing the underlying deficit, the ADHD, that’s making it so it’s difficult to manage all of those things.”

“We hear parents all the time say that they feel like a failure because they know what they have to do, but then carrying it out is so difficult,” notes Dr. Anderson. “Managing the logistics, remembering everything — they’re feeling really bad about themselves.”

For a parent who has ADHD, getting a diagnosis itself can help reduce guilt and alleviate stress. “A lot of adults with ADHD don’t realize they have ADHD,” says Dr. Stein. “They don’t know why they’ve struggled in school, and perhaps at work and maybe in their marriage, and raising their kids. They’re demoralized and frustrated.” With a diagnosis, he adds,” rather than blaming themselves and thinking that it’s a moral failing, they understand they have this genetic disorder, like their child does.”

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Treating parents with ADHD

Getting treatment for a parent with ADHD can improve that person’s parenting skills and reduce stress on the whole family, Dr. Stein notes. Treatment for ADHD often involves stimulant medication, but might also include behavioral therapy. “You’re able to be better organized and give kids more focused attention,” explains Dr. Stein. “Patients report that they all of a sudden feel less overwhelmed, and they can be more relaxed and comfortable with their children.”

When his team works with families in which both a parent and a child have ADHD, Dr. Anderson explains, the team does an inventory with the parent, to talk about strengths and weaknesses. “We want to be allies with them from the get-go, to figure out how to support both them and their child.” Parents assessing their own capabilities helps the team craft strategies to help them succeed.

Managing problem behavior in kids with ADHD

One of the challenges of parenting children with ADHD is that these kids often have serious behavior problems. They have low frustration tolerance and are prone to tantrums and outbursts when things don’t go their way. Responding effectively to this kind of behavior is difficult for all parents, but more so for someone with ADHD.

Managing a child’s behavior successfully requires parents to be consistent and calm, and keep their own emotions out of the equation. Parents need to pay close attention to and respond positively to behaviors they want to encourage. And they need to avoid reacting emotionally to behaviors that are problematic. None of these things is easy if you have ADHD.

But when parents get treatment for their own ADHD, research shows that their behavior management skills improve, leading to an increase in positive parent-child interactions and more effective direction for their children. Hence treating the caregiver’s ADHD may be a vitally important part of helping the child overcome behavior problems.

Who diagnoses and treats adult ADHD?

Dr. Stein sees a shortage of professionals who are comfortable diagnosing and treating adults with ADHD. “I think ADHD is where depression was 15 years ago, where it used to be something that only psychiatrists treated. Then it became primary care, and now primary care doctors routinely screen for it. ADHD is very common, but seldom screened for in adults.”

Dr. Stein notes that physicians get much more training in diagnosing depression and prescribing antidepressants than they do diagnosing and treating ADHD. On top of that, they may be uncomfortable prescribing stimulant medications because they worry about potential abuse.

And organizations that treat children with ADHD are leery about including parents in their coverage. “Family medicine should be a place that should work for it,” Dr. Stein argues, “but, again, there’s this discomfort with using stimulants, and so they’re more likely to be tried with anantidepressant. ”

This gap in the medical system, he adds, demonstrates why, for lifelongdevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD, “we need lifespan clinics.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it common for moms to discover they have ADHD?

Is treatment helpful for parents with ADHD?

If both parents have ADHD is their child more likely to have it?

If both parents have ADHD, their child is more likely to have ADHD. ADHD is a heritable condition. https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-when-parent-and-child-both-have-adhd/

Treatment for mom or dad may be important for the kids, too

Writer: Caroline Miller

Clinical Expert: Dave Anderson, PhD

What You'll Learn

- Why is parenting harder for an adult with ADHD?

- What are the benefits of getting diagnosed and treated as an adult?

- How can parents with ADHD reduce stress and improve their parenting?

- Quick Read

- Full Article

- Moms with ADHD

- Treating parents with ADHD

- Managing problem behavior in kids with ADHD

- Who diagnoses and treats adult ADHD?

It’s a story we hear regularly: A child is diagnosed with ADHD and one of their parents realizes that they have it, too. While the parent might be surprised, the professionals aren’t. ADHD runs in families.

Parenting with ADHD can be overwhelming. If you’re not treated, you might not have the organizational skills to keep up with your kids’ schedules. You might also find it stressful to manage your child’s behavior.

It’s more common for women to learn they have ADHD in adulthood. That’s because ADHD looks different in boys and girls, so not as many girls are diagnosed as kids. And women with ADHD who are stressed out by parenting are often misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression.

If you have ADHD, treating it will help you and your children. You’ll be better able to manage their medication, make appointments and do all of the things necessary to make sure your child receives the proper treatment for their own ADHD.

If your child has serious behavior problems, which is common in children with ADHD, parenting with ADHD can be especially challenging. To manage your child well, you need to be consistent and calm. You also need to pay close attention to and respond positively to behaviors you want to encourage. And you can’t overreact. That’s hard to do if you also have ADHD.

Getting treatment for yourself can improve your parenting skills and reduce everyone’s stress. Treatment often involves stimulant medication and might also include behavioral therapy. You will learn how to become more organized and feel less overwhelmed. It’ll allow you to be more relaxed and comfortable with your children.

It’s a story we hear regularly: A child is diagnosed with ADHD and one of their parents, recognizing the symptoms, realizes that they have the disorder, too.

It’s often a surprise to the mom or dad, but to clinicians it’s not surprising. “We know ADHD is highly familial,” explains Mark Stein, a clinical psychologist and director of the ADHD and Related Disorders Program (PEARL Clinic) at Seattle Children’s Hospital. “That means 25 percent of the parents of kids we diagnose are going to have it.”

It also comes as no surprise to Dr. Stein that many parents who meet the criteria for ADHD don’t know it, and haven’t been diagnosed. There’s still a good deal of stigma and lack of understanding surrounding adults with ADHD.

Moms and dads with undiagnosed ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of parenting and struggling to meet their children’s needs. Lacking organizational skills, they may find keeping up with their kids’ schedules and managing their behavior very stressful. But in the case of moms, they are more likely to be treated for depression than ADHD, notes Dr. Stein, who is also a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the University of Washington.

This oversight is unfortunate, Dr. Stein adds, because treating the ADHD that’s underlying their problems would benefit both them and their children.

Studies show that intervention for kids with ADHD tends to be less effective when a caregiving parent has ADHD, too. Medication treatment requires a lot of parental organization to make appointments, deal with insurance, fill prescriptions, make sure kids take their meds and monitor side effects, and the child’s treatment is less effective if compliance with the treatment regimen isn’t consistent.

Behavioral treatment for kids with ADHD is also less effective when parents have ADHD. “There are a number of studies that look at behavioral parent training,” notes Dr. Stein, “and the biggest predictor of not responding is if a parent has ADHD.”

Moms with ADHD

It is especially common for mothers to discover that they have ADHD that was not diagnosed when they were children. That’s because ADHD presents in the two genders differently. Women tend to have the inattentive type of ADHD, rather than the hyperactive/impulsive or combined types. These women may have been chronically disorganized and underachieving back in school, but since they’re not as likely to be disruptive, they were more often overlooked.

“When we see moms who are seriously stressed out, being pulled between all kinds of things in their work and their family life, we tend to think of anxiety or depression,” adds David Anderson, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. “That’s because we associate depression and anxiety more with their gender, rather than seeing the underlying deficit, the ADHD, that’s making it so it’s difficult to manage all of those things.”

“We hear parents all the time say that they feel like a failure because they know what they have to do, but then carrying it out is so difficult,” notes Dr. Anderson. “Managing the logistics, remembering everything — they’re feeling really bad about themselves.”

For a parent who has ADHD, getting a diagnosis itself can help reduce guilt and alleviate stress. “A lot of adults with ADHD don’t realize they have ADHD,” says Dr. Stein. “They don’t know why they’ve struggled in school, and perhaps at work and maybe in their marriage, and raising their kids. They’re demoralized and frustrated.” With a diagnosis, he adds,” rather than blaming themselves and thinking that it’s a moral failing, they understand they have this genetic disorder, like their child does.”

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

Treating parents with ADHD

Getting treatment for a parent with ADHD can improve that person’s parenting skills and reduce stress on the whole family, Dr. Stein notes. Treatment for ADHD often involves stimulant medication, but might also include behavioral therapy. “You’re able to be better organized and give kids more focused attention,” explains Dr. Stein. “Patients report that they all of a sudden feel less overwhelmed, and they can be more relaxed and comfortable with their children.”

When his team works with families in which both a parent and a child have ADHD, Dr. Anderson explains, the team does an inventory with the parent, to talk about strengths and weaknesses. “We want to be allies with them from the get-go, to figure out how to support both them and their child.” Parents assessing their own capabilities helps the team craft strategies to help them succeed.

Managing problem behavior in kids with ADHD

One of the challenges of parenting children with ADHD is that these kids often have serious behavior problems. They have low frustration tolerance and are prone to tantrums and outbursts when things don’t go their way. Responding effectively to this kind of behavior is difficult for all parents, but more so for someone with ADHD.

Managing a child’s behavior successfully requires parents to be consistent and calm, and keep their own emotions out of the equation. Parents need to pay close attention to and respond positively to behaviors they want to encourage. And they need to avoid reacting emotionally to behaviors that are problematic. None of these things is easy if you have ADHD.

But when parents get treatment for their own ADHD, research shows that their behavior management skills improve, leading to an increase in positive parent-child interactions and more effective direction for their children. Hence treating the caregiver’s ADHD may be a vitally important part of helping the child overcome behavior problems.

Who diagnoses and treats adult ADHD?

Dr. Stein sees a shortage of professionals who are comfortable diagnosing and treating adults with ADHD. “I think ADHD is where depression was 15 years ago, where it used to be something that only psychiatrists treated. Then it became primary care, and now primary care doctors routinely screen for it. ADHD is very common, but seldom screened for in adults.”

Dr. Stein notes that physicians get much more training in diagnosing depression and prescribing antidepressants than they do diagnosing and treating ADHD. On top of that, they may be uncomfortable prescribing stimulant medications because they worry about potential abuse.

And organizations that treat children with ADHD are leery about including parents in their coverage. “Family medicine should be a place that should work for it,” Dr. Stein argues, “but, again, there’s this discomfort with using stimulants, and so they’re more likely to be tried with anantidepressant. ”

This gap in the medical system, he adds, demonstrates why, for lifelongdevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD, “we need lifespan clinics.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it common for moms to discover they have ADHD?

Is treatment helpful for parents with ADHD?

If both parents have ADHD is their child more likely to have it?

If both parents have ADHD, their child is more likely to have ADHD. ADHD is a heritable condition. https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=15661

James Donaldson on Mental Health - Teen Suicides: What Are the Warning Signs?

And how can we get more kids to ask for help?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGezrChMUe0

Dr. Alan Apter is the Director of Psychological Medicine at the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University and Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel. Here he talks about teen suicides, how they often stem from untreated anxiety or depression, and how we can encourage our children—especially teenage boys—to ask for help.

#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-teen-suicides-what-are-the-warning-signs/

And how can we get more kids to ask for help?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGezrChMUe0

Dr. Alan Apter is the Director of Psychological Medicine at the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University and Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel. Here he talks about teen suicides, how they often stem from untreated anxiety or depression, and how we can encourage our children—especially teenage boys—to ask for help.

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

Click Here For More Information About James Donaldson https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-teen-suicides-what-are-the-warning-signs/