How to CORRECTLY Diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults? - Dr Sanil Rege

Psychiatry Simplified - Dr Sanil Rege
7 Nov 202017:47

Summary

TLDRIn this edition of Hub Bytes, psychiatrist Sunil Rege discusses the comprehensive evaluation of ADHD in adults. He emphasizes that ADHD is a diagnosis of exclusion and should be considered from a longitudinal perspective, taking into account various factors that could contribute to ADHD-like symptoms. Rege highlights the importance of ruling out organic causes, considering inflammation, hormonal aspects, and the impact of substances and trauma on cognition. He also stresses the significance of addressing sleep disturbances and dietary interventions in the management of ADHD, advocating for a thorough and individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ” ADHD is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other potential causes for symptoms must be ruled out first.
  • ๐ŸŒ‰ The evaluation of ADHD should consider a longitudinal perspective, looking at the individual's history and various contributing factors.
  • ๐Ÿ’Š A thorough cognitive examination is crucial, as ADHD symptoms can overlap with other conditions like neurodegenerative disorders.
  • ๐ŸŒ™ Sleep apnea and other sleep disturbances can significantly impact daytime cognition and should be considered in ADHD evaluations.
  • ๐Ÿฉธ Checking for organic factors such as vascular health, vitamin deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances is important due to their impact on cognitive function.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Inflammation, both neural and systemic, can lead to cognitive disturbances and should be evaluated as part of the ADHD assessment.
  • ๐Ÿง  A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is necessary to rule out conditions like psychotic disorders, affective syndromes, and anxiety that can mimic ADHD symptoms.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Substance misuse and certain medications can affect cognitive function and must be considered in the diagnosis process.
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Diet and nutrition play a role in cognitive health, and dietary interventions may be beneficial for individuals with ADHD.
  • ๐Ÿ’ค Addressing sleep disturbances is essential, as they can affect the effectiveness of ADHD treatments and overall cognitive function.

Q & A

  • What is the primary focus of the video by Sunil Rege?

    -The primary focus of the video is the evaluation of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the importance of considering various factors that might contribute to symptoms similar to ADHD to avoid misdiagnosis.

  • Why is ADHD considered a diagnosis of exclusion according to the video?

    -ADHD is considered a diagnosis of exclusion because it's important to rule out other underlying conditions that might be causing symptoms similar to ADHD before concluding the diagnosis.

  • What is the significance of evaluating ADHD from a longitudinal perspective as mentioned in the video?

    -Evaluating ADHD from a longitudinal perspective is significant because it allows for a better understanding of the patient's history and development, which can help identify any vulnerabilities or other factors contributing to the symptoms.

  • How does sleep apnea, as discussed in the video, impact cognitive functions related to ADHD?

    -Sleep apnea can significantly impact cognitive functions such as attention and concentration during the day due to hypoxia during the night, leading to unrefreshing sleep and fatigue.

  • What role do vascular factors play in cognitive deficits as discussed in the video?

    -Vascular factors like diabetes and hypertension can lead to white matter hyperintensities in the brain, which are associated with cognitive deficits that might be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.

  • Why is it important to consider vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D deficiencies in the evaluation of ADHD?

    -These deficiencies are important to consider because they are involved in the methylation pathway and are necessary for the production of noradrenaline and dopamine, key neurotransmitters in the neurobiology of ADHD.

  • What is the inflammatory hypothesis mentioned in the video in relation to ADHD?

    -The inflammatory hypothesis suggests that neuroinflammation or systemic inflammation can present with significant cognitive disturbances, which might be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.

  • How can thyroid function and iron deficiencies present with cognitive issues similar to ADHD?

    -Thyroid function abnormalities and iron deficiencies can lead to cognitive issues, including attention and concentration problems, which can mimic ADHD symptoms.

  • Why is it crucial to evaluate hormonal aspects, particularly in females, when considering ADHD?

    -Hormonal aspects, especially estrogen levels, are crucial to evaluate because estrogen plays a significant role in cognition, and abnormalities can lead to symptoms that might be diagnosed as ADHD, particularly in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women.

  • What is the significance of considering substance misuse and certain medications in the evaluation of ADHD?

    -Substance misuse and certain medications can impact the subcortical areas and frontal lobe connections, which are involved in ADHD, and thus their effects on cognition need to be considered to avoid misdiagnosis.

  • How does the video suggest addressing sleep disturbances in the context of ADHD evaluation?

    -The video suggests addressing sleep disturbances by considering good sleep hygiene and, in some cases, using medications like clonidine or guanfacine to treat hyperarousal and improve daytime functioning.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿ” Evaluating ADHD: Beyond the Symptoms

Dr. Sunil Rege, a consultant psychiatrist, introduces the video by discussing the importance of a comprehensive evaluation for ADHD in adults. He emphasizes that ADHD is a diagnosis of exclusion and should be considered from a longitudinal perspective. The video aims to highlight the need to rule out other underlying factors that might contribute to ADHD-like symptoms to avoid misdiagnosis. Dr. Rege uses the analogy of a bridge to explain how untreated vulnerabilities can lead to the 'breakdown' of a patient's condition, which might be mistakenly attributed to ADHD. He stresses the importance of considering the cumulative effect of all addressed factors for a beneficial outcome, linking this approach to psychiatric formulation and management.

05:00

๐Ÿง  Organic Factors in ADHD Evaluation

The second paragraph delves into the organic aspects of ADHD evaluation, focusing on medical conditions that can impact cognitive function. Dr. Rege discusses how sleep apnea, vascular factors like diabetes and hypertension, and cognitive examinations are crucial in the diagnostic process. He mentions the potential for neurodegenerative conditions to present ADHD-like symptoms and the importance of ruling these out. The paragraph also covers the role of vitamin deficiencies in ADHD, the inflammatory hypothesis, and the impact of thyroid function and iron levels on cognition. The discussion extends to hormonal aspects, particularly in females, and how conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome can affect cognitive function.

10:01

๐ŸŒ Psychological and Lifestyle Factors in ADHD

In the third paragraph, Dr. Rege explores the psychological and lifestyle factors that can mimic ADHD symptoms. He discusses the impact of substance misuse on cognition and the importance of considering prescribed medications that might affect cognitive function. The paragraph also addresses the psychotic spectrum, emphasizing the need to rule out psychotic disorders before diagnosing ADHD. Affective syndromes, particularly depression, are highlighted for their co-morbidity with ADHD. The discussion includes the effects of trauma on neurodevelopment and cognition, the link between ADHD and anxiety, and the importance of evaluating for hyperarousal. Dr. Rege also touches on the role of sleep disturbances in ADHD, suggesting that addressing sleep issues might improve cognitive function without the need for stimulant medication.

15:03

๐ŸŒ™ Sleep and Diet: Crucial Aspects of ADHD Management

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of sleep and diet in ADHD management. Dr. Rege discusses how sleep disturbances can affect cognitive function and how addressing these issues might improve ADHD symptoms. He mentions the role of circadian rhythm disturbances and the potential use of medications like clonidine to treat sleep-related issues in ADHD. The paragraph also highlights the importance of a healthy diet in managing ADHD symptoms. Dr. Rege concludes by reiterating the need for a thorough evaluation to rule out other vulnerabilities before diagnosing ADHD, advocating for a deductive reasoning approach to reach the most accurate diagnosis.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กADHD

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. In the video, ADHD is the central focus as the speaker discusses the importance of thorough evaluation before diagnosing it. The video emphasizes that ADHD is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other potential causes for symptoms must be ruled out first.

๐Ÿ’กCognitive Deficits

Cognitive deficits refer to impairments in cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and problem-solving. The video discusses how various factors, including sleep apnea and vascular conditions, can lead to cognitive deficits that might be mistaken for ADHD symptoms. The speaker highlights the importance of considering these deficits in the diagnostic process.

๐Ÿ’กSleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. The video mentions that sleep apnea, particularly obstructive sleep apnea, can significantly impact daytime cognition, leading to symptoms like fatigue and poor concentration, which may be confused with ADHD.

๐Ÿ’กVascular Factors

Vascular factors refer to conditions affecting the blood vessels, such as diabetes and hypertension. These conditions can lead to white matter hyperintensities in the brain, which are associated with cognitive deficits. The video underscores the significance of addressing vascular health in the evaluation of cognitive issues that could be attributed to ADHD.

๐Ÿ’กNeuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation is the inflammation in the nervous system, which can result from systemic inflammation. The video discusses how neuroinflammation can cause cognitive disturbances and is linked to conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, which can present with cognitive symptoms similar to ADHD.

๐Ÿ’กThyroid Function

Thyroid function refers to the proper operation of the thyroid gland, which is crucial for metabolism and overall health. The video mentions that thyroid dysfunction can lead to cognitive issues, emphasizing the need to evaluate thyroid health as part of the ADHD diagnostic process.

๐Ÿ’กPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. The video highlights the importance of considering PCOS in women presenting with ADHD-like symptoms, as hormonal imbalances, particularly estrogen deficiency, can impact cognition.

๐Ÿ’กSubstance Misuse

Substance misuse refers to the improper or excessive use of substances like alcohol or drugs. The video discusses how substance misuse can affect cognitive function and potentially mimic ADHD symptoms, making it a crucial factor to consider in the diagnostic process.

๐Ÿ’กPsychotic Spectrum

The psychotic spectrum refers to a range of conditions that include psychosis, characterized by symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. The video emphasizes the importance of ruling out psychotic disorders in the evaluation of ADHD, as some individuals with prodromal psychosis may exhibit neurodevelopmental abnormalities that could be misdiagnosed as ADHD.

๐Ÿ’กAffective Syndrome

Affective syndrome refers to mood disorders, particularly depression. The video discusses the need to rule out severe forms of depression, like melancholic depression, which can present with cognitive symptoms similar to ADHD. It also mentions the potential for co-morbidity between ADHD and depression.

๐Ÿ’กTrauma

Trauma, particularly childhood trauma, can impact neurodevelopment and lead to cognitive, impulse regulation, and emotional dysregulation issues. The video stresses the importance of considering past trauma in the evaluation of ADHD symptoms, as it can result in a complex interplay of conditions affecting cognition.

Highlights

Introduction to the evaluation of ADHD in adults, emphasizing the importance of considering other underlying factors that might contribute to ADHD symptoms.

ADHD is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other potential causes for symptoms must be ruled out first.

The importance of a longitudinal perspective in evaluating ADHD, considering the patient's history and development over time.

The analogy of a bridge to illustrate how underlying vulnerabilities can weaken a person's cognitive functioning, leading to ADHD-like symptoms.

The role of sleep apnea in impacting cognition and its relevance to ADHD symptoms.

The impact of vascular factors like diabetes and hypertension on cognitive deficits and their connection to ADHD.

The necessity of a thorough cognitive examination in individuals with ADHD, beyond just self-report scales.

The significance of vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D deficiencies in the neurobiology of ADHD.

The inflammatory hypothesis and its link to cognitive disturbances, potentially mimicking ADHD symptoms.

The overlap between fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and cognitive deficits, and their relevance to ADHD evaluation.

The importance of evaluating thyroid function and iron levels in females for cognitive issues related to ADHD.

The consideration of polycystic ovarian syndrome in females due to its impact on estrogen levels and cognition.

The impact of substance misuse on cognitive functioning and its potential to mimic ADHD symptoms.

The evaluation of psychotic spectrum disorders and their potential to present with ADHD-like symptoms.

The importance of ruling out severe forms of depression, especially those with cognitive symptoms, before diagnosing ADHD.

The role of past trauma in neurodevelopment and its potential to result in ADHD-like cognitive and impulse regulation issues.

The significance of current stresses in exacerbating cognitive status and their role in ADHD evaluation.

The potential comorbidity of OCD with ADHD and the implications for treatment with stimulants.

The importance of evaluating anxiety in ADHD, especially the internal agitation that can present as anxiety in adults.

The consideration of sleep disturbances in ADHD, including obstructive sleep apnea and circadian rhythm disorders.

The impact of diet on ADHD symptoms and the importance of a healthy diet in management.

The conclusion emphasizing the thorough evaluation process for ADHD to ensure proper treatment of underlying vulnerabilities.

Transcripts

play00:01

[Music]

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hi welcome to

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another edition of hub bytes i'm sunil

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rege consultant psychiatrist from

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psycsene

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today i'll be taking you through the

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evaluation of

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adhd attention deficit hyperactivity

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disorder

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to set the scene i received a referral

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from a physician

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approximately three days ago it was a 42

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year old female

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it was for an evaluation for adhd

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now one of the things we've got to think

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about is if i went ahead

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and basically carried out an adhd

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adult self-report scale or cadre

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questionnaire or

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diva 2.0 and i identified attention

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concentration deficits hyperactivity and

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impulsivity

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i could basically say this is a this is

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adhd

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but the question is what if there are

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several

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other underlying things that might be

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contributing to these symptoms it's

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possible

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that could result in a misdiagnosis so

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that's really the aim

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of this video is to outline that the

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evaluation of adhd

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one adhd is a diagnosis of exclusion

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two we should think about adhd from a

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longitudinal perspective

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and to look at several other factors

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that might be contributing

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to these deficits

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and the reason why i think about it that

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way is because

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let's imagine this was a bridge

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and you as an individual crossing the

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bridge on a daily

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basis and if the individual has adhd

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they're doing that they've been

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prescribed a stimulant and they're going

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okay

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but what if there are several underlying

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factors that are making this bridge

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weaker

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that is there are vulnerabilities these

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factors act as vulnerabilities and at

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some point this bridge

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cracks and breaks that's when the

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patient comes to you

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and says doctor the medication isn't

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working

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they might present with depression they

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might present anxiety they might present

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with a range of other disorders

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so the really important aspect is to

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think about these vulnerabilities and

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address these vulnerabilities as well

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because every little thing counts and

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it's important that the cumulative

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effect

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of all these things that we've addressed

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results in a

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beneficial outcome and this is linked to

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the basis

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of psychiatric formulation and

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management i've covered this

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in another video on the channel so

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please please do have a listen to it as

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well

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we've also covered it in on the cycling

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hub.com

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as an article so really we're following

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the sherlock holmes way of thinking

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deductive reasoning and not succumbing

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to

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complementary bias so let's get started

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with the evaluation

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but as always before getting into the

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details it's important that this is not

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to be construed as medical advice

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any personal issues should always be

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discussed with your own doctor

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so the first thing i think about is the

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organic

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aspects what does that mean the medical

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aspects now this hierarchy has been

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covered in more detail on another video

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the psychological formulation management

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video

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on the channel so please do have a

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listen to that one as well

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so we in the organic section

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a few things that i think about firstly

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now this particular patient

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was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea

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sleep apnea and sleep difficulties can

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impact

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significantly on cognition during the

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day so we know that adhd is

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can be considered really a disorder of

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cognition as well because it has

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attention concentration issues

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other cognitive issues as well that one

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identifies so sure cognition

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is a faculty right at the top that we

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think about

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but obstructive sleep apnea because of

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hypoxia during the night

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the individual can wake up really

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unrefreshed fatigue

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which impacts on concentration and

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attention during the day

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so obstructive sleep apnea is one of the

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factors to take into account

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the other aspects are vascular factors

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diabetes hypertension

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and we know that vascular factors can

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result in

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white matter hyperintensities of the

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brain and white matter hyperintensities

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are associated with cognitive deficits

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so it's important to be proactive

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in treating those as well now of course

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in some cases it is important to carry

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out an actual

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frontal lobe cognitive examination but

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other cognitive examinations such as a

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clock drawing test

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and if there are abnormalities

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identified going into more detail

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because in some rare cases it is not

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uncommon to identify a neurodegenerative

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condition

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that might present as adhd such as

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frontotemporal dementias

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because we know that frontal lobe is a

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predominant part of the brain that's

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involved

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in adhd so the point is it is important

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to carry out a thorough cognitive

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examination

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in individuals with adhd not just the

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adhd self-report scale of focusing on

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attention concentration

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hyperactivity and impulsivity then we

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also look at

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other aspects such as vitamin b12 folate

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deficiencies vitamin d

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deficiencies why do we look at that

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because we know that

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these are involved in the methylation

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pathway the first two

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and are necessary for the production of

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noradrenaline dopamine

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two key neurotransmitters that are

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involved in the

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neurobiology of adhd now this particular

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patient that was referred to me had

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elevated n a elevated

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dsdna the anti-ena was normal but their

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esr was

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elevated as well so that brings in the

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inflammatory hypothesis

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we know that when neuroinflammation is

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present or systemic inflammation is

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present

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individuals can present with significant

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cognitive disturbances

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and the other important aspect of

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inflammation is there is an

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overlap between fibromyalgia chronic

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fatigue syndrome

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and cognitive deficits as part of these

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particular syndromes

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so we know that the inflammation neural

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inflammation and systemic inflammation

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can result

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in fibromyalgia type syndromes chronic

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fatigue

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syndrome myalgic encephalomyelitis and

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we know that cognition is a core feature

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of these conditions so we often see this

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triad

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together so it's important to think

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about inflammation as well

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the other aspect to think about is

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thyroid functions

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and also iron because these deficiencies

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can present with significant

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cognitive issues as well

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in females and you know this 42 year old

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female i would also be thinking about

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polycystic ovarian syndrome why because

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estrogen and abnormalities in estrogen

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we know that estrogen is very very

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crucial for

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cognition so sometimes in the

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perimenopausal postmenopausal group

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we can see symptoms that are very very

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suggestive

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or can be diagnosed as adhd onset

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late but much of this can be due to

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estrogen deficiency for example

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impacting on cognition so it's crucial

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that the hormonal aspect

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is also evaluated so that's sort of the

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the organic evaluation

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then we think about substances and here

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we think about

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substance misuse so for example

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excessive alcohol use or cannabis use or

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other illicit substances

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and the reason why that's important is

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because these substances can

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impact on the subcortical area the basal

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ganglia and the connections to the

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frontal lobe the same pathways that can

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be involved

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in adhd you can have a more detailed

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read of the neurobiology of adhd which

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we covered in the cycling hub.com

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we've also covered the diagnosis and

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management of adhd with a focus on adult

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adhd

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do have a read of that one as well

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with substances we've also got to think

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about any medications that have been

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prescribed

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by physicians or psychiatrists because

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certain medications can impact

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on cognition the next aspect we think

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about is psychotic spectrum

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and when i think about psychotic

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spectrum it's not just about psychosis

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in the form of delusions and

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hallucinations

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but really we're thinking about the

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mesolimbic pathway and if the mesolimbic

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pathway is activated

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it results in hyperarousal symptoms

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heightened emotional reactivity racing

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thoughts

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and we know that these symptoms can

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impact impact on

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cognition so the functioning during the

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day but it can also impact on

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sleep resulting in middle insomnia

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early insomnia difficulty falling asleep

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or early morning awakening

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all of which can impact on cognitive

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functioning during the day and can look

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like adhd

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so it is important to address any mixed

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features

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but the other aspect that's important in

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psychotic spectrum is a thorough

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evaluation

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of ruling out psychotic disorders

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by taking a family history looking at

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the genetic

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aspects because individuals with

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prodromal psychosis can have

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neurodevelopmental abnormalities

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so developmental delay for example or

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attention concentration problems

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learning difficulty in school etc

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and much of this can one can fall in the

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trap

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of misdiagnosis they can be prescribed a

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stimulant and it can result in

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a psychotic episode so it's really

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really important to rule out

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underlying vulnerabilities towards

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psychosis to avoid misdiagnosis

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and a prescription of a stimulant that

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could result in

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detrimental sort of consequences the

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next one is the affective syndrome and

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here really

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once focusing on ruling out the severe

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forms of depression

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for example melancholic type depressions

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that

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have dopamine and noradrenaline as key

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underpinnings in the genesis

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so we're looking at you know dopamine

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not adrenaline sort of abnormalities

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melancholic depression because we know

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that

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in melancholic depression decision

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making attention concentration issues

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cognitive issues

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are a core feature of course adhd and

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depression can be co-morbid

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and both need to be treated and the

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reason why that can happen particularly

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in adulthood is that

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they might initially have adhd but

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because of difficulty coping through

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life

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it's resulted in lots of losses

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it's resulted in difficulty coping and

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it resulted in additional sort of

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depressive elements being added on top

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of the adhd so that's where the

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co-morbidity comes in

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moving lower down we think about trauma

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now with particular trauma we think

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about

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past trauma during childhood and why is

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this important because trauma

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impacts on the neurodevelopment the

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development of the brain and can result

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in not only cognitive

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issues but also impulse just regulation

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and impact

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on emotional dysregulation so

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trauma and looking at those aspects is

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important we know that trauma can also

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result in

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ongoing heightened sympathetic drive so

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therefore hyperarousal

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can be present so it's linked to mixed

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features as well

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but we know that trauma is also linked

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to fibromyalgia

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and chronic fatigue syndrome so we see

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this complex picture of

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trauma fibromyalgia chronic fatigue

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syndrome impacting on cognition

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but also many individuals with

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fibromyalgia chronic fatigue syndrome

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have mixed features

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so one's really got to think about

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deconstructing the problem and

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addressing each one rather than

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trying to search for a single diagnosis

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so

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trauma is really important but of course

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we look at current stresses as well

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because current stresses

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when added on to an underlying

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vulnerability can result in worsening of

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cognitive status next we look at ocd

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they can often be ocd comorbid

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i have seen cases of resistant ocd

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that actually were treated that had a

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diagnosis of adhd

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and responded very well well to

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stimulants why does that happen it

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happens because in ocd one of the

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neurotransmitters that's involved

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is dopamine so you can have a read of

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the neurobiology of ocd as well in

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detail in the cycling

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hub so in resistant cases one's got to

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think about the possibility of adhd and

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many individuals with adult adhd

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can have severe procrastination as a key

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feature the other aspect is anxiety now

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this is really crucial because we know

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that in childhood hyperactivity is a

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symptom but only 30

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of individuals sort of move to have

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hyperactivity as a symptom

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in adulthood so a lot of the

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hyperactivity dissipates the external

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hyperactivity but sometimes the internal

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hyperactivity remains and this can

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present

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as internal agitation or internal

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anxiety

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so sometimes in resistant anxiety

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disorders it's worth thinking about the

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possibility

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of adhd but the other aspect with

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anxiety is that we know that sometimes

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when a stimulant

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is prescribed it can actually worsen

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anxiety

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so a thorough evaluation of the

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possibility of hyperarousal

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needs to be taken into account in adhd

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and hyperarousal is linked to as we saw

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mixed features but also

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anxiety so if there is significant

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hyperarousal

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then one can actually combine the

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stimulant to treat

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the cognitive elements of of

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sort of the frontal lobe aspects

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noradrenaline dopamine by using a

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stimulant

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but then treating the hyperarousal

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during other periods or the side effects

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by

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considering clonidine or guanfacine

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which is an alpha-2 agonist

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but it's important of course any

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combination therapy should be a

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specialist treatment

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as far as possible we try to avoid

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combination therapies because we want to

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ensure that we prescribe one medication

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but again these are things that need to

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be discussed

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there are individualized treatments but

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just to outline that

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in some cases reduction of hyperarousal

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is absolutely crucial because there are

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two elements going on

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and i'll come to that in a sec when i

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talk about sleep uh of course

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it's important to think that individual

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eating disorder can also have adhd type

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symptomatology

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but of course then prescription of

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stimulants one's got to be very very

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cautious because they drop appetite

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we know that uh personality there may be

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certain personality traits that can

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sort of be associated with adhd but when

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there's lots going on here i'm not going

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to jump to the diagnosis of a

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personality disorder but high levels of

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perfectionism

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sort of anal casting personality

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obsessive compulsive personalities

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can sometimes of course add on that

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extra stress for an individual with

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adhd and one of the important things

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that i want to touch on

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is sleep a very very large proportion of

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individuals

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tend to have sleep disturbances

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individuals adhd have sleep disturbances

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we touched on obstructive sleep apnea

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which is important to address

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but circadian rhythm disturbance is very

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crucial as well

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you can have a listen to the

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neurobiology of sleep video that i did

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on this channel

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to really think about what is

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hyperarousal and what

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are circadian rhythms and how they

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impact on

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on sleep now when there is significant

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hype arousal

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at nighttime it can sort of present with

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vivid dreams difficulty falling asleep

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waking up several times in the middle of

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the night

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early morning awakening etc now this can

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impact significantly on cognition during

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the day

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because the individual wakes up

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unrefreshed and extended periods of hype

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arousal and sleep difficulties

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impact on cognition so there is good

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evidence that

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sleep disturbances impact on cognition

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therefore it becomes important in some

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cases

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simply addressing sleep by good sleep

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hygiene

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may actually improve cognitive function

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so that is one of the important things

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to take into account as part of

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management not just simply prescribing a

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stimulant

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because if there's ongoing sleep

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difficulties the stimulants might stop

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working and in many cases to address the

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um hyperarousal at nighttime circadian

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rhythm disturbances

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that's where clonadine and one facing

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may be utilized

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because they reduce that heightened

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sympathetic

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overdrive heightened nor adrenaline at

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night time

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and assist and sleep treat the vivid

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dreams of the nightmares and improve

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daytime functioning so in some cases a

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combination might be required where

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treating the hyperarousal at nighttime

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but and improving cognition during the

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demo be required

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but as i mentioned earlier that's really

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really individualized

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and you know sleep is important and of

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course diet is also important

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and of course in children and

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adolescents the link between

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dietary interventions and adhd is

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something that is

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considered um and it's something to take

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into account similarly in adults as well

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a healthy diet

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becomes very very important so

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the purpose of this interview is to

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highlight that

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it's important to carry out a thorough

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evaluation when presented

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with an adhd type picture

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the reason is because we want to ensure

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that these vulnerabilities are

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treated before jumping into the

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diagnosis of adhd so

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adhd is a diagnosis of exclusion it's

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important to run through the hierarchy a

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proper

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thorough deductive reasoning because

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when we rule out

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the impossible what must remain is as

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close to the truth

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as possible so i hope that you found

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this video useful if you've liked it

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please of course click the like button

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subscribe to the channel

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i look forward to seeing you in another

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edition of hub bites take care and stay

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[Music]

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safe

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you

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Related Tags
ADHD EvaluationMental HealthCognitive DeficitsSleep ApneaNeuroinflammationPsychiatric FormulationCognitive DisordersSubstance MisuseAnxiety DisordersSleep Hygiene