It takes tremendous energy to keep functioning while carrying the memory of terror, and the shame of utter weakness and vulnerability” - Bessel A. van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
THE SIMILARITY
The prefrontal cortex on the right-hand side of the brain is the key area affected by both ADHD AND trauma.
This area of the brain is responsible for attention.
A lot of the issues we see with ADHD (the ability to focus, to start a project, to stay focused), constant movement, anxiety, etc. are almost identical to trauma symptoms.
Are some people diagnosed with ADHD when they are really suffering from childhood trauma?
YES!
How do you know if it’s trauma or ADHD that’s the problem?
If you have both, then both are contributing to the problem; both will affect the prefrontal cortex.
You may have had ADHD without significant trauma, however, since the sensory overload of ADHD is traumatic, it creates problems for children.
How can you tell if it’s ‘just’ ADHD?
Unlike trauma, with ADHD there’s a uniqueness to thoughts and a wonder too.
Do trauma and ADHD often come together?
Yes, not least because in families where a child has ADHD there’s a very high probability (approx. 45%) that one or both parents also have ADHD, sensitives, and/or be exceptionally brilliant or talented.
If they have ADHD, it’s often undiagnosed. As a result, the parent/s may also have struggled with their own issues throughout life.
This will have made parenting difficult.
As a result, the child will have to deal with ADHD, along with parents who are emotionally unavailable, have addictions or abandonment issues.
How do you help trauma or ADHD?
With ADHD, there will be heightened sensitivity to some of the 5 senses and to emotions. There will also be curiosity and wonder.
The key is to help manage and alleviate uncomfortable sensitivities, and to champion their gifts and talents.
Healing childhood trauma is a journey in itself.
Bessel Van Der Kolk offers incredible understanding and solutions in his courses which show how we hold trauma in the body, and how to release it.
Join our tribe! This is where we heal together
12 step programs are excellent in their awareness of attachment, abandonment, trust, isolation issues, and reparenting oneself with self-love.
We incorporate all of these techniques into our work here.
I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”- Elie Wiesel
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Download Itty, Bitty, Sh!tty Committee eBook
The world will put countless obstacles in your path but none will be as big as the ones you create for yourself. We call it, your own personal Itty, Bitty, Sh!tty Committee.
It takes tremendous energy to keep functioning while carrying the memory of terror, and the shame of utter weakness and vulnerability” - Bessel A. van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
THE SIMILARITY
The prefrontal cortex on the right-hand side of the brain is the key area affected by both ADHD AND trauma.
This area of the brain is responsible for attention.
A lot of the issues we see with ADHD (the ability to focus, to start a project, to stay focused), constant movement, anxiety, etc. are almost identical to trauma symptoms.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Download Itty, Bitty, Sh!tty Committee eBook
The world will put countless obstacles in your path but none will be as big as the ones you create for yourself. We call it, your own personal Itty, Bitty, Sh!tty Committee.
Are some people diagnosed with ADHD when they are really suffering from childhood trauma?
YES!
How do you know if it’s trauma or ADHD that’s the problem?
If you have both, then both are contributing to the problem; both will affect the prefrontal cortex.
You may have had ADHD without significant trauma, however, since the sensory overload of ADHD is traumatic, it creates problems for children.
How can you tell if it’s ‘just’ ADHD?
Unlike trauma, with ADHD there’s a uniqueness to thoughts and a wonder too.
Do trauma and ADHD often come together?
Yes, not least because in families where a child has ADHD there’s a very high probability (approx. 45%) that one or both parents also have ADHD, sensitives, and/or be exceptionally brilliant or talented.
If they have ADHD, it’s often undiagnosed. As a result, the parent/s may also have struggled with their own issues throughout life.
This will have made parenting difficult.
As a result, the child will have to deal with ADHD, along with parents who are emotionally unavailable, have addictions or abandonment issues.
How do you help trauma or ADHD?
With ADHD, there will be heightened sensitivity to some of the 5 senses and to emotions. There will also be curiosity and wonder.
The key is to help manage and alleviate uncomfortable sensitivities, and to champion their gifts and talents.
Healing childhood trauma is a journey in itself.
Bessel Van Der Kolk offers incredible understanding and solutions in his courses which show how we hold trauma in the body, and how to release it.
Join our tribe! This is where we heal together
12 step programs are excellent in their awareness of attachment, abandonment, trust, isolation issues, and reparenting oneself with self-love.
We incorporate all of these techniques into our work here.
I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” - Elie Wiesel
You might also find this helpful...
You might also find this helpful...
The 5 Things to Know About ADHD Adult Diagnosis
As someone who has struggled with ADHD their entire life, I can honestly tell you -…
Self Love & Hate with ADHD
A new study from King's College London has suggested that Leonardo Da Vinci's famous…
Unraveling Some Struggles with ADHD
Twenty уеаrs ago few people were talking about ADHD (then known аѕ ADD) аnd еvеn fewer…