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Writer's pictureLisa Chadsey
Mar 17, 2022

ADD/ADHD & Your Mental Health Awareness





I’ve made a commitment this month to open up knowledge about Mental Health. It’s week 3, and this is the perfect time to talk about ADD/ADHD.


Now if you have ADD or ADHD, which occurs in both adults and children, the length of these blog posts are probably too long for you to read all at once. You may skim instead. I know when I check these for grammar & value I start to feel like I have ADHD - did I remember to call Matt? - but the power of knowledge is important, so please stick with me on this!


Now, let’s get down to it!


Is there a difference between ADD & ADHD?


There used to be, but not anymore.


“In 1994, doctors decided all forms of attention-deficit disorder would be called "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder," or ADHD, even if the person wasn't hyperactive. Now it's called, inattentive type, or ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive type, or ADHD, combined type.” (WebMD.)



What is ADHD?


This is a disorder that originates in the brain. It impacts both children and adults and often interferes with day-to-day activities and work. Common signs of ADHD include the inability to focus, scattered actions, and inability to remain still for periods of time.


Here are some symptoms to look for (Information referenced from WebMD):

  • Inattention: disorganized, trouble staying on task, daydreaming, and inability to focus their attention when spoken to directly. They also easily lose things, and have trouble following instructions.

  • Impulsivity: Makes spur-of-the-moment decisions without thinking about consequences. They want an immediate reward. They may regularly interrupt teachers, friends, and family.

  • Hyperactivity: Constantly moving, especially when it’s inappropriate; squirming, fidgeting, tapping, talking, and shifting.


Important to note:


If you have a hard time focusing or have any of the symptoms listed above, this does not mean that you have ADHD. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, please consult with your doctor.


What can cause ADHD?


Information referenced from American Academy of Pediatrics Article.

  • Genes & heredity - ADHD frequently runs in families. A child with ADHD has a 1 in 4 chance of having a parent with ADHD.

  • Brain anatomy and function - A lower level of activity in the parts of the brain that control attention and activity

  • Significant head injuries

  • Prematurity - increased risk of developing ADHD.

  • Prenatal exposure - to things such as alcohol or nicotine from smoking can increase the risk of developing ADHD.

  • Toxins in the environment - For example, lead in the body can affect child development and behavior.



Why is this important to know about?


Personally, as a parent, this really resonates with me. It’s so hard to know when your kiddo is acting out for attention, and when there is something going on that may be outside of their control. I see many kids who look like they have symptoms of ADHD, but who are viewed as mischief-causers and bad actors.


Knowing how to spot these symptoms can help to bring awareness to where kids & adults may need a helping hand rather than judgment.



How does light therapy help with ADD/ADHD?


Here are two core things that happen during a Low-Level Light Therapy session that help with ADD/ADHD:


  1. Light therapy helps your body increase your body's circulation - and specifically it supports healthy blood flow to areas of your brain that regulates your hormones, and clears out any waste that may exist in the blood-brain barrier. This increased circulation allows the brain to regulate itself better and have clearer focus.

  2. Light therapy helps to soothe and calm the mind down. During a light therapy session your body interacts with the different wavelengths of light and devotes its energy to circulation, ATP production, and cellular healing. While the body is at work, this process naturally calms the brain down.


Now, what does science say…


During 2006, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada tested the impact of Light Therapy on 29 adults with symptoms of ADD/ADHD. The results showed improvement in symptoms of ADD/ADHD in 28% of the subjects, specifically increasing attention, decreasing impulsiveness, regulating activity and body-movements. (PDF Article 1)

If you think your kiddo is having problems with focusing and staying still, talk with me to see if light therapy can help them. This includes you too!



No matter what it is that you are looking for, I know that we'll find a way to help you heal with light therapy!


_______________________________________________________________________________


If you want to learn more about Light Therapy & my Light Therapy work, you can follow me with the links below, or email me at Lisa@lightmattersinfo.com - thank you for reading!



Instagram | Lightswithlisa

Facebook | Light Matters Therapy

Youtube | Lights With Lisa



If you liked this article you can also read:


Here are the articles I've referenced above:


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