#dopamine deficiency symptoms

[allhealthneedsdoctorconsultation]

Dopamine Deficiency Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment at Livlong

Discover details on dopamine deficiency symptoms, treatment, & causes for problems with depression, motivation, etc. Learn more about the low dopamine symptoms & more at Livlong.

https://livlong.com/blogs/health-and-wellness/dopamine-deficiency-symptoms-causes-and-treatment

[icecreampotluck]

his, this is a fun little informational post! if you are writing a character that is a) ADHD(-coded) and b) clumsy, consider looking into

dyspraxia

also known as developmental coordination disorder, dyspraxia is a motor control and spatial awareness disorder that is HIGHLY comorbid with adhd. it can manifest as early as one year old, delaying a lot of the expected milestones in babies. beyond physical effects, dyspraxic people often struggle with ordering tasks in their brain, memory, and speech (but that one can be a combination of the ordering things AND the motor control). for the FIFTY PERCENT of dyspraxic people with adhd, these symptoms often are tied to the dopamine deficiency- i personally am clumsier when im sad or overwhelmed or understimulated (tonight i spilled flan juice in my crocs and then when i was walking home it was wet and sticky and awful and logically i knew if i walked faster i could get home and solve it but i physically couldn't move faster because the distress was aggravating my dyspraxia and so i had to focus very hard on Walking and not Falling) here are some things my dyspraxia makes me struggle with that I would love to see in characters like this!

handwriting! i basically can't do it at all, but for other it could be messy or a task they have to focus on

biking! balance is no bueno.

driving a car! a lot of dyspraxics don't have the spatial awareness to know where the car is

in the same vein: shopping carts.

holding things! i forget I'm holding them and then i let go unconsciously

knowing how big things are. I used to think cop shows were lying about people knowing how tall criminals were. now I have nightmares about witnessing a crime and being like "uhh. talller than me?" i also frequently pick a container that's way too big or way too small for the stuff I'm storing.

lefts and right! i still gotta do the finger L's.

another common things with dyspraxia is fatigue. we are putting more physical effort into the same tasks than non-dyspraxics. it's tiring, y'all.

if you have any questions, feel free to ask me! other dyspraxics, feel free to add on things that would make you feel Seen.

[wawawawawawawawawawawawawa]

i'm on my aspd izaya bullshit again but like. thru this lens, isnt his arc a perfect encapsulation on how aspd negatively affects the person that has it? even to this day, many professionals do not believe that pwASPD suffer from aspd. like at all. to the point where aspd was specifically listed as an outlier to the "patient distress is what defines a disorder" rule in an abnormal psych textbook

(see why i don't respect the field?)

but... he does suffer! a lot! like- remember his speech to mikado at the end of the first arc? how you need to keep evolving, keep changing in order to escape the mundane? how you have to keep going and going and going, wether it be aiming high or low?

yeah. normal people don't need to do this, izaya. you are a broken person.

but why SHOULD he be content with the mundane? the things people usually have that make them content with daily life- friends, family, a purpose, a distinct lack of extreme chronic boredom that drives you to do completely insane shit- izaya doesn't HAVE any of that!

"wait, chronic boredom?" i hear yall thinking. maybe. "isnt that an adhd thing?"

more than one disorder can have the same symptom. theres like a billion that have "want to die" as a symptom. but i dont really blame you for not knowing, its not talked about much

studies have shown that aspd and adhd are both problems with the dopamine receptors in the brain. more specifically, adhd is a chronic deficiency of dopamine, whereas with aspd, when you DO get dopamine, your brain gives you quardruple the normal amount.

studies have ALSO shown there to be a sort of... adhd to aspd pipeline. the story goes like this: you have a kid with adhd. maybe they're born like that, maybe the symptoms developed from trauma (which can happen? apparently??) anyway. kid gets abused. kid develops conduct disorder as a result of that abuse, as a natural extension of the existing adhd symptoms. they're MORE impulsive, which leads to them hurting others- and if it sets off the dopamine receptors, an abused kid starving for happiness and power is gonna chase it, no matter what. theyre like, six, they dont know anything about like. morality. all they know is, theyre sad and this makes them happy. anyway kid never gets treated, abuse continues to exasperate the symptoms, and now you have an adult with aspd, AND the original adhd diagnosis! and ptsd, which is HIGHLY comorbid with aspd! and probably another personality disorder, because you're actually statistically more likely to have two of them!

anyway! that's ONE of the ways aspd can develop from trauma, which it is Known To Do.

does any of that sound pleasant to go through? at all?

let me ask you a question:

imagine you aren't getting dopamine. maybe it's your adhd. maybe you're depressed. either way, you try to get it any way you can. wether it's throwing yourself into a hobby or a job, so the sense of satisfaction gives you dopamine, or something like drugs or gambling.

now, imagine that "rush" you felt. was Four Times Stronger.

wouldnt that compel you to do increasingly dangerous and risky shit, just to feel okay? imagine if you had no friends. imagine if this was your only way to be happy. wouldnt you, eventually, stop caring about others and only care about yourself? after all, other people have thinga like friends and a family that you don't have. they have a fallback. you only have this.

and you might say, "i'd never do that!" but every addict says that, and most eventually cross that line out of sheer desperation. and this? effectively makes you into a dopamine addict. which is dangerous! you can't just STOP... gettng dopamine....! it's necessary! but you have no help so you keep doing what youre doing. (and how could you get help? its baked into the system that people like you don't suffer. why try if youll just get burned?

anyway, back to izaya.

he's lonely. he has one friend and he sucks. he feels compelled to do these things even though he KNOWS it'll hurt him.

i stole this screenshot from some1 who insulted my friend once for something stupid <3 die

but it illustrates my point very well! does it look like he has much control over things?? he sure like to ACT like he does, but at the end of the day, he doesn't, really. he ends up spiraling more and more, doing increasingly risky and rash things, just to get his end goal... which is to die and ascend to the afterlife. a lofty goal.

aiming high, isn't he? a final, spectacular evolution.

or, it should have been.

but it wasn't.

izaya's impulses and deep desire to continue becoming more and more drastic, coupled with his lack of personal ties to anyone that could keep him from doing so....

it didn't make him ascend. it left him in a wheelchair, with chronic pain that will last his whole life.

THAT is where mental illness takes you. it doesn't make you a hollywood psychopath, reveling in the destruction you chose, of your own free will, wholly and truly, to cause. it makes you want More. no matter what, you need More. you see people content with lives worse than yours, everyone bound together with some sort of invisible thread, some sort of tie that keeps them together. a thread that missed you. your brain refuses to see people as people, thus you remain lonely forever, unsatiafied wirh company other than the superficial, because it's fun. that's all you're allowed to care about. an endless cycle of bigger and bigger actions, impulses slowly getting worse--

--and the worst part is, it tricks you into believing you ever had a choice. it tricks everyone into believing you had a choice. your suffering is worse than disregarded, to all the people you look at from your apartment, all the people you wish you could have been like.

it's nonexistant.

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

Hi sex witch, I (cis man, late 20s) have a bit of an issue regarding medication and my sex life... I'm hoping you can be a bit of a sounding board for me?

I recently started taking an SNRI to help with anxiety and sleep. It seems to be working (not perfectly, but there's definitely a pretty big improvement).

Currently I'm single and all my sex is solo, but I've noticed that since I started the meds my libido has significantly reduced. It's also more difficult to reach orgasm, and the orgasms feel... different? (Not sure how I feel about that bit...)

My main problem is trying to work out whether I want to raise this with my doctor when I go for my next check-up. I'm not in the market for sex with anyone else right now, so the only person it is affecting is me. The positives in terms of my anxiety are great, and the negatives are more "differences" than actual "negatives".

What do you think? Should I push to try a different medication before I get settled on this one? Or should I spend more time working out whether I'm comfortable with the lower sex-drive? I think both are reasonable, and I would appreciate your opinion - thanks!

hi anon,

PREFACE: I'M NOT ANY KIND OF DOCTOR AND THIS ISN'T MEDICAL ADVICE.

I just want to start by commending you for noting the difference between "different" and "negative." people are often taught to think of any change in their sexual function as automatically bad, when in fact it's often nothing more than a very natural fluctuation within their body.

in your case, that fluctuation is very common; many people report experiencing a decrease in libido after beginning anti-depressants. hormones drive much of our sexuality, and anti-depressants wreak havoc on our the delicate chemical balance in our brain - for the better, of course, because they ideally help bridge the gap for chemical deficiencies in our brains that make us feel Not So Good, but as a side effect functions like the libido can be thrown into a spiral.

it's worth noting that the change often isn't permanent; eventually, your body may very well acclimate to the new hormonal arrangement and gets back to business as usual. I can personally attest that my first year on anti-depressants saw my libido pretty much go dormant, but it eventually came back with a vengeance.

I'm not in any way, shape, or form an expert on how the brain works and how medication works in the long term, but as someone who spends a lot of time talking to people about sex and has been on anti-depressants for years, I have to wonder if part of the sex drive's return has to do with the effectiveness of the medication over time. many people have a hard time fully accessing their sexuality when they're suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression, because being horny - let alone actually having sex - requires an amount of mental space and energy that just isn't there when you're struggling to even perform the basic tasks that let you get through the day. again, speaking from personal experience, I know that before I was medicated, WAAAAAAY too much of my energy was getting burned up by my anxiety and the accompanying physical symptoms; there's not much left over for libido when all of you're exhausting yourself shaking and otherwise being a nervous wreck. turns out being horny is WAY EASIER when you aren't constantly on edge!

I will also point out that sometimes the reason people who aren't doing so great in regards to their mental health masturbate so much is for those sweet little dopamine hits that they're not getting anywhere else, which I don't say to stigmatize jerking off while mentally ill (god knows I can't judge for that) but to point out that after a few months with more managed anxiety, you may not even be as interested in solo sex as you previously were. or you will be, but it will look different thanks to the other positive effects your medication has had. sexuality is a slippery creature, and it's impossible to predict exactly how it will shift throughout our lives.

my point being, if you haven't noticed any other adverse side effects of this medication and you think it's going to help more than hinder you, I would recommend continuing with it for the time. you'll keep reaping the positive benefits in the meantime, and you'll have some time to reflect on those changes as they continue to happen and figure out how this new shape your sexuality has taken can still fit into the overall mosaic of your life. if you ultimately decide that you don't like what's changed, that's fine! but I would broadly advise waiting it out through the most dramatic shifts that will happen early on to get a fuller picture.

[cecilpedia]

Why are people so reluctant to call ADHD a disability? Like. Yeah its symptoms aren't as "intense" as other disabilities, physical or mental, but it's still a disability by definition.

Actually, now that I think about it, I think it's because a lot of the symptoms are seen less as symptoms and more as reflections of a person's character. Someone's executive dysfunction is making it difficult to complete a task? They're lazy. Rejection-sensitive dysphoria makes perceived slights against a person feel more intense? They're overly emotional. Too many things going on in their mind to remember to take care of themselves or their surroundings? Unhygienic and disorganized. And god forbid they develop an addiction because of their dopamine deficiency or they'll become a social outcast.

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

how do i talk to my parents about taking my adhd more seriously? i feel like they dont really understand how much i really effects my life and my mom has said my "adhd isnt really a disability" and its very stressful sometimes

Hi @pyrophilexd

I’m so sorry your parents aren’t that educated about ADHD. But not to worry, I found sources you can show them and how it affects your daily life. There will be long excerpts, so I apologize if this is really long.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic, debilitating disorder which may impact upon many aspects of an individual’s life, including academic difficulties,1 social skills problems,2 and strained parent-child relationships.3 Whereas it was previously thought that children eventually outgrow ADHD, recent studies suggest that 30–60% of affected individuals continue to show significant symptoms of the disorder into adulthood.4 Children with the disorder are at greater risk for longer term negative outcomes, such as lower educational and employment attainment.5 A vital consideration in the effective treatment of ADHD is how the disorder affects the daily lives of children, young people, and their families. Indeed, it is not sufficient to merely consider ADHD symptoms during school hours—a thorough examination of the disorder should take into account the functioning and wellbeing of the entire family.

As children with ADHD get older, the way the disorder impacts upon them and their families changes (fig 1⇓). The core difficulties in executive function seen in ADHD7 result in a different picture in later life, depending upon the demands made on the individual by their environment. This varies with family and school resources, as well as with age, cognitive ability, and insight of the child or young person. An environment that is sensitive to the needs of an individual with ADHD and aware of the implications of the disorder is vital. Optimal medical and behavioural management is aimed at supporting the individual with ADHD and allowing them to achieve their full potential while minimising adverse effects on themselves and society as a whole.

How Does ADHD Affect Overall Health?

ADHD & Sleep:

Why So Many Night Owls Have ADHD

Delayed sleep phase syndrome, defined by irregular sleep-wake patterns and thought of as a circadian rhythm disorder, is common in ADHD. The ADHD brain takes longer — about an hour longer on average (remember, that’s just an average) — to fall asleep than does the non-ADHD brain. That’s why it’s not uncommon for us to stay up late at night, and regret it in the morning.

Poor-Quality Sleep Worsens ADHD Symptoms

Suffering a sleep deficit with ADHD is like waking up to ADHD times two — or five. Lack of sleep slows a person’s response time, processing speed, and decision-making. We’re not as alert or as focused when we’re tired. We become crabby and inflexible. We imitate three of the Seven Dwarfs: Dopey, Sleepy, and Grumpy. Lack of sleep is a self-fulfilling prophecy; it only continues to throw our circadian rhythm off kilter and cause more dysregulated sleep.

ADHD & Nutrition and Eating Habits

Why ADHD Brains Chase Dopamine

The dopamine-deficient ADHD brain seeks this chemical in many places, from tobacco to junk food. Caffeine also boosts dopamine levels in the brain. And it’s always tempting to reach for simple carbs, since they rapidly break down into sugar and stimulate dopamine release.

ADHD Symptoms Influence Eating Behaviors

Symptoms like impulsivity and inattention easily invite dysregulated eating, which may lead to unintended weight gain. In fact, studies link ADHD to excess weight and obesity5 — which is linked to other conditions ranging from fatty liver, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. Relatedly, research also links ADHD to Type 2 diabetes.

Are Other Health Conditions Linked to ADHD?

From autoimmune diseases and skin conditions to hypermobility and pulmonary disease, a string of other health conditions have been linked to ADHD. Take a moment to think about how ADHD impacts your diet, health, and overall wellness.

How Does ADHD Affect Education and Careers?

Adverse School Experiences with ADHD Are Common

Our experiences in school often foreshadow our careers and other aspects of our lives. Did ADHD prevent you from graduating high school or from enrolling in or finishing college, as it did for so many of us? Or did ADHD help you excel in school? Did you have to navigate school with a learning difference like dyslexia or dysgraphia, as 45% of children with ADHD do?

What Is ADHD?

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It’s caused by brain differences that affect attention and behavior in set ways. For example, people with ADHD are more easily distracted than people who don’t have it. ADHD can make it harder to focus, listen well, wait, or take your time.

Having ADHD affects a person at school, at home, and with friends.

The signs of ADHD start early in childhood. But some people don’t find out they have it until they are older. It all depends on when ADHD keeps them from doing well, and when they see a doctor about it.

No matter when a person finds out they have ADHD, the right treatment can help them do better in all parts of their life. Having great support from parents, teachers, and friends helps too.

What Are the Signs of ADHD?

People with ADHD might:

have trouble listening and paying attention

need lots of reminders to do things

get distracted easily

seem absent-minded

be disorganized and lose things

not sit still, wait their turn, or be patient

rush through homework or other tasks or make careless mistakes

interrupt a lot, and talk or call out answers in class

do things they shouldn't, even though they know better

get upset easily

feel restless, fidgety, frustrated, and bored

Teachers will notice signs like these in the classroom. And parents will notice signs like these at home. You may notice signs like these in yourself. If you do, talk to a parent or teacher about it.

Share this information and articles to your uneducated parents. They need to understand and know how this disorder affects daily life. And it’s also genetic. So if you have ADHD, I’m sure your parents might too.

I hope this can help you and your parents. Thank you for the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ♥️

[call-me-liquid]

Fellow adhd-er here, I also only take my meds around 5 days a week, my doc actively told me to take Breaks, but I also don't have any side effects from not taking them - only that the symptoms return. So yeah I think it's really dependent on the type of meds you're taking - but honestly she should talk to her doctor about all this, not blindly follow advise she read online about what works for others.

I think it also might depend on what kind of ADHD you have. I'm going to simplify this down, everything i was going through was a bit more complicated than I'm going to make it sound-- but I got the kind that means you brain doesn't process dopamine right. Or, reward deficiency syndrome, I've heard it called, among the other symptoms. So more than anything, I feel like my meds just feed the little gremlin in my brain that's looking for that dopamine hit, so I can be actually functional. I think Lily's got a similar type.

I can't say this for sure, just speak for myself, but no wonder she's been spiraling even more than usual if she's not getting that stable supply of dopamine to her brain.

[tim-ee-sis]

QUESTION

Do any of you lovely people have experience doing or studying dopamine detoxing?

Quick recap of a dopamine detox (my undergrad degree and specialty are neuroscience so buckle up):

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that your brain releases in the hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex as a reward/satisfaction and plays a part in motivation. Historically, it was things like eating, sex, listening to music, etc., and it also plays a huge role in addiction and dependency.

With the advent of technology and social media, it’s SO easy to get that ping of dopamine with things like TikTok, scrolling Instagram, or video games. We regress to primitive behaviors and avoid delayed gratification (classic psych experiment: you can have 1 marshmallow now or wait 10 minutes and you’ll get 3).

The problem with that is that the receptors for dopamine get saturated and then the neurochemical signal can’t propagate where it needs to go. A dopamine detox basically resets your body’s sensitivity to endogenous dopamine. Common symptoms of dopamine deficiency (or saturation) are lacking motivation, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, anxiety or moodiness, decreased pleasure from activities, and depression. Dopamine detoxing is a relatively new concept and–as with all things –is different for everyone.

[shiftingdiet]

Why Reducing/stopping caffeine can help your dreaming/spiritual journey

Hello, my name is ShiftingDiet and I'm here today to tell you about my journey about bettering my physical health and how it has affected my dreams.

Take note I've been diagnosed with a lot of deficiencies that have many bad effects on my brain/optic nerves especially.

I'm mostly deficient in B1 B3 B9 B12 and B6

But I'll get to that in another post. Today I'm here to talk about how stopping/reducing caffeine has affected me especially

So I've always been drinking coca cola, and I read that caffeine enhances the acetylcholine neurotransmitters, but you can build a bad tolerance to it, meaning that caffeine doesn't do anything to you anymore, that's why you might feel tired after drinking your usual coffee, energy drink or soda, it's because the caffeine isn't doing anything to you anymore...

I used to drink ~90cl a day so basically 90mg of caffeine a day.... I switched to Coca Cola Zero Zero (yes that's a thing..) without sugar and without caffeine....and okay, here's my report;

So I didn't feel much on my first day, lately I've been doing only 20cl of normal cola and the rest are no caffeine at all

I've been feeling very tired, irritated, and just drowsy all the time. Those are symptoms of withdrawal, they usually last 48 hours, but can last until two weeks for those who take more.

400mg is the maximal dosage for an adult daily, over that, it is dangerous for your kidneys and health overall, so I was far from that

Here comes the benefits, I fall asleep easily, and my thoughts aren't racing in my brain anymore.

For dreams? Well. I get lucid dreams randomly now without waking up beforehand. This week I've had 4-5 lucid dreams without doing anything? So I definitely concluded it's from that.

Take notes, also, that I'm already experienced in lucid dreams, I'd mostly use WILD and DILD. But I decided to take a break and my dreams came back naturally with no effort... So I thought I'd write about it

Here are some details about what caffeine does to you :

When consumed, caffeine blocks the action of adenosine, a chemical in your brain that promotes sleep and relaxation. Caffeine also increases the activity of the neurotransmitters dopamine and adrenaline, which can improve your mood, alertness, and cognitive performance. Unsurprisingly, these changes make you feel more awake and less likely to fall asleep.

The effects of caffeine can vary depending on the individual and can take up to 45 minutes to take effect and can last up to six hours.

In healthy people, caffeine has a half life of about 5 hours, however it can vary from 2-8 hours depending on your genetics, lifestyle and if you take certain medications.

For an average healthy person, consuming 200 mg of caffeine at 12 pm will mean they’ll still have around 100 mg in their system at 5 pm and 50 mg in their system at 10 pm, which for some people is enough to negatively impact their sleep.

There is evidence to suggest that fast metabolisers don’t experience reductions in sleep quality or duration when consuming caffeine close to bedtime. However, if you know that’s not the case for you, it’s important not to consume caffeine within 6 hours of your bedtime, to allow enough time for the effects to wear off before trying to sleep.

The latest time you can take caffeine will vary depending on if you’re a slow or fast metabolizer. Slower metabolizers should not consume their last caffeine dose within 10 hours of their bedtime.

https://caffeinebullet.com/blogs/all/how-to-reduce-caffeines-effect-on-sleep

[possumcollege]

Thoughts on Gendered Assessment of ADHD

I read a post this morning on the subject of medical conditions presenting differently in men and women. The main focus was on the presentation of heart attack and stroke, which do have documented, yet often overlooked differences between how they can manifest. That's important to understand and the post made its point well.

One thing that struck me as less than accurate was specifically the inclusion of ADHD as a condition that presents differently in women. It is a fact that ADHD is under-diagnosed in women. I'm not disputing that. What I think needs untangling is why it is under-diagnosed.

-

I want to acknowledge and apologize for my use of largely binary gender terminology. I don't like it but so much of the reading on the subject is based around cis/het people that is hard to escape. I'm sorry I don't have the proper shorthand to easily adjust my language here. All presentations and gender identities are valid, and all deserve the best possible care regardless of the terms we were assigned at birth.

I'm also not a doctor but most of us aren't and we still deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

-

ADHD has historically been under-diagnosed for a few reasons. ADHD is often erroneously thought of by laypeople as a behavioral disorder. Possibly one of the reasons its name reflects the way it is perceived rather than how it affects the patent. The popular image of ADHD is a male who is hyperactive, impulsive, twitchy, generally unfocused, and prone to risky behavior.

In many cultures these physical behaviors can be written off as boys being boys, up until they become disruptive or excessive or reach an age where these behaviors are considered more problematic. The bar for what is physically noticeable is higher for boys, and can lead to delayed diagnosis.

ADHD also has cognitive and emotional components that are not so easily observed. This physical vs. mental manifestation is the most commonly cited way that ADHD presents differently in women. I do not believe that is fully accurate, but I'm biased, as I'll elaborate on later.

Women do present these symptoms at comparable rates to men but they tend to go unnoticed for longer because girls are often socialized to be quiet, reserved, and deferential from a younger age than boys. Girls are discouraged from rowdy physicality because it's traditionally considered a masculine trait. Many cultures are simply more permissive of these behaviors in boys. Socialization obscures and encourages masking of physical symptoms in girls, and incidentally masks those symptoms in boys.

The invisible symptoms of ADHD are impaired executive function, struggles with working memory/multitasking, and emotional disregulation. These are too frequently considered side-effects of being a woman in many cultures. Being emotionally labile (changeable or easily affected) and distractable or flighty is "normal" in girls so it is less likely to be observed. The cultural conception of these as feminine traits also leads to them being actively discouraged and masked in boys. It doesn't help that disregulation often manifests as frustration or aggression which, again, is "normal" for boys and men well into adulthood. 😑 Socialization obscures and encourages masking of emotional symptoms in boys, and incidentally masks those symptoms in girls.

Some researchers believe that the deficiency of dopamine and delayed development of cognitive function contributes to overstimulation which can manifest as physical hyperactivity, mental/emotional hyperactivity or both. That internal hyperactivity compounds with the traditionally "inattentive" traits like impaired working memory and exec function. This is why we now have "combined-type" ADHD instead of it being a binary hyperactive or inattentive type. There is also research that considers ADHD to be part of a larger neurodivergent matrix that includes autistic traits but that's bigger thing than I wanted to get into here. What I am saying is that human brains are not that functionally different between men and women and most of the basis for believing they are radically different comes from the age of bloody eugenics.

So while the full range of ADHD symptoms present in both men and women, women are still proportionately considered less reliable in self-reporting of symptoms, and those symptoms are more likely to go unnoticed by others as they are actively suppressed from a younger age.

While men and women can have differing ADHD presentations, a clinician needs to be evaluating the symptoms and their impact on the individual patient without limiting their prognosis by assuming an inherent sex-specific presentation. It should not be appropriate for a doctor to definitively say, "You can't have ADHD because you don't have the symptoms as they present in men."

I feel very strongly about this because it's what happened to me. Those words are permanently etched in my brain because that is the phrase that delayed my own diagnosis and treatment for three years. In those three years I was prescribed over 8 different meds for depression and anxiety that did not treat my depression or anxiety AND gave me a whole parade of debilitating side effects. For three years my mental and emotional state spiraled out of control because I didn't have "Boy's ADHD."

I've struggled with the cognitive and emotional effects of ADHD my entire life. I wasn't particularly hyperactive in the traditional sense but I was anxious as fuck forever. I was considered inappropriately sensitive and emotional. I've never been a big risk taker but I do talk a lot and tend to mirror people around me. In short I didn't have the men's ADHD red flags but I have all of them from the women's list. A competent clinician in this era should be able to make that connection. I'm endlessly thankful that I found a doctor who did.

I always wonder if there's something to the fact that two cis male doctors wrote off ADHD completely but my first female psychiatrist was willing to order neuro-psych testing by the end of our first visit. It was clear to her while the previous doctors weren't willing to consider ADHD until they could "get the depression and anxiety out of the way." I get wanting to clear the imminent threat, then seeing if the mental symptoms improved but they were dismissive of my earliest ADHD concerns and bolstered their assertions by citing my lack of typical male symptoms without even telling me what the atypical symptoms were. I should've asked but alas, I was pretty fucked up at the time. 🤷‍♀️

I generally try not to put so much of myself on the internet but I sincerely believe examples like mine are critical for a better understanding of what our needs are as neurodivergent humans, and for demanding better systems of care and support.

ADHD is a glaring example of the failures that result from narrow and inflexible standards based on archaic notions of how people work. In the beginning, ADHD didn't exist and was treated by hitting children until they behaved properly. Then it exists but it's a behavioral problem with kids and they should be segregated from the normal kids. OK, it's a thing but it only really happens to boys. It happens to boys and girls but not in the same way. Turns out anyone can have ADHD and the symptoms aren't set in stone but we're still going to make getting a diagnosis as difficult as possible and restrict access to most of the drugs that treat it on the assumption that most people just want to abuse stimulants. Progress!

Basing women's care on centuries-old assumptions about women by men is inappropriate and harmful. Basing a black patient's care on historic racial stereotypes is inappropriate and harmful. Basing the care of LGBTQ+ patients on a system that historically pathologized their existence is inappropriate and harmful. Dismissing a mental health patient's concerns and reported history solely because they do not fit a typical gendered presentation is inappropriate and harmful.

This is why the conversation of equality vs. equity must be a priority. Diagnosing every neurodivergent patient by one standard is not reliable because of the complex array of presentations and effects. There are diagnostic screening tests but they are essentially "if you tic 6+ symptoms from section A you may be hyperactive. If you check 6+ symptoms from section B you may be inattentive. If you have at least 6 from each you may be a combo deal." Conditions like these require an individualized approach or countless people will continue to be misdiagnosed or slip through the cracks. We require more doctors, more effort, and better education. There is no streamlining or automation that will make this more effective. The potential for harm here is immense and made even more difficult to address by the persistent belief that real ADHD is rare.

Ignorance and inertia are liabilities in healthcare. Without continually updating the best practices and procedures we'd be stuck with bloodletting, miasmas, and choleric humors. We'd still be operating on babies without anesthesia. That's not a widely seen practice now because doctors did finally agree they should stop in the late 1980s. In the US. Doctors around the world still regularly under-medicate black patients based on beliefs that their pain tolerance is higher than white people. That myth is so pervasive that it's often used to justify excessive force by police officers against black suspects. Trans youth can be denied life-saving support if they can't meet the standards of people who do not believe they exist. The neglect and abuse these myths enable are horrific.

Inhumane treatment should never be excused because a patient didn't tic all the correct boxes.

[wawawawawawawawawawawawawa]

@little-cowby hey! :3 so, i havent personally done my own research on this myself, BUT its something my therapist told me and i see no reason to distrust him (and no hes not just Some Neurotypical who doesnt understand adhd, he Has It and so do i)

so, adhd is absolutely caused by genetics and stuff like that, BUT APPARENTLY newer studies have found that early childhood trauma can cause adhd symptoms to appear when there previously were none. and these studies are new enough that i doooooont think theyre sure if the trauma just causes inhereted adhd to present itself stronger or if it really just. makes the symltoms appear. or at least, I'M not sure about it

imo, it kind of makes sense tho? adhd is a deficiency with dopamine and if you zap some poor kid's brain to shit SUPER early, that thang is not gonna work right. like i said, i havent personally done research on this so i cant rly give an in depth answer, all ive got is My Therapist Told Me so i highly encourage u to do ur own research on it!

(update as i was writing the tags i decided to do a quick google search and from what i quickly saw, yea it seems to check out!)

[hellogirlslikegirlslikeboysdo]

And the lights are not fluorescent, and there are no words on the page. - Form Essay

Author's Preface and Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7

Description: My final portfolio for one of the creative writing courses I took based around exploring the creative nonfiction essay in its many literary forms, with any and all identifying names or signifiers censored out.

To do list!!! Ignore how silly, irresponsible even, you feel about including this part. Adding “To do list”, complete with a grammatically incorrect number of exclamation points with little hearts in place of the dots. Reserving its top billing, the extra big lined space at the top of a little baby sticky note where it’s just gonna take up pretty pink space, space you could be saving for one of the myriad of things you need to get accomplished tonight. Like the douchey lead actor taking their sweet time down the red carpet, the entirety of the camera crew already getting rushed into their seats offscreen.

Suppose, if you can, that it's “whatever”. Rationalize that it probably gives the note a sense of urgency or something (you need that, god, you need that tonight) and that it's already too late to start worrying about losing yourself in all this attention to detail, about what fulfilled word count or pieces of unfolded laundry you’re already sacrificing with this adamant sticking to form.

This is a to-do list, after all. Who even needs these, really?

(Dear lord, this is a very elaborate burst of anger for the first line of a makeshift to-do list. Are you sure you even have the strength to do this? don’t answer that, do NOT answer that, if you try to answer that, it’ll automatically become a “no” by default, do NOT answer that

[✓] Take your meds. Do not convince yourself that you will not need them. You will.

[✓] Regret writing this list in pen.

[  ] Finish reflection. Put this at the top of the list because it's the one you expect to complete first. Not because you have confidence in your ability to do so, but because it’s due tonight and you’ll need to peer pressure yourself enough that the shame and academic anxiety override your executive dysfunction.

[✓] Do creative writing assignment. Make this second on the list because you actually do think you can finish this one on time (you probably can’t) and that it’ll be the easiest to breeze through (it absolutely will not), letting you ride off the high of a job well done and attack the rest of this list feeling like your workload is significantly lower than before. Conveniently forget that late-stage ADHD comes with time blindness and a dopamine deficiency that makes you literally incapable of feeling any sense of accomplishment after finishing a task (Acknowledge that it also comes with a side of autism, on the house. ONLY acknowledge it, though. Do not delve into why you are frantically scratching out this list at 5:00 in the afternoon, all because you’re convinced that establishing some sort of routine is more important than actually tackling what feels like near-death deadlines. Do not start pacing around your room while unconsciously gesturing along with the extensive imaginary conversation between you and your roommate that starts with you making a comment and his response that essentially boils to “Think that might just be the ‘tism, bud :P ”, ending in an elaborate discussion of your symptoms and concerns, as if Luc didn’t almost laugh when you suggested he consider majoring in psychology.

Do not open this goddamn can of worms, because you WILL spill it like a can of beans, and everything will get everywhere, and you already have to clean all the gunk off the floor, and you don’t even know how the heck you’re gonna manage that, and this whole debacle can wait until the morning, really, it can-

[  ] Open it anyway, because you are a coward, and natural selection will gather you first.

[✓] Submit everything at 11:59 and give yourself whiplash getting out of bed, dizzy from the nightmarish chemical cocktail that is Adderall and not enough water. Be dramatic about stumbling to your feet and leaning against the bedpost, because self-pity is an evolutionary survival tactic to comfort ourselves once our parents stop doing it for us. Pace around the room once the hot flash fades.

[  ] Clean dorm.

[✓] Elaborate on the last checkbox because something ungodly thing possessed you to think that “Clean house” was specific enough for your brain to understand on five hours of sleep and prescription speed.

[✓] Do laundry. Tell yourself you will do it as soon as possible, to leave yourself as much time as possible to make all the different trips to the laundry room. Leave it until it's dark out, the image of you getting jumped and stabbed to death poking at your brain like a wet toothpick you keep absentmindedly fiddling with.

The fear will make you walk faster.

[✓] Take out the trash. Leave this for nightfall, because your father’s monthly warnings and the lyrics of the song you performed for your ISP, of femicide and government priorities and how no one goes looking for little brown girls who go missing in the dead of night, and, heck, even the memory of being trapped outside your dorm with the raccoons somehow can’t override the anxiety.

[  ] Wash the dishes. Leave this for last, despite the smell hitting you as hard as the common area hits you each time you turn your key and yank.

[✓] Decline your roommate’s offer to hang out tonight, despite all the time you’ve been wasting and will continue to waste for the rest of the night. Claim you’re too tired in the morning.

[✓] Wipe down all the counters. Waste time every five, ten minutes. Sit with the tension between how mortifying it would be for one of your roommates to walk in on you wasting all this time vs. your insistence that keeping up with mindless chores is SO much easier, really, it's just the schoolwork that takes you forever.

Cut through said tension with a switchblade, if you have to.

[✓] Spend ten minutes trying to figure out how to attack the floor situation.

[   ] Attack the floor situation. Drive yourself crazy with the shoe scuffs you waited too long to deal with.

[✓] Pick up any extra trash. Muse about the time your mother and grandmother caught you in between a month-long academic and the mourning of your childhood dependence, and proceeded to scold you for the rest of the night. Muse about hiding the absence of bra straps and fighting for the hair stylist’s attention and “I don’t want you to get mad when I say this, but sometimes, there are things that we don’t like, but we have to to do them anyway, so…[insert the most horrific, victim blaming, powerless thinking you’ve ever heard in your life]”. Muse about the meaning of the word “presentable”, the antonym of skin and sentence structure and wandering, glassy eyes that give you away every time.

[✓] Play the sound of mother’s fretting over the state of your roommate's bed sheets over the sound of your explaining, of what depression does to the art of your cleaning skills, somewhere in your head, old syllabus crinkling between your fingernails. Wonder if his tarot prediction of a depressive state will come true, if your mother will complain about your room then. If it’s different when it’s you.

[  ] Finish resenting her by the time she arrives to come get you in the morning.

[  ] Pack your stuff for tomorrow. Forget one thing you actually need and one thing you don’t, but your mom wants you to bring anyway.

[  ] Do the billions of things you’re supposed to do sometime during the semester (preferably a month ago), but will probably end up stuck with during finals week.

[✓] Set an alarm. Wake up before it goes off.

[sukimas]

mental illness (general form) musings below the cut

i think in general that there are a lot of things that people don't want to acknowledge as actual ways a brain can be wired. e.g. people generally do not want to believe that someone can have no control of their actions

i think that this impulse is also present in psychologists/psychiatrists, and goes into how the DSMs are written. to be specific, diagnostic criteria.

diagnostic criteria for mental illnesses are often written extremely broadly, because they want to cover as wide of a category of behavior as possible. however, these broad diagnostic criteria often don't carve reality at the joints.

a tame example is ADHD; there is no practical reason that the inattentive and hyperactive forms should be considered the "same disorder". they do not have similar symptoms. oh, they both can be treated with stimulants and thus both likely come from dopamine deficiency? great! let's group every mental condition influenced by GABA under the same umbrella now.

a much less tame example is antisocial personality disorder.

the criteria as articulated in the DSM-V basically make it, when diagnosed "sort of a jackass who does some crimes disorder". however, the way people think of it socially (and the way even psychologists characterize it) is very different.

i personally believe that there is an abnormal brain psychology that exists that does fit the role of how people normally think of ASPD. that is to say: -little regard for consequences of actions on the self (probably from hyperbolic time discounting, lack of a future world model) -lack of impact of other people's emotions on one's emotional state (i state it like this instead of the vague term "empathy" because there's a whole mess of empathy arguments out there) -low tolerance for being around other people (if being around others doesn't positively affect one's emotional state there is less incentive to do so) -chronic understimulation (probably lack of future world model again)

these things lead to (to variable degrees) -lowered impulse control -lack of care for impact of actions on others -risk-taking behaviors -desire to inflict harm on others

these traits existing does not require the existence of all other traits on this list (i.e. you can have high impulse control wrt your actions on others but low impulse control wrt risks you take on yourself, for example) but i think that they are a closely linked cluster of traits leading from deficits in one's world-model

however i think that the overlap of people with these particular traits (even those who have all of them; the classic "sociopath") with people who have the diagnosis of ASPD is actually quite low, as the diagnostic criteria of ASPD are such that people get diagnosed with it for being a problem to others in some way (whether that's being an asshole or Crimes For Real) rather than actually fitting the above constellation of traits.

a summary of my thoughts on psychiatric diagnosis is: the DSM-V is Plato's cave, the diagnosed mentally ill are holding the shadow puppets, but that doesn't mean that (outside the cave) there aren't things that represent what the diagnoses are desperately trying to gesture at (and failing).

i hate the social sciences. dreadful.

[youling-the-ghost]

I feel like this whole "dopamine addiction" bullshit is gonna be our generation's "carbs are bad for you".

Our bodies need dopamine to function. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that manages motivation, mood, and (ironically) attention. Without dopamine, we'd probably all be sleep-deprived, anxious, and depressed zombies, not to mention all the physical symptoms that may arise from a dopamine deficiency.

The thing is, dopamine addictions aren't even a thing. Yes, dopamine gets released when you smoke or drink, which is how addictions happen, but dopamine isn't the cause of it. The drug/alcohol is still the root cause of your addiction, not the dopamine. That would be like blaming your fork for giving you food poisoning instead of your food.

i love when people say “dopamine addiction” to refer to anything that makes you feel good ever

[sobercentre]

Also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, RLS is a neurological condition that induces the intolerable urge to move one’s limbs to alleviate pain or uncomfortable sensations. Despite its name, RLS does not only occur in the legs and feet but its effects can also be felt in the arms, head, and torso. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, RLS is most prevalent at night when the body is at rest or late afternoon and evening. Sitting for extended periods can also trigger Restless Legs Syndrome. Who is prone to restless legs? RLS can manifest in all kinds of people; men, women, and children alike. It can also begin at any age.  However, statistics reveal that it is endemic in middle-aged or older individuals and women more than men. What causes restless legs syndrome? Before listing possible triggers for RLS, it is paramount to note that RLS has a genetic component which means the disorder can be passed from one generation to the next. This further leads us to establish the two types of RLS: Idiopathic RLS This kind has no known cause or cure. It is also referred to as primary RLS. Secondary RLS It is the kind that is triggered by the individual’s external environment. For instance, it may occur as a side effect of medications, or drug withdrawal, among others. Besides sitting for long hours, other proven scientific triggers for RLS include: Iron deficiency Low levels of iron in the blood and spinal fluid can induce RLS. Studies conducted on individuals suffering from RLS, through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), reveal a lower iron content in the brain compared to healthy individuals without the disorder. This section of the brain is known as substantia nigra. Low levels of dopamine Dopamine is a neurotransmitter hormone used in the brain to control muscle activity and motor skills. When this chemical is deficient, RLS symptoms may manifest. Therefore, it is not uncommon for patients with Parkinson’s disease to experience symptoms of RLS Kidney disease Research shows that about 6 to 62% of individuals with chronic kidney disease also suffer from Willis-Ekbom disease. Although the trigger, in this case, is ambiguous, scientists have related this to anemia playing a major role. Pregnancy Restless legs during pregnancy may be triggered by hormonal imbalance. Studies show that there is a 10-30% chance of pregnant women experiencing restless legs episodes. Nevertheless, not all restless legs episodes develop into a disorder and such may fade 4 weeks after giving birth. Opiate withdrawal Opioids, such as oxycodone, methadone, fentanyl, and tramadol can be used as pain medication. However, when abused the body develops an opioid dependence which causes RLS if not fulfilled. Because these drugs relax the body, their withdrawal will induce an opposite effect; the same way an alcoholic would develop restlessness once their dependence is not fed. Read on to know what helps with restless legs from opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal Withdrawal symptoms may vary depending on the level of dependence and duration of abuse, among other factors. Like any other drug addiction, it can be problematic for an avid opiate abuser to quit using, especially not the cold turkey way. Some common withdrawal symptoms an opiate abuser may experience include: Restlessness Anxiety Insomnia Dilated pupils Irritability Muscle aches Agitation Symptoms of restless legs from opiate withdrawal RLS caused by opiate withdrawal may manifest in the following ways; Weird sensations within the limbs that are sometimes difficult to explain. They may be related to aching, itching, creeping, crawling, throbbing, or pulling. Twitching of the legs at night. This may get worse during rest or moments of inactivity. Pleasurable relief with movement. Irregular sleep patterns. Other times, individuals may complain of insomnia. How to treat RLS from opiate withdrawal To treat opioid withdrawal-related RLS, one would need to treat opioid addiction. Like any other drug addiction treatment program, this one too takes time.

However, the opiate abuser must first be willing to get treatment. Once this is determined, a doctor may prescribe the following medications to relieve RLS during opiate withdrawal: Take note that these drugs should not be self-prescribed at any point in time. Benzodiazepines Benzos such as Klonopin and valium are sedatives that work to reduce brain activity which will tone down feelings of anxiety, agitation, and irritability. Even so, benzo dosage for opiate withdrawal should not exceed 5 days. Dopaminergic medications Medicines such as Cabergoline, Pramipexole, Rotigotine, and Ropinirole increase the happy hormone in the brain which will alleviate RLS symptoms and help you rest. Clonidine This drug is commonly prescribed to hypertension patients to reduce anxiety, agitation, and muscle aches which makes it convenient for use in opiate withdrawal. It has been reported to help reduce the severity of RLS. Marijuana Although not much research has been provided to unfold how marijuana treats symptoms of RLS, it has been reported to provide positive outcomes when used but only in meager amounts. If the opiate addiction treatment program does not have immediate effects, some coping mechanisms could be incorporated to relieve pain from RLS. How to cope with restless legs syndrome from opiate withdrawal Regular exercise Studies reveal that regular low-intensity workouts reduce RLS symptoms significantly. You do not have to be a fitness maniac but cycling, swimming, stretching, or walking can go a long way toward recovery. Taking RLS supplements Natural herbs such as valerian roots have been reported to alleviate opiate withdrawal restless legs. Also known as “nature’s valium”, valerian herb has compounds that regulate nerve impulses and induce calming/ sedative effects in the body. Magnesium supplements also ease muscle and nervous tension in patients with restless legs syndrome. Epsom salt baths Epsom salt contains sulfates and magnesium which are easily absorbed through the skin to stop opiate withdrawal RLS. Epsom salt bathwater is known to help in exfoliation, improve nutrient absorption and removal of toxins in the body and, last but not least, relax the nervous system. Massage Religiously massaging your legs before bedtime can help stop RLS symptoms. This can be done using a leg massager or handheld massager, or just manually. Getaway message It is possible to treat and cure opiate withdrawal restless legs. Adapting the coping mechanisms and following the prescribed treatment plan will help ease the recovery process. If you or your loved one is struggling with opiate withdrawal-related RLS, seek out professional help as soon as you can. For more insight, here is our guide on how to help someone going through withdrawal.

[earthvitalsignimpact]

The Role of DHA in Attention Span and Cognitive Function

by uevs and the power of AI

The Role of DHA in Attention Span and Cognitive Function

1. Overview of DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid primarily found in fatty fish, algae, and human breast milk. It is a crucial structural component of the brain, retina, and nervous system. The brain is composed of nearly 60% fat, and DHA makes up approximately 40% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the brain and 60% in the retina. This highlights its essential role in cognitive function, particularly in memory, learning, and attention.

2. DHA and Attention Span

DHA is directly linked to attention regulation through multiple physiological mechanisms:

a. Neurotransmitter Function and Synaptic Plasticity

DHA enhances synaptic membrane fluidity, which improves neurotransmitter function, particularly dopamine and serotonin, both of which are critical for attention, mood, and motivation.

Dopamine plays a crucial role in focus and attention, and DHA helps regulate dopamine receptor density and signaling efficiency.

b. Myelination and Signal Transmission

DHA is integral to myelin, the fatty sheath that insulates nerve fibers, allowing for faster and more efficient neural communication. Improved myelination enhances processing speed and focus, reducing the risk of attentional drift.

c. Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Cognitive Stability

Chronic low-grade neuroinflammation is associated with cognitive decline and attention disorders such as ADHD.

DHA has potent anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce neuroinflammation, promoting stable and sustained cognitive performance.

d. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

DHA upregulates BDNF, a protein that supports neuron growth, survival, and synaptic plasticity.

Higher BDNF levels improve cognitive flexibility and working memory, both of which contribute to sustained attention.

3. DHA in Developmental and Aging Brains

In Children: Adequate DHA levels are crucial for developing executive function and attention span. Studies suggest that DHA supplementation in early childhood improves sustained attention and impulse control.

In Adults: DHA supports cognitive endurance, preventing mental fatigue during prolonged tasks.

In Aging: DHA helps prevent age-related cognitive decline and supports attention span in older adults by protecting against neurodegeneration.

4. DHA Deficiency and Attention Deficits

A deficiency in DHA has been associated with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including impulsivity, distractibility, and difficulty sustaining focus.

DHA-deficient diets may lead to increased inflammation, impaired neurotransmitter function, and weakened synaptic plasticity, all contributing to reduced attention span.

5. Optimizing DHA for Attention and Cognitive Health

a. Best Dietary Sources of DHA

Food Source DHA Content (mg per 100g) Additional Benefits:

Wild-caught salmon 1,200–1,500 mg Rich in protein and vitamin D

Sardines 1,000–1,400 mg High in calcium and selenium

Mackerel 1,000–1,300 mg Contains CoQ10 and B12

Anchovies 1,200 mg Anti-inflammatory properties

Algae-based DHA supplements 200–500 mg per serving Vegan alternative to fish oil

Pasture-raised eggs 50–150 mg Contains choline, supporting brain function

Grass-fed beef 10–40 mg Modest amounts compared to fish

b. Dosage Recommendations for DHA Intake

Children: ~250–500 mg/day

Adults: ~500–1000 mg/day (higher for cognitive protection and brain performance)

Athletes and High Performers: Up to 2000 mg/day for enhanced cognitive endurance

Pregnant and Nursing Women: 200–300 mg/day (supports fetal brain development)

c. Nutrient Pairings to Enhance DHA Absorption

Vitamin D: Found in fish, eggs, and sunlight exposure—enhances DHA effectiveness.

Vitamin E: Present in nuts, seeds, and avocados—protects DHA from oxidation.

Vitamin K2: Found in fermented foods and pastured dairy—supports brain health.

Choline: Found in eggs and liver—synergistic effects with DHA for cognitive function.

d. Practical Ways to Integrate DHA into Your Diet

Breakfast: Scrambled pasture-raised eggs with avocado toast.

Lunch: Sardine salad with leafy greens, nuts, and olive oil.

Dinner: Grilled wild-caught salmon with steamed vegetables.

Snacks: Handful of walnuts or DHA-fortified yogurt.

Supplements: Take a high-quality fish oil or algae-based DHA supplement if dietary intake is insufficient.

6. Considerations for DHA Supplementation

a. Safety and Potential Risks

DHA supplements are generally safe but may cause mild digestive discomfort if taken in high doses.

Individuals on blood thinners should consult a doctor, as high doses of omega-3s can have anticoagulant effects.

Check for purity and sustainability in supplements to avoid contaminants like mercury.

b. DHA and Sustainability: Making Ethical Choices

Choose wild-caught, sustainably sourced fish to reduce environmental impact.

Consider algae-based DHA for a plant-based and eco-friendly option.

Look for third-party tested supplements to ensure purity and absence of heavy metals.

7. Conclusion

DHA is a fundamental nutrient for maintaining attention span, optimizing neurotransmitter function, and preventing cognitive decline. Regular DHA intake supports focus, memory, and learning, making it a vital component of any diet aimed at enhancing cognitive performance and longevity. By incorporating DHA-rich foods and ensuring proper nutrient pairings, individuals can maximize its cognitive benefits and promote long-term brain health.

References

Long-term effects of LCPUFA supplementation on childhood cognitive outcomes.

J. Colombo, S. Carlson, +5 authors Caitlin Brez, Published in American Journal of Clinical… 1 August 2013 Medicine

Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2008). Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(7), 568-578.

Innis, S. M. (2007). The Journal of Nutrition, 137(4), 855-859

McNamara, R. K., & Carlson, S. E. (2006). Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 75(4-5), 329-349.

Lim, SY., Hoshiba, J., Moriguchi, T. et al. N-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency Induced by a Modified Artificial Rearing Method Leads to Poorer Performance in Spatial Learning Tasks. Pediatr Res 58, 741–748 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/01.PDR.0000180547.46725.CC

Salem, N., Litman, B., Kim, H. Y., & Gawrisch, K. (2001). Lipids, 36(9), 945-959.

Wu, A., Ying, Z., & Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2004). Journal of Neurotrauma, 21(10), 1457-1467.

Yurko-Mauro, K., McCarthy, D., Rom, D., et al. (2010). Alzheimer's & Dementia, 6(6), 456-464.

DHA & Attention Span Quiz

Instructions:

This quiz consists of 20 questions: multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer.

Each question is worth 5 points.

Maximum score: 100 points.

Answers are provided at the end.

Section 1: Multiple-Choice Questions (10 questions, 5 points each)

Which of the following best describes DHA? a) A type of protein essential for muscle growth b) An omega-3 fatty acid crucial for brain function c) A carbohydrate that provides quick energy d) A vitamin necessary for immune function

What percentage of the brain's polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) does DHA make up? a) 10% b) 20% c) 40% d) 60%

Which neurotransmitter associated with attention and focus is positively influenced by DHA? a) Serotonin b) Dopamine c) GABA d) Acetylcholine

Which of the following is NOT a source of DHA? a) Fatty fish (salmon, sardines) b) Algae supplements c) Whole wheat bread d) Fish oil supplements

What role does DHA play in myelination? a) It degrades the myelin sheath b) It speeds up nerve signal transmission c) It has no effect on myelination d) It replaces damaged neurons

Which cognitive function is most associated with DHA levels? a) Short-term memory b) Attention span c) Problem-solving ability d) All of the above

Which age group benefits from DHA for cognitive development? a) Infants and children b) Adults c) Elderly individuals d) All of the above

Which condition has been linked to DHA deficiency? a) ADHD b) Osteoporosis c) Hypertension d) Diabetes

Which of the following vitamins enhance DHA absorption? a) Vitamin C b) Vitamin D c) Vitamin B12 d) Vitamin K

Which of the following is a recommended DHA intake for adults? a) 50 mg/day b) 250 mg/day c) 500–1000 mg/day d) 5000 mg/day

Section 2: True/False Questions (5 questions, 5 points each)

DHA is mainly found in plant-based foods like nuts and seeds.

(True / False)

Higher DHA levels are associated with increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which enhances learning and memory.

(True / False)

DHA supplementation has no effect on attention span in children.

(True / False)

DHA has anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect against cognitive decline.

(True / False)

Dopamine, which regulates focus and motivation, is affected by DHA levels in the brain.

(True / False)

Section 3: Short Answer Questions (5 questions, 5 points each)

What is the primary structural role of DHA in the brain?

Name two natural food sources of DHA.

How does DHA contribute to synaptic plasticity?

What is one reason DHA is essential for infants and children?

How does DHA support cognitive function in aging individuals?

Answer Key & Scoring System

Multiple-Choice Answers

b) An omega-3 fatty acid crucial for brain function

c) 40%

b) Dopamine

c) Whole wheat bread

b) It speeds up nerve signal transmission

d) All of the above

d) All of the above

a) ADHD

b & d) Vitamin D & Vitamin K

c) 500–1000 mg/day

True/False Answers

False

True

False

True

True

Short Answer Suggested Responses

DHA is a key structural component of brain cell membranes, enhancing flexibility, fluidity, and neurotransmitter function.

Fatty fish (salmon, sardines), algae-based DHA supplements.

DHA improves synaptic membrane fluidity, allowing for better neurotransmitter signaling and learning adaptability.

DHA is essential for brain and eye development, contributing to cognitive function and visual acuity.

DHA reduces inflammation, supports synaptic function, and helps prevent cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Scoring Guide

Correct answer = 5 points

Total possible score: 100 points

ScorePerformance 90 – 100 DHA Master! You have excellent knowledge of DHA’s role in cognitive function.

70 – 89 Great job! You understand most concepts but might need a little more research.

50 – 69 Average. You have some knowledge but should review DHA’s benefits further.

30 – 49 Needs Improvement. Consider revisiting the role of DHA in attention and cognition.

0 – 29 Beginner. A refresher on DHA’s role would be helpful!