Neurobiology is the foundation of who we are. This seems to be completely absent from a great deal of psychology - and in many cases psychiatry. I can guarantee you most doctors will miss Neurofibromatosis. This is a significant fact. /1 Neurofibromatosis is diagnosed is approximately 25000 people in the UK - a very low number for a population over 60 million. It is not as obvious - because of the way it is picked up - in the skin - cafe-au-lait spots are the usual sign - along with Lisch nodules in the eyes. /2

I have been discussing #ADHD as a disability and a disorder, and this has ruffled many people’s feathers. I argue that ADHD is a deficit disorder. People don’t like hearing that, so I want to bring up things that I know make ADHD unpleasant to live with: relationships. /1 Most people with #ADHD are pretty shit at relationships. From a young age, we get shunned by peers who don’t like our behaviour, our needs, our lack of self regulation, emotional dysfunction, or understanding how relationships work. /2

Had time to think today whilst driving - I do well on a long drive - I relax (love driving) and it allows my mind to do something useful… so a 🧵 on #ADHD. Haven’t done one for a while… I am tired of people telling me we should not dwell on the negatives of ADHD /1 Actually, there is not enough analysis of ADHD and what makes it a disability, and those pushing the toxic patronising “ADHD Superpower” bollocks, do so many a disservice! /2

The problem with undiagnosed #ADHD, a 🧵:

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental & a genetically inherited disorder - you are born with it. There can be spontaneous development of ADHD, but in many cases ADHD is passed between generations. /1 There are other means to acquiring #ADHD, but it is mostly genetic. How genetic? This article provides an idea. /2additudemag.com/is-adhd-heredi…

ADHD & support 🧵:

#ADHD & support is a hot mess as neurodevelopmental disorder - ADHD and chaos mostly go hand in hand. It is pretty much impossible to cope with daily life, employment, parenting and marriage.

Or if you are a child, it gets really difficult. /1 This has implications for mental health. Significant implications. Without support #ADHD individuals are like a raft on an open ocean without propulsion of any kind. Up shit creek without a paddle is more appropriate. /2

#ADHD, a 🧵:

One of the hardest aspects of #ADHD is the struggle to maintain relationships. ADHD is hard to live with, but we don’t exactly make it easy for people we love. In early childhood, ADHD kids tend to be shunned by peers, this because we are different. /1 So we tend struggle with developing friendships. #ADHD is also a social disorder, if you like. Being unable to focus, hyperactive, unable to read social cues does not endear us to other children (or adults) when we were growing up. /2