In our podcast episode on 7/30, we spoke with ADHD Therapist Sean McNichols about his practice, journey, and charitable efforts. Some of the techniques Sean mentioned are controversial in the ADHD clinical community. While we are not medical experts, and only share our experiences, one of our listeners pointed this out and shared his knowledge with us regarding this. We invited future podcast guest and ADHD Nurse Coach Seth Rotman to write an article sharing this information with our readers. Because we are not medical experts, the ADHD Project does not advocate for or against any one specific treatment method. Instead we invite our guests and contributors to share their expertise so that our listeners and readers may form their own opinions.

ADHD Tricks or Treatments?

By Seth D. Rotman, RN, NC-BC, ADHD-CCSP

One of the benefits of having ADHD is a heightened sense of emotions. It means experiencing things more deeply, more powerfully.

One of the downsides of having ADHD is the heightened sense of emotions. It means experiencing things more deeply, more powerfully.

As a Board Certified Nurse Coach and certified ADHD clinical service provider, I’m always on the lookout for new tools, treatments, and information that can help not only my clients but the ADHD community at large. Even with some solid resources available like CHADD and ADDitude magazine, they aren’t well promoted, and the information they provide is segmented. Unless you’re like me and ADHD is an area of hyperfocus for you, you probably aren’t conducting the deep dives necessary to find all the helpful information out there.

The advantage of being a Nurse Coach is that I can combine the best aspects of holistic wellness coaching, life coaching, and the clinical knowledge of a practicing, licensed Registered Nurse. I make a point to eliminate unfounded claims from my practice and focus on evidence-based approaches.

So what should you look out for when searching for resources and treatment? There are some red flags to watch for: resources based solely on personal experience, individuals who encourage using ADHD as an excuse, anyone guaranteeing results or a cure, and the use of scare tactics.

This is where things can become emotional, at least for me. The ADHD community is constantly expanding. Many people are receiving a later-in-life diagnosis. As a result, more well-intentioned resources based solely on personal experiences are becoming available. Numerous podcasts feature hosts sharing their personal struggles while simultaneously offering advice, which can sometimes be detrimental. Social media influencers often do the same. And then there’s the worst category: clinical professionals who take advantage of individuals desperate for help.

There are clinics and clinicians promoting the idea that there are seven types of ADHD. They claim your ADHD type can best be diagnosed and treated through a single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) brain scan, a combination of a CT scan and nuclear blood flow assessment. The DSM only recognizes three ADHD subtypes. The doctors on the DSM revision subcommittees are working to eliminate the subtypes and classify everything under one label. This is because anyone with ADHD can experience the full spectrum of symptoms, and diagnosis is based on presenting symptoms at the time of testing. Additionally, they are working to eliminate the inattentive type altogether as it’s considered a separate condition, not ADHD. Dr. Russell Barkley is a leading mental health professional advocating for classification changes and expanded treatment options for ADHD.

There is no clinical evidence that brain scans of any kind can diagnose ADHD. This is why there are no FDA-approved medical tests for ADHD. Clinics offering brain scan diagnosis lack clinical evidence to support their claims of seven ADHD types, brain scan diagnosis, or improved patient outcomes. They offer unsubstantiated claims of ADHD cures and treatments costing $3,000-$5,000 for an initial assessment and around $1,200 a month for continued treatment. Some individuals have reported spending as much as $150,000 on this type of treatment. Despite operating for years, they still haven’t produced a single study demonstrating their effectiveness. Their approach is essentially "trust us."

As reported by The Observer, Daniel Carlat, a professor of psychiatry at Tufts University, stated in 2012 that SPECT scans are "spectacularly meaningless." Jeffrey Lieberman, head of the psychiatry department at the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, called it a "con."

The truth is that these places have been criticized by the mental health community, quack watch organizations, and even Wired magazine in an article titled "Brain scans as mind readers? Don’t believe the hype."

It’s infuriating to see pseudoscience used in this way. It’s nothing more than a modern version of Phrenology. Often combined with scare tactics to deter people from potentially life-changing medications, it’s a clear sign of snake oil being sold (or in these cases white label fish oil and vitamins for $60-$100 a bottle). Guaranteeing an outcome, promising a cure for a neurological condition, and using fear to divert attention from other treatment options are all red flags.

A common scare tactic is claiming "Adderall is only one molecule away from methamphetamine," a terrifying statement. However, this is a meaningless claim. Table salt is one molecule away from chlorine, but it’s not chlorine. Margarine is one molecule away from being plastic, but it’s not plastic. Water is one molecule away from being hydrogen peroxide, but it’s not hydrogen peroxide. The oxygen we breathe is one molecule away from being ozone, but it’s not ozone. Many substances are only one molecule away from something else. That’s chemistry.

ADHD medications have their place. They improve people's lives and significantly reduce other ADHD-related risk factors. Pharmaceutical stimulants are not street drugs; they are tools. They should not be feared.

The ADHD brain naturally seeks to normalize its chemical levels. ADHD medication assists in this process. Prescribed stimulants are not gateway drugs. Untreated ADHD individuals are at a higher risk of self-medication. Research shows that ADHD medication treatment reduces the risk of substance abuse by 7.5%. Without intervention, people with ADHD are up to three times more likely to develop substance abuse issues than neurotypical individuals.

When searching for resources, it’s okay to find a community where you feel understood and your experiences are reflected. However, ensure that the spaces you find can provide meaningful support and help you move forward and thrive. If seeking professional help, clarify your goals: diagnosis, medication, therapy, or coaching? Advocate for yourself and don’t believe promises of false hope. Anyone claiming to cure ADHD is likely exploiting the situation.

If considering working with a coach, verify their certification and qualifications. While nurse coaches specializing in ADHD are limited, those who offer a combination of clinical background and coaching training. Nurse coaches are also the only board certified coaches in the world. If you would like to Learn more about ADHD coaching with Nurse Coach Seth visit www.Clarifywellness.coach and schedule a discovery call today. 

By Seth D. Rotman, RN, NC-BC, ADHD-CCSP

 

Chorniy, Anna & Kitashima, Leah. (2016). Sex, drugs, and ADHD: The effects of ADHD pharmacological treatment on teens' risky behaviors. Labour Economics, 43, 87-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2016.06.014 (Link)

Lee, S. S., Humphreys, K. L., Flory, K., Liu, R., & Glass, K. (2011). Prospective association of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use and abuse/dependence: a meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(3), 328-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.01.006  

Observer. (2016, August 08). Head Case: Why Has PBS Promoted Controversial Shrink Dr. Daniel Amen? https://observer.com/2016/08/head-case-why-has-pbs-promoted-controversial-shrink-dr-daniel-amen/

Price, The. (n.d.). Amen Clinics Cost. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://www.thepricer.org/amen-clinics-cost/

NPR. (2021, November 23). People Who Think They Have CTE Are Seeking Treatment At A Controversial Clinic. https://www.npr.org/2021/11/23/1058624003/people-who-think-they-have-cte-are-seeking-treatment-at-a-controversial-brain-cl

Quackwatch. (n.d.). Amen Clinics: A Critical Look. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://quackwatch.org/research-projects/amen_response/

Wired. (2008, May 22). Brain Scans as Mind Readers? Don’t Believe the Hype.
https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2023/april/brain-imaging-failed-to-crack-the-code-on-mental-illness--can-th.html