Latest news with #neurodevelopmental
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Brain Variations Identified in Children With Restrictive Eating Disorders
Children with a restrictive eating disorder show recognizable changes in brain structure, according to a new study. Identifying the causes of these changes could help researchers understand how these conditions relate to other neurodevelopmental disorders and how they might be better treated. Magnetic resonance imaging scans of 174 children aged under 13 who had been diagnosed with an early-onset restrictive eating disorder (rEO-ED) were analyzed by an international group of researchers, and compared with scans from 116 children without a diagnosis. The motivations behind the study were to look for differences between disorder types, and to see if there were any relationships with brain structures associated with neurological conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Related: "Early-onset restrictive eating disorders encompass a heterogeneous group of conditions, including early-onset anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders (ARFID)," write the researchers in their published paper. "However, the impact of rEO-ED on brain morphometry remains largely unknown." The researchers spotted some differences in brain structure for both early-onset anorexia nervosa (including a thinner cortex and more cerebrospinal fluid) and for underweight patients with ARFID (including a reduced surface area and reduced overall brain volume). As this study is limited to a snapshot in time, it's difficult to confirm whether structural brain variations are a cause or a consequence of these disorders. Among the children with early-onset anorexia nervosa, changes to cortical thickness were more closely linked to body mass index (BMI), suggesting the differences in neurology may be a consequence of restrictive eating behaviors. To trace any overlap between restrictive eating disorders and other neurodevelopmental conditions, scans were obtained from a variety of external datasets. The team found similarities in in cortical thickness signatures between early-onset anorexia nervosa and OCD, and between ARFID and autism. Somewhat surprisingly given previous research, there was little overlap between anorexia nervosa and autism, or between ARFID and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. "Overall, this multiscale overlap – at the clinical, brain and genetic levels – suggests shared mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders that are independent of BMI," write the researchers. The findings reinforce the significance of treating early-onset anorexia nervosa and ARFID as distinct disorders, while emphasising similarities and differences with other mental health conditions. The findings improve our understanding of how eating behaviors and brain structures are linked, informing development of potential treatments. These disorders are currently tackled in a variety of ways, including both dietary and psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). We know the relationship between the brain and our behaviors – including eating habits – is complex and multi-faceted, and the researchers are keen to keep studying how this applies to eating disorders, which could include gathering data on larger samples of people and tracking brain changes over time. The research has been published in Nature Mental Health. Related News Vitamin D During Pregnancy Linked to Cognitive Boost in Children A Study Found Too Much Sleep Increases Risk of Death. Here's Why. Weight Comes Back When You Stop Taking Drugs Like Ozempic, Study Finds Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Hidden Link Between Menopause and ADHD
Mood swings, irritability, anxiety. These are just a few of the issues triggered by the hormonal rollercoaster of menopause and perimenopause. But they could also be a sign of another condition that often goes misdiagnosed in middle-aged women: ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that's characterized by inattention, disorganization, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The chemical changes that occur during the menopausal transition may worsen symptoms of ADHD, says Shanna Pearson, the author of the upcoming book, Invisible ADHD. And that leaves many women who haven't been diagnosed suddenly unable to cope. 'These women have developed systems to keep it together their entire lives — managing their careers, their families, their relationships,' Pearson tells us. 'And then, boom: Perimenopause hits, and it's like the rug gets pulled from underneath them. Every system that they created to get by just stops working.' We spoke to Pearson about what's behind this phenomenon, why so many women are being misdiagnosed, and what you can do if you believe you may be one of them. There's been a lot of talk lately about how ADHD manifests differently in women than in men. Can you explain what that looks like? Pearson: In general, men tend to exhibit symptoms that are much more external and physical. They might be physically restless, their eyes might dart around at the dinner table. They tend to do things that are more impulsive like driving too fast, having more affairs — things they can act on physically. For women, in general, their hyperactivity is more in their mind. I describe it in the book as a 24/7 amusement park in your brain, so while life's happening around you, you're more fascinated with everything that's going on in your head. And that's why we don't get called out as much, because you could just be sitting on your couch daydreaming and not disturb anyone. That's why so many women tend to go under the radar. Related: How do menopause and perimenopause impact ADHD? Estrogen plays a very big role in regulating our dopamine levels. People who have ADHD already have low dopamine levels. So when estrogen begins to decline during this stage of life, our dopamine levels crater too — and that can wreak havoc on someone with ADHD. There are lots of women who've gone undiagnosed and have been able to create ways of coping. These women have developed systems to keep it together their entire lives — managing their careers, their families, their relationships. And then, boom: Perimenopause hits, and it's like the rug gets pulled from underneath them. Every system that they created to get by just stops working. I believe it's a really big problem. The other issue, which you discuss in the book, is that many of these women are being misdiagnosed. Why is that? The fact is, if you have a woman in middle age who's going through these changes but doesn't know she has ADHD, she'll go to the doctor and they'll give her an assessment for anxiety and depression. There's a lot of overlap in the questions they'd ask for these mood disorders and symptoms of ADHD. Do you feel restless? Do you have trouble concentrating on things? Do you have trouble relaxing? These are all things that people who have ADHD live with 24/7, so many women will get misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression because they're not being screened for ADHD. How can women tell if they may have ADHD? The one key thing I tell women, which won't typically appear on questionnaires, is to ask yourself if you're experiencing severe overwhelm. I call it the 'deer-in-the-headlights syndrome.' It's this feeling where you have 20 things to do, and they all feel equally important, but you just don't know what to do first. If you have ADHD, this is something you've experienced for most of your life — not just when you're going through hormonal changes. What advice do you have for women who may suspect they have ADHD? I highly recommend going to a doctor who specializes in ADHD. Because if you go to a general therapist, you will likely get misdiganosed with depression or anxiety. There are also things you can do right now to start alleviating your symptoms. One thing I recommend is to start learning mood management. I tell all my clients that you can have an outstanding time management system, but it won't amount to anything if you don't feel like getting things done. So one great tip is to spend three days logging when you feel like you have the most energy and when you hit slumps. If you're a morning person, schedule your hardest tasks then; if you feel more energized later in the day, block that part off to cross the hard things off your to-do list. The other thing I tell people is to do things that will get them out of their heads. A lot of women with ADHD can be locked into our heads for most of the day, so getting in touch with our bodies can really help. That doesn't necessarily mean you have to exercise. It can be as simple as implementing a physical state change. So if you're at the computer and find yourself getting sucked into a rabbit hole, stand up and put on some music. You could even suck on a really strong mint or a drink a glass of ice water — just some sort of physical stimulus to get you out of your head. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. The post The Hidden Link Between Menopause and ADHD appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to manage ADHD at work and turn it into a strength
NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremy Didier had taken her son to a psychologist for a possible ADHD evaluation when she spotted an article about women with the condition. As she read it in the waiting room, she thought to herself: They're describing me. 'Lots of risk-taking, lots of very impulsive behavior growing up,' Didier said. As the magazine described, she'd excelled in school but gotten in trouble for talking too much. She'd amassed too many speeding tickets as an adult. She turned to her husband and said, "I think I might have ADHD.' Didier is now the board president of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, a nonprofit advocacy and support organization. Her realization mirrors the experiences of other adults who wonder if they have ADHD after a child's diagnosis. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity or a combination of the two. Common symptoms such as trouble concentrating or sitting still can create challenges at work. People with ADHD are often passed over for promotions, said Andrew Sylvester, a psychiatrist at UCHealth, a hospital in Longmont, Colorado. Difficulties with attention may lead the mind to drift during meetings, and cause someone to miss important discussion nuances. The disorder may interfere with organization, planning and remembering details. Yet some adults think of having ADHD as a source of personality strengths and ways of thinking that benefit employers. Diagnostic manuals may call it a disorder, but it also can be a superpower, they said. 'Our brains work differently and so we're more likely to be able to think outside the box and come up with different things, and sometimes that's because we've had to do that in order to to survive,' Didier said. Here are some ways to cope with and channel ADHD in the workplace. Finding community Getting diagnosed with ADHD doesn't always lead to a quick fix. While doctors often recommend medication and therapy, not everyone can take medication, and those routes don't necessarily eliminate all symptoms. Didier floundered with a messy house and lots of yelling as she and four of her five children were diagnosed with ADHD. She experimented with medicine, diets and reward charts, and discovered what helped her the most: a community of parents who had children with ADHD. 'There's nothing like talking to other people who are going through what you're going through to help you feel ... that you're not alone,' she said. Didier eventually became a social worker and now runs support groups for adults with ADHD, teaching skills they can use at work. Some organizations have employee resource groups organized around neurodiversity to provide camaraderie and support to adults with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other conditions. GPS of the brain People with ADHD often struggle with executive function, which Didier describes as 'your brain's GPS' for navigating your day. Executive function is a set of mental skills that includes making plans, managing time and flexible thinking. It also includes working memory, which helps us keep track of what we're doing. To keep from getting derailed, experts recommend breaking large tasks into chunks, writing detailed to-do lists and taking breaks. Personal chef Bill Collins, 66, who was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago, writes structured lists when he's making a meal for a client. He creates categories for kitchen areas — counter, stove and oven — and then lists tasks such as 'chop carrots, boil water for pasta' underneath each category. Then he numbers each task so he knows exactly what to do, where and when. 'That's how I got around my unknown ADHD early on, just making lists,' Collins said. 'If it's something I don't want to do, I put it at the top of the list so I can be done with it." Another technique is called 'body doubling,' which involves a pair of work colleagues meeting over Zoom or in-person to focus on completing projects. The two may choose to perform separate tasks — one might build a presentation deck while the other files tax reports — but help each other stay accountable. 'You're just sitting there during that dedicated time, getting things done,' Didier said. Insurance company Liberty Mutual provides an AI tool that helps break down large projects into manageable tasks and provides reminders about deadlines, to help employees with ADHD stay focused and organized, said Head of Benefits Verlinda DiMarino. Getting through meetings Meetings can be difficult for people with ADHD if their minds drift or they feel an urge to get up out of a chair. They also may struggle with impulse control and find it hard to wait their turn to speak. Nicole Clark, CEO of the Adult and Pediatric Institute, a mental health practice in Stuart, Florida, suggests asking for meeting topics in advance and writing up talking points. If you think of questions during the meeting, write them down. Some employers use a voice-to-text service, projecting what a speaker is saying on a screen, which helps people with attention difficulties stay focused, Clark said. Sylvester, the psychiatrist, recommends practicing active listening by repeating in your head what someone just said, or taking a brief time-out from a meeting to reset. Tell them, ''I need five minutes. I'll be right back.' Get up and walk out. Do what you need to do,' he said. Mariel Paralitici-Morales, chief medical officer of the Adult and Pediatric Institute, who has ADHD, sits close to whoever will be speaking to help sustain attention. 'Having something in my hand helps,' said Paralitici-Morales, who sometimes holds a fidget spinner. 'If we have to talk, I found it's easier for me to be the first one and break the ice" to keep herself from second-guessing what she planned to say. Seek accommodations People with an ADHD diagnosis can request accommodations at work through the Americans with Disabilities Act. Noise-canceling headphones may help. Consider asking for the ability to take a break every 20 minutes, Sylvester said. 'Set a timer for five to 10 minutes. Get up and walk around. Make some coffee. Go play with the dog,' he said. 'When that timer goes off, go back to a 15 to 20 minute hard productivity cycle.' Employees can also request a flexible schedule or ability to work from home, which can enable time for therapy or self-care. Antoinette Damico, 23, who coordinates events at an executive search firm in San Francisco, said she practices meditation, writes daily goals in a journal and stays off short-form media to improve her concentration. Celebrate your strengths Having ADHD can be an asset in the workplace, and many CEOs and entrepreneurs are neurodiverse, Didier said. 'We bring all kinds of unique talents to our workplaces. Hyper-focus, lots of energy, resilience, the ability to multitask,' she added. 'There's something about people with ADHD that seems to unmask or give us a greater capacity for creativity and innovation.' Damico also thinks her ADHD provides some advantages. When she's interested in a topic, she can be extremely focused, reading extensively and talking about the topic nonstop, a trait others with ADHD report. 'It can generate a real passion in you that is a bit unique," she said. "It really creates this grit in me in terms of when I really want to accomplish something, there's this boost of energy.' ___ Share your stories and questions about workplace wellness at cbussewitz@ Follow AP's Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health at
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to manage ADHD at work and turn it into a strength
NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremy Didier had taken her son to a psychologist for a possible ADHD evaluation when she spotted an article about women with the condition. As she read it in the waiting room, she thought to herself: They're describing me. 'Lots of risk-taking, lots of very impulsive behavior growing up,' Didier said. As the magazine described, she'd excelled in school but gotten in trouble for talking too much. She'd amassed too many speeding tickets as an adult. She turned to her husband and said, "I think I might have ADHD.' Didier is now the board president of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, a nonprofit advocacy and support organization. Her realization mirrors the experiences of other adults who wonder if they have ADHD after a child's diagnosis. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity or a combination of the two. Common symptoms such as trouble concentrating or sitting still can create challenges at work. People with ADHD are often passed over for promotions, said Andrew Sylvester, a psychiatrist at UCHealth, a hospital in Longmont, Colorado. Difficulties with attention may lead the mind to drift during meetings, and cause someone to miss important discussion nuances. The disorder may interfere with organization, planning and remembering details. Yet some adults think of having ADHD as a source of personality strengths and ways of thinking that benefit employers. Diagnostic manuals may call it a disorder, but it also can be a superpower, they said. 'Our brains work differently and so we're more likely to be able to think outside the box and come up with different things, and sometimes that's because we've had to do that in order to to survive,' Didier said. Here are some ways to cope with and channel ADHD in the workplace. Finding community Getting diagnosed with ADHD doesn't always lead to a quick fix. While doctors often recommend medication and therapy, not everyone can take medication, and those routes don't necessarily eliminate all symptoms. Didier floundered with a messy house and lots of yelling as she and four of her five children were diagnosed with ADHD. She experimented with medicine, diets and reward charts, and discovered what helped her the most: a community of parents who had children with ADHD. 'There's nothing like talking to other people who are going through what you're going through to help you feel ... that you're not alone,' she said. Didier eventually became a social worker and now runs support groups for adults with ADHD, teaching skills they can use at work. Some organizations have employee resource groups organized around neurodiversity to provide camaraderie and support to adults with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other conditions. GPS of the brain People with ADHD often struggle with executive function, which Didier describes as 'your brain's GPS' for navigating your day. Executive function is a set of mental skills that includes making plans, managing time and flexible thinking. It also includes working memory, which helps us keep track of what we're doing. To keep from getting derailed, experts recommend breaking large tasks into chunks, writing detailed to-do lists and taking breaks. Personal chef Bill Collins, 66, who was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago, writes structured lists when he's making a meal for a client. He creates categories for kitchen areas — counter, stove and oven — and then lists tasks such as 'chop carrots, boil water for pasta' underneath each category. Then he numbers each task so he knows exactly what to do, where and when. 'That's how I got around my unknown ADHD early on, just making lists,' Collins said. 'If it's something I don't want to do, I put it at the top of the list so I can be done with it." Another technique is called 'body doubling,' which involves a pair of work colleagues meeting over Zoom or in-person to focus on completing projects. The two may choose to perform separate tasks — one might build a presentation deck while the other files tax reports — but help each other stay accountable. 'You're just sitting there during that dedicated time, getting things done,' Didier said. Insurance company Liberty Mutual provides an AI tool that helps break down large projects into manageable tasks and provides reminders about deadlines, to help employees with ADHD stay focused and organized, said Head of Benefits Verlinda DiMarino. Getting through meetings Meetings can be difficult for people with ADHD if their minds drift or they feel an urge to get up out of a chair. They also may struggle with impulse control and find it hard to wait their turn to speak. Nicole Clark, CEO of the Adult and Pediatric Institute, a mental health practice in Stuart, Florida, suggests asking for meeting topics in advance and writing up talking points. If you think of questions during the meeting, write them down. Some employers use a voice-to-text service, projecting what a speaker is saying on a screen, which helps people with attention difficulties stay focused, Clark said. Sylvester, the psychiatrist, recommends practicing active listening by repeating in your head what someone just said, or taking a brief time-out from a meeting to reset. Tell them, ''I need five minutes. I'll be right back.' Get up and walk out. Do what you need to do,' he said. Mariel Paralitici-Morales, chief medical officer of the Adult and Pediatric Institute, who has ADHD, sits close to whoever will be speaking to help sustain attention. 'Having something in my hand helps,' said Paralitici-Morales, who sometimes holds a fidget spinner. 'If we have to talk, I found it's easier for me to be the first one and break the ice" to keep herself from second-guessing what she planned to say. Seek accommodations People with an ADHD diagnosis can request accommodations at work through the Americans with Disabilities Act. Noise-canceling headphones may help. Consider asking for the ability to take a break every 20 minutes, Sylvester said. 'Set a timer for five to 10 minutes. Get up and walk around. Make some coffee. Go play with the dog,' he said. 'When that timer goes off, go back to a 15 to 20 minute hard productivity cycle.' Employees can also request a flexible schedule or ability to work from home, which can enable time for therapy or self-care. Antoinette Damico, 23, who coordinates events at an executive search firm in San Francisco, said she practices meditation, writes daily goals in a journal and stays off short-form media to improve her concentration. Celebrate your strengths Having ADHD can be an asset in the workplace, and many CEOs and entrepreneurs are neurodiverse, Didier said. 'We bring all kinds of unique talents to our workplaces. Hyper-focus, lots of energy, resilience, the ability to multitask,' she added. 'There's something about people with ADHD that seems to unmask or give us a greater capacity for creativity and innovation.' Damico also thinks her ADHD provides some advantages. When she's interested in a topic, she can be extremely focused, reading extensively and talking about the topic nonstop, a trait others with ADHD report. 'It can generate a real passion in you that is a bit unique," she said. "It really creates this grit in me in terms of when I really want to accomplish something, there's this boost of energy.' ___ Share your stories and questions about workplace wellness at cbussewitz@ Follow AP's Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health at Cathy Bussewitz, The Associated Press Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
How to manage ADHD at work and turn it into a strength
Jeremy Didier had taken her son to a psychologist for a possible ADHD evaluation when she spotted an article about women with the condition. As she read it in the waiting room, she thought to herself: They're describing me. 'Lots of risk-taking, lots of very impulsive behavior growing up,' Didier said. As the magazine described, she'd excelled in school but gotten in trouble for talking too much. She'd amassed too many speeding tickets as an adult. She turned to her husband and said, "I think I might have ADHD.' Didier is now the board president of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, a nonprofit advocacy and support organization. Her realization mirrors the experiences of other adults who wonder if they have ADHD after a child's diagnosis. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity or a combination of the two. Common symptoms such as trouble concentrating or sitting still can create challenges at work. People with ADHD are often passed over for promotions, said Andrew Sylvester, a psychiatrist at UCHealth, a hospital in Longmont, Colorado. Difficulties with attention may lead the mind to drift during meetings, and cause someone to miss important discussion nuances. The disorder may interfere with organization, planning and remembering details. Yet some adults think of having ADHD as a source of personality strengths and ways of thinking that benefit employers. Diagnostic manuals may call it a disorder, but it also can be a superpower, they said. 'Our brains work differently and so we're more likely to be able to think outside the box and come up with different things, and sometimes that's because we've had to do that in order to to survive,' Didier said. Here are some ways to cope with and channel ADHD in the workplace. Finding community Getting diagnosed with ADHD doesn't always lead to a quick fix. While doctors often recommend medication and therapy, not everyone can take medication, and those routes don't necessarily eliminate all symptoms. Didier floundered with a messy house and lots of yelling as she and four of her five children were diagnosed with ADHD. She experimented with medicine, diets and reward charts, and discovered what helped her the most: a community of parents who had children with ADHD. 'There's nothing like talking to other people who are going through what you're going through to help you feel ... that you're not alone,' she said. Didier eventually became a social worker and now runs support groups for adults with ADHD, teaching skills they can use at work. Some organizations have employee resource groups organized around neurodiversity to provide camaraderie and support to adults with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other conditions. GPS of the brain People with ADHD often struggle with executive function, which Didier describes as 'your brain's GPS' for navigating your day. Executive function is a set of mental skills that includes making plans, managing time and flexible thinking. It also includes working memory, which helps us keep track of what we're doing. To keep from getting derailed, experts recommend breaking large tasks into chunks, writing detailed to-do lists and taking breaks. Personal chef Bill Collins, 66, who was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago, writes structured lists when he's making a meal for a client. He creates categories for kitchen areas — counter, stove and oven — and then lists tasks such as 'chop carrots, boil water for pasta' underneath each category. Then he numbers each task so he knows exactly what to do, where and when. 'That's how I got around my unknown ADHD early on, just making lists,' Collins said. 'If it's something I don't want to do, I put it at the top of the list so I can be done with it." Another technique is called 'body doubling,' which involves a pair of work colleagues meeting over Zoom or in-person to focus on completing projects. The two may choose to perform separate tasks — one might build a presentation deck while the other files tax reports — but help each other stay accountable. 'You're just sitting there during that dedicated time, getting things done,' Didier said. Insurance company Liberty Mutual provides an AI tool that helps break down large projects into manageable tasks and provides reminders about deadlines, to help employees with ADHD stay focused and organized, said Head of Benefits Verlinda DiMarino. Getting through meetings Meetings can be difficult for people with ADHD if their minds drift or they feel an urge to get up out of a chair. They also may struggle with impulse control and find it hard to wait their turn to speak. Nicole Clark, CEO of the Adult and Pediatric Institute, a mental health practice in Stuart, Florida, suggests asking for meeting topics in advance and writing up talking points. If you think of questions during the meeting, write them down. Some employers use a voice-to-text service, projecting what a speaker is saying on a screen, which helps people with attention difficulties stay focused, Clark said. Sylvester, the psychiatrist, recommends practicing active listening by repeating in your head what someone just said, or taking a brief time-out from a meeting to reset. Tell them, ''I need five minutes. I'll be right back.' Get up and walk out. Do what you need to do,' he said. Mariel Paralitici-Morales, chief medical officer of the Adult and Pediatric Institute, who has ADHD, sits close to whoever will be speaking to help sustain attention. 'Having something in my hand helps,' said Paralitici-Morales, who sometimes holds a fidget spinner. 'If we have to talk, I found it's easier for me to be the first one and break the ice" to keep herself from second-guessing what she planned to say. Seek accommodations People with an ADHD diagnosis can request accommodations at work through the Americans with Disabilities Act. Noise-canceling headphones may help. Consider asking for the ability to take a break every 20 minutes, Sylvester said. 'Set a timer for five to 10 minutes. Get up and walk around. Make some coffee. Go play with the dog,' he said. 'When that timer goes off, go back to a 15 to 20 minute hard productivity cycle.' Employees can also request a flexible schedule or ability to work from home, which can enable time for therapy or self-care. Antoinette Damico, 23, who coordinates events at an executive search firm in San Francisco, said she practices meditation, writes daily goals in a journal and stays off short-form media to improve her concentration. Celebrate your strengths Having ADHD can be an asset in the workplace, and many CEOs and entrepreneurs are neurodiverse, Didier said. 'We bring all kinds of unique talents to our workplaces. Hyper-focus, lots of energy, resilience, the ability to multitask,' she added. 'There's something about people with ADHD that seems to unmask or give us a greater capacity for creativity and innovation.' Damico also thinks her ADHD provides some advantages. When she's interested in a topic, she can be extremely focused, reading extensively and talking about the topic nonstop, a trait others with ADHD report. 'It can generate a real passion in you that is a bit unique," she said. "It really creates this grit in me in terms of when I really want to accomplish something, there's this boost of energy.' ___
