People with ADHD have at least one defective gene, the DRD2 gene that makes it difficult for neurons to respond to dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is involved in feelings of pleasure and the regulation of attention.
As you know, one trademark of ADHD is low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine — a chemical released by nerve cells into the brain.
ADHD brains have low levels of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is linked arm-in-arm with dopamine. Dopamine is the thing that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure center.
Key aspects of the reward system are underactive in ADHD brains, making it difficult to derive reward from ordinary activities. These dopamine-deficient brains experience a surge of motivation after a high-stimulation behavior triggers a release of dopamine.
It has been proposed that genetic variants of dopaminergic genes and other "reward genes" are important common determinants of reward deficiency syndrome (RDS), which we hypothesize includes ADHD as a behavioral subtype.
Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) is a term that connects addictive, compulsive and impulsive behavioural disorders. RSD is another lesser-known feature that can be associated with ADHD (the other being Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria).
The onset of attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) in childhood is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. A chronic deficit of serotonin (5-HT) at the synapse may trigger symptoms of ADHD.
Unfortunately, they also have a veritable treasure trove of ingredients that can worsen ADHD symptoms: sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, caffeine, and other stimulants. "Energy drinks are high on the list of things that cause teens to display behaviors mimicking ADHD," says Barnhill.
Sugar and other high carb foods boost dopamine levels in the brain, leading us to crave them more often when dopamine levels are low. Since children with ADHD have chronically low levels of dopamine, they are more likely than other children to crave and eat sugary or carbohydrate-heavy foods.
INCUP is an acronym that stands for interest, novelty, challenge, urgency, and passion. The term was first proposed by psychologist William Dodson, who suggested that these five things are the top motivating factors for someone with ADHD.
an interest-based nervous system (motivated by what's compelling enough to get activated). He refers to the five motivating factors with the acronym INCUP: interest, novelty, challenge, urgency, and passion.
ADHD brains are motivated by what Dr. William Dodson calls "the interest-based nervous system." Primarily, we find our motivation in things that have interest, creativity/novelty, challenge/competition, or urgency. I've renamed these to make it easier to remember. I call it the Four Cs of Motivation.
If your child has ADHD, they may have low levels of a brain chemical called dopamine. That's part of a mix of their genes, environment, and brain function that experts believe may cause ADHD.
The ADHD brain has been described as an “interest-based nervous system”: It seeks high-stimulation situations, stronger incentives, and more immediate rewards, which trigger a quick and intense release of dopamine and with it a rush of motivation. Hyperfocus. Dopamine is the brain's most intense reward.
It's believed that there are naturally fewer dopamine receptors in the prefrontal cortex as well as less overall dopamine being produced. ADHD neurotransmitters dopamine and norepineprine are found to be deficient in this mental disorder. Norepinephrine is made from dopamine.
ADHD meltdowns are sudden outbursts of frustration and anger that seem to come out of nowhere. If your child is struggling to control their emotions, there are ways to help them. For children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsivity can present in many ways.
People with ADHD will have at least two or three of the following challenges: difficulty staying on task, paying attention, daydreaming or tuning out, organizational issues, and hyper-focus, which causes us to lose track of time.
Executive functions have other roles which affect how someone thinks. In people with ADHD, these executive dysfunctions impact thinking in numerous ways. People with ADHD don't really think faster than people without it, but it can sometimes seem like they do.
There is a possible connection between ADHD and the changing hormone levels during the cycle. But since we don't know exactly how sex hormones affect ADHD, treatments aren't designed to address hormone changes. If you feel your menstrual cycle affects your ADHD symptoms, tell your doctor.
Some reports have confirmed the effect of Ritalin on brain SERT level [16, 20]. Findings indicate that children who take anti-asthmatic medication, which lowers serotonin level in brain and plasma, may be forced to take Ritalin in order to increase brain serotonin level [21, 22].
Some signs that you might be understimulated include: Lack of motivation. Physical hyperactivity. A sense of unease, making you feel "flat" or irritable.
It happens when an ADHDer is hyper-sensitive to the sensory information their brain receives, causing them to experience certain sensations more intensely or longer than normal. This leads to overstimulation and a “fight or flight” response, which may affect how a person functions daily.
Low levels of dopamine can make you feel tired, moody, unmotivated and many other symptoms. Treatments are available for many of the medical conditions linked to low dopamine levels.