By Louise Allingham For Daily Mail Australia
13:22 17 Jan 2024, updated 13:29 17 Jan 2024
A doctor has listed the things people with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder should never do.
Dr Daniel Amen, from the US, has helped many patients who struggle with ADHD and ADD and said there are several things they should avoid doing to make their day-to-day life much easier.
He suggested cutting down on carbs, limiting screen time, avoiding caffeine, not staying up late and even staying out of fights.
Dr Amen’s first tip was to try not to stay up late at night as a lack of sleep is ‘very bad’ for ADHD.
People with ADHD often have trouble falling asleep at night which can cause drowsiness during the day and make symptoms worse according to Everyday Health.
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Secondly the 69-year-old said people diagnosed with ADHD should ‘not think ahead’ and instead to ‘only honour the moment rather than all the moments’.
He also suggested limiting caffeine intake as while coffee and energy drinks can feel good short term, they have adverse long term effects.
The Mini ADHD Coach said caffeine can induce a calming effect and reduce hyperactivity in people with ADHD but having too much over a long period of time can increase anxiety and disrupt sleep patterns.
Finally, Dr Amen said ‘one big thing’ people with ADHD should never do is ‘start fights with people’.
However the doctor went into no detail as to why ADHDers should avoid fights leaving viewers guessing.
‘Don’t start a fight? Why, because I’ll finish it? Jokes, I have ADHD, I don’t finish anything,’ laughed one person.
‘Why is not starting fights with people something specific to ADHD?’ asked another.
‘Probably because we won’t quit and then ruminate on it for far too long,’ a third replied and someone guessed: ‘It gives us a dopamine hit and then becomes a cycle.’
Dr Amen did a follow-up clip with more ADHD no-nos. He said people with ADHD should avoid being too sedentary.
‘I wouldn’t be sedentary, exercise is the universal treatment for ADD. All seven types – exercise helps all of them,’ he said.
The psychiatrist claims there are seven types of ADHD: classic, inattentive, over-focused, temporal lobe, limbic, ring of fire and anxious.
He recommended staying off your phone and limiting screen time.
‘I would get off your phone – gadgets addict you and steal dopamine. ADHD basically is a dopamine deficit disorder,’ he explained.
Dr Amen said people with ADHD shouldn’t eat too many carbs like sugars, breads, pasta, rice and potatoes.
‘Carbs raise serotonin in the brain and make you happy. Serotonin and dopamine counterbalance each other,’ he explained.
‘As serotonin goes up, dopamine goes down so you can’t concentrate but you sort of don’t care that you cant concentrate and get things done.’
Dr Amen strongly advised against taking other people’s medications like Adderall or Ritalin.
‘You might have a different type of ADD and that might disrupt you, make you anxious, irritable and cause relationship problems,’ he said.
He said neurodivergent people should ‘never give up hope’ as he’s worked with many ADHD and ADD patients who get ‘dramatically better’ with help.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
