hurtful and miss the point that there is a real issue which has lasting impact on health and wellbeing. It invites shame, which is another presenting factor in ADHD and can increase distrust, which will slow down diagnosis and treatment efficacy. ADHD diagnoses in older women have increased dramatically. With this comes grief as the realisation of the stress of coping strategies, the impact on relationships and the consequent disturbance in life, can mean that along with neurodivergence, there might be depression.
The Australian Psychological Society reported a 450 % upswing in adults taking ADHD medication over the last 5 years, and more than 50 % were women. This upsurge in the population can mean more patients will be presenting with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence in the mix. Medications will need to be factored into health prescriptions.
ADHD is complex, with many layers which inform the narrative a patient carries. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria( RSD) may be present, along with other factors. A patient who has been criticised a great deal for being’ different’ is likely to be highly sensitive. The three types of ADHD- hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive- may present in combined or different ways. ADHD is not always a deficit model; it is also about quirky brilliance and sideways thinking, that can offer up great insights, interesting angles on understanding, along with strong creative problem-solving skills, good intuitions, and deep empathy.
So where does the holistic practitioner sit with a client who has neurodivergence? What tools do they have? It is important to support the ADHD client with all the tools available including nervines, exercise recommendation, bodywork and more. The earthly level of body practicality is an excellent place to start. It is the most achievable and accessible path, to begin to build trust with a patient.
It is important to support the ADHD client with all the tools available including nervines, exercise recommendation, bodywork and more. The earthly level of body practicality is an excellent place to start.
To add to the complexity, the holistic practitioner might be working in less obvious areas of health. For example, if a patient expresses emotions such as doubt, shame, and fear, how do you factor them into your treatment plan? While the patient needs sympathy and support, the practitioner will need to be upskilled with a good knowledge of professional boundaries and a reliable support network. As with chronic illness, the complexity of a long-term condition adds challenges to treatment strategies. More than ever, the need for a supportive professional network is strong. It would serve practitioners to ensure that training on ADHD and all its ramifications is in the professional development calendar.
Experience with illness narratives can be of great assistance in practice. The holistic model is heart-centred and, as one that supports mind, body, and spirit, it seems to be well placed to provide excellent body physical supports, good listening skills, and practical encouragements.
Most important of all is the building of trust.
My young friend came back to see me.
‘ I felt so awful after my last visit to a naturopath I gave up for a while. I felt rejected and then I got annoyed and thought, I’ m not going to be silenced by somebody! I went to see another practitioner and they were just great. They listened so carefully to me and asked sensitive questions that didn’ t make me feel shame. At times I even told them the truth!’ She laughed.‘ After years of being asked why I couldn’ t be normal, it was just great to be with somebody who wasn’ t judging and offered me some useful strategies and some herbs and stuff. I’ m going to keep going to see them. I really felt encouraged and accepted.‘
Holistic practice is uniquely placed to support patients who are working to create good health and wellbeing, while living with a complex diagnosis. The principles of holism, including Tolle Totum( treat the whole person), are a signifying feature of the profession and one that differentiates the practice model. These principles are often why people become holistic practitioners- as part of a commitment to seeing people as mind body and spirit, and listening to the narratives they bring. ADHD brings challenges to the layers of practice. The first steps are to get informed, use the tools at hand and always, always embrace and work with the narratives. Remember the famous quote from Dr. Ibrahim Yasin,‘ Comforting and reassuring words are sometimes more powerful than the medicines.’
Dr Airdre Grant( PhD) is an experienced academic, author and columnist with over 30 years’ experience in teaching and learning. She worked in the Centre for Teaching and Learning( CTL) at Southern Cross University( SCU) and at that time, she served on many school boards, assessment, and accreditation committees. She served on the Reconciliation Action Program( RAP) committee. She worked on the Learning Innovations team at Deakin University and is also on the TEQSA Register of Experts with complementary medicine education as a nominated area of expertise. Airdre may be contacted on Airdre. grant @ gmail. com