Upon the suggestion of a loved one, I am reading Scattered Minds, by Gabor Mate. I see on the internet that some people find his writing controversial/lacking from clinical evidence (i.e., from clinical trials). I did look up his publication record, and he seems to write only popular science books rather than scholarly works. I'm wondering what people on this forum think.
His aim seems to be to counter the idea that ADHD is genetic with the idea that there are genetic predispositions that make one vulnerable to developing ADHD if the conditions exist during the early, formative years. Beyond the question of genetic predispositions, he seems to be arguing against medication as the primary approach to treatment. At the place where I am in the book (about a third of the way in), I'm not sure whether he's advocating against medication altogether or whether he's just arguing that it's not a panacea.
The general idea that medication is not the whole/simple answer and that ADHD is not predetermined based on genetics seems reasonable to me. I can accept the idea that it could be a developmental disorder, especially in extreme home situations, but reading it makes me feel like he's saying if my child has ADHD it's because any kind of emotional stress in the home environment was a trigger. Is there any home environment that has not experienced stress or any parent who never struggled with anxiety or depression in the early formative years?
I guess I can't help asking myself the question -- what does the fact that my child has ADHD mean about my parenting? In the part I just read today, it almost sounded like he was arguing that most ADHD children experienced abuse in their homes. I'm having a hard time seeing nuance in his writing -- maybe as a researcher, I just expect a little more quantification and grounding on claims.
I'm wondering if he ever gets to some practical steps forward. As he acknowledged in the earlier part of the book, blaming oneself isn't really productive. He did say that's not what he's trying to accomplish with the book. I'm just struggling not to read it that way.
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WoollyMammoth123
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I heard it that way also, when I listened to one of his interviews. I didn't take it to heart. There has been no trauma aside from having to grow with both advanced and lagging skills but be expected to be like everyone else. Gabor also suggests trauma for causing autoimmune disease, which is where my interest in him died.
Hello WoolyMammoth123,The brain science I have read states there is a huge hereditary component of ADHD, it is more heritable than most characteristics other than height. It is a different brain chemistry and development not a predisposition that is triggered by trauma - according to what I have read.
You are not a bad patent because your kid has ADHD that's an old very busted myth.
I recommend "ADHD 2.0" by Dr Hallowell he has ADHD and has been studying it for 30+years. His latest book has a lot of current brain science in it.
Dr Hallowell is one of the most positive people when it comes to ADHD. His phrase to describe ADHD "you have a Ferrari brain with bicycle brakes. You just need to strengthen your brakes, your brain is fantastic"
I haven't read any of the Gabor Mate stuff, from what you describe he doesn't sound well informed on the science, in my opinion.
BLC89
Full disclosure: I am an ADHD Parent Coach. I have been married to ADHD for nearly 30 years and raised two kids who have ADHD.
I have heard enough to suggest that you stop reading this book and move on to reading something that brings you comfort during the times that are able to read. What I can tell you with 100% certainty is that my son's ADHD wasn't caused by anything we did. I am willing to say the same is true of you. On the other hand, we do take credit (most credit goes to him) for the fact that he has ultimately strived despite his ADHD. What worked for us (and what I have shared numerous times here) is the 3 legged stool of medications, lifestyle modifications (schedules, tutors, bedtimes, checklists, etc) and accommodations at school. Best of luck to you.
We have 7 children, 5 boys, 2 girls in 10 years. Number 6 out of 7 was born into a loving home with a stay at home mom and older brothers and sisters that have gone before him. We raised all of our children consistently and had very consistent results. Our kids were very obedient, thrived at school and sports, had lots of friends. Until number 6. Something was different, very different. He was also very bright and very social, but from a young age lacked self control. He knew the rules and all of his older siblings followed the rules, but he did not. He wasn't a bad kid, he always said he was sorry, accepted whatever consequence he was given, but he would do the same thing over and over again. Eventually, even though it made no sense to us, we came to the realization that he simply could not control himself.
He is now 24, he is exceptionally bright, he taught himself to play piano, plays beautifully, and he is very funny (keeps his family and friends in stitches). But, he cannot keep a job, had to quit school due to a nervous breakdown. He has very bad and yet to be controlled anxiety. He has a diagnosis of ADHD and has had TMS treatment and is on Ketamine treatment now.
So I would say experientially that I can see no way that number 6's issues are due to upbringing or childhood trauma. It's not your fault! It's not that I'm opposed or afraid of the idea that I made mistakes as a parent, we all have. In his many visits to psychiatrists and many therapy sessions, there has been no hidden childhood trauma exposed. Conversely, we have often observed clear differences in the way number 6 navigated life vs his 6 siblings. I hope this helps.
Thanks for responding! My son is almost 8 and started meds last summer. We’ve had pretty good success with it so far but I’m always so curious to hear how things change as kids grow up into adults, so that’s why I asked. I hope we’ll see some new advances in medicine in the coming years to help our kids manage more effectively. Hope your son can find some peace with his anxiety soon.
Don’t worry about it. The preponderance of evidence points to ADHD being largely hereditary and to medication being a frontline treatment. Medication alone is not enough: therapeutic intervention is also necessary. Not everyone responds to medication and everyone responds in their own way. But please please understand that ADHD is *not* caused by your parenting. As an ADHD parent, you’ve already got way too much on your plate to let outlier theories bog you down. You are already a good enough parent! Return that book to the library and go play outside with your kid or take a nap or whatever.
Try reading Your Brain’s Not Broken 2.0. It’s aimed at adults with ADHD but she’s very clear about the science and has useful suggestions. NAMI, CHADD and ADDitude Magazine are also helpful.
I tried with that book/author and just couldn’t. Us parents of kiddos with ADHD have enough guilt and blame on our shoulders to begin with, and when you cut through all his psych jargon, that’s about all you’re left with. I just didn’t find it helpful at all and prefer books that encourage parents to shed the guilt.
Also wanted to add that maybe his work is helpful for adults with ADHD who also experienced trauma as a child and are trying to work through it, but as a stable family where two of my three kids don’t have ADHD I really don’t need this guy implying that my husband and I somehow will have caused my son to have lifelong struggles. Sorry- rant ended!
I think it’s a BIT like fetal alcohol syndrome. Some moms to be can have alcohol al pregnancy and not have a kid with it while others can have one drink and the baby has it.
We are all going to have adhd to an extent: it is a spectrum like autism, thanks to our genetics. If we do have a traumatic household in our formative years, our adhd behaviors come out more, especially if we are literally diagnosed ptsd. However our adhd can cause a traumatic household as well because all parents have a limit, and if we have adhd, then our parents most likely do as well and have a shorter fuse/limit. It’s a cyclical relation.
As for medication, from interacting with others who have adhd, we all do have different genetics, and therefore relate differently to the medications. To some of us, most meds don’t work at all and the side effects of the ones that do are more overpowering. To others though, one med is a panacea. But that is also for the one person, not for all the people like the definition implies. It’s just all the symptoms for that one
I am interested in reading this book myself to ponder my own opinion for it.
I haven't read his book, but I have heard him in interviews and I think he was in a TED Talk.
He always seems to come back to the theory that some form of trauma is what causes ADHD to develop. His own personal story involves early childhood trauma. So, he might be projecting based on his own life experience and that of patients that he has treated. But if that's the case, is his observation skewed by confirmation bias (only noticing the data that fits the theory one it trying to prove)?
It's his presentation that tips his hands...no matter what the points of discussion, he circles back to trauma.
I don't think that trauma causes ADHD (or switches on ADHD-related genes). However, I do think that ADHD can be intensified by trauma...such that someone who might otherwise develop moderate ADHD might instead develop severe ADHD. I just don't think it's the trigger.
We need more research and follow up (repeat studies) to check the research by. I'm sure that there are always a number of ADHD studies going on.
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