Dr Anna Lembke on dopamine

[Greenbeeps]

I listened to the Steven Bartlett podcast with Dr Lembke on dopamine and at the very beginning I felt thrilled about the test on rats and the effect of no dopamine because it confirmed how disabling a lack of dopamine is …. Yippee…I can stop doubting my adhd diagnosis!

however….as the podcast progresses Dr Lembke doesn’t ever mention adhd and it just became another piece of ‘evidence’ that adhd doesn’t exist and I’m lacking dopamine because I’ve caused this myself and taking medication is fuelling the dopamine ‘addiction’ and blah blah blah!!

I didn’t listen to the end…maybe she eventually mentions it…ie…’another reason people seek dopamine is due to having ADHD’

I don’t disagree with the idea that when we work hard for something it gives us greater satisfaction and we’re surrounded by ‘treats’ making it harder to put the effort in (I haven’t summarised this bit accurately I don’t think)

but…..the complete immobility I have felt when there's no urgency or being unable to create a routine, remember vital items, neglect my children’s health and my own does not fit with seeking dopamine as an addiction.

Help! I don’t need more confusion in my head.

[Mamamichl]

honestly, just reading your description triggers me. I hate people saying adhd isn’t real. I’ve lost too many jobs from people not understanding their actions cause my anxiety to be worse. As for dopamine, I keep small individually wrapped chocolates nearby and give myself one (or a fidget moment, or a song, anything that gives dopamine) when I do so ething that needs to be done.

It doesn’t matter if the low dopamine causes adhd or adhd causes dopamine cravings. What matters is that our feelings and needs are real, and need to be accepted by others.

[Notebook24]

Hello Greenbeeps,I don't know the interview you are writing about,However I want to mention that NOT every dopamine deficiency is ADHD. I understand it's confusing and so easy to misunderstand the problem.

Other conditions are associated with dopamine deficiency e.g. depression when it's severe there might be memory issues or very low concentration ability.

Another fact all of us need to really understand is that ADHD is not just due to dopamine problem, it's also due Norepinephrine problem and this is why some stimulant e.g. Vyvanse work to increase re-up take of both Dopamine and Norepinephrine.

There are other points that might be confusing.

All what I want to say is that it takes time and effort to understand ADHD on personal level and what is impact on personal level.

I'm not sure about your situation if you have it or not but, I know that I have it and I'm on medication and it took me time to get the right dose for me and I'm changing the dose with the supervision of my doctor.

I wish you all the best.

[Greenbeeps in reply to Notebook24]

Hi Notebook24

Thanks for your reply. What I didn’t like about the interview was the emphasis on addiction and stopping those addictions would then create an equilibrium.

Anyone with undiagnosed ADHD listening to that may think that is the answer and spend numerous months years trying to battle addiction when it’s ADHD at the route of it.

I DID spend years trying to battle addiction (alcohol) anxiety and depression until I found out I have adhd….treatment led to me no longer seeking alcohol..it was remarkable how I no longer wanted it!

So my point is when an expert in one area is trying to educate they need to also point out other diagnosis as it’s incredibly damaging and wastes valuable time in a persons life.

I hope that makes sense x