Niraj Kakade’s Post

Today is world mental health day (you probably already know that). Lots of people confuse mental health and neurodiversity, and they are different things... However, neurodiverse people are far more likely to suffer with mental health conditions - for example, two-thirds of people who have ADHD also experience some kind of mental health condition. So today, I wanted to share my experience with you: When I tell people that I went through a formal diagnosis process for ADHD, lots of people say 'Oh, I'm pretty sure I have ADHD but I don't see the point of a diagnosis, I've worked out how to manage it' (I used to say that too). However, my formal diagnosis has enabled me to apply for Access to Work funding via the DWP, which covers the cost of specialist ADHD coaching with the amazing Pippa Simou. The coaching has helped me to identify some surprisingly simple ways in which I can support my crazy, amazing brain to work in a way that means my productivity has gone through the roof. Last week I submitted a massive and complicated piece of work an entire week before the deadline, which for anyone who knows me is not something I have ever been able to do. However, the most significant change for me has been recognising my depression and anxiety as a symptom of the ADHD. By working through ways to manage my ADHD (including medication) I rarely experience any of the anxiety or low mood which used to be a daily part of my existence. I can still experience things in my unique hyper-emotional way (I've still managed to get through the final scene of Encanto without weeping excessively for Mirabel's coming-of-age) but the days of lying on the sofa in my oodie and crying without any understanding of why I feel sad seem to be behind me. I often wish that I had gone through the process earlier, but I can't change the past. As my very first coach once said to me: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." 😘

🚀 Transform Self-Doubt into Confidence! 🚀 Struggling with negative self-talk? Our latest blog post on PhilanthroPeak dives deep into transforming self-doubt, especially for those with ADHD. Discover effective strategies to break the cycle of negativity, boost your self-esteem, and harness your unique strengths. 🌟 Whether it’s through mindfulness, positive affirmations, or setting realistic goals, this blog provides actionable insights to improve your mental health. 👉 Read more and start your journey towards a more confident you: https://lnkd.in/e4j6Tguw

I remember going to an excellent mental health conference many years ago. There was an expert presenting on ADHD. I really listened to the material and became convinced that the psychometric measures being used were extremely effective in diagnosing. I also became convinced about the benefits of medication in the right form, in the right dose. Soon afterwards, I was trained to complete the micro assessments for clients. Often sharing these results with clients who in turn shared them with their family physicans, who either transferred them forward for further testing or began medication trials. This was a game changer for my clients. Most of you know, I am not a huge propronent of medication except when there is high risk, necessary anit-abuse for serious addiction OR when its a wiring issue. Obviously, we have, in the past seen over prescribing, especially in children showing difficult classroom behavior. But when properly diagnosed, this can create clarity, organization, focus, stabiliity and renewed confidence, and usually overnight! Someone even described it to me recently as getting prescription eyeglasses! So, if you are blinded, or someone you know could be blinded by distraction, overwhelm, avoidance, delaying, forgetting, squirming, compulsions, blurting, talking, completing, consider completing qualified psychometric measures to see better!

Mental health is a truth that can not be denied by any one. In today’s world, one only considers ‘evil eye, jinn/ghost possession, magic/sihr’. Some think that mental health is not a thing at all, in fact it is just a weakness of imaan/faith. Now what is the real truth behind this overly grown disease that the present world is facing. Is it really a thing? Or Is It just the negative things such as evil eye, sihr, jinn possession? Is It just the weakness of faith or ‘Obsessive Compulsive Disorder’? Well the answer to this question is by acknowledging the fact that this problem is increasing day by day. ‘Mental health issues are a matter of fact’. How to cope with depression, overthinking and anxiety? How many of you have heard this term called ‘Neuroplasticity/Brain Plasticity’? The human brain has control over changing it according to what we want. It is not an easy task but we can do it. Brain has the ability to maintain and rebuild neurons/cells and can  create new bridges of thoughts/imaginations as per our choice. It can be created overtime. At the age of six, a child’s brain is completely developed. After puberty the brain the frontal part of the brain gets developed, the term used for it is called ‘Prefrontal cortex’, it controls the decision making power, emotions of fears, judgement etc. CHILDHOOD TRAUMAS It gets started by how the parents talk to their children especially if the kid is dealing with anxiety related to ADHD. ADHD is an attention disorder. A child that is born with a slight delay than a normal child i.e he/she is not as attentive as other kids of this age. Don't ever self diagnose/monitor your kid, student or any one dealing with any problem unless you are a professional in this area because certain illnesses and diseases can only be diagnosed by a Professional Psychiatrist. It might be just anxiety or stress related issues.

ADD/ADHD can often go hand-in-hand with addiction as a means of self medicating the diagnosed/undiagnosed mental health condition. Would you be interested in learning more about the genes that influence focus, impulse control, mood regulation, and other hallmarks of ADD and/or ADHD?

🚀 Transform Self-Doubt into Confidence! 🚀 Struggling with negative self-talk? Our latest blog post on PhilanthroPeak dives deep into transforming self-doubt, especially for those with ADHD. Discover effective strategies to break the cycle of negativity, boost your self-esteem, and harness your unique strengths. 🌟 Whether it’s through mindfulness, positive affirmations, or setting realistic goals, this blog provides actionable insights to improve your mental health. 👉 Read more and start your journey towards a more confident you: https://lnkd.in/edJaRY2s

Autism and ADHD aren’t mental health conditions... But the pressure to conform to neurotypical norms can lead to significant anxiety and depression. Masking 🎭 is when neurodivergent people hide their true self to fit in with neurotypical culture - usually because they feel unsafe or unaccepted as they are. Many neurodivergent people begin masking from a very young age. Over time it can become automatic and subconscious. While masking can help people feel safe and accepted in the short term, it prevents genuine connection with others. Masking is exhausting and stressful, and it can lead to intense burnout. It's crucial to recognize the challenges of masking and the toll it takes on mental well-being. By building a more accepting and respectful culture, we can help neurodivergent individuals feel safe to be their authentic selves 🌈💖 Share your thoughts below...

A calander 🗓may make your life easier if you are struggling with this mental health issue. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. If you are suffering from ADHD these 3 tips will make your day to day life easier. 1. Break down tasks into smaller, managable ones. This will help with anxiety and procastination of doing a bigger task. Example, you have been meaning to clean your room for a while but never got to it and now it seems like a daunting task 😭. Solution - Break it down A. Clear out things you want to get rid of. B. Sweep your room. C. Mop your room. Done 👍 2. Write your to do list 📝 for the next day before going to bed and let it be the first thing you see when you wake up. This is helpful to focus on things you have to get done rather than asking " what did i have to do? 🤔" when the day finally comes around. 3. Use time blocking ⏰️ when you put tasks in your calander. This helps you keep track of time and not get carried away with meaningless tasks. Example, let's say these are your to do list for the day you have written last night before you went to bed - Do an assignment - Clean your room - Cook your lunch Solution - when you put it in your calander it should be as 3:09 - 4:00 Clean room 4:23 - 6:00 Do assignment 6:00 - 6:37 Cook lunch Try each one and don't forget to let us know how it goes in the comments 👇.

Specific personality traits can serve as both risk and protective factors for mental health conditions, depending on the context. For instance, individuals who engage in excessive conversation may be categorized as “outgoing” and “eloquent” but could also be labeled as "compulsive talkers" or "oversharers." ADHD, characterized by symptoms like inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, may manifest in excessive talking due to impulsivity in particular. Similarly, autism, marked by challenges in social communication and restricted interests, can make transitioning between conversations or topics challenging. Alternatively, bipolar disorder triggers intense mood fluctuations, ranging from depressive lows to euphoric highs known as mania. During the onset of a manic or hypomanic phase, speech typically stays coherent initially. However, there's often a noticeable shift in speech patterns where individuals become more verbose and speak rapidly. In all, being talkative may not necessarily indicate the existence of an issue. It is interesting to note that despite mental health conditions being associated with poorer social functioning, traits like being talkative serve a beneficial purpose in social settings. At Singula, we recognize the multifaceted nature of mental well-being, influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Through our innovative Learning Mental Health System, we customize treatment and support to address individual needs. Discover how Singula is transforming mental health care: https://ow.ly/pEim50Qxjb7. #mentalhealth #psychiatry #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #breakthestigma #stigmafighter #depression #anxiety #socialimpact

It's interesting how we often search for complex solutions to our mental health challenges, yet some of the simplest techniques can yield profound results. I recently came across an article that discusses Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping, which has been a lifesaver for many facing issues like anxiety and emotional dysregulation, especially those with ADHD. The author shares their personal journey with EFT, highlighting how this approach has helped them, and their clients, gain a sense of calm and clarity through tapping on specific acupressure points. As someone who’s also navigated various emotional struggles, I could relate to the impact of finding manageable tools that integrate seamlessly into our daily lives. The takeaway? Sometimes, the solutions are already within our reach; it's about finding what works for us and being open to trying new things. EFT offers an accessible way to address emotional upheaval without the extensive therapeutic processes we might expect. Have you ever tried tapping or a similar method to help manage feelings of anxiety or stress? Share your experiences or thoughts! https://lnkd.in/d3hFaQF