How Feeling Out of Control as a Kid Led Me to an Eating Disorder

I knew there was something wrong when I couldn’t take a hot girl walk without a podcast, meal prep without a YouTube vlog, or spend a Friday night at home without a Netflix binge. Realizing you can’t go a few minutes without checking Instagram, email, or Slack is a sad reality check, but one I desperately needed. With the rise of iPhone addictions and constant connection comes a wellness trend that promises to counteract.

In today’s fast-paced and consumer-driven society, many people find themselves overwhelmed with clutter, both physical and mental. The constant bombardment of information, possessions, and obligations can leave us feeling drained and disconnected from what truly matters. Intentional minimalism offers a solution by advocating for a simplified lifestyle that promotes mental clarity and personal fulfillment.

Household chores have a way of piling up, don’t they? Work and other obligations take up most of our days, so when we do have free time, the last thing we want to do is even more work. Yet, as we all know, routine maintenance supports a functional household — and improves our mental health.My clients with ADHD have shared with me all the ways that chores get sidelined, interrupted, and avoided due to ADHD. The never-ending nature of chores makes getting started and staying motivated nearly impossible.

Not available August 17? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.The academic potential of twice exceptional students is considerable — strong memories, large vocabularies, unusual emotional depth, divergent thinking — but coexisting conditions like ADHD can complicate learning and teaching.

Have you considered making the shift to a career in the medical sector? While it may seem like a career in the health sector is a remarkably complicated endeavor that requires a doctorate, in fact, there is a wide range of roles available in the medical field that require an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree, which can be completed in as little as two years. 

When I first came to Mid and North Powys Mind in 2020, I was a very lost individual. I had no motivation or direction, and day-to-day life was a real struggle, especially as a single mother of 3. Though I’d worked with other organisations to try and combat my anxiety and depression, nothing really fitted, and it was always very short-term relief.

In a world filled with conflicting diet trends and rigid rules around what to eat, many women have turned to intuitive eating as a different way to approach their eating habits. But there’s a common misconception that intuitive eating means ignoring all nutritional advice on eating “whatever you want.” You don’t want to have strict rules and are so over yo-yo dieting, but you also want to eat healthy foods that make you feel amazing.

Anyone who ever clipped out and mailed in a Publisher’s Clearinghouse magazine form or Columbia House Record Club application knows that subscriptions existed long before the Internet. But the kits and crates we know now gained attention with the female-led launch of Birchbox in 2010, and then skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic.

July 17, 2023Nearly half of people with cannabis use disorders also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)1, according to a new systematic review that also found almost a quarter (23%) of people with substance use disorders have ADHD.2Researchers found a positive relationship between severity of ADHD symptoms and likelihood of continued, increasing cannabis use and development of cannabis use disorder (CUD). They uncovered a host of structural changes that occur in the brains of young people who regularly use cannabis, however they also found a prevailing belief among many people with ADHD that the risk associated with cannabis use is low, and the benefits are high, particularly for the improvement of sleep disturbance, social anxiety, and executive functioning.

The transition to college is really exciting — and really anxiety-provoking. Academic expectations and demands on executive functions both spike as teens begin to independently steer all sorts of new responsibilities — from laundry to shopping for shampoo.

ADHD impairs working memory, the important executive function that allows us to store information for later recall. Students rely heavily on working memory when taking exams, completing homework, and contributing in class. They call on long-term memory as they build on their knowledge and move on to the next grade level.When impairments impede learning, I suggest these novel memorization techniques:1. Harnessing scents makes sense. The sense of smell is an incredibly powerful, and under-utilized, tool to aid memory recall.

Most educators have received no formal training for teaching students with ADHD and its comorbid conditions.Though 100% of the teachers, tutors, counselors, and administrators surveyed recently by ADDitude said they serve at least one student with ADHD and/or autism, only 40% said they have undergone specialized training in these conditions. The same goes for auditory processing issues, dyslexia, and/or dysgraphia, which 70% of educators said impact their students.Nine out of ten educators said they taught themselves about ADHD, using books, magazines (many named this one!), and websites for research.

About three-quarters of American teens have access to a smartphone, a computer, and a gaming console.1 Four in ten teen boys say they spend too much time playing video games, while 36% of all teens say they spend too much time on social media.12 It would be very or somewhat hard to give up social media, according to more than half of U.S. teens.1From Fortnite to TikTok, video games and social media channels are carefully designed to encourage habitual use.

If there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s that sleep is important—and that collectively, we’re not getting enough of it. I’ve been guilty of staying up too late to watch one more episode of the latest show, finish reading a chapter, or scroll through Tiktok without thinking about the consequences (lack of quality sleep).

“You don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared, or anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a ‘negative person.’ It makes you human.” ~Lori Deschene

Hayley Todd is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with her. She impressed us with her discipline and experience. She is a 34 year old fitness and lifestyle coach from New Zealand who moved to Australia at the age of 21. Starting her career in the […]

The most practical changes happen when we choose to take control of what we do have power over, instead of craving control of what we don’t.Holding on can be painful. Holding on can directly contribute to stress, unhappiness, relationship problems, and so much more.

“As soon as I allow the Universe to replace my fear-based beliefs with new perceptions, I receive a miracle.” ~Gabby Bernstein

For many families, deciding whether to place a loved one in a nursing home can be a tough decision. After all, no one wants to think about their elderly family members having to rely on outside help for basic care needs and assistance with everyday tasks. However, the reality is that if your loved one has limited mobility or health problems that make self-care difficult, a nursing home may provide them with access to stability, safety, and professional healthcare services that would not be available otherwise. Before reaching any conclusions, it’s important to take time to research the potential benefits of nursing homes as well as any issues present in specific facilities.

Summer is meant to be enjoyed, but not at the expense of feeling your best. Recovering from a long weekend of fun in the sun isn’t as easy as it used to be.

Ah migraine, the most annoying third wheel of all time. It’s a universal truth that migraine affects our relationships in ways both good and bad. In this episode, Kat and Skye get honest about dating — just wait until you hear about Skye’s experiment with dating apps — as well as their connections with family and friends. If you sometimes (read: always) feel like a burden to the people you care about, this one’s for you.

Boxing Day, 2021. On the brink of drifting into the annual food-coma, my mind wandered and, reflecting upon the past few days, I realised something incredible: I had enjoyed myself.This was a revelation not due to any issues with hanging out with my family (promise, Mum), but because it had been years since I’d felt genuine joy and I had got to the point where I’d given up hope of ever being able to. In fact, I had pretty much given up altogether.It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when my mental health began to deteriorate or assign a cause.

“Regret is not dangerous or abnormal, a deviation from the steady path to happiness. It is healthy and universal, an integral part of being human. Regret is also valuable. It clarifies. It instructs. Done right, it needn’t drag us down; it can lift us up.” ~Daniel H. Pink

July 15, 2023Prescription stimulant medication use for the treatment of ADHD does not increase adolescents’ risk for illicit drug use as young adults; however, adolescents who divert and/or misuse stimulants are 2.5 times more likely to use cocaine or methamphetamine during young adulthood, according to a new study published in the journal JAMA Open Network.1The University of Michigan study of 5,034 U.S. high school seniors found that adolescents with ADHD who used stimulant therapy were no more likely to use cocaine and methamphetamine at ages 19 to 24 than their neurotypical peers.

From the sanctuary of my rooftop, I listened as my family clamored around the dinner table, laughing, joking, and chatting away. In my usual hideaway, I gazed up at the stars and wondered why I never felt like I fit in anywhere, not even with my own family. At 15 years old, I felt like a misfit and a burden.

Not available August 8? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.For parents who are divorced or contemplating a divorce, and who have children with ADHD, there are unique developmental and emotional needs to consider when figuring out how to coparent across households.

If the best scientists in the world were asked to create an environment that would be the most challenging for a student with ADHD, they’d be hard-pressed to devise anything worse than a contemporary elementary school classroom: six-hour days filled with expectations of sitting still, following endless instructions, completing tedious tasks, and navigating challenging social situations on playgrounds, in cafeterias, or on the bus during times of little adult monitoring. Indeed, the only setting that might exacerbate ADHD symptoms more would be a middle or high school where behavioral expectations are spread across multiple teachers, organizational and time-management demands become the responsibility of the student, and assignments have short- and long-term deadlines that require routine monitoring.It is, therefore, not surprising that the long-term academic outcomes for students with ADHD are strikingly poor.

Of the billions of people worldwide who play video games, a very small subset exhibits disordered, out-of-control behaviors wherein gaming vastly impacts functioning and interferes with important aspects of living. Video game addiction — also known as “gaming disorder” and “internet gaming disorder” — is rare, but it does happen.While research on video game addiction is just beginning to blossom, scientists have revealed a few key insights — like the fact that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a risk factor for video game addiction.

Leonie Raffaelli is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with her. She impressed us with her expertise and experience. She started her coaching and mentoring career long ago. Today she is a certified business coach, certified life coach, and NLP practitioner. She is close to becoming a […]

Don’t skip your annual physical! It’s vital for your well-being and detecting potential health problems early. We get it, life is busy and you might feel healthy, but neglecting this appointment can lead to serious consequences.

“There is a voice inside of you that whispers all day long, I feel this is right for me, I know that this is wrong. No teacher, preacher, parent, friend or wise man can decide what’s right for you. Just listen to the voice that speaks inside.” ~Shel Silverstein

If you have a mobility-related health issue, you might struggle to get to grips with it, and it can be difficult to find all the information you need to know about your health issue. If this is the case, here is everything you need to know when you start to use mobility aids in 2023.

didn’t want to live in Barbie’s Dreamhouse?!). ICYMI, Robbie is bringing the iconic Mattel doll to life in the much-anticipated Barbie movie. As Barbie, she can fly down the stairs and walk on water, but behind the plastic-fantastic, jet-setting lifestyle, pink ‘fits, and glam, the actress keeps it real–albeit rigorous at times–with her IRL wellness routine.

positive affirmations can be extremely beneficial when you feel a worry coming on in the moment.According to a 2016 study, affirmations work by rewiring internal biases in the brain. When you say something to yourself enough times, you start to believe it.

Abraham Joseph Ajenifuja is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with him. He impressed us with his straight to the point answers and expertise. He is a person that has a beautiful combination of critical thinking, he can give practical advice, mixed with deep wisdom and […]

“If only…” These two words paired together create one of the saddest phrases in the English language.In the end, more than anything else, we regret the small chances we didn’t take, the priceless opportunities we were too busy to nurture, and the good decisions we waited too long to make. Angel and I have learned this over the past 15 years from the countless hours we’ve spent coaching hundreds of clients, students, and live event attendees from around the world.

The Random Number Generator (RNG) serves as the main component of slot machines’ brains. While most players know that a computer chip selects the winning numbers, they need to be made aware of how it operates, which can result in busting some of the numerous myths surrounding slot machines. One of the most widespread fallacies is that a machine has a cycle that might alert a player to its impending strike.

gym girlie era, chances are you’ve heard of electrolytes, but the extent of your knowledge of them starts and ends with boosting hydration, or perhaps Gatorade’s neon-colored bevvies. While sports drinks have a bad rap for their additives (think: sugar and artificial dye), the electrolytes they contain can do your hydration goals a solid, especially after you’ve worked up a sweat.

Comparative evaluation of oneself against peers and those around us is fundamental to human nature. Such comparison can, however, become detrimental when it results in envious feelings and subsequent depression. This negative emotional state hinders an individual’s ability to improve and enjoy life continually.

“Today I want you to think about all that you are instead of all that you are not.” ~Unknown

Today I received a note from a parent whose neurodivergent son had a difficult time in school last year. The father was so excited that his son’s special education teacher reached out to introduce herself before the new school year began. The teacher wanted to build a positive relationship with the student and their family, and that contact meant so much to them.It took me back to my time as a teacher.

July 10, 2023Distribution of amphetamine-based prescription medications varies considerably across the U.S., according to data obtained from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for 2019 that charted distribution of amphetamine, a common ADHD medication, and methamphetamine. The misuse of methamphetamine is a major public health concern; however, amphetamines play a mainstream therapeutic role in the effective treatment of ADHD. Stigmatization, differences in accessibility, and initiatives like the Montana Meth Project likely contribute to regional disparities in accessibility for both medications.1The DEA’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) was used to collect per capita drug weight distribution data (milligrams per 1,000 people) for prescription methamphetamine and amphetamine in a regional analysis published by the Journal of Attention Disorders.

Worried about your child’s gaming habits and behaviors?Gaming addiction — known as “gaming disorder” and (conceptualized as) “internet gaming disorder” in the ICD-11 and the DSM-5, respectively — affects about 3% of people worldwide.1 Among people with ADHD, that percentage trends higher, according to research.23Like other forms of addiction, gaming addiction can affect functioning in multiple areas of life, from academic performance to friendships to finances. Gaming addiction is treatable; help exists in the form of support groups, talk therapy, and treatment centers dedicated to problematic or disordered screen use.If you are concerned about your child’s behaviors around gaming, answer the questions below and share the results with a licensed mental health professional.This self-test was adapted from criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision. It is designed to screen for the possibility of gaming disorder, and it is intended for personal use only.

I’ve written a lot of sales pages over the years, and there are a lot of things that seem like good ideas to write — that aren’t. To put it plainly, it’s easy to make well-meaning mistakes that cost you sales when you’re writing your copy. Here are the major lessons I’ve learned after writing hundreds of sales pages that you can implement to make your copy better.Lack of specificity waters down your message and its effectiveness. Everyone tries to write one sales page to every prospect they want to talk to, but you should write multiple sales pages to talk to multiple prospects. If you want to multiply your sales conversions, drilling down into specificity is the secret sauce. For example, how often have you seen (or used), phrases like, If you’re a coach, consultant, entrepreneur, or thought leader…? Well, that’s how you know you’ve already lost them before they got into your copy. Plastering identities like this across a sales page is like taking out a billboard that tries to get everyone’s attention instead of the right person’s attention. Next, you have to identify their situation.

Conducting an intervention can be a powerful way to help an addict recognize the severity of their addiction and motivate them to seek help. When done with care and preparation, an intervention can provide a supportive and structured environment for expressing concerns and offering support. 5 Steps How To Conduct an Intervention: 1. Planning and […]

If there’s a formula for figuring out how much you can get done in a single workday, ADHD brains don’t know it. Time estimation eludes us, making it impossible to manage expectations at work.

Teenagers are notoriously moody, irritable, and fond of isolating in bedrooms. Parents expect a degree of angst at the onslaught of adolescence — but for some teens, this angst exceeds healthy norms.

July 7, 2023The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its first-ever draft guidance for clinical trials of psychedelic drugs to treat conditions including depression, mood disorders, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorder.The guidance aims to address the unique challenges inherent in testing “classic psychedelics,” such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and “entactogens” or “empathogens,” such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for treating psychiatric conditions that failed to respond to other therapies. The FDA recommends clinical trial considerations regarding subject safety, data collection, manufacturing controls, and drug application requirements.Ultimately, “the goal is to help researchers design studies that will yield interpretable results that will be capable of supporting future drug applications,” said Tiffany Farchione, M.D., director of the Division of Psychiatry in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a statement last month.In February 2022, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine reported that psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder produced antidepressant effects up to 12 months after treatment.1Ari Tuckman, Psy.D., and Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D., recently told ADDitude that using very low (micro) doses of psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin is gaining renewed attention as a treatment for anxiety and depression.