Dr. Sanam Hafeez | Source | Neuropsychologist at Comprehend The Mind

Symptoms of ADHD

There are several ADHD signs that may not be easily attributable to it. Some easy ones are not being able to pay attention, moving around a lot, and being restless. But there are fallouts related to ADHD that may not be obvious;

1. Having too many jobs because you’re either late and get fired, too often, or you get bored and are always seeking your ‘true calling’

2. Having too many relationships or none. People with ADHD have trouble with commitment, renege on engagements, are late, don’t like being accountable, don’t ‘stay’ in conversations, and thus have trouble with intimate relationships.

3. Having a temper; those with ADHD are prone to being quick and hot tempered. It may be the impulsivity, not processing emotions and feelings with a slow, measured approach, and often blow their lid on minor things. It must be cautioned that many of those who have ADHD also have a mood disorder or another psychiatric illness, either concurrently or parading around as ADHD.

4. Smoking, being a way to keep the hands busy, or a way to ‘take a break’ is a sign of ADHD sometimes.

5. Reading trouble; losing your place on a page, reading mechanically without processing the information, or reading too fast/slow, can be signs of ADHD. A good evaluation can tease the reading disorder or dyslexia apart from ADHD.

6. Being too adventurous or ‘thrill-seeking’, often engaging in ill-advised activities such as gambling, cheating on spouses, driving too fast, can be signs of ADHD. Again, there is an overlap here with bipolar or mood disorder, and a good assessment can suss out what is what.

7. Picking out clothes from a pile of clean laundry because you can never fold them or put them away, or never being able to finish a movie or a book, are common ways ADHD manifests.

Habits that can hurt your brain

No Breakfast: People who do not eat breakfast will have a lower blood sugar level. Dr. Hafeez explains that, “This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration over time. Getting the nutrients your body and brain need is important for memory.” The studies reviewed in the "Italian Journal of Pediatrics" concluded that those who eat breakfast are more likely to meet their daily recommended nutrient needs than those who don't. Eating breakfast increases nutrient intakes by interrupting the depletion of nutrients that the body is constantly using while providing those needed by the central nervous system. This means that the brain and neurotransmitters have all the elements they need to function properly, which may help in memory and other cognitive functions.

Overeating: Causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to decreased mental power. That's what brain scientists have concluded after comparing studies of overeating with studies of drug addiction. They've also found that, at least in animals, sweet or fatty foods can act a lot like a drug in the brain. And there's growing evidence that overeating these foods can cause long-term changes in the brain circuits that control eating behavior.

Smoking: It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease. Dr. Hafeez says that,”Nicotine is a drug in tobacco, which enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body during smoking. Nicotine stimulates areas of the brain to release neurotransmitters that influence mood, appetite and feelings of pleasure. People who smoke are used to the response of nicotine in the brain and suffer withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. Withdrawing from smoking causes symptoms of restlessness, shakiness, headaches and hunger.” Smoking increases blood pressure, putting the brain at risk of stroke. A stroke occurs when high blood pressure causes the tiny vessels of the brain to break, causing bleeding. The brain cells that are normally fed by oxygen-rich blood die from lack of oxygen to the area. A stroke can cause permanent neurological damage including paralysis, muscle weakness, difficulty speaking or eating, confusion and lack of coordination.

What is the relationship between sleep and memory?
Sleep is closely connected to memory, playing a vital role in the formation and consolidation of memories. During sleep, especially during deep slow-wave sleep (SWS) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the brain processes and integrates information acquired during waking hours, helping to transfer short-term memories into long-term storage. This consolidation process strengthens neural connections linked to memories, enhancing the ability to learn and remember new information. Different sleep stages contribute differently to memory processing: SWS is crucial for consolidating memories like facts and events, while REM sleep supports procedural memory consolidation, including skills and tasks. Research shows that adequate sleep improves memory performance, with well-rested individuals generally exhibiting better memory retention than those who are sleep deprived. Sleep also helps protect memories from interference and forgetting by stabilizing and safeguarding them over time. Synaptic plasticity, essential for learning and memory, is supported during sleep, allowing the brain to reorganize and strengthen neural connections. Dreaming during REM sleep may aid in emotional processing and memory consolidation. Sleep is essential for optimal cognitive function, facilitating the complex processes involved in memory formation, retention, and integration.