Yes yes yes! Absolutely resist and bring back common sense over pharmaceuticals.
As a second comment, this is one reason why I love substack, for the longer more engaging format possible. Although I’m digging myself into another hole by subscribing to somewhat too many at the moment, oh temptation…
This is such a great essay! Unfortunately, those who need to hear this message the most are unlikely to be willing to read it. My mid-twenties daughter did not get a smart phone until her mid-teens and went on social media without my permission. When I found out, she said that her social anxiety necessitated social media because that's the way she communicated with her few friends. Now she would not think of leaving her phone even in another room, much less going out without it. She lies in bed and scrolls in the morning and at night. It's so sad. I do not have a smart phone because I know I'd be addicted just like everyone else is. I have a Light Phone for calling and texting, and I can also listen to podcasts on it, so that's great. But I never, ever use even that phone outside because I want to be present to nature and the real world. (When I go to the doctor's office, I take a book because fewer and fewer offices even offer magazines. Most have some TV blaring but everyone just stares at their phones.) But my daughter refuses even to discuss this issue. I just don't know how to reach her and make her realize she's doing such damage to her brain and body. Fortunately, my other children are not letting their children--my grandchildren--use smartphones or even screens much. Perhaps the next generation will be different from GenZ.
I just finished writing a novel... like really. It is something I NEVER would have believed myself capable of because I WAS ADHD. Turns out more likely I was nutrient deficient and ill suited for the sit down shut up style of schooling that was the standard. I actually have the capability to be highly productive but to this essay's point, it needs to be cultivated. I tend to "leave" my phone places during the day so it does not tempt me, and while I use to listen to YouTube of a podcast while doing things like bike riding or walking, I have taken to turning these things off to just be present in the quiet of the activity. It has been like a magical time where I have been thinking of my story and where it could go. Attention I now understand can be trained, for better or worse. My kids don't get screens, and I make them "suffer" through long car rides as I did as a child (with nothing to do). Hopefully I can give them the tools they need to find there way back to attention even if they end up in a world without it.
Great read - thank you @Dr. Roger McFillin. Our brains aren't equipped to cope with the constant stimulation that our devices provide.
The rise in dopamine levels is impacting the way other neurotransmitters function and their levels in ways we don't yet understand fully.
Adding anti-depressants to the mix also has unknown effects.
We're experimenting with the most sensitive and sophisticated piece of tissue we've ever encountered so shouldn't be surprised that we're experiencing side-effects/symptoms not encountered before, so are labeling them what we think they are ... eg ADHD.
Unless we choose to take drastic action we're not going to see much improvement in our mental health.
An interesting observation I've made: as I've dramatically reduced my screen time, I'm more aware of others and their relationship with their phones. It's like being the only sober one at the party.
I read an article the other day stating the brains of kids with ADHD were smaller in certain areas. I doubt if they were born that way. Something in the environment, or something lacking in the environment is impacting the brain. As kids we never stayed home at weekends, we were out all the time, skating, playing ball, skinning orchards, gangs playing tag or cycling to the river. Modern life has stripped kids of their right to such necessary play and exercise. Taking phone and computers out of the hands of kids will throw them into a vacuum. We have to create wholesome alternatives. I think that is difficult when two parents work. A female commentator was angry that I promoted mothers if feasible stay home with kids. She felt women are entitled to have careers like men. And, they are. However, men would have a hard time building careers while also nurturing kids with the time and attention they need to thrive, so they for the most part don't take on that role. If a woman has no career and her husband divorces her after eight years, she will be on the poverty line. So, SSRI's, ADHD diagnoses are symptoms of a broader imbalance.
I appreciate your points, and I tend to agree. In general, it appears to be onto something. However , I wish it helped me in my specific case… age 44. DID NOT grow up with social media. HATE using screens too much - an NOT addicted to my phone or social media at all, and ALWAYS have my phone on silent, as I can’t stand interruptions. Enjoy reading print, meditate, & don’t mind being bored BUT…. it often feels like there are too many tabs open in my brain. To the point where I can’t even concentrate on a book I enjoy reading. Get overwhelmed & overstimulated very easily - and I DON’T drink caffeine, take stimulants or any drugged or alcohol. Spare a thought for the supposed exceptions, the subtle nuances of life … and people …and of true brain disorders/issues. Thank you.
I agree with everything you said, but have always had a different theory about "ADHD". I spent 35 years as a special educator (SLP) in the public schools. I've often wondered how much attention was driven by emotional needs. Many kids can attend fine when feeling safe. I've known many young children who were so enmeshed with parents, such huge caretakers, that I've wondered how much that dynamic drove their ability to attend to anything other than the parent who needed their care. There is also a high correlation between cognitive ability and ability to attend, but acknowledging this became taboo several decades ago. Parents would rather have a label of "ADHD" than face the fact that their child might be "average" or even "low average". Now, of course, we're in a time when parents and grown children wear their labels like a badge of honor - and you're an outcast if you don't have one!
Yes yes yes! Absolutely resist and bring back common sense over pharmaceuticals.
As a second comment, this is one reason why I love substack, for the longer more engaging format possible. Although I’m digging myself into another hole by subscribing to somewhat too many at the moment, oh temptation…
This is such a great essay! Unfortunately, those who need to hear this message the most are unlikely to be willing to read it. My mid-twenties daughter did not get a smart phone until her mid-teens and went on social media without my permission. When I found out, she said that her social anxiety necessitated social media because that's the way she communicated with her few friends. Now she would not think of leaving her phone even in another room, much less going out without it. She lies in bed and scrolls in the morning and at night. It's so sad. I do not have a smart phone because I know I'd be addicted just like everyone else is. I have a Light Phone for calling and texting, and I can also listen to podcasts on it, so that's great. But I never, ever use even that phone outside because I want to be present to nature and the real world. (When I go to the doctor's office, I take a book because fewer and fewer offices even offer magazines. Most have some TV blaring but everyone just stares at their phones.) But my daughter refuses even to discuss this issue. I just don't know how to reach her and make her realize she's doing such damage to her brain and body. Fortunately, my other children are not letting their children--my grandchildren--use smartphones or even screens much. Perhaps the next generation will be different from GenZ.
YES!!! Thank you for this. As hard as it is, I need to commit to your recommendation of no phone first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
I love reading one thing that lights up my day and makes me think. Today, this was it!
I just finished writing a novel... like really. It is something I NEVER would have believed myself capable of because I WAS ADHD. Turns out more likely I was nutrient deficient and ill suited for the sit down shut up style of schooling that was the standard. I actually have the capability to be highly productive but to this essay's point, it needs to be cultivated. I tend to "leave" my phone places during the day so it does not tempt me, and while I use to listen to YouTube of a podcast while doing things like bike riding or walking, I have taken to turning these things off to just be present in the quiet of the activity. It has been like a magical time where I have been thinking of my story and where it could go. Attention I now understand can be trained, for better or worse. My kids don't get screens, and I make them "suffer" through long car rides as I did as a child (with nothing to do). Hopefully I can give them the tools they need to find there way back to attention even if they end up in a world without it.
Love this comment!!!
Great read - thank you @Dr. Roger McFillin. Our brains aren't equipped to cope with the constant stimulation that our devices provide.
The rise in dopamine levels is impacting the way other neurotransmitters function and their levels in ways we don't yet understand fully.
Adding anti-depressants to the mix also has unknown effects.
We're experimenting with the most sensitive and sophisticated piece of tissue we've ever encountered so shouldn't be surprised that we're experiencing side-effects/symptoms not encountered before, so are labeling them what we think they are ... eg ADHD.
Unless we choose to take drastic action we're not going to see much improvement in our mental health.
An interesting observation I've made: as I've dramatically reduced my screen time, I'm more aware of others and their relationship with their phones. It's like being the only sober one at the party.
I read an article the other day stating the brains of kids with ADHD were smaller in certain areas. I doubt if they were born that way. Something in the environment, or something lacking in the environment is impacting the brain. As kids we never stayed home at weekends, we were out all the time, skating, playing ball, skinning orchards, gangs playing tag or cycling to the river. Modern life has stripped kids of their right to such necessary play and exercise. Taking phone and computers out of the hands of kids will throw them into a vacuum. We have to create wholesome alternatives. I think that is difficult when two parents work. A female commentator was angry that I promoted mothers if feasible stay home with kids. She felt women are entitled to have careers like men. And, they are. However, men would have a hard time building careers while also nurturing kids with the time and attention they need to thrive, so they for the most part don't take on that role. If a woman has no career and her husband divorces her after eight years, she will be on the poverty line. So, SSRI's, ADHD diagnoses are symptoms of a broader imbalance.
I appreciate your points, and I tend to agree. In general, it appears to be onto something. However , I wish it helped me in my specific case… age 44. DID NOT grow up with social media. HATE using screens too much - an NOT addicted to my phone or social media at all, and ALWAYS have my phone on silent, as I can’t stand interruptions. Enjoy reading print, meditate, & don’t mind being bored BUT…. it often feels like there are too many tabs open in my brain. To the point where I can’t even concentrate on a book I enjoy reading. Get overwhelmed & overstimulated very easily - and I DON’T drink caffeine, take stimulants or any drugged or alcohol. Spare a thought for the supposed exceptions, the subtle nuances of life … and people …and of true brain disorders/issues. Thank you.
Hear hear!!! 🙌
I agree with everything you said, but have always had a different theory about "ADHD". I spent 35 years as a special educator (SLP) in the public schools. I've often wondered how much attention was driven by emotional needs. Many kids can attend fine when feeling safe. I've known many young children who were so enmeshed with parents, such huge caretakers, that I've wondered how much that dynamic drove their ability to attend to anything other than the parent who needed their care. There is also a high correlation between cognitive ability and ability to attend, but acknowledging this became taboo several decades ago. Parents would rather have a label of "ADHD" than face the fact that their child might be "average" or even "low average". Now, of course, we're in a time when parents and grown children wear their labels like a badge of honor - and you're an outcast if you don't have one!
Outcast if you don’t have a label.
WOW. I think you have something there