| Advice: Get a second diagnosis, from a medical doctor that has ruled out chronic exposure to toxins/poisoning. ADHD and other spectrum disorders have in the past been used as a catchall diagnosis for certain groups of symptoms. For example, heavy metal poisoning often presents as ADHD or ADD misdiagnoses and was not simple to test in years past. Mercury may leech from silver fillings (depending on where in the world you live), this naturally happens when kids drink soda (which is acidic/caustic for dental amalgams, or may be contaminated through High Fructose Corn Syrup, where mercury is used in its production). Lead from inhalation may cause similar issues where lead-based paints may shed chips or dust when its deteriorating even when it looks stable. Arsenic from water as well. The problem with heavy metals is they don't stay in the blood so a blood test absent a chelator may not properly indicate the issue. These metals get bound up almost immediately in tissue to prevent damage, and you don't know how much gets stored until you take a chelator which may cause acute poisoning (when its bound up, and suddenly gets released into blood). Eating cilantro (a good chelator) for example has caused migraines and headaches in people who have chronic exposure to such, like mercury. These toxic conditions may also result in poor learning outcomes, brain fog, and other disadvantages that seem to constantly change where finding the words to describe them are quite difficult for the person afflicted. There are also studies which suggest some of these related symptoms may be linked with high exposure to unsafe levels of PFAS, microplastics, or high levels of flouride. Its important you first get a proper diagnosis. If you don't bring up the possibility/concern, few doctors will make a connection. Acute poisoning presents very differently from chronic low-level poisoning. There are some very good medicines that treat the symptoms for ADD/ADHD, but when the cause is toxic exposure; more damage is done by only treating the symptoms. There are also some significant side-effects related to ADHD treatments, that may be permanent, which may result from those treatments for children who are still developing. |