Here are some of the tell-tale signs of ‘popcorn brain’
There’s a condition called ‘popcorn brain’ that can often be mistaken a sign of ADHD, however, its main symptoms have been explained by professionals.
If you’re someone that struggles to maintain focus on a task, whether it be a thought popping into your head while you’re doing something else, or forgetting to reply to a message, you may have ‘popcorn brain’. This term refers to thoughts literally popping up like kernels of corn that pop – hence the name.
Experts in the past have explained what it is – but there are some signs you should look out for.
If you have a lot of trouble focusing, you could have popcorn brain (Getty Stock Photo)
What is popcorn brain, exactly?
Popcorn brain may not necessarily mean that you have ADHD, but it is often misconceived to be linked in someway – namely because the two conditions share a symptom of impacted concentration.
In fact, experts claim that there is no real link between popcorn brain and ADHD.
The latter is a neurodivergent condition that people are born with, while ‘popcorn brain’ is something that can be developed over time by the over-consumption of social media, according to experts.
The term ‘popcorn brain’ was coined by Daniel Levy in 2011, as the rise of social media, targeted ads, constant notifications and infinite scrolls resulted in compulsive usage patterns, Forbes reports.
Your mind might work just like popcorn in a microwave (Getty Stock Photo)
Dr James Kustow, a consultant psychiatrist and author of How to Thrive with Adult ADHD, explained that ADHD brains are ‘active’, and are ‘jumping around’, as he added: “Another way to think about it is mind wandering – also a characteristic feature of ADHD, which means that if you’re not engaged in a task that captures your attention, your mind will often go off in multiple different directions.”
When discussing the different between the two, psycharist Dr Barjis Sulthana said via Wired: “Essentially, popcorn brain reflects a fragmented attention style, likely due to information overload, rather than a core neuro-developmental issue.”
What are some signs of popcorn brain?
The main downside to popcorn brain is that it can alter concentration, make a person feel distracted and feeling disinterested or disconnected from others, according clinical health psychologist, Jennifer Wolkin, as per Women’s Health.
Described as ‘having 100 tabs open in your brain’ at once, some other symptoms are stress, anxiety or fatigue – Sulthana says that keeping your phone in the other room and counting how many times you want to get it is a way to experiment whether you have it.
Because of the impact on your concentration, this may lead to the misdiagnosis of ADHD, which a key symptom, according to the NHS, is the inability to focus or prioritise.
Dr Kumaran Thevan, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, added that those with ADHD can suffer if left undiagnosed until adulthood, ‘where people with ADHD can experience depression, trauma and anxiety’.
The condition can also lead to obsessive behaviour as the brain looks for the next big dopamine hit, as Dr Kustow explained (via The Telegraph): “They might have a low dopamine baseline, so they feel empty or bored when not busy. Then they might chase a rapid release of dopamine.”
Being disorganised is a big symptom of having a popcorn brain (Getty stock image)
Does a popcorn brain mean that you have ADHD?
Though these symptoms may signal ADHD, it doesn’t mean that having a popcorn brain equates to the condition.
Dr Thevan claims that this style of thinking could mean that you have a low mood, or anxiety.
Experts explain that an ADHD diagnosis requires ‘evidence of dysregulation in other areas of life like activity levels, impulse control, sleep, time appraisal and emotions’.
Dr Kustow says that there are ‘three core areas’: “Attention, activity and impulse control, yet everyone would agree that it is far more than this. Diagnosis is not just a symptom or two, and they have to cause impairments.”
If you feel like you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you see a specialist to get a formal diagnosis.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photos
Topics: Mental Health, ADHD, Lifestyle, Health
Joshua Nair
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Updated 10:01 23 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 09:58 23 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Experts explain how people can stop ‘tossing’ that could be a sign you have ADHD
Psychology experts have revealed four ways that you can stop ‘tossing’, a potential sign of ADHD
A psychotherapist has revealed exactly how people can stop their ‘tossing’ habit, which could also be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
We can thank social media for coining the phrase, but ‘tossing’ has become more common among people in recent times as some became aware of it through a TikTok trend that went viral last year.
The term ‘tossing’ came to light after something called a DOOM pile also did the rounds, with the acronym meaning ‘didn’t organise, only moved’ according to ADDitude – with several people relating to it that you’d imagine.
It’s easy to let things – like clothes – pile up. (Getty Stock Photo)
What is ‘tossing’?
No, it’s nothing sexual and yes, it seems to have a link to those with ADHD, according to several experts.
A DOOM pile can consist of a number of things, whether it be bills and receipts that you’ve put off sorting out, clothes you need to fold, or some things that you need to put away, it can build up to the point of you not wanting to sort it out.
But this is where the link with ADHD-ers come in, as they are more likely to become overwhelmed with tasks piling up and getting harder around them – which results in them ‘tossing’.
This basically means that you end up throwing everything out, tossing it in the rubbish without going through it and doing what you need to do.
Author and ADHD advocate and educator, Cate Osborn spoke on the subject to Huffington Post, admitting that she has ‘tossed’ before, while revealing that she struggles with task prioritisation and time management, resulting in choice paralysis as she ends up asking: “What should I keep? What if I need it? What if it’s useful later on.”
The main cause behind a growing DOOM pile is someone feeling overwhelmed. (Getty Stock Photo)
Psychologist Madison Perry said it is similar to opening to many internet tabs at once, explaining that ‘people with ADHD have too many mental tabs open at once’, which can result in feeling overwhelmed.
Psychotherapist Oliver Drakeford also describes tossing as an ‘automatic, reactive behaviour that helps people avoid feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and overwhelm’.
So, how do you stop this habit if you are a ‘tosser’ yourself?
Well firstly, get your mind out of the gutter – and secondly, follow these four bullet points outlined by the experts that aims to change people’s perspectives on the bad habit.
Think about why you toss
It may seem obvious, but Drakeford says that becoming aware of your emotions that drive your actions is the first step.
“If you’re not conscious of feelings like anxiety, uncertainty, or stress, you’re more likely to operate on autopilot and resort to tossing things impulsively,” he explained.
Recognising your emotional state means that you can address these feelings you may get while tossing and carry it out in a more thoughtful and mindful way.
Don’t be afraid to throw clutter away
Some things are good to toss, such as take-away containers or old receipts, but Osborn explains that it’s important to distinguish whether you’re keeping it there ‘just cause’, or if it adds something to your everyday life.
“I think as people with ADHD it’s important to try to avoid being wasteful and contributing to piles of plastic in our landfills, but sometimes, taking ownership of our space means making hard choices and having to decide where we draw the line,” she said.
Osborn says that if it is impacting your quality of life, it’s time to toss.
The two-minute rule can stop sights like this from being a regular occurrence. (Getty Stock Photo)
The ’10 Things Game’
An ADHD brain will think that it needs to do everything all in one go, often causing stress and anxiety – the root cause of a DOOM pile.
But Drakeford suggests trying the ’10 Things Game’ as a method of carrying out tasks, explaining: “For example, instead of tackling an entire stack of bills, start by opening just 10.
“Or instead of cleaning the whole kitchen, begin with washing 10 dishes. Completing these small tasks often feels manageable, and if it does, you can always do 10 more.”
He then added that you should have a two-minute rule – where if something takes you less than two minutes to complete – do it now to avoid putting things off.
Be nice to yourself
It may seem difficult, but it’s crucial that you make yourself feel nice while trying to improve on your bad habits.
Osborn highlighted that there are a lot of harsh comments directed to those with ADHD, which is often accusations of being lazy or immature for putting things off.
“It’s not that we aren’t trying hard enough, it’s not that we’re lazy, it’s that our brains literally process information differently, and those differences really show up in situations like this,” she explained.
“When you’re talking about ADHD, you’re not talking about a couple of easy steps like ‘sit down, go through the box, donate’…
“It’s not fun to feel so overwhelmed by a pile of stuff you throw it in the trash. When we do that, it’s because it’s a last resort.” the expert highlighted.
“While you’re working through this, remember to be kind to yourself.”Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photos
Topics: Mental Health, ADHD, Social Media, Lifestyle
Joshua Nair
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Published 14:40 2 Jul 2024 GMT+1
Mum gives her ADHD symptom signs after finally being diagnosed in her 40s
“I suppose I’ve always known that something was different between how I work and how I process things.”
A mum has shared the ADHD symptoms she struggled with after finally being diagnosed in her 40’s.
According to statistics from ADHD UK, it’s estimated that around 2.6million people in the UK suffer from the disorder.
There are no concrete figures when comes to the amount of adults living with undiagnosed ADHD, however a ‘400% increase’ increase in adults pursuing a diagnosis suggests that a lot of people have spent years suffering in silence.
This often leads to misconceptions that people with ADHD are just ‘lazy’ or ‘unintelligent’ – which is particularly damaging.
Do you have adult ADHD?
Credit: TikTok / usamedical
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This is something that Lydia Berman, 46, from Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, experienced, with the mum-of-one revealing she always believed she was ‘lacking’ something due to her struggling at school.
Speaking to PA about her experience, Lydia revealed that she first learnt that she could have ADHD while undergoing bereavement counselling sessions after the death of her mother in 2020.
“ADHD came up because of the way that I was processing information and the way that I was dealing with emotion, and the brain fog I was struggling with,” she said.
“I’ve used it as something which has helped me understand [myself] and how [to] think and work better.”
Lydia would later visit her GP who agreed that she had obvious signs of ADHD.
What are the common symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD symptoms will vary from age group and person to person, however the NHS website writes that poor organisational skills, an inability to focus or prioritise and forgetfulness could be indicative of ADHD in adults.
ADHD UK also has a self-screening tool for adults, which can be found here.
Lydia was first made aware about ADHD when having grief counselling sessions after the death of her mother. (PA)
Explaining her symptoms, Lydia revealed she had included being ‘forgetful’, jumping between ’10 different topics in a sentence’ and having either ‘either hyper focus or have zero focus’.
The conversation also allowed Lydia to finally understand her behaviour patterns and why she had struggled in school.
“I can see quite clearly… that my brain thinks differently to other people now,” she said. “It all made sense.
“I think I just think in a creative way, so I’m very good at problem solving.”
Lydia went on to explain that her ADHD diagnosis had allowed her to ‘better understand’ her strengths – making the day-today running of her business better.
“The diagnosis meant that I could better understand what I can do well, and what I should not be doing – I allocate tasks to other people now,” she added.
The freelance graphic designer revealed learning about ADHD had helped her better understand her strengths in the workplace. (PA)
The freelance graphic designer went on to add that concerns about ADHD being over diagnosed are ‘unwarranted’ especially if a diagnosis leads to people understanding themselves better.
“I think for a long time, people just thought only a very small percentage of people have different ways of thinking but I think [that is] slightly narrow-minded,” she said.
“We’re all wired differently… and I think it is only logical that we learn differently and process things differently.”Featured Image Credit: (PA)
Topics: Health, Lifestyle, ADHD, NHS, Mental Health
Brenna Cooper
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Updated 20:18 18 Sep 2024 GMT+1Published 20:14 18 Sep 2024 GMT+1
ADHD symptom that’s easy to miss can be spotted first thing in the morning
Most people with ADHD will struggle with it in some way
There is a common symptom which many people who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience – but you might not recognise it for what it is.
There’s always going to be an element of unreliability when it comes to a person with no medical knowledge attempting to identify the signs of something.
If you’re concerned that you have something like ADHD then the NHS says you ought to speak to your GP.
They can’t formally diagnose it but they can talk you through your concerns and potentially refer you to an ADHD specialist who can carry out an assessment.
Expect to be asked all sorts of questions as part of the process, and be aware that it’s stated as being harder to diagnose adults with ADHD than it is children.
Having trouble waking up is a possible symptom of ADHD (Getty Stock Photo)
As for this common symptom which people can often miss, it’s all to do with getting enough time in bed.
According to Medical News Today, around 75 percent of kids and teens with ADHD, along with 80 percent of adults, also had some kind of sleep disorder.
There is something called Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) where a person puts off going to sleep for two hours or more and then have trouble waking up the next morning.
Many people are ‘night owls’ who feel more switched on late at night and will often stay up late to make the most of this, but it carries a cost the next morning when the alarm goes off.
All of this adds up to difficulties waking up the next morning as your body hasn’t had enough sleep and the internal body clock is all over the place.
The NHS says that those with the inattentive type often tend to go to bed later, while those who are more hyperactive often suffer with insomnia.
Around 80 percent of adults with ADHD also have some kind of sleep disorder (Getty Stock Photo)
For those who are struggling to wake up first thing in the morning, it could be a sign of having some kind of sleep problem – and that’s linked with ADHD.
The NHS says that sleep problems are a possible symptom for ADHD which you might want to be on the lookout for, but there are many possible signs which they list rather comprehensively.
They break them down into symptoms of inattentiveness, which means things like having a short attention span, becoming forgetful, struggling to stick to tasks and having difficulty organising what they have to do.
The other category is symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, which includes being unable to sit still, talking a lot, acting without thinking and having little sense of danger.
For kids to get diagnosed they’d need to have six or more symptoms from each category, while adults need five though theirs are harder to define.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Health, Mental Health, NHS, Sleep, ADHD
Joe Harker
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Published 17:23 22 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Expert explains what ‘tossing’ is and how it could be a sign that you have ADHD
A lot of people ‘toss’ and it could be an indicator of ADHD if you do it regularly
An expert has revealed what ‘tossing’ is, how it could be linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and what you can do to stop it.
The beauty of the modern age is just how much knowledge and information we can take in over a single day, all thanks to social media and the internet.
But sometimes, it’s hard to keep up, with words such as ‘tossing’ coming into play recently and no, it’s nothing sexual so get your mind out of the gutter.
What actually is ‘tossing’?
It’s all to do with a TikTok trend that went viral, something to do with the DOOM pile, with the acronym standing for ‘didn’t organise, only moved’, and more people had it than you’d think.
Do you have a DOOM pile? (Getty Stock Photo)
A DOOM pile could consist of receipts and bills, or just general clutter that you’ve procrastinated putting away – the possibilities are endless.
But it looks like there may be a link between this and people with ADHD, who can easily get overwhelmed with things around them piling up, and it results in one thing: Tossing.
It essentially means what it says, you end up throwing everything out, tossing it in the rubbish without going through it and doing what you need to do.
What do the experts say?
Author and ADHD advocate and educator, Cate Osborn, has admitted that she too has ‘tossed’ in the past. She explained: “I do know what it’s like to be so completely overwhelmed that it’s easier to say ‘you know what, I don’t need any of this’ and just throw everything away.”
The podcast host admitted that she struggles with task prioritisation and time management, adding that when she does get to organising it, she has choice paralysis, asking questions like: “What should I keep? What if I need it? What if it’s useful later on.”
Putting off a task over and over again could be a sign of ADHD. (Getty Stock Photo)
“It absolutely makes sense that a person with ADHD would get overwhelmed and say, ‘I don’t have the time, space or energy to go through this process, I’m just going to toss the entire box and be free of the clutter,’” Osborn admitted.
Madison Perry, a psychologist, compares it to opening numerous internet browsers at once, saying: “Similarly, people with ADHD have too many mental tabs open at once,
“They can become overwhelmed and have to find a way to exit out of a tab or two. Throwing something away takes maintaining that item or finding its rightful storage space off of the overwhelming to-do list,” she revealed, later highlighting that it’s important to avoid accidentally throwing away important items.
Tossing is linked to executive dysfunction, which is a behavioural symptom that interferes with ADHD-ers abilities to start tasks and understand what’s required to complete them, according to American psychotherapist Oliver Drakeford.
He explained to Huffington Post: “It’s not just impulsive decluttering; for many people with ADHD, it’s an automatic, reactive behaviour that helps people avoid feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and overwhelm that arises when the brain is overstimulated by a big pile of clutter or mess.”
If this is a familiar sight, you might want to adopt the two-minute rule. (Getty Stock Photo)
Drakeford says that it can be linked with experiential avoidance, which are basically attempts to avoid thoughts, feelings, memories, physical sensations and other internal experiences in the short-term, possibly causing a bigger problem in the long-term.
He continued: “For example, rather than uncertainty and anxiety generated when you look at the pile of letters and bills that have accumulated, you avoid ― hopefully momentarily ― but throwing them all in a draw until you’re ready to look through them one by one.
“In the long run, tossing doesn’t really help develop distress tolerance for these uncomfortable feelings, nor does it help develop healthier ADHD management skills,” he concluded.
But how do you resist the urge to ‘toss’?
Well firstly, it’s important to give some thought to why you ‘toss’, and if it’s linked to your emotional state.
Next, don’t be afraid to throw things away that should be gotten rid of, and to take ownership of your space.
For ADHD-ers, try the 10 Things game, where instead of dealing with all the items from your DOOM pile at once, start with 10, as small tasks often feel more manageable.
You’ll also want to have a ‘two-minute rule’, where if something takes you less than two minutes to complete, do it now to avoid putting things off.
Finally, it’s crucial to be kind to yourself, stop putting yourself down and be productive with your comments. Don’t let the DOOM pile win!