From Magic Mike XXL to Foxcatcher, Channing Tatum has taken our breath away every single time, with or without a shirt. But did you know that the hunky actor struggled with ADHD and dyslexia as a child? In an interview with T Magazine, Channing spoke about how he dealt with ADHD and dyslexia while growing up and how the disability can damage your self-esteem and make you question your intelligence.
“You get lumped in classes with kids with autism and Down’s syndrome, and you look around and say, ‘Okay, so this is where I’m at’,” Channing recalls. But he believes that the system is broken and children who suffer from ADHD need to be treated and understood better.
The 34-year-old actor also added how medicines made him sick and more depressed, saying that he built up a tolerance for his ADHD medication and the drugs became progressively less effective. The lows he experienced from the stimulants made him feel like a zombie and even suicidal. But he found solace in arts and dance.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a learning disability many children encounter in early childhood. Will Owens, a consulting therapist at the Optimum Performance Institute in Southern California defines ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts an individual’s ability to regulate and sustain attention, impulse-control, motivation, goal-directed behavior, and hyperactivity. However, he further adds that these facets may be ignored for unruly or spoilt kids and often goes undiagnosed.
But if your kid presents persistent characteristics that distinguish him or her from other kids, it may be best to observe his/her behavioral patterns and talk to a therapist. You may be able to point out an ADHD behavior if you observe the following symptoms.
- Failing to pay close attention
- Constant difficulty in organizing tasks and activities
- Avoids mental tasks and activities
- Always on the go, fidgets, taps hand or feet constantly
- Easily distracted by external stimuli
These and many other hyperactive and non-controllable characteristics make ADHD kids stand out. But what they require is special attention and a little patience.
Treatment For ADHD
Stimulant drugs are often prescribed to curb hyperactivity and impulsiveness, and help individuals to focus, work, and learn. Certain antidepressants that target the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine may also prove effective in treating the condition.
While prescription medicines can have negative side effects, holistic medicine in terms of biofeedback therapy, arts therapy, meditation and engaging activities can help the child get better.
Herbs For ADHD
Lemon balm is found to improve mental performance, enhance attention, memory and focus. Valerian and passion fruit are mild herbal sedatives which when combined together decrease anxiety and restlessness.
Understand your child better and be patient with him or her. Remember that Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Mozart also had learning disabilities and were considered special. Well, they went ahead proving that they were indeed special.
If you’re an adult struggling with ADHD, you can try these tips to flip your life from chaos to calm.
Read More:
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Child-Lock The Stress In Your Kid’s Life
Yoga’s Big Benefits For Kids
