ADD/ADHD Archives - Integrative Psychiatry Online, Ron Parks, MD

Collage of pictures with the theme of looking deeper than the accepted medical treatment and diagnoses treatment as with ADHD, NVLD, ASD. Making the right choices for your health.

ADHD: a misdiagnosis, label, or a lost opportunity for the best treatment

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 25, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Bipolarity, Dyslexia, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, PTSD, Recovery, Trauma. Leave a Comment

ADHD may be a developmental visual-spatial disorder (DVSD)

Apr 24, 2025

Parents conflict over the treatment of their son, diagnosed with ADHD

A close friend and colleague sent me an email asking if I could assist a psychotherapist with a troubled family that needed support from someone knowledgeable in both medication and non-medication approaches. When I spoke with the therapist, it reminded me of the significant polarization regarding the best approach, such as modern medical science versus holistic medicine, as well as the advocacy for more natural and lifestyle interventions. I realized that bridging this gap in a troubled family would be challenging.

In the news today, the same type of conflict steals the headlines, with people railing against science, research, and vaccines that have saved many from the scourges of epidemics, death, and disability. I was one of the fortunate survivors of polio as a child, before the polio vaccine. Yet I know multitudes were not so lucky and were afflicted with lifelong disabilities or died prematurely. The situation surrounding polio and vaccines has been a modern-day miracle for many.

Collage of pictures with the theme of physical, mental, and spiritual challenges during crisis and distressing times.

Keeping Health and Balance in Difficult Times

Written by Ron Parks, MD on March 11, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Anxiety & Panic, Depression, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Mood, Non-duality, Nutrition, Personal Growth, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health. Leave a Comment

An Interview with the astonishing former French Buddhist Monk, teacher, and creator of Mental Health Revolution on Substack. For full audio and video podcast click on link below: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/keeping-health-and-balance-in-difficult

Welcome to Mind Wise, a video podcast and newsletter which presents holistic mental health, healthcare, and wellness perspectives and information.

I am your host, Ron Parks, MD, writer, teacher, and consultant. The following is a transcript of a video podcast interview with Promise of Substack’s Mental Health Revolution: mentalhealthrevolution.org. An astonishing former Buddhist Monk, a teacher, and according to himself, a meditation nerd, a lifestyle medicine advocate, and a misunderstood comedy genius. He has thoroughly studied ancient wisdom, scientific research, psychology, and personal experiments into simple wellness practices for busy people.

He is also a student of positive self-help psychology, and he talks about the programs he has developed, as well as some about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I want to have him introduce himself, say a bit about his journey, and say where he is now. He developed an outstanding, helpful program that I want him to discuss: the Daily Wellness Empowerment Program, DWEP, and CSM. So, go ahead, Promise.

Collage of pictures with the theme of neurodiversity, adjusted and challenged children and adults with ADHD or ASD and finding acceptance and peacefulness with nature,

ADHD Reality—The focus and distraction dilemma

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 3, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Getting Things Done, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, neuroscience, Unique Talent Attributes.

Practical choices for surviving and thriving

A call about ADHD and life difficulties

A distressed family member and colleague recently called me. They complained they were very nervous and worried as they were failing and falling behind in their part-time university studies and felt hopeless about ever completing their coursework for their degree. Their full-time jobs and careers also seemed at risk from lack of focus and concentration, interfering with their productivity and completing assigned tasks and vital projects. A threatening and contentious work supervisor was applying pressure to get more done. There was a real risk of getting fired. A recently valued relationship was also on “the rocks” and near the breaking point. The unfortunate load of adverse challenges seemed to recur frequently, as has often been a regrettable plight. There was a track record of difficulty with social relationships and problems succeeding in challenging academic and work-related situations.

A group of pictures depicting help from relationships, getting insight, feedback, and perspective.

Relationships for Growth and Perspective

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 24, 2023. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Creativity, Depression, Dyslexia, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neurodiversity, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, Unique Talent Attributes.

Awareness and receptiveness are essential for wise decisions, perspective, and adaptability.

My valued mentor and the confusing advice

A favorite mentor and advisor, at the end of our final meeting, on my way out from his cozy living room office, with the big glass window looking out on the yard, shaking hands with a big smile, told me, ” Here is my last clinical pearl; never give anyone advice.”

graphic picture of a human head with a heart shaped, multicolored jigsaw in center of brain as a brain reflecting neurodiversity

The Challenges and Advantages of Dyslexic Traits

Written by Ron Parks, MD on October 25, 2022. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Creativity, Dyslexia, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Neurodiversity, Unique Talent Attributes.

Neurodiversity, in a more modern application, describes the unique and multivariate differences in all people. Looking at all individuals, we can see vast differences in the brain and mental functioning with the processing, retrieval, and abstraction of incoming information. Variability appears in ideas and concept formation, adaptability to change, and accomplishing tasks.

The idea of neurodiversity wisdom on a picture of a boy struggling with his studies that needs appreciation for his differences, skills and talents

Neurodiversity and Dyslexia: Appreciates Differences, Skills, and Talents

Written by Ron Parks, MD on October 24, 2022. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Neurodiversity, Unique Talent Attributes.

Labels and diagnosis Helpful or Not, when Traits of Dyslexia, ADHD, or Autism Spectrum Appear

Dyslexia, autism spectrum, and ADHD have some characteristics that relate to myself and some of my family members. As a child, I had difficulty reading, mispronouncing words, and struggling in areas such as math and foreign languages. With prodigious effort and over-learning, I gained improvement and a certain level of mastery.

The Burned Tea Kettle

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 26, 2022. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Commentary on Health and Well-being, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, Trauma.

The Risk of Distraction and a Familiar Tale of Woe

We all experience what seems like a bit of inattention that leads to a disaster—a disruption in the flow and harmony of daily life. A burned tea kettle incident led to the exploration of the deeper operations of our inner psychology, its related outer expression, and the different levels of awareness and personal meaning of possessions.

My wife and I had sat down to watch a recent movie about a family with turmoil and conflict. After the first short segment, we suddenly became aware and jumped up. We had forgotten about the tea kettle…

Childrens’ Essential Need

Written by Ron Parks, MD on May 11, 2021. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Anxiety & Panic, Asperger Traits, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Children's Mental Health, Depression, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Mood, Trauma.

A child at risk can easily go unrecognized!

Sam was lagging in his school work and was falling asleep on his school desk. His grades were failing. He was getting into fights, according to his principal. Other kids were bullying and picking on him. At home and school, he was often moody and irritable. He avoided social activities and liked to play by himself or watch TV. The school called his mother to make an appointment. What happened next totally caught everyone off guard. Help had come too late. [i]

Autism Spectrum Trait Recognition

Written by Ron Parks, MD on October 25, 2019. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Anxiety & Panic, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PTSD, Trauma, Uncategorized, Unique Talent Attributes.

Autism spectrum traits or characteristics (AST)

are common in our population and may contribute to unique advantages or disadvantages. There now is better recognition and awareness of autistic traits. Current scientific evidence supports that there is a predominant genetic origin of AST.

© Artem Oleshko/123 RF.com, Unique Talents

Autism Spectrum refers to the varied presentation of individuals that may have unique strengths but also challenges with difficulties in social skills, communication, motor coordination, repetitious movements or behaviors, and early-life developmental issues.

Businessman working in the office with piles of books and papers Image ID : 87215213 Copyright : Elnur Amikishiyev

Getting Better Organized and Tasks Done

Written by Ron Parks MD Shan Parks cowriter editor on November 12, 2018. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Getting Things Done.

Category: ADD/ADHD

ADHD: a misdiagnosis, label, or a lost opportunity for the best treatment

ADHD may be a developmental visual-spatial disorder (DVSD)

Parents conflict over the treatment of their son, diagnosed with ADHD

Keeping Health and Balance in Difficult Times

ADHD Reality—The focus and distraction dilemma

Practical choices for surviving and thriving

A call about ADHD and life difficulties

Relationships for Growth and Perspective

Awareness and receptiveness are essential for wise decisions, perspective, and adaptability.

My valued mentor and the confusing advice

The Challenges and Advantages of Dyslexic Traits

Neurodiversity and Dyslexia: Appreciates Differences, Skills, and Talents

Labels and diagnosis Helpful or Not, when Traits of Dyslexia, ADHD, or Autism Spectrum Appear

The Burned Tea Kettle

The Risk of Distraction and a Familiar Tale of Woe

Childrens’ Essential Need

A child at risk can easily go unrecognized!

Autism Spectrum Trait Recognition

Autism spectrum traits or characteristics (AST)

Getting Better Organized and Tasks Done

Not getting tasks done or being able to stay on schedule is an obstacle to health, well-being, and career.

There are important issues and considerations – that if addressed – may decrease disorganization and the difficulty completing tasks.

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