50: ADHD from a Psychiatric Perspective with Dr. Achina Stein
03/30/23 • 40 min
In this episode of the Soaring Child, we are looking at ADHD from a psychiatric perspective, covering topics such as how a child is diagnosed with ADHD, common underlying stressors, dietary changes compared to medication, risks of stimulants, and so much more!
Dr. Achina Stein is a physician, board certified psychiatrist, and has been in practice since 1994. She's also a certified practitioner of the Institute of Functional Medicine, a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and an energy healer. She's the co-owner of her own private practice called Functional Mind.
She is the bestselling author of the book, What If It's Not Depression: Your Guide to Finding Answers and Solutions and has been interviewed about her pioneering work as a functional medicine psychiatrist on many podcasts and summits.
Tune in to this episode to learn about ADHD from a psychiatrist’s perspective.
Key Takeaways
[3:29] - What led Dr. Achina Stein to her current work
[10:40] - What is the DSM, and how is it created?
[14:23] - How are children typically diagnosed with ADHD?
[19:55] - Common underlying stressors/root causes
[21:35] - The importance of healthy digestion, protein, and healthy fats for children with ADHD
[23:03] - Dietary changes compared to medication
[24:49] - The Burp Test
[28:49] - Risks and side effects of stimulant medications
[32:52] - Key aspects of treatment plans that are sometimes missed
Memorable Quotes
“My goal for my patients is never to have someone suffer on a long term basis.”
“A diagnosis is only needed if you need accommodations, especially for ADHD...or if you want to go on medicine.”
“What the DSM is...it’s the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Disorders where a group of people have come together...They are all deemed experts on some level...And then they decide how a diagnosis is made. And none of these diagnoses are made through any objective data.”
“There are certain disorders that are considered normal in some cultures that are considered abnormal in other cultures.”
“The problem with these tests and with the DSM is that it actually says zero - nothing - about cause.”
“Look at habits. I think many functional doctors miss that.”
“I see a bigger change in people with a dietary change than I do with medications.”
“I would say 60% of people don't tolerate medications as well, or respond to medications when medications are tried. I see a much more robust response to change in diet.”
“All mental health disorders basically have the same root causes.”
“Everyone is going to have a genetic predisposition to something but you can flip those genes, because it’s not the genes that matter so much...it’s more the expression of those genes. And you can turn off those bad genes and turn on those good genes through foods and through stress management.”
How to Connect with Dr. Achina Stein
Website: https://achinasteindo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AchinaSteinDO/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.achinastein/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpdl19d4mbcDV3Roho5mTEQ
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45Z8ogmIXSTATQQGt2oimK?si=5056808841c74933&nd=1
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
International Best Selling Book, Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass – https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
ADHD Parenting Course ...
In this episode of the Soaring Child, we are looking at ADHD from a psychiatric perspective, covering topics such as how a child is diagnosed with ADHD, common underlying stressors, dietary changes compared to medication, risks of stimulants, and so much more!
Dr. Achina Stein is a physician, board certified psychiatrist, and has been in practice since 1994. She's also a certified practitioner of the Institute of Functional Medicine, a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and an energy healer. She's the co-owner of her own private practice called Functional Mind.
She is the bestselling author of the book, What If It's Not Depression: Your Guide to Finding Answers and Solutions and has been interviewed about her pioneering work as a functional medicine psychiatrist on many podcasts and summits.
Tune in to this episode to learn about ADHD from a psychiatrist’s perspective.
Key Takeaways
[3:29] - What led Dr. Achina Stein to her current work
[10:40] - What is the DSM, and how is it created?
[14:23] - How are children typically diagnosed with ADHD?
[19:55] - Common underlying stressors/root causes
[21:35] - The importance of healthy digestion, protein, and healthy fats for children with ADHD
[23:03] - Dietary changes compared to medication
[24:49] - The Burp Test
[28:49] - Risks and side effects of stimulant medications
[32:52] - Key aspects of treatment plans that are sometimes missed
Memorable Quotes
“My goal for my patients is never to have someone suffer on a long term basis.”
“A diagnosis is only needed if you need accommodations, especially for ADHD...or if you want to go on medicine.”
“What the DSM is...it’s the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Disorders where a group of people have come together...They are all deemed experts on some level...And then they decide how a diagnosis is made. And none of these diagnoses are made through any objective data.”
“There are certain disorders that are considered normal in some cultures that are considered abnormal in other cultures.”
“The problem with these tests and with the DSM is that it actually says zero - nothing - about cause.”
“Look at habits. I think many functional doctors miss that.”
“I see a bigger change in people with a dietary change than I do with medications.”
“I would say 60% of people don't tolerate medications as well, or respond to medications when medications are tried. I see a much more robust response to change in diet.”
“All mental health disorders basically have the same root causes.”
“Everyone is going to have a genetic predisposition to something but you can flip those genes, because it’s not the genes that matter so much...it’s more the expression of those genes. And you can turn off those bad genes and turn on those good genes through foods and through stress management.”
How to Connect with Dr. Achina Stein
Website: https://achinasteindo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AchinaSteinDO/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.achinastein/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpdl19d4mbcDV3Roho5mTEQ
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45Z8ogmIXSTATQQGt2oimK?si=5056808841c74933&nd=1
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
International Best Selling Book, Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass – https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
ADHD Parenting Course ...
Previous Episode
49: Conception and Beyond - Preparing our Bodies for Optimum Health with Dr. Aumatma Simmons
On this episode of the Soaring Child, my guest is a double board certified naturopathic doctor and endocrinologist in practice for 15 years, Dr. Aumatma. Dr. Aumatma supports couples to create the family of their dreams and also trains doctors who want to specialize in fertility.
She is the best-selling author of Fertility Secrets: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About Baby-Making, and she's on a mission to help bring healthier, happier babies into the world by creating healthier parents. Dr. Aumatma has been featured on ABC, Fox, CBS, KTLA, Mind, Body Green, and The Bump.
Fertility might seem like an odd topic for the Soaring Child podcast, but there were a lot of amazing tips dropped in this episode that will not only benefit those that are trying to get pregnant, but also those who have had babies in the past.
Did you know the postnatal period lasts for several years?
If you've had a baby in the last four years, this is an episode not to miss. If you are planning to have a baby in the next four years, this is an episode not to miss. And even if you are not planning to have any more children, this is an episode not to be missed.
Dr. Aumatma shares critical tips in this episode that can help us reset the nervous system and maintain optimum health.
Key Takeaways
[7:31] The postpartum period and why it lasts longer than most people assume
[9:45] How to reset our nervous systems
[11:01] Meditation
[12:25] Tips to optimize sleep
[14:25] Melatonin disruptors
[15:28] Favorite supplements to support the nervous system and sleep
[16:46] Appropriate doses of melatonin
[19:02] How to boost oxytocin
[22:20] The importance of asking for support
[24:03] What to do if having trouble conceiving
[28:45] The importance of diet and lifestyle
[34:00] Supplements for optimum health
Memorable Quotes:
“That postpartum period, which generally is thought to be three months, is actually more like three years.”
“Restoring the nervous system is such a big component of this, and there are some really easy things that we can do to help the nervous system.”
“Sunlight in the first 30 minutes of waking up actually supports the production of cortisol. It’s called the cortisol awakening response.”
“Melatonin is thrown off or will not kick into production anytime it sees light.”
“Having that awareness of what is it that we need and how do we get that support, is going to help relax your nervous system.”
“Oxytocin really takes us into parasympathetic mode... It supports the production of serotonin, dopamine, literally all of our inhibitory neurotransmitters, and it's going to help us feel supported.”
“If you are not getting your menstrual cycle yet, then to me that's a sign that your body's not ready to get back into the game of conception.”
“The nervous system is the foundation of everything. So if you take nothing from this interview, then work on the nervous system.”
“We are potentially pinning on age what has to do with diet, lifestyle, lack of nutrients, and lack of honest good support. ”
How to Connect with Dr. Aumatma Simmons
Website: https://www.holisticfertilityinstitute.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticfertilitydoctor/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holisticfertilitydoctor
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
International Best Selling Book, Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass – https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
ADHD Parenting Course –
Next Episode
51: ADHD & Genetics with Kashif Khan
How do genes affect ADHD and other similar disorders? Is there an ADHD gene? What can we do to optimize our genes so that we are living our best lives possible? Why does data privacy matter with genetic testing?
Tune in to this episode of the Soaring Child Podcast to learn the answers to each of these questions.
Our guest today is Kashif Kahn, a Chief Executive Officer and founder of The DNA Company where personalized medicine is being pioneered through unique insights into the human genome. He also is the host of the UNPILLED podcast. His measure of success is not in dollars earned, but in lives improved.
Listen to this episode to learn how ADHD and genetics interact with one another.
If you are interested in learning more about DNA testing and you want to reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms naturally, schedule a free call with our team using this link - https://bit.ly/3X5ZVvT
Key Takeaways:
5:42 - An explanation of genetic predispositions
8:58 - How the science of genetics has changed over the years
14:28 - Is there an ADHD gene?
18:40 - The 3% of people who actually have ADHD
25:49 - An explanation of the 3 buckets within epigenetics
29:18 - What people need to know about data privacy with genetic testing
34:46 - How to manage genetic expression
44:09 - How genes can cause toxins to affect one person in a home and not others in the home
Memorable Moments:
“A gene is an instruction that tells your cells what to do.”
“Even in ADHD, we don’t see one profile that points to it genetically. There are multiple, and none of them actually cause a clinical ADHD. They all cause behavior that gets diagnosed as ADHD but isn’t in fact that at all.”
“The majority of what we see in mood and behavior issues, including ADHD, people don’t innately have. They’re actually wired for some form of superpower and they’ve been put in the wrong context where they’re not using that superpower.”
“In the science of genetics, there are genes that they point to that are ADHD genes. The challenge is, that’s the 2 or 3% who innately have something...97% of our kids who are struggling were not born with the condition.”
“Our DNA is not ready for the way that we live...It’s no wonder everyone has ADHD and anxiety. We don’t have it. We have neural inflammation, we have the wrong context, we have overstimulation, we have overdepolyment of neurochemicals, which leads to all of these outward behaviors.”
“There are 3 buckets epigenetically: environment...nutrition...and lifestyle.”
“Pick the right lifestyle choice based on what your genes are saying.”
“The body is designed to handle toxins...It’s not designed to handle the current reality and the amount we have to handle.”
How to Connect with Kashif Khan
Website: https://www.thednacompany.com/pages/kashif-khan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thednaco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thednacompany
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
International Best Selling Book, Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass – https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
If you like this episode you’ll love
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