Pumpkin spice and everything nice... Autumn is my favourite season, it brings with it beautiful changes; as the nights draw in and the leaves turn a golden brown, we embrace cosy layering and warmer tones and textures. I hope you enjoy our Autumn 2024 issue featuring some thought provoking articles, tips, health benefits, advice and signposting you to our wonderful services I am so proud of here on the Wirral. So curl up on the sofa, get into your comfys and get reading... Oh and happy pumpkin picking people. Autumn breeze kisses and harvest wishes, Laura x
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YOUR LEGAL WORRIES ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT WILLS AND PROBATE SOLICITOR, MEGAN DONOHUE AT GREGORY ABRAMS DAVIDSON SOLICITORS.
LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY.
Dear Megan,
My mother is approaching her 85th birthday. Whilst she is of sound mind and mentally capable I have noticed that she is becoming increasingly frail and this has made me worry about her. We don’t know what the future will hold and I have seen several of my friends’ parents succumbing to dementia and sadly they were not able to plan ahead whilst they had the chance. I think it is time to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney, although I am rather nervous about bringing up the topic. I am looking for some guidance on this. Does just one sibling become the attorney? Is it worth using a solicitor? Do it ourselves? It seems like a complicated area and I would appreciate some expert advice.
Janette Davis, Allerton.
Dear Janette,
You are correct. This can be a complicated area and one that is very difficult to discuss with family members.
The growing awareness of dementia has seen an increasing understanding by the general public of the need for a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allowing you to appoint one or more attorneys to make important decisions on your behalf if and when capacity is lost. There are two types of LPA - a Financial LPA –giving the attorney power to deal with your property and financial affairs and a Health LPA – giving the attorney powers in respect of your current and future welfare and medical treatment.
The forms are standardised and cannot be deviated from. It is also designed with ‘tick’ boxes. However, despite their apparent ‘simplicity’ a number of drafting errors can result in unlawful additions you have made being struck out by the Court upon registration of the LPA or even worse, the LPA being completely rejected by the Court.
Part 3 of the LPA form is creating constant problems – this allows you to choose from 3 options in the event that you have appointed 2 or more attorneys. The attorneys must act either Jointly or they can act independently of each other (Jointly and Severally) or a mix of the two with them acting Jointly for some decisions and Jointly and Severally for other decisions.
Practical day to day problems can arise with a Joint appointment. If an attorney is away on holiday, the remaining attorney cannot act. If an attorney dies, the remaining attorney(s) cannot continue to act – i.e the Power ends unless replacement attorneys have been appointed. Likewise, choosing jointly for some matters and jointly and severally for others has both the aforementioned problems, but also the added difficulty of deciding which decisions fall within which of the options.
Moreover, the Court is receiving a growing quantity of powers that attempt to allow one attorney to act in all matters independently with the remaining attorneys acting Jointly at all times. The Court is adamant that only 1 of the 3 specific options listed above under the ‘tick box’ regime can be chosen from Part 3 and any attempt to deviate from these or any modification to them will be rejected outright.
In the vast majority of cases, Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors would recommend “Jointly and Severally” as the appropriate choice for a donor (the second of the three options discussed above).
As ever, an apparent saving of legal fees by not having used a solicitor will have turned out to have been a false economy. Furthermore, instructing a law firm who are experienced in these matters will give you assurance that someone outside of the family knows who you have appointed as your attorney and can also avoid disputes that you were of sound mind at the time of doing so.
We would caution you from being beguiled into thinking that the simplicity of a ‘tick-box’ means that the decision is simple and straight forward. Far from it!
Megan Donohue is a solicitor at Gregory Abrams Davidson and works as part of the Private Client team. The firm provides services in all private client areas including probate matters, simple or complex wills, trusts and lasting powers of attorney. For any enquiries please visit: gadlegal.co.uk.
T: 0151 625 0000
Megan
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BIO SPICULE THERAPY AT ANNE ROBERTS
Bio Spicule Therapy is a skincare treatment that involves the use of micro-needles derived from marine sponges.
These micro-needles, or spicules, are microscopic structures that can penetrate the skin to deliver active ingredients and promote various skin benefits. The treatment is a natural and minimally invasive way to improve skin health and appearance.
The natural spicules are mixed with serum and applied to the skin through hand massage to promote skin metabolism and stimulate collagen regeneration. The spicules penetrate the outer layer of the skin, creating micro-channels. Active ingredients in the serum are delivered deeper into the skin through these microchannels. The penetration of spicules stimulates the skin's natural healing processes, including increased blood circulation and collagen production.
The microchannels created by the spicules allow for deeper and more efficient absorption of active ingredients. The stimulation from the spicules can boost collagen production, leading to firmer and more elastic skin.
Regular treatments can help smooth out the skin's surface, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.
The use of natural marine spicules can be a preferable option for those seeking more organic and less synthetic skincare treatments.
Bio Spicule Therapy offers a natural and minimally invasive option for enhancing skin health and appearance. Its benefits, including improved absorption of active ingredients, increased collagen production and overall skin rejuvenation, make it a popular choice for those looking to achieve a radiant and youthful complexion. All our Bio Spicule Therapy treatments come with a complimentary LED Dermalux light therapy session.
As with any skincare treatment, it is recommended to consult with our trained therapists to determine if this therapy is suitable for your skin type and concerns.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: WHAT IS BIO SPICULE
Bio Spicule Therapy harnesses the power of natural sponge-derived spicules, which are microscopic needlelike structures, to rejuvenate the skin without the use of chemicals or acids. These spicules, tiny enough to penetrate the pores without causing damage, serve as gentle exfoliators and collagen stimulators.
Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Bio Spicule Therapy is perfect for clients with acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles & uneven skin tones. Also excellent for a fresher appearance of the skin.
Q: WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
Bio Spicule Therapy feels like sharp needles being rubbed into the skin, the feeling is slightly uncomfortable, similar to sandpaper being moved across the ski. Your skin may feel prickly for 2 to 3 days when touched, this is perfectly normal and will subside over a couple of days.
Q: WHAT IS THE DOWNTIME?
Bio Spicule Therapy will cause the skin to become red immediately after treatment. For 3 days after treatment, your skin will feel warm and ‘spikey’ to touch and you will see peeling effects at days 3-4. Full results can be seen in 7 days.
Q: HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?
Bio Spicule Therapy is most effective after 4 sessions, so we recommend a full course, 2 to 4 weeks apart, depending on the skin condition being treated. For areas on the body and depending on the condition, a course of 6 – 8 sessions may be required. As we still age and are prone to environmental aggressors daily, maintenance Bio Spicule Therapy sessions are required every 8-12 weeks for long-term results and daily use of SPF50+ and educational advice on homecare is vital
BOOK TODAY: 0151 653 7979
80 Birch Road, Oxton, Birkenhead, CH43 5UE
BENEFITS OF B12
Vitamin B12 is important for the health of your nervous system and your red blood cells. It can be found in many animal products and fortified foods. About 6% of people under age 60 and 20% of people over 60 have a vitamin B12 deficiency. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia and serious nervous system problems. If you need to consume more vitamin B12, you can get it from many animal products and fortified foods. In some cases, a healthcare professional may prescribe oral supplements or injections to help increase your vitamin B12 levels.
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin, but it’s not one your body can produce. Instead, it is found naturally in many animal products.
Vitamin B12 is necessary for many processes in your body, including:
• maintaining your ability to think
• regulating and creating DNA
• producing energy
• keeping your brain and nervous system healthy
Your liver stores extra vitamins for times when you consume less of it. But if those reserves run out, you may experience negative health effects. Low vitamin B12 levels can cause symptoms such as:
• tingling in your hands and feet
• difficulty walking
• confusion and memory loss
• depression and irritability
• problems with smell, taste, or vision
• heart palpitations
• fatigue
• headaches
• pale skin
• weight loss
• glossits (a painful, smooth, red tongue)
It’s important to treat low vitamin B12 levels to prevent anemia. Vitamin B12 is associated with a particular type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia
If you have anemia due to a lack of vitamin B12, your red blood cells may be larger and more oval-shaped than usual. This irregular shape can prevent the red blood cells from moving from your bone marrow to your bloodstream at a typical rate. For most adults, the recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 is 2.4 microgram (mcg)
However, the recommendation is slightly higher for people who are pregnant or nursing, at 2.6 mcg per day. And infants up to 6 months old need only 0.4 mcg daily.
Vitamin B12 is water-soluble. Your body can store it for 2- 5 years and will release any extra B12 in your urine. Many people can get enough vitamin B12 from the foods they eat each day. But because vitamin B12 is not present naturally in plant-based foods, vegans and vegetarians may need to consume foods that are fortified with it.
Oral supplements are also an option to help boost your vitamin B12 level. If your diet is low on foods that contain vitamin B12 or your body cannot appropriately digest those foods, a healthcare professional may recommend that you take an oral supplement each day.
Typically, your body absorbs vitamin B12 in a two-part process.
First, acid in your stomach separates B12 from the protein it’s attached to. Then, the B12 combines with a protein in your stomach called the intrinsic factor, and your body absorbs this pair in your ileum (the last part of your small intestine).
When you consume vitamin B12 as a supplement, your body may skip the first part of this process. That means injections may work better for you.
If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, a healthcare professional may recommend that you receive injections to raise your B12 level.
Vitamin B12 injections are also called hydroxycobalamin in the United States.
If you have anemia due to a low vitamin B12 level, you may need
an injection every other day for 2 weeks or until your symptoms begin to improve.
B12 supplements and diet changes may not be effective in treating a deficiency caused by a medical condition, which is why doctors often recommend injections.
Foods high in B12 include:
• fish and seafood such as salmon, clams, and oysters
• lean red meat and chicken
• fortified breakfast cereals
• eggs
• dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
Vitamin B12 is not considered to be toxic, even at high levels. But vitamin B12 injections can cause some side effects, such as:
• pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness
• headaches
It’s important to let your doctor know if you experience serious side effects, such as heart palpitations, after a vitamin B12 injection.
Low vitamin B12 levels may cause diarrhea or constipation. Additionally, a lack of vitamin B12 can prevent your red blood cells from providing enough oxygen to your digestive tract. This can lead to nausea, vomiting, gas, and bloating.
THINKING DIFFERENTLY: HOW DISCOVERING MY ADHD TRANSFORMED MY BUSINESS JOURNEY
From an early age, I knew I thought differently to others around me. While classmates were busy memorizing facts and following strict routines, my mind danced through a whirlwind of ideas, often darting from one thought to the next. My school reports said things like, Joanna is easily distracted, Joanna is a daydreamer, Joanna could do better. I was constantly curious, questioning everything, which in itself is annoying to teachers and parents, and imagining possibilities that others seemed oblivious to. Yet, it left me perplexed. Why didn’t everyone think like me? And when I speak, why are people looking at me like I’m strange?
It wasn’t until recently when I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. Having the diagnosis doesn’t change anything about me, it just explains a lot in my life. This revelation was not just an explanation for my differences; it became a powerful catalyst for my entrepreneurial journey. Here’s how understanding my ADHD has shaped my approach to running a business and turned my perceived challenges into significant advantages.
Embracing Creativity
One of the most profound benefits of my ADHD is the surge of creativity that often accompanies it. My mind
is like a kaleidoscope, filled with vibrant, ever-changing ideas. This creative energy has been a driving force behind my business, allowing me to develop different ways of working so the team don’t become stale and bored. Yes, sometimes people look at me like I have 2 heads because they haven’t thought of what is blatantly obvious to me.
Instead of seeing my divergent thinking as a hindrance, I learned to love it. This unconventional approach has led to breakthroughs that traditional thinking might have missed. My ability to brainstorm wildly and then hone in on the most promising ideas has become one of my business’s greatest assets. Anything is possible if you believe anything is possible.
Passion and Energy
ADHD often comes with bursts of energy, which I’ve learnt to channel into my work. When that burst of energy comes, I make the most of it and keep going for as long as I can, sometimes it lasts for a few hours, sometimes longer, but ultimately, I have to know myself, so I don’t try and work past my best. My passion for my business fuels my drive, inspiring not only myself but also my team. When I’m excited about a project, that enthusiasm is infectious. It creates a dynamic environment where everyone feels motivated to contribute and innovate.
Rather than being overwhelmed by the chaos that sometimes comes with this high energy, I’ve learnt to embrace it. I find that my best work emerges during those energetic bursts, allowing me to tackle challenges head-on with a sense of urgency and purpose.
The Power of Hyperfocus
While distractibility can be a challenge, many people with ADHD also experience periods of hyperfocus—intense concentration on tasks that ignite our interest. For me, this ability has been transformative. When I find a project or idea that captivates me, I can dive deep and produce exceptional results in a short time frame. Don’t get me wrong if I have a project that I know is going to take up a lot of time, I have to work my way up to it, have the right conditions and have no interruptions so the hyperfocus can take hold.
This hyperfocus allows me to push through obstacles and refine my ideas with great detail. In the fast-paced world of business, being able to zone in on critical tasks can lead to significant advancements and achievements, often surprising those who may underestimate my capabilities. I have met many people in my life who have underestimated me, and I love that, it makes me smile.
Resilience Through Challenges
ADHD has taught me resilience. The journey hasn’t always been smooth, and I’ve faced plenty of hurdles, both personally and professionally. However, these challenges have only strengthened my resolve. I’ve learned to adapt quickly, pivot when necessary, and approach setbacks with a growth mindset. I’m great in a crisis, trust me, you want me on your side.
This resilience has become a cornerstone of my business philosophy. I encourage my team to embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth, fostering a culture that values perseverance and creativity in the face of adversity.
Building Connections
People with ADHD often possess strong emotional intelligence, allowing us to connect deeply with others. I’ve found that my ability to empathize and understand different perspectives has enhanced my leadership skills. Often, I know how someone is feeling or what they are going through without having experienced their situation
myself. This strength has allowed me to build strong relationships with clients, employees, and partners, creating a supportive network that drives our collective success.
By fostering open communication and collaboration, I’ve created a workplace where diverse ideas flourish. This not only enhances creativity but also cultivates a sense of belonging—an essential factor in any successful business.
Conclusion: Celebrating Differences
Discovering my ADHD was a revelation that reshaped my understanding of myself and my business. It illuminated the unique strengths I possess and allowed me to embrace my differences rather than hide them. I don’t believe we should call it a disorder; this just screams negativity. Rather than viewing ADHD solely through the lens of challenges, I celebrate the creativity, passion, resilience, and connection it brings to my business and personal life.
In a world that often values conformity, I encourage others to recognize and embrace their uniqueness. Our differences can be our greatest strengths, propelling us toward innovative solutions and success. For anyone navigating the business landscape, remember, that thinking differently is not a limitation; it’s a superpower. And for those of us with ADHD, it’s a thrilling ride that can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Enjoy every minute.
T: 0151 348 4527
E: jdj@northwooduk.com
W: www.northwooduk.com/
Above: Jonanna Diamond
We are delighted to be finalist for the LGBTQ+ Flower awards Business of the Year
WE ARE NATURE: THE POWER OF LETTING GO INSPIRED BY NATURE'S CYCLE.
As we head into Autumn and Winter descends. The cycle of nature provides us with a powerful reminder: the shedding of leaves represents a time for renewal. The seasons offer us the chance to reflect on what we need to release—not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. By aligning ourselves with nature’s rhythms, we can create space for healing, peace, and new growth.
1. Letting Go of Physical Clutter, Our physical environment influences our mental state. Holding onto items that no longer serve us can weigh us down, creating stagnant energy. Autumn is a perfect time for a mindful decluttering practice. As you sort through your belongings, ask yourself: “Does this item support my present self, or am I clinging to the past?” By releasing what no longer serves us, we free up physical and emotional space for new possibilities.
2. Releasing Emotional Baggage Just as trees shed their leaves, we too can shed emotional burdens. Old grudges, unresolved conflicts, and feelings of inadequacy can prevent us from moving forward. From a holistic perspective, emotions are energy, and when left unexpressed, they can become trapped in our bodies. Practices such as journaling, meditation, and energy healing (like Reiki) can help release this pentup emotional energy. Reflecting on what we’re ready to let go of allows us to move forward with a sense of peace and clarity.
3. Mind-Body Connection: Letting Go Through Movement A holistic approach to wellbeing recognizes the powerful connection between mind and body. Our bodies often store stress and tension that we’re unaware of. Movement practices like yoga, tai chi, or even gentle stretching can help release this tension. Breathwork, too, can assist in letting go. As you inhale, imagine bringing in fresh energy; as you exhale, visualize releasing what no longer serves you—whether it’s physical tension or emotional baggage.
4. Spiritual Surrender: Trusting the Flow of Life Letting go from a spiritual perspective involves trusting the natural flow of life. Like trees trusting that their leaves will return in spring, we too can practice surrender. Many spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of non-attachment—releasing the need to control outcomes and trusting that life will provide what we need. Through meditation, prayer, or spending time in nature, we can cultivate a sense of surrender, allowing the universe to guide us toward growth and renewal.
5. Detoxifying the Mind Our thoughts shape our reality. To truly let go, we must also release limiting beliefs, self-criticism, and mental clutter. Mindfulness practices like meditation or positive affirmations can clear mental space, fostering openness to new ideas. Consider this season an opportunity to shed negative thought patterns, just as the trees shed their leaves, making room for a more empowered mindset.
Conclusion: Embracing the Cycle of Renewal Letting go is not about loss—it’s about making space for growth. When we align ourselves with nature’s cycles, we see that releasing what no longer serves us is necessary for new beginnings. As you reflect on what to release this season—whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual— trust that new opportunities will follow, bringing deeper healing, clarity, and renewal.
Chris has dedicated his life to studying neuroscience, holistic psychology as well as a big dollop of is the creator and founder of the Nurture Map. With this work, along with the team, the Nurture Map shows people how they can integrate these understandings and practices simply and easily into everyday life. You can join our Portal and get access to all the resources you need to start applying this to your life today, and create your own unique wellbeing blueprint. Access to the portal is free, with a pay as you grow optional way to support this work. To find out more, and join our journey to becoming the go-to destination for wellbeing on the web. Head over to, www.nuturemap.com.
Parkland Place is operated by Adferiad, a memberled organisation that campaigns for, and provides services to people affected by mental ill health, drug or alcohol use, gambling harms and other challenging circumstances.
Parkland Place delivers unrivalled treatment for people seeking recovery from alcohol dependency, substance use, gambling harms and other harmful behavioural conditions, in the comfort of two locations:
Parkland Place Lancashire is a 23-bedroom country manor house situated in the heart of Lancashire surrounded by 14 acres of woodland.
Our residential rehab unit, Parkland Place North Wales, is a beautiful 16-bedroom mansion and gardens near the North Wales coast. The house is situated amidst National Trust farmlands.
Our facilities offer a welcoming and comfortable haven for your journey of recovery. We provide seamless and effective care pathways for individuals facing addiction. Our approach to referral, assessment, engagement, and discharge planning are designed to maximise positive outcomes.
Through our various recovery units and partnerships, we are confident we can help people face their addiction with the best possible support. We offer medically-managed detoxification treatment at two sites, located in Lancashire and Wrexham, led by our Consultant Psychiatrist and General Practitioner and highly qualified Nursing Teams.
Our Residential Rehab unit addresses any underlying psychosocial issues and trauma and
provides you with a personal toolbox of techniques and resources to aid your journey of recovery. Interventions are based on significant experience treating people with gambling addiction, mental health issues and substance use conditionsunderpinned by established and evidence-based principles.
Our therapeutic programme is tailored to the needs of our guests, and is delivered by friendly, expert staff. The truly bespoke approach allows us to address the social and psychological needs underpinning your addiction and support you as you make key lifestyle changes.
We empower people to reach their personal and professional goals and fulfil their potential. We are committed to our work and mission, and always listen to, and learn from, our service users to ensure that support provision is consistent and aligned with needs of our clients.
If you’re struggling with mental ill-health, drug or alcohol use, gambling harms or other challenging circumstances, take the first step towards your recovery by getting in contact with the team at Parkland Place today.
Call us on 01492 203 421, email us at info@ parklandplace.co.uk, or fill out our online contact form by scanning the QR code, for more information or to self-refer.
Mission-Driven: My Transition From Infantry To a Financial Adviser
When I signed up for the army at 16, little did I know that this
When I signed up for the army 16, little did know that this decision would lay the groundwork for my future in finance. I decision would lay the groundwork for my future in finance. I embraced a life of discipline, resilience, and a commitment to embraced a life of discipline, resilience, and a commitment to service, particularly during my time in the infantry. After years of service, particularly during my time in the infantry. After years of carrying a rifle, I made the decision to transition to civilian life in 2018 carrying rifle, I made the decision to transition to civilian life in 2018 —trading the rifle for the pen. My time in the army was the catalyst —trading the rifle for the pen. My time in the army was the catalyst for building a new path for myself, one that required facing rigorous for building a new path for myself, one that required facing rigorous exams and assessments to become a regulated financial adviser. exams and assessments to become a regulated financial adviser
I remember the moment I told my wife I was about to change I remember the moment I told my wife I was about to change everything I knew for the unknown. It was a leap of faith, and though everything knew for the unknown. It was a of faith, and though daunting, it was essential to build the future we envisioned. The daunting, it was essential to build the future we envisioned. The determination that guided me through my military service helped determination that guided me through my service helped me find my place in the world of finance. I’ve come to value the me find my place in the world of finance. I’ve come to value the power of long-term planning, using the skills I honed in the army— power of long-term planning, using the skills I honed in the army— strategic thinking, patience, and the ability to adapt under pressure strategic thinking, patience, and the ability to adapt under pressure —to guide my clients through their own financial journeys. —to guide clients through their own financial journeys.
One of my proudest moments as a financial adviser came when a client asked me when they could retire. I told them, “Whenever a client asked me when they could retire. I told them, “Whenever you like.” That simple answer encapsulates the essence of my you like.” That simple answer encapsulates the essence work: empowering individuals, businesses, and their employees to work: empowering individuals, businesses, and their employees to build a path to their ideal futures. Whether it’s developing a build a path to their ideal futures. Whether comprehensive financial strategy for a small business that not comprehensive financial strategy for a small business that not only secures their growth but also provides peace of mind for only secures their growth but also provides of for their employees or helping individuals map out their retirement their employees or helping individuals map out their retirement goals, my focus is on clarity and strategy. goals, my focus is on clarity and strategy.
One of my proudest moments as a financial adviser came when
I often remind my clients of a saying we used in the military, “No
I remind my clients of a saying we in the “No plan survives first contact.” In the world of finance, we remain plan survives first contact.” In the world of finance, we remain mission-driven, dedicated to your objectives and goals. Together, mission-driven, dedicated to and we navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise, ensuring we navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise, ensuring we stay aligned with your mission in life, ultimately steering we stay aligned with your mission in life, ultimately steering toward the success you envision. toward the success you envision.
AN ADHD DIAGNOSIS IN ADULTHOOD, CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS
Terry Matlen, a clinical social worker, was in her 40s when she was diagnosed with ADHD. “My entire life, there was something off,” Matlen said. This included significant anxiety as well as academic and behavioural issues, all of which started at a young age. Although Matlen was initially quite sceptical of her diagnosis, going so far as to seek out a second and third opinion, she eventually came to accept that she had ADHD. “This makes sense now. I can’t concentrate; I can’t finish projects; my house is a disaster; I can’t get dinner on the table,” Matlen said. “Anxiety doesn’t explain the extent of my disorganization.”
Matlen was diagnosed in the mid-1990s when many specialists still didn’t understand what ADHD looked like in either girls or adults. Matlen didn’t look like the stereotypical little boy who couldn’t sit still. Although she struggled a lot with her symptoms, which included being unable to pay attention in class or stay organized, no one recognized that the underlying issue was undiagnosed ADHD.
ADHD has three subtypes, which include hyperactive impulsive, primarily inattentive, and combined. With the inattentive type, the restlessness is internal. “A lot of kids with inattentive ADHD get overlooked,” said Peter Jaksa, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in treating ADHD. “The behavioural problems get more attention.” For many with inattentive ADHD, they are the ones daydreaming in class rather than paying attention. However, since they aren’t being disruptive, their symptoms can easily go unnoticed. This is especially true with women and girls, as ADHD is more often diagnosed and treated in males than females, due to differences in how symptoms look. As a number of studies show, untreated ADHD leads to adverse effects on long-term academic performance. In addition, a number of studies show that those with untreated ADHD fare worse than those with treated ADHD
For symptoms to be considered ADHD, they must have started before the age of 12. This makes diagnosing adults more complicated, as the process requires creating a timeline of when symptoms first appeared. In addition to talking with his patient, Jaksa finds that it can be helpful to look at old report cards, where comments such as “Struggles to pay attention during class,” “Often forgets homework at home,” or “Isn’t living up to potential” can help give him a sense of when symptoms started appearing.
“We have a much longer history to look at,” he said. “The best diagnostic indicator for ADHD is not test scores; it’s history.” For the diagnostic process, Jaksa conducts a very structured interview—one that delves into their social, emotional, and academic history. If possible, he interviews a family member who can provide perspective on childhood behaviours.
Jaksa said adults often have comorbidities, such as
anxiety and depression. With these comorbidities, untreated ADHD can either cause them or make them worse. “When ADHD is not diagnosed—when it’s not treated effectively—over time, chronic stress and frustration lead to anxiety,” Jaksa said. “This has a very negative impact on self-esteem. It’s very common to see adults with ADHD grow up with a strong sense of underachievement.”
Continually hearing messages like “try harder” or “you should be doing better,” can get internalized and lead to anxiety and/or depression, Jaksa said.
In some patients, providers may recognize signs right away, such as tardiness, forgetting valuable personal items, or fidgeting while in the waiting room. Although no one symptom can be definitive, all of this added up can paint a picture of what the symptoms look like, how long they have been going on, and the degree of functional impairment. “My mind is shifting constantly,” said Lisa Green, an oncology nurse who was diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s.
It also helps the diagnosis if there is a family history of ADHD, as it is a highly heritable disorder. For Matlen, the process of seeking a diagnosis for her younger daughter was when she realized that she also had the disorder.
“It’s pretty well established that ADHD is about 70% to 80% heritable,” said Eugene Arnold, a professor emeritus at The Ohio State University whose research focuses on ADHD.
One of the challenging aspects of diagnosing an adult is the presence of other comorbidities, some of which can mimic ADHD symptoms. These comorbidities can either be due to a separate disorder or be caused by ADHD.
For many people with ADHD, Matlen included the lack of early treatment, combined with symptoms of ADHD, can lead to developing mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. If their underlying ADHD is not diagnosed and treated, treatment for their other comorbidities is often ineffective. “My anxiety is triggered a lot by being disorganized, by not being prepared, by being constantly overwhelmed,” Matlen said.
There’s also an overlap between ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). “About half of people with autism also have ADHD,” Arnold said. With ADHD being more common than ASD, the reverse is not true—with a lower proportion of people with ADHD also having ASD.
Jon Stevens, MD, a psychiatrist based in Houston, compares the onset of symptoms as being like layers of an onion: The deepest layer is developmental disorders, such as autism; the second deepest layer is ADHD, for which the symptoms can be observed quite early, followed by mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, which can develop as early as middle or high school. Finally, the outermost layer is schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which tend to emerge during college years or a little later. “These conditions, in my experience, develop inside out,” Stevens said. Symptoms of developmental disorders such as autism show up the earliest, while ADHD
symptoms will show up a little later. Some of the more noticeable symptoms, such as hyperactivity, parents will start noticing early on, while other symptoms, such as inattentiveness, will start becoming more noticeable once children start school.
Another major difference is the persistence of symptoms. “If you think about anxiety and depression, those disorders and the symptoms that flow from them, tend to be more situational and more cyclic,” said Will Canu, PhD, a professor of psychology at Appalachian State University. With a disorder like ADHD, the symptoms are always there, with the caveat that they can be exacerbated under certain conditions, such as during times of stress or from anxiety or depression.
The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly hard on those with ADHD because of the disruption in routine. Routines are important for people with ADHD, as they can help with executive functioning issues, such as staying organized and staying on track. However, developing and maintaining these routines is harder, which means that major changes in working and home life have been particularly hard to navigate.
In Stevens’ clinical practice, he has seen patients cope with stress from the pandemic in a number of ways. For adults who were actively receiving treatment, the shift to working from home offered some benefits. “Provided they kept taking their medication, they generally fared well,” he said. “A lot of my patients found [working from home] more helpful because there were fewer distractions of the water cooler chatter or someone coming to your cubicle.”
The big exception was if patients started self-medicating with alcohol or other substances.
Constant upheaval, combined with childcare disruptions, created extremely difficult conditions for women with undiagnosed ADHD and young children, Canu said. In addition to major disruptions in routines, the unpredictability of school and daycare closures has been particularly challenging for parents with young children.
For many patients whose symptoms were overlooked during their early years, diagnosis can be both lifechanging, and bittersweet. In a 2020 study, researchers compared 444 adults with diagnosed ADHD with 1,055 adults who exhibited symptoms but had no formal diagnosis. After matching for age and gender, those with a diagnosis reported a higher quality of life, which included metrics for work productivity, self-esteem, and functional performance.
Canu said being diagnosed helps people understand themselves better, which includes gaining perspective on the reasons for some of their struggles. “That can change the way they feel about themselves, which can cascade into a lot of positive things,” Canu said.
Treatments include behavioural strategies for managing their symptoms, for which working with an expert, such as a psychologist who is experienced in treating patients with ADHD, can be invaluable. This includes cognitive behavioural therapy for ADHD, which focuses on managing executive functioning difficulties such as time management, organizational skills, impulse control, and
emotional self-regulation. When necessary, medication can also help manage symptoms. For psychologists who do not have prescribing privileges, this can mean working in concert with integrated care teams, primary care providers, or psychiatrists. For many patients, their most effective treatment regimen is a combination of behavioural strategies and medication. “With that in place, if it’s effective, they’re able to function better”.
In a 2014 study, 250 previously nonmedicated adults who received the ADHD medication methylphenidate for the first time were followed for a full year, with those patients who either couldn’t tolerate or didn’t experience relief in symptoms switched to either an alternate stimulant medication or the non-stimulant medication atomoxetine. Compared with their peers who discontinued medication, those who were still on medication had reduced the severity of symptoms. “Medication slows me down enough to breathe and to think,” Green said.
Receiving a diagnosis as an adult can often bring up some complicated emotions, whether it’s grief over lost opportunities, relief at finally understanding certain struggles, or anger over symptoms having been overlooked for so long. For Matlen, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief. There was a concrete explanation.
For others, receiving a diagnosis later in life can lead to regrets about lost opportunities, whether it was failing out of school, struggling to establish a career, or experiencing relationship issues because of their ADHD symptoms going overlooked and untreated. “There is a lot of grief work that needs to be done to help work through the many years of struggling and not knowing why,” Matlen said. However, in her experience, “Once all those parts and pieces are looked at with this new understanding, people really take off, in a good way.”. Often, therapy is an important component of thriving after a diagnosis.
For Matlen, in addition to gaining a better understanding of why she was struggling so much, receiving a diagnosis and treatment changed her entire life. It ended up being the missing piece that helped ease her anxiety. Once she had a diagnosis and started treatment, her anxiety issues started improving in a way that years of therapy and antianxiety medication had never been able to accomplish.
Given how life-changing her diagnosis was, combined with the lack of information and resources available, especially for women, Matlen ultimately made a career switch, combining her own experience of growing up with undiagnosed ADHD with her background as a clinical social worker. She went on to write the books The Queen of Distraction and Survival Tips for Women With AD/HD. She also founded a Facebook group for women with ADHD, which now has over 36,000 members, and she often consults with specialists on the realities of living with ADHD. Now, almost 30 years after her initial diagnosis, Matlen still hasn’t seen nearly as much progress in the field as she had hoped, especially for girls and women. “I see the same stories even now,” she said.
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Care in your home, just as you like it.
You love your home and you feel safe there. Needing additional care and support shouldn’t change that.
With our well-trusted care service, you can remain at home surrounded by loved ones and beloved pets and still enjoy your home, garden and community.
You may be in a situation where you need an extra pair of hands to help with daily chores, or you may have complex needs that require more dedicated care. We build our care packages around you and your individual needs which means that you and your family can rest assured you’ll receive care and support exactly as you need.
With such a personal service, you’ll want to engage with people you can trust, who are highly trained, who listen, understand and show compassion. Our team deliver all of this and more.
UNDERSTANDING OUR OWN HOMEOSTASIS AND HOW THIS AFFECTS OUR MENTAL HEALTH.
I have written about the routes to wellness and the dimensions of wellbeing in previous issues of this publication, When we have a better understanding of how the human body actually works on both psychological and physiological terms, and we understand that physical health and mental health go hand in hand, we find balance & capacity in our lives, the biological name for this is Homeostasis.
Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions. It ensures that variables such as temperature, pH levels, blood pressure, and glucose concentration remain within a narrow, optimal range, allowing the body to function effectively.
Homeostasis plays a critical role in maintaining mental health by regulating the body’s internal environment, which directly influences brain function and emotional well-being. Several aspects of homeostasis contribute to mental health:
Key examples of homeostasis include:
1. Temperature regulation: The human body maintains a consistent internal temperature, usually around 98.6°F (37°C), through mechanisms like sweating when it’s hot or shivering when it’s cold.
2. Blood glucose regulation: Insulin and glucagon hormones help keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range, preventing hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
3. Osmoregulation: The body controls water and electrolyte balance to maintain proper hydration and prevent dehydration or overhydration.
Homeostasis is crucial for survival, and its disruption can lead to illness or, in extreme cases, death. It involves feedback mechanisms, particularly negative feedback, which counteracts changes that deviate from the norm.
1. Hormonal balance: Hormones such as cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine are essential for mood regulation, stress response, and overall emotional stability. Homeostatic mechanisms help maintain the right levels of these hormones. For example, prolonged stress can disrupt cortisol homeostasis, leading to anxiety, depression, and burnout.
2. Neurochemical regulation: The brain relies on a delicate balance of neurotransmitters (such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) to regulate mood, cognition, and behaviour, Homeostasis ensures these chemicals are kept in balance, which helps prevent mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
3. Sleep regulation: Homeostasis plays a key role in regulating sleep patterns through the circadian rhythm. Adequate, regular sleep is essential for mental health, as it allows the brain to rest, process emotions, and consolidate memories. Sleep deprivation or disturbances can lead to irritability, poor concentration, anxiety, and increased risk of psychiatric disorders.
4. Stress response and recovery: The body’s stressresponse system (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) relies on homeostasis to regulate the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Chronic disruption of this balance can lead to issues like chronic stress, anxiety disorders, and depression, as the body is unable to return to a calm, baseline state.
5. Glucose and energy balance: The brain is highly sensitive to changes in blood glucose levels. Homeostasis helps regulate glucose, ensuring the brain has a consistent energy supply. Fluctuations in blood sugar can affect mood, concentration, and emotional stability, contributing to mood swings and irritability.
In summary, homeostasis helps maintain the physiological conditions necessary for optimal brain function. When these regulatory systems are disrupted, it can increase the risk of developing mental health disorders.
For more information about the routes to wellness and the dimensions of wellbeing please visit our website at www.kaizen-mindset.co.uk
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THE HUMBLE PUMPKIN
Pumpkins belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and are native to North America. They are believed to have been cultivated for over 5,000 years and were an essential part of the diet of Native Americans. Not only are pumpkins nutritious, packed with vitamins A and C, but they also have a rich, sweet flavor that enhances both savory and sweet dishes.
Pumpkins are often associated with fall and harvest festivals, particularly Halloween and Thanksgiving in the United States. The tradition of carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns dates back to Irish folklore, originally using turnips before pumpkins became popular due to their size and availability in America. Today, pumpkins are celebrated not just for their flavor but also for their versatility in cooking and baking, making them a staple in seasonal recipes around the world.
Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 medium pumpkin (about 2-3 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup coconut milk (optional for creaminess)
- Fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cut the pumpkin in half, remove the seeds and stringy insides, and peel if desired (you can also roast it with the skin on and scoop out the flesh later).
2. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the pumpkin into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread on a baking sheet. Roast for about 25-30 minutes or until tender.
3. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add the roasted pumpkin, broth, cumin, and ginger to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
5. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. You can also transfer it to a blender in batches. If you want a creamier texture, stir in coconut milk.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs.
LIVERPOOL SPORTSWOMEN’S LUNCH SMASH FUNDRAISING RECORD FOR WIRRAL’S YOUTH ZONE
The annual Liverpool Sportswoman’s Lunch has raised a monumental amount of £38,000 for Wirral’s youth zone, The Hive at their landmark fundraising event at Anfield Stadium this month. The prestigious event notched up its biggest ever sum after an inspiring speech from 15 year old Charlotte Pollard who took to the stage to talk about her journey and what youth work has done for her.
The annual lunch brings together leading businesses from across the city region to raise funds for a nominated cause and has built in notoriety since its launch in 2017. Before this year’s event, it had raised more than £75,000 for charities in the area but the 2024 total smashes the event’s fundraising into six figures, with this year’s funds going to support The Hive’s life-changing youth work in one of the most deprived areas of the country.
Liverpool FC Women’s ambassador and all-time top goal-scorer, England international and broadcast pundit, Natasha Dowie, was the lunch’s keynote speaker and spent time with Charlotte at The Hive before the event. She said: “The event at Anfield was a pleasure to be involved in. I’m so happy we raised a record amount which will go towards an amazing cause. I am looking forward to working with The Hive in the future to help positively impact young peoples lives’.
LSWL organiser, Clare Brookfield, said: We are blown away by the amount we have raised this year. Last year’s amount was so huge the worry was we couldn’t beat this and here we are with another record. Thank you to all the committee, our incredible sponsors and all our guests who helped us reach this amazing figure. We know what impact this money will have and this is the reason we continue to support local charities with our event.
The Hive’s CEO, Jayne Wilson, said: “Frankly, it's hard to find the words to describe our reaction to such an incredible donation – the phone call telling us the final tally involved a lot of screaming! It takes £1.4m to run our building and deliver our expert youth work every year, and most of that sum has to be fundraised: The Hive’s work cannot happen without the generosity of so many people, businesses and funders, and Liverpool Sportswoman’s Lunch is a huge part of that this year. Thank you so much to the committee, to Natasha, to the sponsors and to all of the attendees for digging so deep to raise this sum – and most of all, thanks to Charlotte for getting up on stage and speaking to an audience about what we do. Every penny will go towards helping make sure young people on the Wirral have somewhere safe to go, something positive to do and someone trusted to talk to, which young people tell us they need more than ever before.”
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Emotional Freedom Begins Here..
I can't thank the creator of Mind21 enough for this empowering course!
Mind21 is about personal growth whatever that looks like for you. Whether you ’ re aware of a mind that never stops; struggling to keep your emotions in check, or just feel stuck in a rut, Mind21 offers a supportive learning pathway. This digital course has 21 modules that take 30 minutes each day. The best way to accomplish shift is to learn through knowledge & experience because experiential knowledge tackles our patterns at a neurological level. That’s why each day has a minimum of 20 minutes mindfulness practice, fully guided so you just trust the process.
For many, just learning to take time out is a massive step forward because it encourages them to break the pattern of constant doing & thinking. There’s over 40 years of research scientifically proving the benefits of mindfulness and Mind21 embraces the best of the best. It includes themes and practices from the mindfulness based stress reduction course and the Google leadership course “Search Inside Yourself” .
“As a working mum , Mind21 was a great excuse to escape for 1/2 hour to learn about meditation It turned out to be so much more with some great education particularly around how the brain manages stress I now recognise the triggers of my stressed mind and know how to manage them It's opened my eyes to the power of being present and to recognise the effects my mind has over my body As a self-diagnosed control freak , thi h ll wed me to put ME back in ions ” and Product Lead
e Perrigo is the founder of eathe Solutions, The Emotional tle and Wirral Mindfulness @theemotionalhustle w justbreathesolutions co uk
The course starts with a gentle introduction to practice and you’ll just enjoy taking time out. However this gentle bodyscan is deliberately crafted to help the mind to steady it’s attention and rest. The educational content is weaved throughout the days with short 2 - 10 minute presentations. They explain how stress & emotional turmoil works so you recognise it sooner and feel empowered to take charge. As the training progresses you increase your capacity to notice automatic reactions and to intercept them - a truly powerful skill to acquire.
Benefits of Mind21
Interrupt the cycle of the overworked mind
We believe thoughts are solving problems, but they’re often stuck in a worry loop stopping us from switching off They stoke up our nervous system
The first week begins training the mind to settle & focus, breaking the pattern of continuous thinking
Emotions on high alert leave us angry or tearful
This can be a sign that the stress hormones are not subsiding and we can begin to worry about holding everything together Left unchecked the mind detects this state and goes into defense, ramping everything up Mind21 provides simple techniques to bring early awareness to this process and to reset the nervous system There’s also a 3 minute reset tool, easily accessible when things start to get tough
Noticing our true state
Mind21 techniques train us to become more familiar with rising sensations in the body because the body provides true feedback on how we are experiencing a situation, even if it’s not rational The mind often tells us how we SHOULD be experiencing a situation
Attachment to thoughts & emotions
Thoughts are part of who we are, but do not define us We think they provide the ultimate truth but WE ARE MORE THAN OUR THOUGHTS Mind21 challenges unhelpful beliefs that keep us trapped in destructive patterns Ready to find out more? Visit our website below Mind21 is available with instant access or one to one support www.justbreathesolutions.co.uk/mind21
Grief - Finding Your Path & Your Pace
They say that grief is a process but I’ve never found this analogy useful It suggests we move seamlessly from one phase to another eventually feeling alright and returning to normal It can diminish an experience that leaves us feeling completely debilitated sometimes even questioning the point of carrying on with life This is the severe depression I found myself drowning in at the age of 24, when Mum, just 42 years old, passed away with a brain haemorrhage My mind raced continually with questions - why did you leave me?; What did I do wrong? I felt like a lone baby bear trapped on a mountain top, surrounded by wilderness What finally got me moving forward was drugs, a specialised bereavement counsellor and Mariah Carey My Mum loved the messages in music and when Mariah Carey released “Hero”, and I heard the lyrics “strength to carry on ” , it brought me a strange kind of comfort I felt it was a direct message from Mum
Whilst my life returned to functional again, it was 20 years before I felt the anger shift I remember the day I felt it lift It was like letting go of a massive weight and on reflection, I realised I’d been struggling with acceptance. It’s a word that highlights the importance of language because somewhere in my interpretation of acceptance is the word o.k. Yet even 32 years on, I will never accept that it was o.k that this happened. What I am able to recognise instead is acknowledgement because it is through acknowledgement the all consuming power of denial and resistance begins to lose its grip
Grief consumes us with an emotional pain that our mind contributes to and when we attempt to apply logic to it we ’ re at risk of diminishing that pain
e Perrigo is the founder of eathe Solutions, The Emotional stle and Wirral Mindfulness @theemotionalhustle w justbreathesolutions co uk
Do we grieve more for a life long partner than a child? Is it harder to live with the pain of missing someone who has been a part of our lives for over 60 years, taking comfort from a life well lived Do we have that capacity when we are consumed by grief? When someone ’ s life is cut drastically short we grieve for our loss but also grieve for the opportunities that will never be experienced We grieve for the life we knew and the life they will never know When someone dies after a long illness we may grieve more than once We grieve as we see them fading and once again when they finally pass This form of grief might even be accompanied by exhaustion because when we ’ re caring for someone we love, we often deny their suffering so that we can find the strength to push through and support them
So, offering advice to someone grieving is natural but can be complex Support may look like acknowledging the pain of their experience, whatever that looks like for them This is why I wonder if describing grief as a process can diminish our experience
It reminds us that it’s normal and everyone goes through it and in these words I get a sense of nudging and shoving us back to the path of normality
Yet for us that path of normality has gone forever and clinging to this idea that it will return, keeps us stuck in a form of emotional purgatory Only when we ’ re ready can we gradually begin to carve a new path It’s not for others to direct us along this path because grief is an individual journey and even two siblings in the same family, losing a parent, will experience it differently Little by little we move towards a different way of being We learn to live alongside this pain until its ache fades into something that doesn’t consume our every moment
We cannot hurry or cajole it, we must sense into what feels right for us, finding our own path at our own pace
