Managing Behaviours Around ADHD with Peter Thorburn

Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that’s responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. ADHD is caused by dopamine deficiencies in the brain, which can be treated in a multitude of different ways with medication or meditation amongst others. Managing behaviours around Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is important because it helps us look at certain behavioural patterns through a different lens to better understand how and why people operate the way they do. Sometimes what has been characterized as “bad” or “negative” behaviours, are really a side-effect of living with ADHD.

On the 26th of January, Peter Thorburn came through and shared how we can better manage behaviours around ADHD through what he has learnt over the years not only as a counsellor/mental health practitioner, but as someone living with ADHD. We had 24 people attend, a mix of professionals and community members that have diagnosed with or have family that have ADHD, all ready to learn how we can better serve our whanau living with superpowers. We were shown the tell-tale signs someone could have ADHD, but also ADHD vs. ADD, different ways to treat ADHD, and even how the Ministry of Health can do better to help those with ADHD. Peter presented with a blend of data and anecdotes from his lived experiences with ADHD and held a very in-depth Q+A session afterwards with those in attendance.

Understanding how we can manage behaviours around ADHD means we can better serve our community, and to serve with empathy and understanding of different situations. This is how we establish healthy relationships in Tamaki, by enabling community members with knowledge which will cause a ripple effect that will hopefully result in family violence rates going down. The HEART Movement and Peter Thorburn (MESS: Meth Education Solution Services) will continue to provide free learning space for our Tamaki community.