Most Replayed Moment: Is Modern Parenting Causing ADHD? Your Decisions Shape Your Child’s Mind!

In this podcast episode, Steven Bartlett interviews Erica Komisar about the rise in ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions. Komisar argues that ADHD is often a stress response rather than a disorder, linking it to early childhood experiences and the activation of the amygdala. She suggests that modern parenting practices, such as separating mothers and babies early, sleep training, and daycare, can contribute to this stress. Komisar also addresses the genetic component, explaining the sensitivity gene and how nurturing can mitigate its expression. She advises parents to seek therapy and address psychosocial stressors rather than immediately medicating their children, emphasizing the importance of empathy and emotional regulation in parenting. The discussion also covers the pressures of modern life, the consequences of stimulant medication, and the importance of recognizing and addressing losses to manage anxiety and depression.