Dr. Melissa Shepard

People with ADHD are more likely to have trouble with sensory processing in general, but auditory processing issues are especially common. People with auditory processing issues don’t have any problem with their ability to hear. But things start to break down once the sound goes from ear to brain. That means that even though we may physically hear what someone says, it may take us a while to actually process and understand it. Studies have shown that people with ADHD are more likely to have trouble distinguishing between sounds and filtering out irrelevant sounds so they can focus on the important ones (for example, ignoring background noise in a restaurant so they can focus on a conversation). Interestingly, studies have suggested that treatment with stimulant medications may restore auditory processing abilities in some people with ADHD. If you have trouble with this stuff, you may be able to request that your school or workplace provide written instructions in addition to verbal. Most schools and workplaces are able to accommodate this and it can be really helpful! Note: we do not diagnose ADHD based on auditory processing issues alone. ADHD is not the only cause of auditory processing issues and not everyone with ADHD will have auditory processing issues. #adhd #adhdawareness #adhdmemes

This is a very unhelpful response some parents have to seeing their kids struggle with their mental health. If your kid opens up to you about their mental health struggles, try not to make it about you. Avoid using guilt in an attempt to motivate or manipulate your child into feeling better or acting differently. It won’t work and will likely just make them feel even more guilty and alone. Remember, you can be the world’s best parent and your kid may still struggle with their mental health. But we all make mistakes and what is important is owning up to it and working on changing what you need to change. And if you do feel guilt about your child’s struggles, talk with another adult (especially a mental health professional) about those feelings. If your child is already dealing with difficult feelings, the last thing you want to do is force them to manage your emotions as well. #depressionhelp #mentalhealthmatters Posting some of the ones that have gone viral over the past 5 years in honor of #MentalHealthAwareness month!

#audhd #adhd #autismacceptance #audhdwomen #adhdinwomen #adhdtiktok

I know a lot of you guys swear by the coconut mall song on repeat but it makes me too anxious #adhdtiktok #adhd

Go big or go home #adhd #adhdtiktok #Meme #MemeCut

#depression #depressionanxiety #MentalHealthAwareness

I did so many things that I realize in retrospect were just ways of entertaining myself when bored or ways of calming myself down when I was overstimulated 😭 like skin picking in public it’s so gross but I felt like I couldn’t help it and that’s why I didn’t have very many friends #adhd #audhd #autism

I feel like too often we treat these medications as a “last resort” and that causes a lot of needless suffering. Sometimes it’s not possible to do everything perfectly. And sometimes even if you do everything perfectly, you still need more help. And that’s okay. In my view, you’re not worth any less because you need the help of a medication. #m#mentalhealthmattersd#depressedtiktoka#anxietyrelief

I left an abusive relationship almost three years ago. And I think part of me expected that one day I’d wake up and be strong and confident. Or maybe, at the very least, more like the person I was before. And maybe it’s better. But there are still so many times where I find myself falling back into old patterns. I still struggle to set boundaries. I struggle to put my needs first. I still struggle with my confidence. I’m still so sensitive and scared of upsetting other people that I let myself be taken advantage of over and over. And I’m still so full of shame about all of the above. I know healing isn’t linear. But dammit, wouldn’t it would be nice if it was a little more obvious sometimes? #healing #MentalHealthAwareness #traumahealing