August 10, 2010
ADHD, Research: Other Research
Question from Oslo, Norway:
I searched Google for “type 1 diabetes and ADD” and I found this page where someone else had asked the same question. I searched because I’m 80% positive I have ADD. But, then again, I guess a lot of people say that, just like many say they have Asperger’s Syndrome. I’m soon going to find out if I have this. My father, also a type 1 diabetic, has always had problems completing stuff, but he’s not very well regulated. I know there’s a lot of maybes here. When I read about the symptoms of ADD, it fits perfectly with me. I’m a nurse now and there are a lot of things to remember and serious work where mistakes can have scary results. My memory is rubbish and I really have never been able to trust it. It’s totally random and the moment I try to read something, I fall asleep even if I love what I’m reading. I can’t stand reading because it tires me, but, at the same time, I still love reading. It’s frustrating. My girlfriend used to spray me with water while we studied when I fell asleep. What I’m trying to say is that I fear there might be a link. So, I’d like to know if anyone has been doing any research into a link between ADD and type 1. The fact that somebody else feels strongly about this makes me feel stronger about it. I didn’t expect to find anyone thinking about the same link.
Answer:
I do not know who is doing research on this area. I would say that there are several cross-over symptoms related to ADD and type 1 diabetes, with ability to concentrate being one. I think that you have to approach the problem by trying to control the blood sugars the best you can. Similarly, it will be important to eliminate wide swings in blood sugar control and after meals. After addressing the blood sugar control, you will probably have to work with someone who is very familiar with ADD and treat it the best you can. What I think you will find, although I do not know for sure, is that ADD can be diagnosed in the presence of type 1 diabetes. However, the symptoms will probably be made worse in the presence of poorly controlled blood sugars. We know there are subtle changes in the brain that occur over the lifetime of patients with type 1 diabetes. Whether this relates closely to ADD is not known to me.
JTL
