This week, we're shining the spotlight on ADHD.

Have you ever wondered why your child can't sit still? ADHD might be the reason! In this episode, I demystify this complex condition. I'll be defining ADHD, discussing how it differs from standard behaviour, and examining the three primary symptoms: hyperactivity, difficulty maintaining attention, and impulsivity.

I'll explore the path of treatment options for ADHD, spanning from lifestyle alterations and school accommodations to medication.

Together, we'll unravel the complex genetic and environmental factors potentially triggering the condition and delve into the challenges and intricacies of diagnosing ADHD.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

As a child psychiatrist, I've seen my fair share of worries and fears, but when my children began to show signs of anxiety, it hit home in an unexpected way.

In this episode, I uncover the often-missed signals of anxiety in children under five and share how these young minds might express their concerns. Together, we'll explore the tightrope between genetics and upbringing in shaping a child's emotional wellbeing and share stories highlighting the surprising ways our fears can be passed down. Understanding the interplay between a child's innate temperament and surroundings can unlock ways to support their growth better.

Do you have a question or need advice? Connect with Dr. Taghrid.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

Have you ever found yourself puzzled by the energy and unpredictability of a child under five?

In this episode, I navigate the complicated landscape of ADHD in children under five. Through a blend of personal insight and professional expertise, I share the delicate process of distinguishing between normal childhood behaviours and the signs that may point to ADHD.

It's a path filled with caution, consideration, and the acknowledgement that each child's story is unique.

Do you have a question or need advice? Connect with Dr. Taghrid.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

Have you ever found yourself at a loss when your little one's emotions run high or noticed behaviours that make you wonder if they're just quirky or if there's something more?

In this episode, I journey through the terrain of early childhood development, with a particular lens on autism in children under five. I unearth the complexities of young minds, uncovering what autism might look like in our smallest humans and why understanding behaviour is so critical. This is a conversation about the silent language of tantrums, the hidden messages in play, and the profound influence of nurturing spaces in shaping our children.

I also bring my perspective as a child psychiatrist to highlight the importance of individual assessments, the risks of hasty labelling, and the promise of early intervention minus the stigma.

Do you have a question or need advice? Connect with Dr. Taghrid.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

Has your child ever experienced sudden urges to sneeze or blink and found resisting nearly impossible? In this episode, I explore the world of tics in children, drawing parallels between these irresistible urges and the premonitory sensations that children with tics experience.

I break down the involuntary nature of tics and their classification into four categories: simple, complex, motor, and vocal. I also discuss the critical nuances of tic suppression and the need for 'purge' periods.

Together, we inspect the intricate dance of diagnosing and treating these conditions, emphasising the importance of addressing co-occurring disorders like ADHD, which might hold the key to mitigating tic symptoms.

Do you have a question or need advice? Connect with Dr. Taghrid.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

Have you ever felt the weight of your child's gaze on you as they absorb your words and the energy behind them? 

In this episode, I explore the profound impact parental mental health has on our little ones. From the silent lessons we teach them in the womb to the emotional dance of a public tantrum, revealing that our emotional states are the building blocks for our children's emotional intelligence.

Dealing with a child's meltdown can feel like navigating a minefield, but what if the key to disarming the chaos lay in your response? I discuss the transformative power of emotional contagion, uncovering how your calm can become their calm, your resilience their guide. With generational trauma casting long shadows, I also examine the emotional legacies we inherit and how breaking free from them begins with recognising the sadness, happiness, and fear that shape our reactions.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

Do you ever find yourself unable to fall asleep, tossing and turning all night long? If so, you're not alone. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Hussam Marey, a somnologist who has a deep understanding of the mysteries of sleep. Together, we explore why sleep can be so difficult to achieve, particularly for those who are neurodiverse.

We delve into the specific sleep problems faced by individuals with ASD, ADHD, and learning difficulties, discussing how issues like difficulty settling down and inverted sleep rhythms can have a profound impact on daily life. We also cover a range of interventions, from behavioural strategies to medication, while examining the vital link between a good night's sleep and optimal daytime function.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

Have you ever found yourself lost in the sea of ADHD treatment options, wondering which path is best to take? In this episode, I guide you through the often misunderstood world of ADHD medications and behavioural strategies.

Together, we'll embark on a journey that reveals the truths behind stimulant medications and non-stimulant options, which have shown surprising success in ADHD management. I also will share how the power of lifestyle and behavioural interventions, often overshadowed by their medicinal counterparts, can be beneficial.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

Let's tackle the complex and sensitive topic of trauma in children and teens. In this episode, I'll give you an insightful understanding of how ordinary parental arguments can become severe threats to little minds. Together, we'll explore the grey areas between everyday family life and traumatic incidents, reminding you to be conscious of your emotional wellness while discussing these matters.

We'll also look at the profound effects of PTSD and its cousin, complex PTSD. I'll help you understand how the amygdala, fear responses and memory interact in the aftermath of traumatic experiences. As we dig into these intricate matters, we also reveal how trauma can shape self-perception and development, potentially leading to feelings of guilt and shame.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.

Drawing from her personal experience of living with an acquired brain injury, Zoe Roscoe, a resilient cognitive and behavioural psychotherapist, uncovers the deep-seated societal stigmas and struggles that disabled individuals face. For years, Zoe has grappled with proving her disability to society and has experienced firsthand the significant impact this has on mental health. We delve into the world of disabilities and discuss the often misunderstood complexities surrounding accessibility, bringing to the forefront how these issues shape the everyday lives of individuals with both physical and cognitive disabilities.

Navigating disability and relationships is a challenge that Zoe has faced, and she courageously shares her journey with us. We peel back the layers on the struggles of finding a community of young disabled individuals, expressing vulnerability in explaining disability, and the heartache of being dismissed. Zoe provides a raw look into the impact that dependency on family and friends for care has had on her relationships and reflects on the decade since her diagnosis.

Zoe shares the role responsibility plays in supporting neurodiverse individuals and their families. The fear and intimidation that many face when seeking help is a topic that needs urgent attention, and Zoe provides invaluable insights into this matter. She emphasises the importance of promoting acceptance and open communication and reminds us of our obligation to make reasonable adjustments for neurodiverse individuals.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.