Interesting study in children associating ADHD, social competence, and higher rates of depressive symptoms.

Prior research with both community and clinical samples has documented that rates of depression are significantly higher in children with ADHD than in other children. This is concerning because children with ADHD and depression, in addition to experiencing greater distress in the present are likely to have greater difficulty over the course of their development. (more…)

John Stein, professor of physiology at Oxford, describes the role of omega 3 fatty acids in ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. Omega 3’s are an essential fatty acid. “Essential” means essential in our diet, because our bodies need these but can not produce them. Humans are dependent on diet as the sole source of this vital nutrient, and in most cases our diets are significantly lacking. Children and adults with ADHD may benefit from dietary supplementation with omega 3’s to improve symptoms and reduce the amount of stimulant medication they are taking.

http://theolivepress.es/content/view/360/59/

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the second approvable letter for Vyvanse, Shire’s new ADHD medication currently under review for release in 2007. It is has not yet been determined by the FDA if Vyvanse will be classified as a schedule II controlled substance.

http://www.newratings.com/analyst_news/article_1447863.html

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/ZNYT04/612220862/1006/SPORT

This Herald Tribune article is a wonderful summary on the benefits of combining parenting and therapy techniques with medication management for successful treatment of AD/HD. The Popczynskis share their experience in the science behind nondrug treatments as well as traditional medication approaches. There does not need to be an argument over which is better, medication or psychotherapy. Both have their appropriate place in treating ADHD. The best outcomes can be reached using an open mind to develop an individualized plan based on your family’s specific needs. And remember to be patient. Using behavioral modification techniques takes time, but has life long rewards.

http://www.planostar.com/articles/2006/12/13/plano_star-courier/news/000002news.txt

In the above interview, a family shares their experience with ADD and treatment at our Dallas ADD Health and Wellness center location. Our goal is to bring comprehensive integrated evaluation and treatment services to families struggling to understand and manage AD/HD. It’s not just about the medication. Families need support, behavioral management strategies, education about working with the schools, nutrition, and tools for success. Families need objective meausures to assess and track symptoms of AD/HD rather than just filling our a short check list. Most importantly, families need their caregivers working together all under one roof to address their specific problems. Our experts in psychology, neuropsychology, medication, nutrition, and coaching are here to meet those needs. For those visiting from out of town, we offer travel packages to combine immediate assessment and treatment recommendations in our Dallas and Boston locations. Additional ADD Health and Wellness locations will be opening in Austin and Houston Texas in the spring of 2007. Please let us know about your own communities’ needs as we plan our national expansion and follow us on the website.

The myth is that we are overdiagnosing ADHD. It is true that without a proper evaluation, some children are mislabled as having ADHD who may have other reasons for their difficulty focusing. More commonly though we are underdiagnosing ADHD, particularly for those that have the inattentive, daydreamer type symptoms rather than hyperactive. 7.8% or 4.4 million children in the U.S. have ADHD. Correctly identifying ADHD is critical for their school success. See the attached ABC news video link regarding identifying symtpoms of ADHD. http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=4855551

Pilot studies have indicated that omega-3 fatty acids can positively impact cognition and behavior. Australia’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute is now launching a larger study to examine the benefits of omega-3’s in greater detail. 250 children with and without ADHD will be enrolled in the trial to compare learning, attention, memory, reaction time, and behavior in children taking omega-3 supplements versus those taking a placebo pill. It is wonderful to see the academic community’s interest expanding to research non-traditional approaches to care.

http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/6063/New_study_into_effects_of_omega_3_against_ADHD.html

Stimulant medications can be an effective treatment for ADHD. However, a growing problem that we face is the inappropriate use of such medications among those who do not need them. Below is a recent article in NewsTimes regarding the abuse of medications for academic performance. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health Rates by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2005 found that 6.3% of 18 - 25 year olds took prescription-type drugs for nonmedical uses. The primary motive for illicit use on the college campus is for academic performance, not for getting high. As clinicians and parents, the data reminds us to follow up closely to insure safety and appropriate use of such controlled substances. It is the shorter acting tablet form of the stimulants, ritalin and adderall, that are most likely to be abused rather than the long acting formulations such as the extended release capsules.

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This is great news. When I was researching meditation and symptoms of ADHD from a neuropsychological perspective people weren’t as open to hearing the results or nearly as excited as I was. How wonderful that the popular press is catching on… yes, meditation does help with symptoms of ADHD!

NBC4’s Dr. Bruce Hensel reported that for people with Attention Deficit Disorder feelings of being frazzled or stressed out are multiplied. Now there’s an ancient method being studied that seems to be helping people with ADHD, and also those who are just stressed to focus and relax. (more…)