This week's ADHD Solution is: Yoga.

Some people with ADHD are leery of yoga. They think it requires the ability to concentrate and stay in the same position for extended periods of time, two skills that seem totally out of reach.  But actually, yoga is really good for ADHDers. Numerous studies have indicated that practicing yoga increases attention while producing a significant drop in hyperactivity and tension.  Sweet!

There are many different styles of yoga.  Yes, some are sedate and involve holding poses for a really long time.  But others will get your heart beating and make you sweat. My personal favorite is vinyasa. That’s yoga-speak for “flow”. It’s an active form of yoga that flows from one pose to the next.

One of the instructors at a studio here in Camp Hill shared with me that she used to have a lot of difficulty with racing thoughts, impulsivity, distraction, and even the occasional brain overload. That’s part of the reason she got into yoga two decades ago. “The breathwork really centers me,” she said. 

Yes, it’s all about the breathwork. Learning to slowly and steadily breathe your way into a relaxed state during times of anxiety may be one of the greatest benefits of yoga for people with ADHD. Deep, focused breaths bring more oxygen to the brain, leading to improved concentration and increased alertness. And it calms you down.  This is one of my favorite strategies for dealing with ADHD brain overload. Whenever I start to recognize the signs of overwhelm, I stop and focus on my breathing for a while.  I learned that technique from practicing yoga. 

If yoga is something you’d like to try, I highly recommend taking a class. A book or video can’t point out what you’re doing wrong, or help you integrate breathing into the poses. Contact a few nearby studios and find out what they offer. As I mentioned before, there are many different styles of yoga, and you want to make sure you find the right one for you.

Practicing yoga builds a connection between the body and the mind. It leads to a greater sense of awareness and self control. It helps you focus. And, it gives you a way to instantly reduce your stress level. All of which are perfect for those of us with ADHD.

www.adhdsolutions.net

Behandlung auch ohne Medikamente

Bei unruhigen Kindern, die den Unterricht in der Schule stören, wird heutzutage schnell der Verdacht auf die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit- und Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) geäußert. Insgesamt gelten drei bis fünf Prozent der Kinder im Schulalter aufgrund von ADHS als behandlungsbedürftig. Das sei allerdings nicht gleichzusetzen mit medikationsbedürftig, so die Kinderpsychiaterin Brigitte Hackenberg vom AKH Wien.

Laut Zahlen des Hauptverbandes der Sozialversicherungsträger haben Arzneimittel gegen ADHS Konjunktur: 2010 wurden die Kosten von 87.018 Rezepten für Mittel wie Ritalin und Strattera übernommen. Im Jahr 2006 waren es noch 48.712 Verordnungen gewesen. Damit ist die Zahl der Rezepte in den vergangenen fünf Jahren um 89 Prozent gestiegen. Jede zweite Verordnung erfolgt für Kinder unter 14 Jahre. Die Apothekerkammer bestätigte gegenüber ORF.at diesen Trend: Im Vergleich zu 2006 wurden 2010 um 75 Prozent mehr Packungen von Mitteln wie Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet und Strattera in den Apotheken abgegeben.

Erhöhtes Bewusstsein für ADHS

Der Anstieg der Verordnungen von ADHS-Medikamenten bedeutet für Hackenberg von der Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde am AKH Wien nicht, dass die Zahl der ADHS-Fälle zunimmt. Vielmehr sei das Bewusstsein für die Störung gestiegen, und daher werde sie häufiger erkannt. Bei Überweisungen durch andere Ärzte zeigt sich allerdings auch, dass ADHS in den vergangenen Jahren zu einer Modediagnose wurde. „Zehn bis zwanzig Prozent der Kinder haben Lernschwierigkeiten, das bedeutet nicht, dass sie eine Störung haben“, so Hackenberg gegenüber ORF.at.

Fehldiagnosen durch Spezialisten vermeiden

Verhaltensweisen, die für ADHS typisch sind, können auch andere Ursachen haben, zum Beispiel Depressionen, psychoreaktive Verhaltensstörungen und Ängste. Um eine Fehldiagnose zu vermeiden, rät Hackenberg bei Verdacht auf ADHS, nur zu Ärzten oder Psychologen zu gehen, die sich auf die Störung spezialisiert haben.

Für jedes Kind mit einer ADHS-Diagnose sollte ein individueller Behandlungsplan erstellt werden. Nicht alle Betroffenen brauchen Medikamente, betont die Kinder- und Jugendpsychiaterin. „Für manche reicht es, dass sie in der Schule in der erste Reihe sitzen und ein Konzentrationstraining besuchen“, so Hackenberg. In Verhaltens- oder Ergotherapien lernen Kinder, die Konzentration automatisch zu steuern. Teil des Behandlungskonzepts sollte auch die Beratung der Eltern und Betreuungspersonen sein, empfiehlt Hackenberg.

Trend zum Medikament

Im Vergleich zu einer Verhaltenstherapie bieten Mittel wie Ritalin und Concerta schneller Hilfe. Und der Druck, eine rasche Lösung zu finden, sei groß, sagt Erziehungsberaterin Martina Leibovici-Mühlberger. Immer wieder kommen Eltern zu ihr, die befürchten müssen, dass ihr Kind der Schule verwiesen wird, wenn sich das Verhalten im Unterricht nicht rasch verbessert.

Bildungswissenschaftler Wilfried Datler von der Universität Wien hält Medikamente gegen ADHS in bestimmten Fällen für vertretbar. Aus erziehungswissenschaftlicher Sicht ist es für Datler allerdings beunruhigend, dass sich die Öffentlichkeit mehr auf die biologischen Prozesse im Gehirn konzentriert als auf die inneren Belastungen von Kindern mit ADHS-Symptomen. Beispielsweise sei es viel einfacher, auf Krankenkassenkosten Medikamente wie Ritalin zu bekommen, als eine voll finanzierte Psychotherapie für Kinder, kritisiert Datler im ORF.at-Interview.

Verlockende Pille für mehr Leistung

Medikamente gegen ADHS wie Ritalin und Concerta steigern die Konzentrationsfähigkeit. Der Wirkstoff Methylphenidat gehört zu den amphetaminähnlichen Substanzen und unterliegt der Betäubungsmittel-Verschreibungsverordnung. Sehr häufige Nebenwirkungen von Methylphenidat sind verminderter Appetit, Schlaflosigkeit und Übelkeit.

Die Optimierung der Hirnleistung übt auch einen Reiz auf Menschen ohne ADHS-Diagnose aus. Eine Umfrage unter 1.400 Forschern durch die Fachzeitschrift „Nature“ ergab 2008, dass ein Fünftel der Befragten schon leistungssteigernde Medikamente aus keinem medizinischen Grund genommen hatten, 62 Prozent davon Ritalin. Auch auf den US-amerikanischen Schulhöfen wird Berichten zufolge mit den Psychostimulanzien gehandelt.

USA: Ritalin schon für Vierjährige

US-Kinderärzte legen jetzt nahe, auch bei Vierjährigen Ritalin einzusetzen. Im Oktober 2011 erweiterte die Amerikanische Akademie der Kinderärzte ihre Diagnoseempfehlungen für ADHS. In Zukunft gelten die Richtlinien nicht mehr nur für Kinder im Alter zwischen sechs und zwölf Jahren, sondern für Vier- bis 18-Jährige. Kinder sollen demnach früher mit Medikamenten und anderen Therapieformen behandelt werden.

Schon bisher wird ADHS in den USA häufiger festgestellt, aufgrund von breiter angelegten Diagnosekriterien als in Deutschland und Österreich. Insgesamt sollen in den USA mindestens zehn Prozent der Kinder im Schulalter von der Störung betroffen seien.

„Kinder werden an Umwelt angepasst“

Medikamente seien in bestimmten ADHS-Fällen sinnvoll, meint Hackenberg, „dennoch müssen wir uns als Ärzte bewusst sein, dass wir mit den Medikamenten die Kinder an die Umwelt anpassen anstatt die Umwelt an die Kinder“, so die Kinder- und Jugendpsychiaterin.

Hackenberg sieht größere psychosoziale Belastungen für Kinder, die ADHS-Symptome verstärken können, etwa große Schulklassen, überforderte Lehrer und berufstätige Eltern, denen es schwerfällt, den Kindern einen geregelten Tagesablauf zu bieten. „Kinder brauchen bessere Rahmenbedingungen“, so Hackenberg: durch Veränderungen im Schulsystem und mehr finanzielle Mittel für nicht medikamentöse Therapien sowie die Beratung der Eltern und Betreuungspersonen.

Claudia Zohner, ORF.at

Famous People with ADHD

Some famous people with adult ADHD are using their celebrity status to talk about their own ADHD. Find out what they have to say.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not just a childhood disorder. Studies show that ADHD may affect about 10 million people, and that 80 percent of children with ADHD symptoms grow up to have adult ADHD. Adult ADHD symptoms may include being disorganized, procrastination, forgetfulness, or having difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. For many adults, symptoms like these create lifelong difficulties, but help is available. Some celebrities with ADHD are speaking out and bringing attention to this widespread condition.

Jim Carrey

Comedian and actor Jim Carrey was always a restless child. He tells JimCarreyWorld.com that in school he would finish his assignments quickly and then start disrupting the other kids. Carrey has been open about his ADHD and uses his celebrity status to bring attention to the problem. While there is no cure for ADHD, treatments do help control the symptoms. Carrey has undergone treatment since childhood. As an adult, he has also used some of his ADHD symptoms to his advantage — becoming famous, in part, through his creativity and high energy level as a comedian.

Michael Phelps

Olympic medalist Michael Phelps is another celebrity with ADHD. His mother, Debbie Phelps, told Everyday Health that when he was 9 years old, he was diagnosed and began taking medication, which seemed to help. Phelps now channels his hyperactivity into swimming. He told Sports Illustrated that he feels like a different person in the pool. This makes sense since having a set routine to follow and being rewarded for good behavior are strategies that have been shown to help kids with ADHD.

Ty Pennington

This celebrity host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has talked about his childhood and adult ADHD with InStyle Magazine. As a child he had trouble with hyperactivity that affected his school performance all the way through high school. He was finally diagnosed with ADHD during college and says that starting medication helped change his life. Today, Pennington is a spokesperson for a company that makes adult ADHD drugs.

James Carville

This political operative-turned-celebrity TV commentator has made his own struggles with ADHD public and spoke about ADHD at the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Conference. Before getting his ADHD symptoms under control, he failed out of college. Eventually Carville went back to school and found he could channel his high energy into the fast-paced world of politics.

Pete Rose

Another celebrity who has made his adult ADHD public is baseball superstar Pete Rose. In his book My Prison Without Bars, Rose talks about his battle with ADHD and how ADHD symptoms may have contributed to his gambling problems. As a child, Rose recalls simply being considered a “troublemaker” by his teachers. We now know that making impulsive decisions without regard to consequence is a common ADHD symptom.

Solange Knowles

Singer Solange Knowles says that she was diagnosed with adult ADHD two times before she would believe it. She never thought of ADHD as a disorder until her diagnosis. Knowles told News24.com that she has so much energy that people often think she is high when she is sober. ADHD is sometimes more obvious in boys than in girls because boys tend to act out more, but females do get ADHD.

Michelle Rodriguez

Actress Michele Rodriguez gained her celebrity with her role on the hit television series Lost. She told Cosmopolitan that she has difficulty focusing when she is alone. Rodriguez is another example of a female celebrity with ADHD. Although boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, girls are increasingly being recognized as having ADHD symptoms. They may have less hyperactivity, but studies show that their ADHD often continues into adulthood.

Justin Timberlake

This Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and celebrity said in an interview with Collider.com that he has adult ADHD mixed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. Having the two disorders together has presented a challenge, but this hasn’t stopped his success. Like Timberlake, people with ADHD may also have other mental health disorders, such as OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Jamie Oliver

British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was diagnosed with ADHD in childhood. He recently said on the Celebrities With Diseases Web site that he manages his ADHD symptoms with a healthy diet. As a result, Oliver now tries to help kids with ADHD do better in school through better nutrition. A recent study in Britain found that food additives like preservatives and artificial coloring may make ADHD symptoms worse.

What Can We Learn From Celebrities With Adult ADHD?

ADHD symptoms can be tough to live with, but celebrities with ADHD also show us the huge potential for enthusiasm, creativity, and spontaneity. When properly recognized, treated, and managed, people with ADHD can go on to be very successful. Some other past “celebrities” you may have heard of who are thought to have exhibited ADHD symptoms are Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Wolfgang Mozart.

(everydayhealth.com)

Karina Smirnoff

The Ukrainian-born Dancing With the Stars pro said ADHD was not a well-known disorder in her home country -- in an interview with ET, she reported she was diagnosed just two years ago.

Will Smith

Actor, singer and one of Parenting.com's hot celeb dads said on the Celebrities with Diseases website that growing up, he was the "fun one who had trouble paying attention", and that today, he would've been diagnosed with ADHD. He also recalls having trouble reading -- these days he follows along with books on tape.

Sir Richard Branson

Virgin Founder and adventurer Sir Richard Branson has ADHD -- but that hasn't stopped him from owning a major airline, sending tourists into space, or building an underwater plane.

Branson's living proof of the statistic reported in Psychology Today that people with ADHD are 300% more likely to start their own company -- indeed, he started up his own magazine called Student when he was just 16.

Paris Hilton

The socialite/heiress/reality TV starlet said in her post-jail interview with Larry King on CNN that she takes Adderall to manage her ADHD, which she's struggled with since she was 12.

Christopher Knight

Remember Knight as middle bro Peter on The Brady Bunch? He's said on NCL.org that in watching energetic, quirky Peter, viewers were also watching Knight's public struggle with ADHD. (He also had trouble memorizing lines.)

After difficulties with reading and writing, and dropping out of college, Knight was eventually diagnosed with ADHD nine years ago. He compares getting medication for ADHD to getting glasses for poor vision.

Howie Mandel

The comedian and host of Deal or No Deal is known for his germ phobia -- but he's reported that he also deals with ADHD. In his public service announcements for Adult ADHD, Mandel recalls not being able to focus or sit still in class as a kid, but he wasn't diagnosed until he was an adult.

Terry Bradshaw

Former NFL quarterback (he won the Pittsburgh Steelers four Super Bowl titles) was diagnosed with depression after he admitted he often had anxiety attacks before games. He also reported he has ADHD, and struggled even as a child.

Bradshaw now frequently speaks out against the stigmas of mental disorders, hoping he can help others -- particularly, he said in an interview on FireChief.com, the "big old macho guys"-- get help.

Paul Orfalea, Founder of Kinko's

Paul Orfalea's dyslexia and "ADD to the max"may have caused him to flunk second grade and earn Cs and Ds in college -- but, in an interview with ADDitude magazine, he credits ADHD with helping him start the copy chain Kinko's (so-called for his own nickname, due to his curly hair). "With ADD, you're curious,"he said.

Orfalea also says his ADHD lets him think big without getting weighed down by details, saying "I can't write a letter and I can't fix a machine [...] I hire capable people to handle that."Orfalea also offers up a barb for the No Child Left Behind Act, and how it would have impacted him with his ADHD: "I would still be in third grade, because that's how bad a speller I am."

David Neeleman, Founder of JetBlue Airways

David Neeleman reported in an interview with ADDitude magazine his ADHD prevents him from being detail-oriented and completing doing day-to-day tasks, saying, "I have an easier time planning a 20-aircraft fleet than I do paying the light bill."

But Neeleman credits his success, and creation of JetBlue, with his ADHD -- saying that, with the disorder comes creativity and the ability to think outside the box.

Bruce Jenner

Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner said on CHADD's (Children and Adults with ADHD) leadership blog that he struggled in grade school with attention issues, until he won a race in fifth grade. Being the fastest kid in the class gave him his "little arena" to focus on -- and eventually, the tools to succeed in the big arena, when he took the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

(parenting.com)

Bill Cosby

Cher
Dustin Hoffman
George Burns
Henry Winkler
James Steward
Kirk Douglas
Robin Williams
Steve McQueen
Sylvester Stallone
Tom Smothers
Anne Bancroft
Whoopi Goldberg
Danny Glover
Babe Ruth
Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson
Jason Kidd
Chris Kaman
Nolan Ryan
Leonardo da Vinci
Wright Brothers
Galileo
Albert Einstein
William Wrigley

(celebritydisease.blogspot.com)

What was the last book you FINISHED?!

I liked the question and I was astonished of the answers, because I didn't know there were others who experience the same as I do, so I thought I share this here on my blog :)

ADD Crusher

A Little More About You: Struggle with books? What was the last book you read – um, actually, what was the last book you FINISHED?! Some ADDers can read like lightning, while all too many are still hoping to bang out those last three pages of Green Eggs and Ham. How about you, fellow Crushers?

Unlike · · Share · 1015 · 44 minutes ago ·

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It's kind of my fav. :-)
43 minutes ago · Like · 1
        

I don't read books very often, although I enjoy them. I just find when I do read that I must read the entire book in a few days or I become forgetful. lol
39 minutes ago · Unlike · 3

books?? lets just say i have a hefty fine at the library because I forgot to return the books - twice and never finished reading the first one!! lol
39 minutes ago · Unlike · 1

I'm a fast reader;that was one of my strengths in school;that and spelling.I also had a good feeling for understanding language structure but I hated learning grammatics.It required concentration and that I didn't have...
38 minutes ago · Unlike · 2
Last book I finished was "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen.That was last week.I can finish books because I enjoy reading.Doing things I enjoy is rarely a problem;it's doing what I not enjoy that is a struggle.
34 minutes ago · Like

Love to read! ...it just takes me a year to finish ONE book. And, I set it down, pick it up a month or two later, forget what I read, so have to re-read. Love to read...just wish it was easier to concentrate and retain.
34 minutes ago · Unlike · 3

last one was The Cat Who..Could Read Backwards..i'll read a 500pg book in a day , if I like it.
33 minutes ago · Like

A whole book? I can barely grt through the title!
31 minutes ago · Unlike · 1

The last several books I have read and finished:
        Outfitting the devil - Napoleon Hill
        How to Win Friends and Influence people - Dale Carnegie
        Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
        World on the Edge - Lester Brown

I have been attempting to find an eBook version of Seven Habits of Highly Effective people, sadly I have had no luck.

29 minutes ago · Like

I will totally over focus on a book that I think is good or gripping. And never finish the ones that aren't.
29 minutes ago · Like · 1

I forget what i read paragraph to paragraph and gotta constantly go back n reread to just forget the next one.

29 minutes ago · Unlike · 3

I can read for hours but I read really fast and have a hard time retaining what I read.
26 minutes ago · Like

I'm definitely one of the speed readers. In the last 3 days I've started and finished Anne Rice's "Tale of the Body Thief", Anthony Bourdain's "Medium Raw", and "Dalamar the Dark" (a Dragonlance novel), and I've also got "The Soulforge" (another Dragonlance book) and a Peter Beagle collection called "Sleight of Hand" in my bag (not yet sure which I'll pick up next). It's rare that I'm not reading at least 2/3 books at the same time. ♥
23 minutes ago · Like · 1

wow, I always thought it was just me who forgets what I read...
15 minutes ago · Like

Are you kidding--I barely finished reading this post! There are a gazillion books I WANT to read, but I haven't finished one in almost 2 years. My husband got me a Kindle for my birthday--I'm hoping maybe it will help. I've actually almost finished a Dickens book in the last few weeks with it, not sure what the difference is.
4 minutes ago · Unlike · 1

depends sometimes i get hella sucked into the plot (this goes for television too) and i'm hooked. it's that intitial hump. but yeah, it's gotta be like "Lost" or something epic for me to get sucked in, but once i am it's on.
39 minutes ago · Like · 1

I'm stubborn and I think that have served me some.
34 minutes ago · Like

I like reading coz tv is to slow I lose interest or patience reading I can go as fast as I want
23 minutes ago · Like

(ADD Crusher on FB)

ADHD Adults: How to Build Social Skills and Avoid Accidentally Offensive Behavior

ADHD adults sometimes commit social blunders without ever realizing it. Here's how to catch your mistakes, and learn the unspoken give-and-take that accompanies every conversation.
by Michele Novotni, Ph.D.

For the socially awkward, faux pas may seem inevitable -- your tongue gets tied, or your mouth goes into overdrive. To complicate matters, it is generally regarded as impolite to point out social errors, so it is seldom done. Thus, the unintentional offender may never know that she did anything wrong. But imagine trying to learn math if no one ever told you when you had the right or the wrong answer. How could you?

Read Body Language to Identify the Signs You've Made a Mistake

The first step is to look for clues that you may have committed a blunder. One client I worked with complained that his wife often got angry and left the room, slamming the door, without any warning. I asked Gary to look for clues that she was getting angry, to see what, if anything, led to the slamming-the-door stage. I was sure that she must have given some verbal or nonverbal indications that she was getting upset.

A week later, Gary returned, very excited. "Doc, you were right. I never noticed it before, but her eyes got squinty, her face got red. She clenched her teeth and pressed her lips together, and her voice got high-pitched. Then she left the room, slamming the door. It was great. I never actually saw her get angry before. I always thought she just slammed the door."

Thus, I had to work with Gary on changing or explaining his behavior to his wife while he still could. By the time she reached the slamming-the-door stage, she was usually no longer willing to talk or listen.

ADHD Awkward Socializing in Action

Mary's perspective

Last night I invited my friend, Lisa, to my house. When she arrived, I greeted her at the door and complimented her on her outfit. I tried to start several conversations, but Lisa didn't say much, and she left after only an hour. After Lisa was gone, I wondered what was wrong with her. Truthfully, I was a little angry about her rapid departure.

Lisa's perspective

I was pleased that my friend, Mary, invited me over for the evening, but when I got there, she said, "Hey, you don't look fat at all in that outfit!" I was mortified. My flushed face and sullen mood made it clear that she had hurt my feelings, so I wondered why Mary didn't say she was sorry. When she still hadn't apologized after an hour, I just decided to go home.

Lisa was the victim of the ADHD equivalent of the 1-2 knockout punch.
1. Mary said something hurtful, albeit unintentionally.
2. She failed to notice her friend's nonverbal language, which would have indicated that she had committed a faux pas.

If Mary's or Gary's situations sound familiar, you, too, may be throwing those involuntary 1-2 punches. Use these strategies for reading the clues and smoothing out your interpersonal relationships:

Saving Social Graces

• Be on the lookout for nonverbal clues. People may be sending you nonverbal clues to indicate their displeasure. These include body language, such as moving away from you, cutting conversations short, or crossing their arms or legs. Also note facial expressions, such as red faces, scowls, tight lips, or hurt or angry eyes. 
• Review the scene. Play back the conversation in your mind to recall whether you did or said anything provocative.  
• Solicit input from friends. Ask whether you said or did anything offensive. If you're having problems with your spouse or someone else who is close to you, request that person to articulate her anger instead of sending only nonverbal clues.  
•  Read up on social skills. Review What Does Everybody Else Know That I Don't? Social Skills Help for Adults with ADHD (Novotni, 2000) for more help in this area.  
• Seek assistance. A counselor or coach with expertise in adult AD/HD and social skills can help.

Even if, like Mary and Gary, hurting someone was not your intention, hurting may happen all too often. But, with careful observation and some persistence, you can learn to stop these 1-2 punches before they hit the unintended target.

(This article comes from the April-May 2005 Issue of ADDitude.)

Keep a Cool Head Under Pressure - 7 ADHD Stress-Reduction Techniques

No one is immune to stress, but if you have ADHD, you may be more vulnerable to it. These easy tricks can help you keep calm and carry on.

Late for an appointment? Overwhelmed at work? Take a deep breath — and keep reading.

Everyone gets stressed out once in a while, but if you have ADHD, you may feel the effects of your stress more profoundly than other people. "ADHD symptoms like frustration and impatience tend to compound stress and anxiety,” says Jeffrey Gersten, PsyD, of the Loyola University Health System and Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, Ill. “Adults with ADHD can take a simple stress-producing situation, like being stuck in traffic, and talk themselves up instead of down."

Basically, it’s harder for people with ADHD to alleviate stress — but it’s not impossible. These tips can help you keep your cool in heated situations.

Take 10 Deep Breaths

If you feel yourself getting worked up over something, try taking 10 deep, slow breaths. "Regulation of breathing is a proven way of reducing stress," says Gersten. "People with ADHD need to slow their minds down to stop the negative thinking. Otherwise, they can quickly spin out of control." To do this, breathe in slowly through your nose to a count of 10. Feel your abdomen rise as you breathe in, then release each breath slowly as you concentrate only on your breathing.

Practice Mindfulness

ADHD symptoms like inattentiveness and scattered thoughts mean that people with ADHD “are everywhere else but here,” says Gersten. “Mindfulness is the practice of learning to be present in the moment, and it’s a great way to prevent stress." According to a recent study in the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, participation in an eight-week mindfulness training program may actually trigger changes in the part of the brain that is responsible for emotional control.

One of the best ways to practice mindfulness on your own is to learn meditation. "The purpose of meditation is to center and balance the mind," Gersten says. "ADHD symptoms tend to throw the mind out of balance." A study in Mind & Brain, The Journal of Psychiatry found that students with ADHD who meditated twice a day reported a 50 percent reduction in stress and anxiety. Meditation requires only 10 to 20 minutes a day, and classes and manuals are widely available.

Exercise Every Day

Countless studies show that exercise reduces stress and anxiety. "People with ADHD can literally be vibrating with excess energy — that's why they call it a hyperactivity disorder,” says Gersten. “The most effective way to reduce hyperactivity is daily, vigorous exercise." One of the best ways to exercise is to be outdoors walking or jogging in the open air. "Open space opens the mind," he notes.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep is one of the most important ways to control ADHD symptoms. "The ADHD symptom of inattentiveness can often lead to stress, and this symptom responds best to sleep," says Gersten. Getting enough sleep means cutting down on caffeine, getting enough exercise, and keeping a strict schedule for going to bed and getting up. And, he adds, "make sure to maintain your sleep schedule through the weekend."

Try a Yoga Class

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, research suggests that yoga may help counter stress, reduce anxiety, improve mood, and foster a sense of well-being. "Yoga and other mind-body exercises are fantastic for ADHD symptoms and stress," Gersten says. "People with ADHD spend way too much time inside their heads. Yoga is a way of finding balance between the mind and the body."

Have a Good Laugh

If you have ADHD symptoms, it can be easy to let your emotions get the best of you. Laughter is one way to get some perspective and lift your low spirits. "People with ADHD tend to find ways to focus on negative thoughts," says Gersten. "That can increase normal stress and anxiety by a factor of 10 or 100." However, research suggests that a good laugh can ease stress, put you in a better mood, and even help you concentrate.

Write It Down

Journaling is another time-tested way to manage stress and control ADHD symptoms. Gersten points out that disorganization is an ADHD symptom that can often lead to stress. But he describes journaling as "a good way to center a scattered mind." In addition to writing down your thoughts on paper, Gersten also suggests writing down lists for yourself to keep organized and stay on track.

(everydayhealth.com)

Intestinal Protein May Have Role in ADHD, Other Neurological Disorders

ScienceDaily (Aug. 11, 2011) - A biochemical pathway long associated with diarrhea and intestinal function may provide a new therapeutic target for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) other neuropsychiatric disorders, according to a team of scientists from China and the United States reporting Aug. 11 in Science.

Scientists have for the last quarter century studied the intestinal membrane receptor protein, guanylyl cyclase-C (GC-C) for its role in diarrheal disease and other intestinal functions, according to Mitchell Cohen, M.D., U.S. author on the study and director of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. In fact, it had been thought that GC-C was found primarily in the intestine.

In the current study, scientists in China who collaborated with Dr. Cohen discovered that the receptor is also expressed in critical areas of the brain. The senior author on the study is Dr. Minmin Luo, a researcher at the National Institute of Biological Sciences and Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Using a mouse model developed in Dr. Ralph Giannella's laboratory at the University of Cincinnati, in which the GC-C receptor is deleted, or knocked out, the researchers found the mice exhibit hyperactivity and attention deficits. It is the first time that GC-C has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorder, according to the researchers.

"We show that the neurons selectively express GC-C and that its activation amplifies the excitatory responses mediated by other receptors on dopamine neurons in the midbrain," said Dr. Luo. "Working through a protein kinase called PKG, GC-C activity increases brain dopamine levels and thus regulate mouse attention and activity level."

When the researchers treated the GC-C knockout mice with amphetamine-based ADHD medication and a PKG activator, it reversed their hyperactive, inattentive behavior.

"The results indicate important behavioral and physiological functions for the GC-C/PKG signaling pathway in the brain," said Dr. Luo. "The data also suggest new therapeutic targets for neuropsychiatric disorders related to malfunctions of midbrain dopamine receptors."

One of the most prevalent human behavioral disorders, ADHD has been linked to imbalances in the dopamine system. The researchers noted in the study that its findings -- mice exhibiting reduced dopamine levels and related behavioral problems -- are consistent with the biochemical characteristics of human ADHD.

"This could make the GC-C knockout mouse a good research model for ADHD and other behavioral disorders," said Dr. Cohen. "Efforts to develop activators or inhibitors of the GC-C/PKG signaling pathway may lead to novel treatments for other disorders, such schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and addiction."

The first author on the study is Rong Gong, who is in the joint graduate program of Peking Union Medical College and the National Institute of Biological Sciences in Beijing. Other institutions collaborating on the study include: the College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University and the Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics at the China Academy of Sciences in Wuhan, China.

Loving and living with ADHD children

Mary Ann Ellis
Posted by Staff Writer in Columns
Wednesday, August 3. 2011

Rearing children may well be the most difficult and most rewarding task of a lifetime. To nurture a child from birth to adulthood is no easy task, but if that child arrives with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), the difficulty is compounded. The first obstacle comes in recognizing the disorder and finding help for the child. That is just the beginning. Societal biases lurk around every corner.

Not only have I spent my career in education, a field that deals with ADHD children everyday, but I have also dealt with the problem in my family. It all started for us when our second child, Jakey, had trouble finishing his homework in second grade. His teacher called.

“Jakey is obviously a bright child,” she told me, “but something is keeping him from finishing his work. We need to check this out.”

I’ve always been grateful to that teacher. After extensive testing and what seemed like years of waiting, his test results came back, showing a high IQ and ADD. He did not have the hyperactivity aspect of the disorder. Our doctor put him on Ritalin, which at the time was about the only drug available, and gave us a list of tips for working with him.

“It doesn’t matter how smart he is if he can’t concentrate long enough to learn,” the doctor told us.

Ritalin worked miracles for Jakey. As I learned more and more about ADD, I saw signs of it in other family members. The most common symptoms according to CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) are as follows: fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes; has problems sustaining attention; appears to daydream; doesn’t appear to listen even with eye contact; can’t follow through on instructions; has no organizational skills and is messy; loses things constantly; is easily distracted; and forgetful. Granted, every one of us has some or all of these problems sometimes, and for that reason, ADHD is hard to diagnose. What teenaged boy isn’t messy? Who doesn’t drift off when forced to study something boring?

As we investigated, we discovered that the disorder usually is passed through the male genes, and males are most prone to it. My husband, Larry, says he has apologized to all our sons. Now some of the grandsons have it. Through the years we have learned to handle the condition. Some people outgrow it, some learn to cope with it, and others take it on into adulthood. No one knows the cause for this neurological disorder; there is no cure, but management techniques exist. For example, instead of telling an ADD child to go take out the trash, do his home work, and brush his teeth, it works much better to say, “Take out the trash and come back and tell me when you’ve finished.” He then has only one task to focus on. When he returns, he gets the next task.

When children are doing homework, parents should remove as many distractions as possible. No parent should ever let an ADHD child convince him that he works better with the television or music on. If you suspect that your child has ADHD, or some form of it, see a healthcare professional that you trust. There are new drugs on the market, but sometimes drugs aren’t needed. Medicating the child should never be the solution if some other one works. It depends on the situation. ADHD is frequently misdiagnosed and has gotten much bad press because of it.

Beware of ignorance, also. I had a teacher-yes, a teacher-say to me once, “I don’t believe in ADD. I expect all my students to do their work and follow my rules.” Obviously he believed in the one-size-fits-all education, and I’m telling you that it doesn’t work.

We hear pejorative comments from people like Neal Boortz, the radio talk show commentator, who calls ADHD a “phony disease.” Obviously, Mr. Boortz doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’s never struggled with homework with Jakey. He’s obviously never loved an ADHD child. When the night falls at the end of each day, and we tuck our ADD children in their beds, we—not Boortz or some teacher—are responsible for preparing them for their futures. There is help available. We must be their advocates.

(baxleynewsbanner.com)

Why Some Entrepreneurs Call ADHD a Superpower

Some small-business owners say they've been able to harness the strengths that come with their learning disability.

By DYAN MACHAN

People who have it sometimes like to call it their superpower, but in reality, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a learning disability. Still, it's surprisingly common among high-achieving business founders, and entrepreneurs afflicted with it are in good company, with Kinko's founder Paul Orfalea and JetBlue founder David Neeleman among the many who talk openly about their having attention-deficit issues. It stands to reason that ADHD would thrive among those calling the shots. While they are often labeled as misfits inside big organizations, their restless creativity dovetails with the high-drama problem-solving associated with running a start-up.

In cases of ADHD, the brain chemicals that regulate attention and brain activity function differently than in the "normal" brain. For those with the disorder, it's harder to buckle down and concentrate and to anticipate the outcomes of their actions. Still, many entrepreneurs have learned to cope when their brains are flooding them with information, and their strategies can be helpful for anyone facing information overload. For people with ADHD, biology is probably to blame. For the rest of us, it's living in 2011.

On the plus side, people with ADHD often have an immense amount of energy, and they think outside the box -- because their ideas could never fit inside one box. On the minus side, they have an inability to focus on what bores them, can make sloppy errors when rushing (which is almost always) and have a stronger-than-average tendency to put a foot in their mouth.

Steve Ferree, 57, says his ADHD and his inability to slow down came into sharp focus after he bought into a Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchise in Portland, Ore. If he had been more thorough, he says, he might have seen an expense overrun that eventually cost him $30,000. He got frustrated with one employee who didn't think as quickly as he did and would snap at that worker -- "something I regret," he says. If at all possible, folks in Ferree's position should get a personal assistant to sweat the small stuff, advises Kathy Marshack, a psychologist in Portland whose practice treats folks who fit the ADHD description. When it comes to those kinds of errors, she says, "people don't care if you meant it or not." In Ferree's case, medication helped; so did getting his wife, a detail person, more involved in his work. They made a vow to sleep on any big decisions. And when he starts to get frustrated, he'll go for a walk or drink a glass of water.

New York based angel investor and technology expert Peter Shankman, 38, has leveraged his ADHD while running his consulting firm The Geek Factory. He once confused Shanghai with Singapore when making plane reservations; on another occasion, he booked dinners on the same night on two different continents. He, too, has embraced the necessity of executive assistants who are involved in every aspect of his life -- or technology that does the same: "Google Calendar is my friend," he says.

Attention-challenged folks like Adam Boettiger, 45, benefit from having rigidly structured days. That was no problem when he was in the military, but it became an issue when he started his own digital marketing firm, Eyes on Target, in Oregon. Learning about his ADHD has made him an expert on data overload, and he's writing a book on how to minimize digital intrusion. "With overload, you start to lose function," he says. Now he has several tools that help him work without distraction. In a typical day, he'll have 40 to 50 new ideas. Instead of letting them derail him, he jots them on an index card and drops them in a box to review the next morning. He also uses Vitamin-R, a software program that helps him slice up time for big tasks.

No fan of multitasking, Boettiger tries to focus on one job at a time. He believes in turning off all his mobile devices. "I give myself permission to be unreachable," he says, "and get into the zone." Shankman takes that concept to an extreme. Asked to write a book in two weeks, he reserved a business class flight to Tokyo. When he got there, he drank a few espressos in the lounge, turned around and came back. He finished the book in 30 hours. The trip cost $4,000 and was "worth every penny," he says.

Shareholder advocate, movie critic and entrepreneur Nell Minow figured out boredom was her ADHD's most troublesome symptom; it was the reason she was labeled an underachiever in high school. Since her realization, she has rarely worked at fewer than two jobs -- "I like having lots of things coming at me at once," she says -- and has organized her life to avoid meetings. "If I am chairing a meeting, I can keep it going," she says. Otherwise, "I curl up in a fetal position."

Of course, there are times when we all have to face boring stuff; it's just a bit harder for those with ADHD. When Shankman feels a spell coming on -- a wall of resistance to paying attention -- he drops for 10 push-ups, "if it's not too strange for people." And if he has the time, he'll also take a day for skydiving. Like the amphetamines that are frequently prescribed for ADHD, high thrills seem capable of helping quiet an overfiring brain. That's yet another reason these folks might not be comfortable working at some corporate behemoths -- and that's those companies' loss.

(SmartMoney, http://ht.ly/5Ez7u)

Genes & genius

By AFRA NAUSHAD, LIFE.STYLE@ARABNEWS.COM

Published: Oct 12, 2011 19:57 Updated: Oct 12, 2011 19:57

Ever wondered what legends in the likes of Einstein, James Dean, Socrates, Nostradamus, Pablo Picasso, Leo Tolstoy, Lord Byron, Che Guevara, Oscar Wilde, Thomas Edison, Sir Walter Raleigh, Beethoven, Vincent Van Gogh, Kurt Cobain, Mark Twain, John F Kennedy and Bill Gates have in common?

They have been suspects of or possessed ADHD symptoms!

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, frequently called ADHD/ADD, is a developmental disorder affecting large populations of both children and adults worldwide. Between three and five percent of children have been known to be affected globally. In addition, according to the National Center for Health Statistics in the US,

5.2 million children aged 13 to 17 years were diagnosed with ADHD in 2010.

The major inherent cause has been attributed to neurobiological causes or genetic aberrations with other contributing factors, including environmental agents, such as use of cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy, presence of above-limit lead levels in pre-school children, refined sugar or food additives, traumatic brain injuries and brain abnormalities.

Telltale signs that indicate the possibility of ADHD

    Predominantly hyperactive, impulsive type
    Excessive fidgeting with hands and/or feet
    Squirming in the chair, difficulty remaining seated
    Talking excessively
    Answering before questions are completed
    Interrupting others continuously
    Difficulty waiting for turns or standing in line
    Running and climbing constantly

Predominantly inattentive type

    Easily distracted
    Little attention given to detail
    Does not listen when spoken to directly
    Short attention spans
    Losing things frequently
    Difficulty in organization
    Forgetful in daily tasks

Combined type may reveal a set of both symptoms. This causes children to perform poorly in school, causing overall academic sufferance due to the lack of focus and attention. It may also result in frustration and affect peer relations. Adults may show a decreasing severity of the symptoms as age progresses in response to coping mechanisms. Difficulty in adhering to commitments and decreased performance at jobs results when the condition progresses into adulthood.

Diagnosis for ADHD remains tricky before the age of six, since children remain naturally hyperactive with a limited attention span. Hence, an appropriate diagnosis can be made satisfactorily during school age should the symptoms continue to persist.

Ways to cope with ADHD

The most effective strategy in the treatment of ADHD should be a multidisciplinary approach, which includes:

Education for both parents and child about diagnosis and treatment

    ADHD medication
    Behavior modification
    School teacher involvement
    School counselor involvement
    Counseling
    Psychotherapy
    Hypnotherapy
    Regular exercise, yoga
    Diet therapy

Research suggests that appropriate nutrition can play a role in improving IQ and behavior. Diet therapy alone may not cure ADHD, but it can improve symptoms. In 1982, the National Institute of Health in the US held a scientific consensus conference to discuss this issue. It was found that diet restrictions helped about five percent of children with ADHD.

Consuming foods abundant in omega-3 fatty acids is a good approach. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the bloodstream may co-relate with learning and behavioral problems.

In addition, prevent junk and refined foods. Spikes in blood sugar can cause the hallmark ADHD symptom of restlessness and inattention. White bread, white rice and processed breakfast cereals are among the foods with high glycemic indexes. Instead, include walnuts, flax oil and green tea. Chamomile aromatherapy is also great for inducing relaxation.

How can parents help?

    Ask your child’s doctor about training sessions that teach you how to encourage good behavior in your child
    Seek chances to praise your child for doing something good. Don’t constantly tell your child to stop misbehaving
    Parent balance in developing a nurturing relationship with the child and set ground rules
    Work with your child’s teachers. The child may focus better if he/she sits near the teacher. Shorter assignments may also help
    Ask your child’s teachers and doctor whether he/she should be evaluated for learning and language problems, since they often go hand in hand with ADHD. You may need to work with the school to draw up an individual education plan
    Seek child counseling. This can help him/her from taking advantage of the diagnosis and can make them accountable for their behavior
    Encourage the teachers to make the teaching process more exciting. The information will be more receptive to the child

“The teacher needs to learn how to deal with children suffering from ADHD. They have to avoid mistreating them by judging their level of intellectuality by performance. Discovering their strengths, facilitating alternatives and utilizing those strengths is important,” says Dr. Samer Arar, chief counseling psychologist at Maharat Center, a non-profit NGO that provides cognitive and skills development for children with specific learning disabilities.

The exciting bright side of ADHD

Many ADHD sufferers have made creative breakthroughs in all fields from literature, science, arts, music, politics to business.

ADHD is not a guarantee of being a genius, but people with ADHD are often very bright and have something different to contribute. They can easily get uninterested and bored in the absence of an opportunity that allows their creativity to flourish. People with ADHD may be inattentive, yet they often display the ability to hyper-focus on an area that may particularly interest them.

“Don’t be scared,” says Arar. “Know that there is a way to help your child and that he/she can be very successful if we can assess the problem and treat them with a proper plan.”

With those growing numbers of ADHD diagnoses, the world will witness an emergency state of creative chaos. Rather exciting!

Maharat Center for Cognitive and Skills Development, Jeddah
Tel: (02) 665-6218/ 664-5764/ 664-5663
www.maharat.org

© 2010 Arab News

ADHD in Women — Special Issues

Although fewer females are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD than males, women with this disorder face special problems.
By Gina Roberts-Grey

For decades, the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) spotlight has focused on kids and men, but women with the disorder are beginning to gain more attention.

According to one Harvard study, roughly 4.4 percent of adults have ADHD — and about 40 percent of those people are women. Yet many women with ADHD are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Ari Tuckman, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in West Chester, Pennsylvania, says this disparity may be due to a public misconception: Even though ADHD affects both males and females, many people think it occurs mostly in boys and men. Therefore, fewer women than men seek help for ADD/ADHD symptoms, and doctors are less likely to suspect that female patients have the disorder. The resulting missed diagnoses increase the chances that a woman with ADHD may develop one or more of the related conditions listed below.

Anxiety and depression. "Females are often initially diagnosed with anxiety or depression instead of ADHD," Dr. Tuckman says. Although women may indeed have anxiety and depression, research has found that ADD/ADHD may be at the root of many of these problems. "Women's ADHD symptoms contribute to their becoming anxious and depressed," Tuckman notes. "And, if the correct diagnosis of ADHD is missed, they only partially benefit from treatment for the anxiety and depression."

Obesity and eating disorders. Research has linked women with ADHD to an increased chance of being overweight or having an eating disorder. "This makes sense, since organization and concentration are required to eat a healthy diet and work out regularly," says Tuckman." By contrast, scattered women with ADHD are more likely to grab quick meals, overeat, or look to food to provide comfort from their ADHD symptoms."

Addictions. Some research has found women with ADHD to be at risk for drug or alcohol abuse or other harmful addictions. "Habit-forming, impulse-related behaviors, such as gambling or shopping addictions, also often have a strong association with ADHD," says Tuckman.

Getting Help for ADHD

If you suspect that your ADHD is leading you down a harmful path, Tuckman suggests consulting a therapist, psychiatrist, and/or life coach. "Just make sure to consult someone who has experience treating adult ADHD and the unique issues faced by women with ADHD," he notes. The right therapist can devise an ADHD-specific cognitive-behavioral treatment plan that focuses on such issues as self-esteem, interpersonal and family problems, daily health habits, stress levels, and life-management skills. "This type of treatment combines therapy that focuses on psychological issues of ADHD, like self-esteem and self-blame, with rehabilitative tools that guide women away from destructive behaviors like overeating or alcohol abuse," Tuckman adds.

Joining a support group for women with ADHD is also helpful. "Talking with women who know firsthand how impulses can affect your life is a healthy outlet for frustration," says Tuckman. The National Center for Gender Issues and ADD(ADHD) has several links to resources available for women with ADHD.

(everydayhealth.com)

Foods for Thought - 8 Healthy Snacks for Kids With ADHD

Foods that are rich in fiber and protein can help kids with ADHD stay alert, calm, and focused. Keep these easy snacks on hand for both their appetite and their ADHD.

Like all kids, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) need a healthy diet. But feeding kids who have ADHD can be extra challenging for several reasons. First, medications can decrease their appetite. Second, because hyperactivity is one of the symptoms of ADHD, kids who have the disorder may expend more energy and need more calories than some of their peers. And third, if they eat too many sweets, they can suffer from mood swings when their blood sugar spikes and then crashes. As a parent, you have to know the right balance to strike. These eight ideas can help take the guesswork out of snack time.

Fruit Shakes

Kids who have ADHD need the vitamins, minerals, and fiber that fruit provides. If your child turns up his nose at a whole banana, try making a fruit shake from fresh fruit and yogurt instead. Blend bananas, strawberries, peaches, orange juice, and ice in the blender, add some yogurt for thickness, and serve. “Don’t be afraid to be creative when it comes to what you put in your smoothie,” says Jessica Crandall, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

Mini Pizzas

Make a mini pizza on a whole-wheat English muffin (that's the fiber) with low-fat cheese (that's the protein). Protein helps feed the brain and reduces hunger-induced mood swings. It also fills kids up for longer because it slows the food on its path from the stomach to the small intestines. Fiber, a complex carbohydrate, takes longer to digest and keeps blood sugar levels stable longer.

Hummus Spread on Pita

Hummus is a Middle Eastern spread made from ground chickpeas and tahini (sesame seeds). It’s a great source of protein, fiber, and many of the vitamins that kids with ADHD need to stay calm and focus better, says Heather R. Mangieri, RD, LDN, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and owner of Nutrition CheckUp in Pittsburgh. Serve it on fiber-rich whole-wheat pita that you've cut into pie-shape pieces.

PB&J on Whole-Wheat Bread

For kids with ADHD, Mangieri says, snacks should contain a couple of food groups along with protein — which helps with memory and learning. “Think of a snack as a mini-meal,” she explains. One classic idea: Peanut butter — an excellent source of protein — on whole-wheat bread. Or try a PB&J-banana sandwich. Bananas, a great source of potassium and vitamins B and C, have been found to boost immunity and even lift moods.

Whole-Wheat Crackers or Pretzels

What kid doesn’t crave potato chips? The problem is, potato chips are loaded with fat and have little to offer in the way of nutrition. To satisfy your child’s craving for crunch-worthy foods, offer whole-wheat crackers, baked chips, or pretzels instead. Hot-air popcorn is another healthier alternative that provides lots of fiber and can be a nice addition to your child’s ADHD diet. Pack some in your child’s backpack for when hunger strikes.

Veggie Sticks With Peanut Butter

When your child opens the refrigerator or kitchen cabinets, “you want them to see healthy snacks, not cookies, candies, or salty snacks,” Mangieri says. Cut up fresh vegetables — for example, carrots, celery, or sweet peppers — into bite-sized pieces, and leave them in the fridge for easy snacking. Peanut butter, cottage cheese, and low-fat dressings make great dips for cut-up veggies and may entice kids whose ADHD medications dampen their hunger, Crandall says.

Dried Fruits and Nuts

Dried fruits are another great source of fiber for your child. They have little protein, but they go well with nuts, which can provide the protein needed in an ADHD diet. A dozen almonds will net about 3 grams of protein. Dried fruits and nuts can add extra calories to your child’s diet, but that may not be a concern, since many kids with ADHD are hyperactive and need more calories anyway, Mangieri says. You also can divide the snack into small servings so your child doesn’t overeat.

If your child with ADHD is fussy, one way to get him to eat healthy snacks is to disguise the healthy ingredients. Try baking carrot cake or zucchini bread. “A diet high in sugar can cause swings in your child’s blood sugar levels, exacerbating ADHD symptoms,” Mangieri says, but you can usually cut the amount of sugar in the recipe by a quarter or a third without affecting the taste too much. You also may be able to substitute applesauce for the oil.

(everydayhealth.com)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Overview

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/overview.html

Maternal Lifestyle Factors in Pregnancy Risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Associated Behaviors: Review of the Current Evidence

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=176255

Untangling the Myths About Attention Disorder

By PERRI KLASS, M.D.

Published: December 13, 2010

As recently as 2002, an international group of leading neuroscientists found it necessary to publish a statement arguing passionately that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was a real condition.

In the face of “overwhelming” scientific evidence, they complained, A.D.H.D. was regularly portrayed in the media as “myth, fraud or benign condition” — an artifact of too-strict teachers, perhaps, or too much television.

In recent years, it has been rarer to hear serious doubt that the disorder really exists, and the evidence explaining its neurocircuitry and genetics has become more convincing and more complex.

Even so, I’ve lately read a number of articles and essays that use attention (or its lack) as a marker and a metaphor for something larger in society — for the multitasking, the electronic distractions, the sense that the nature of concentration may be changing, that people feel nibbled at, overscheduled, distracted, irritable.

But A.D.H.D. is not a metaphor. It is not the restlessness and rambunctiousness that happen when grade-schoolers are deprived of recess, or the distraction of socially minded teenagers in the smartphone era. Nor is it the reason your colleagues check their e-mail in meetings and even (spare me!) conversations.

“Attention is a really complex cognitive phenomenon that has a lot of pieces in it,” said Dr. David K. Urion of Harvard, who directs the learning disabilities and behavioral neurology program at Boston Children’s Hospital. “What we’re specifically talking about in kids with attention deficit is a problem compared to age- and gender-based peers in selective attention — what do you glom onto and what do you ignore?”

Moreover, the disorder occurs along a broad spectrum, from mild to extreme. Boys are more likely to be hyperactive and impulsive, girls to be inattentive. (One reason many girls don’t get an official diagnosis is that those with the inattentive form may be well behaved in school, but still unable to focus.) 

“There’s a lot we still don’t know,” said Bruce F. Pennington, a professor of psychology at the University of Denver and an expert on the genetics and neuropsychology of attention disorders. “But we know enough to say it is a brain-based disorder, and we have some idea about which circuits are involved and which genes.”

Imaging studies of people with attention deficits have shown a consistent pattern of below-normal activity in the brain’s frontal lobes, where so-called executive function resides. And scientists are focusing on the pathways for dopamine and similar neurotransmitters active in the circuits that pass information to and from the frontal lobes.

Low levels of activity in specific circuits may help explain the seeming paradox of using stimulants like Ritalin to treat children who already seem overstimulated. In many children with A.D.H.D., these drugs can help the circuits function more normally. 

“If you have a deficit in dopamine, it’s harder to concentrate on goal-oriented behavior,” Professor Pennington said. “The psychostimulants change the availability of dopamine in these same circuits.”

Although recent research has identified environmental factors that may increase the likelihood of developing the disorder, it is thought to have a stronger genetic component. Dr. Maximilian Muenke, chief of the medical genetics branch at the National Human Genome Research Institute, said that among identical twins, if one has A.D.H.D., the second has an 80 percent chance of having it as well. (Among fraternal twins, the comparable figure is 20 to 30 percent, the same as for any siblings.)

Dr. Muenke’s group published a paper last month identifying a gene, LPHN3, that is associated both with the disorder and with a favorable response to stimulants. But no one thinks that just one gene is responsible; just as attention is a complex phenomenon, so are the genetics of attention deficits.

When I asked Dr. Muenke whether genetic studies could someday play a role in treating the disorder, his reply was cautious. He spoke of eventually predicting which children will respond to specific medications, sparing families the frustration of switching from one medicine to another with no relief. He sounded more hopeful about the long-term prospects.

 

“I truly believe in the long run we will be able to develop personalized medicine for a child with A.D.H.D.,” he said, adding that when the specific underlying cause or causes are known, “this child will have a very specific treatment, whether this treatment is behavioral treatment alone or medication,” and the medication will be tailored to the child.

Perhaps eager to make clear that A.D.H.D. is far more than a metaphor for the distractions of modern life, scientists love to point out examples that date to well before the term was invented. 

Dr. Urion invoked Sir George Frederick Still, the first British professor of pediatric medicine, who in 1902 described the syndrome precisely, speaking of a boy who was “unable to keep his attention even to a game for more than a very short time,” and as a result was “backward in school attainments, although in manner and ordinary conversation he appeared as bright and intelligent as any child could be.”

Dr. Muenke brought up “Der Struwwelpeter“ (“Slovenly Peter”), the 1845 children’s book by Heinrich Hoffmann, which contains the story of “Zappel-Philipp,” or “Fidgety Philip.” (One English translation was done by Mark Twain, that great chronicler of boys.)

The circumstances of modern life can give rise to the false belief that a culture full of electronics and multitasking imperatives creates the disorder. “People have this idea that we live in a world that gives people A.D.H.D.,” Dr. Urion said. Of course one shouldn’t drive and text at the same time, he continued, but for “a harbor pilot bringing a huge four-masted sailing vessel into Boston Harbor, paying attention was a good idea then, too.”

(nytimes.com)