ADASA

March 6 2010 The Australian

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 03:57:08 +0000

An article on the history of ADHD.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/a-call-to-attention-adhd/story-e6frg8y6-1225837152177

New Books in ADASA Library Collection

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:00:28 +0000

ADASA have acquired three new books to its library collection.

Change Your Brain Change Your Life by Daniel G.Amen M.D

In this breakthrough bestseller, you’ll see scientific evidence that your anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness, or impulsiveness could be related to how specific structures in your brain work.

Healing ADD – The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD
by Daniel G. Amen, M.D

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a national health crisis that continues to grow – yet remains one of the most misunderstood and incorrectly treated illnesses today. Now, using breakthrough diagnostic techniques Dr. Daniel Amen has discovered that there are 6 types of ADD, each requiring a different treatment

100 Questions and Answers about Your Child’s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
by Ruth D.Nass, M.D and Fern Leventhal, PhD

Two experts in the field of ADHD offer the benefit of their experience in discussing both medical and psycho-social aspects of the condition. They provide an explanation of the ins and outs of treating this condition and teaching your child strategies for living and learning with ADHD.

Teachers understanding and managing children with ADHD

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:20:59 +0000

An article about the majority of tachers ‘have difficulty understanding and managing ADHD’. Published by the Royal Collage of Psychiatrists.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/121519.php

Children with ADHD

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:23:06 +0000

This article from the Herald Scotland covers children and ADHD

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/editorial/display.var.2227434.0.Children_with_ADHD.php

New ADD site found

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:10:20 +0000

I have just discovered this site
http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/7/6058.html

Have a look at some amazing info and excellently put together and presented

Dangerous ADDictions

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:50:01 +0000

Dangerous ADDictions
Many of the same traits of people who have ADD – specifically the impulsive and high risk behaviours – are also found in people with an addictive personality. It is estimated that from 15 to 25 percent of adult addicts and alcoholics have current ADHD.
Hallowell and Ratey, in Answers to Distraction, write this:
“When you combine this with high-stimulus-seeking behaviour and a dysregulated neurochemical system, you could get a predisposition for the addictive process. Equally important, the dominant feature of the ADD brain is the inability to inhibit, or to put the brakes on certain thoughts, feelings, behaviours, or cravings. Thus it would seem that ADD-ers are particularly prone to developing an addiction, as the internal alarm system that usually tells you to stop a behaviour that is risky or harmful is not working.”
Statistics are hard to find. People tend to underreport their own addictive behaviours. Others are in denial that there is even a problem. However, if we can look past the fog, some figures do seem to emerge.
 Fifteen to 20% of cocaine dependent people may also suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that preliminary results show that treatment with Ritalin causes a decline of 75% in the craving for cocaine and a reduction of 82% of the self-reported use of cocaine.
The paper The Self Medication Hypothesis: ADHD & Chronic Cocaine Abuse gives more information about this particular problem of addiction.
 17 to 45 percent of adults with ADHD have alcohol abuse or dependence.
 Marijuana is THE most dangerous substance of addiction for the ADD adolescent
 Again, from Hallowell and Ratey:
 Its effects are so compelling for the ADD brain that it seems to become immediately psychologically addictive. It creates a calmness with a heightened sense of adventure-all within the brain. One of the true delights for ADD people is to play with their thoughts and their ideas and build intense and intricate fantasies. Marijuana accentuates the zaniness and doubles the intensity, all within the backdrop of serenity.

ADD – Hypersensitivity, Is There a Connection

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:46:40 +0000

ADD and Hypersensitivity – Is There A Connection?
by Mary Jane Johnson
It has been several months now since I reported on ADD and hypersensitivity. Since that time I have heard from several ADD adults who suffer some of the same symptoms. One person sent me an article entitled, “Social and Emotional Issues of Adults with Sensory Defensiveness” from the Sensory Integration Newsletter published by The American Occupational Therapy Assoc.
Many of these same hypersensitivities are mentioned in this article and I will quote from the article as well as what was shared by the readers who wrote to me. Sensory Integration Newsletter states, “Adults with tactile defensiveness commonly report strong clothing preferences and avoidances, and aversions to clothes with tags, jewelry….may also feel uncomfortable with wool or synthetic materials against the skin… .and may be bothered by these aversions to an extreme degree….
“Along those same lines K. wrote in that, “I have to keep my shoes tied tight on my feet… If they are not tight I get frustrated… I find that I constantly re-tie my shoes as tight as possible, during the day.‟ And D. relates, “I agree completely about the elastic… I also do.not like sleeves, high collars, knee socks that fall down, tags on the inside of shirts, anything touching my skin that isn‟t soft or cottony, slacks too tight in the crotch… I hate panty hose… I don‟t wear my coat in the car, I have a nice thin vest with lots of pockets that I wear while shopping.
“In regards to sensitivity to food textures M. shares, “My dad as a child couldn‟t stand different foods to touch, so my grandmother bought him a compartmentalized plate… I had to do the same for my son… He stopped picking up wet finger foods or food that made his hands sticky… He wanted a different spoon or fork for each food… He wanted only bland soft foods and to this day there are very few foods he likes… My taste is more sensitive than the others in my family.”D. says, “I am also a picky eater, but I love spicy food. I can‟t stand browned scrambled eggs and my fried eggs must be perfect.”
When it comes to heat and cold sensitivity, M. writes, “If it gets around 70 degrees I‟m cold… That‟s why we live in the desert… my hands and feet seem to always have had poor circulation… My hands get cold inside good leather gloves.” K. states, “…especially cold… I need to dress and keep the house warm as soon as cool weather moves in… If I didn‟t love New England so much I would probably live in a warm climate year round.
“The remarks about hearing sensitivity includes: M., “clock in the living room because he could hear it ticking all the way in his room… My son can sleep through noises but certain frequencies hurt or upset him… I travel with a Sears „sleepmate‟ white noise machine. I can‟t sleep without masking the noise. I annoy the heck out of my husband by my ability to hear the TV at the other end of the house… I can‟t have a ticking clock in the room where I sleep… My dad also has a noise machine.
“K, “….. when tying to focus on things I can‟t filter out noises… While typing this letter I can hear water dripping in the next room, the refrigerator turning on and off, and a car engine idling outside.” And D., “I enjoy loud music, but only when I feel like it. I think that‟s why people think we are selfish at times.”
Sensory Integration Newsletter reports, “Social events.., puts the person with defensiveness in an uncomfortable situation… Almost all subjects described the discomfort experienced when someone‟s touch takes them by surprise… Many subjects describe shaking hands as unpleasant… When the touch or hug comes from behind, its effect is multiplied because of the element of surprise… and many need to exert self-control to avoid striking out at the person who touched them.
“M. shares, “I don‟t like being touched… even shaking hands is difficult… It‟s taken my husband years to learn how to touch me without provoking a negative response… Touching my head or hair is a no no!” A twist on this particular hypersensitivity comes from D. who says, “I am happy to say the hypersensitivity to touch, in the romantic sense, is more often a plus than a minus.” And K. adds, “I don‟t mind shaking someone‟s hand, but forget hugging… Whenever someone hugs me, I tense up and my stomach gets tied up in knots… Being married my wife loves to be touched… I get all tied up when she hugs me or wants to be hugged or held… It tears me apart because I love my wife and yet for some reason want my space.”
“….Most subjects described feeling uncomfortable in crowded places such as crowded elevators, buses or subways, restaurants, stores, malls… Shopping is difficult for them”, states Sensory Integration Newsletter. K. agrees by saying, “I have difficulty going into elevators, and detest having to go to malts, food stores, sporting events, etc… I get very over-stimulated, overwhelmed and irritable until I‟m free from crowded areas.” D. states, “I notice that claustrophobia is more evident when I am somewhere I don‟t like to be, such as in a car on a trip of more than an hour.” In some individuals there seems to be a connection between having ADD and being hypersensitive, as these cases indicate.
I would be interested in hearing from others of you out there who experience some of the same symptoms. If you would like to learn more about the ADDult Support Network, please send a self-addressed stamped business size envelope to 2620 Ivy Place, Toledo, Ohio 43613 USA.
For Information: ledingham@aoI.com

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of ADASA Inc.

Fish Oil – Australasian Science

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:34:32 +0000

Learning and behaviour problems associatedwith attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder can cause a great deal of distress for children, their parents and
teachers. Natalie Sinn examines whether fish oil might provide some relief.

Fish Oil – Australasian Science

ADASA

March 6 2010 The Australian

New Books in ADASA Library Collection

Change Your Brain Change Your Life by Daniel G.Amen M.D

Healing ADD – The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD by Daniel G. Amen, M.D

100 Questions and Answers about Your Child’s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by Ruth D.Nass, M.D and Fern Leventhal, PhD

Teachers understanding and managing children with ADHD

Children with ADHD

New ADD site found

Dangerous ADDictions

ADD – Hypersensitivity, Is There a Connection

Fish Oil – Australasian Science

Healing ADD – The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD
by Daniel G. Amen, M.D

100 Questions and Answers about Your Child’s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
by Ruth D.Nass, M.D and Fern Leventhal, PhD