VOLUME 7, NO.11 NOVEMBER 21, 2002
NJ ADD/AD/HD
ADULT NEWSLETTER
ADD ADULT SELF HELP SUPPORT GROUP
FOR ADD/ADHD ADULTS
AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
MEETING: The next meeting of
the ADD adult self help support group will be on November 21, 2002 at 7:30 pm
at Monmouth Medical Center, Room 214 Stanley (NOTICE
THIS IS A DIFFERENT ROOM), Long Branch,
NJ. Go to the reception desk in the
main lobby and get directions. The
topic will be: The Pursuit of Happiness, Joy, and Laughter
as a management tool for ADDers
RESOURCE: For those ADDers with dyslexia or
just difficulty reading, there is help in the form of downloadable books. Go to www.audible.com
where you will find all the information.
The books can be downloaded and listened to on your computer, or you can
purchase the AudibleReady Mobile Player so that you can listen almost
anywhere. Cost is $14.95/month. There are thousands of books to choose from
according to their ad.
HOLIDAY OR WINTER BLUES A PROBLEM? This
is the time of year that many ADDers suffer from SAD, seasonal affective
disorder. There is hope and some
natural treatments if you don’t want to take an SSRI antidepressant. SAD is a problem for people living in parts
of the world where light is diminished; e.g. in the northern United
States. If you lived in northern
latitudes, such as Iceland and Japan where your diet included a lot of Omega 3
carrying fish, your chances of getting SAD would be much lower. You could treat yourself by including such fish
in your diet, or take as I do, 3-6gm of fish oil capsules/day. Another treatment is to get 30 minutes of
early morning sun, by going for a morning jog or walk. A third treatment is to buy a light box that
mimics early morning sun (3000 lux):
(1-800-263-0066; or 1-800-786-6850).
You should always check with your mental health professional before
using the light boxes.
STRESS AND BRAIN SIZE: In a recently published ten year MRI study of 152 ADHD
children’s brain sizes, F.Castellanos etal. reported that the brains of
children and adolescents with ADHD are on the average 3-4% smaller than the
brains of children (139 controls) without ADHD. These differences were there regardless of whether the ADDer used
medication or not. The study appeared
in the J.Amer.Med.Assoc., 2002, 288(4):1740-1748.
COMMENTS: ADDer’s brains are
different. However, there are two major
issues. First there is no significant
correlation between brain size and intelligence; secondly, many studies have
shown that chronic stress can decrease brain volumes. ADDers as a group very likely suffer far more stress than the so
called “normal” children. Yet I believe
we are more creative!!!
RESEARCH: In a study by M.Gilmor, Ph.D. etal., Inhibition
of Norepinephrine (NE) Uptake in Patients with Major Depression treated with
Paroxetine (Paxil). Am.J.Psychiatry,
2002, 159(10):1702-1710, it was found that Paxil in doses above 40mg/day
produced changes (NE increases) similar to those produced by Effexor. The study compared Paxil and Desipramine
(Norpramin) in the ability to increase blood levels of Norepinephrine. Of course desipramine increased NE more dramatically, with a much
smaller dose, and with little effect on serotonin. The authors suggest that if Paxil is not resolving the depression
at dose levels below 40mg, there may be little NE effect of the Paxil. At the lower doses serotonin only is
increased.
COMMENTS: This
was an eloquent study. The implication
for ADDers may be that Paxil above 40mg may be helpful for ADD symptoms that
are controlled by NE. The study
explains and supports Dr.John Ratey’s recommendations of a decade ago, that Desipramine
can be a first line treatment for ADD.
The mechanism of action is likely the NE increase.
HOPELESSLY DISORGANIZED??? There is real help out there. I’m reading the best book I have ever read about ways to conquer
chronic disorganization, and I feel I have read all the books on the
topic. The book is by Judith Kolberg, Conquering Chronic Disorganization, 1998-99,
Squall Press, Decatur, GA. You can
contact the author at Worthchat@aol.com
. She has another book which I haven’t
read yet, ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize
your Life. I’ll let you know what I
think, but you will enjoy the first book. It has big print and only 120 pages. The second book is 266 pages, ugh!!
PEACE!!!
Bob
This ADD NEWSLETTER is available free as a
monthly email at www.DrLoPresti.com