VOLUME 7, NO.7                                JULY 25,  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 July 25, 2002 at 7:30 pm at Monmouth Medical Center, Room 114 Steinam Houseman, Long Branch, NJ.  Go to the reception desk in the main lobby and get directions.  The topic will be: HOW TO BE ASSERTIVE WITH TIME AND FUN FOR YOU .  (Jackie will facilitate and lead the group.)

Gaget: “Now you can find it.”  ADDers frequently complain of being unable to locate their keys, PALM Organizer, brief case, and sometimes their spouses.  If you can find this wireless electronic locator, you’ll be able to find your keys, cordless phone, remote control, and any other important part of your life.  You just press a button and a tiny disc the size of a quarter that you have attached to your important objects will beep.  The cost is $49.95 from (1-800-344-4444).  If you suffer from chronically losing an important part of your life, you may find this helpful.

 Trouble Communicating With Your Spouse or Child?  Try using email.  I have found that spouses are usually better communicators via email than they are in person.  The email method is an equalizer.  Both parties have equal power to terminate the communication without consequences at the moment.  Both parties have to think before sending communication, they can have time to reflect upon what was said, and they can review a conversation rather than fight about “what you said was…”  You can choose the proper time to relate.  Most teenagers love this method of communicating with their parents.  Try it!!

Brain Changes to Normal WITHOUT MEDICATION: Recently several studies have shown that the human brain can normalize itself with certain treatments.  For example placebo studies have shown that brain function can return to normal with essentially a sugar pill that the patient believes is an antidepressant medication; behavioral treatments for depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, dyslexia, and even ADD can change brain functions from abnormal to normal.  Biofeedback, cognitive behavior therapy, placebo, yoga, and other types of training can return the brain to normal functioning both from a behavioral perspective and now also from the perspective of PET scans, MRIs, and QEEGs (quantitative EEGs).   The potential for our minds and brains to heal themselves appears to be far greater than the pharmaceutical companies give us credit.  The human potential is truly the greatest frontier!!!

Research: In a recent article by  T.L. Richards etal. Driving anger and other driving-related behaviors in high and low ADHD symptom college students, J.Attention Disorders, 2002, 6(1), 25-38, it was found that students who reported high ADHD symptoms also experienced more driving anger, more driving aggression, more crash-related outcomes, more risky behaviors and problems with control of anger and emotions.  The driving outcomes were not thought to be due to differences in knowledge about driving skills.

Comments: If one can survive the early driving years, there is a much better chance of becoming a safe ADD driver.  Unfortunately the number one cause of  death in newly licensed drivers is death by auto accident.  As the parent of an ADD child you can model appropriate anger and behavioral control while driving.

Subscribe to this ADD Newsletter free at: www.DrLoPresti.com  Peace!!!

                                                                                                                                    Bob