VOLUME 7, NO.8 AUGUST 22, 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 August 22, 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 AND HAVE FUN. (Jackie will facilitate and lead the group again. See you in September.)
Research: In a study by J.Pilcher etal. The prevalence of daytime napping and its relationship to nighttime sleep. Behavioral Medicine, 2002, 27:71-76, it was found that in the general population, neither power naps (10 minutes), nor longer naps (45 minutes) caused a deterioration or a negative effect on quality or quantity of nighttime sleep in adults (average ages 18-55).
Comment: As a group ADDers have more problems with sleep and very likely with sleep deprivation. The loss of sleep often causes negative effects on the performance of ADDers. The power nap could be very helpful as long as it does not progress beyond the time limits. I have found it very helpful.
Alternative ADD Treatment? In a letter to the editor of the prestigious psychiatry journal, J. Am.Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2002, 41(8):895, by S.K Mehta, it was reported that the following homeopathic "Bach flower essences" were effective in treating ADHD children: rescue remedy/calming essence,vervain, crab apple, and walnut. The procedure was twice a day for the first week, then to three times a day. There were 10 children in the study (a partial hospitalization program). All children were given the "standard medical treatments including stimulant medications. Five children were given fake flower essences as a control. At the end of three months, 3 of the 5 standard treatment children were moved to inpatient hospitalization; while 3 of the 5 on the flower essences were "functioning well and Off All Medication." Statistical tests were significant. If you are interested, ask your medical professional about it. You can get the essences from health food stores or on line at www.nelsonbach.com.
Research: In a study by S.Southwick etal., Relationship of Enhanced Norepinephrine activity During Memory Consolidation to Enhanced Long-Term Memory in Humans, Am.J.Psychiatry, 2002, 159(8):1420-1422, it was found that enhanced memory critically depends upon postlearning adrenergic activity or arousal. Memory was found to highly correlate to the blood levels of MHPG (a major metabolite of norepinephrine).
Comment: This study supports a view that ADDers need to be aroused to remember things. The arousal must come after the information has been received. So often people complain that we are not paying attention, and for that reason alone we cannot remember. This study supports the view that it's the significance of the material emotionally that makes a difference in memory. Our body needs to remain focused or superfocused on the topic during as well as after the learning. Too often ADDers are quickly quizzed after learning something and they seem to know the material, only to fail the test the next day. There has been no post learning noradrenergic arousal.
Research: In a report by A.Robin and E.Payson, The Impact of ADHD on Marriage, The ADD Report,2002 (10(3): 9-11 & 14, it was found that ADDers and their Spouses agreed that these were the primary problems in their marriages: "Doesn't remember being told things...Says things without thinking...Zones out in conversations...Has trouble dealing with frustration...Has trouble getting started on a task...Under-estimates time needed to complete a task...Leaves a mess...Doesn't finish household projects". It was found that when the wife has the ADHD it's far worse for the marriage. Sex role issues and the observation that males express their dissatisfaction with their ADHD wives more directly were reasons.
This ADHD NEWSLETTER is available free at www.DrLoPresti.com PEACE!!!
Bob