VOLUME 7, NO.9 September 26, 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 September 26, 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: Authentic Happiness-- ADD Style.
Commentary: The American Medical Association recently publicized a study on national TV asserting that the herb, Ginkgo Biloba, was essentially not effective in improving memory and “could be” harmful for patients taking a blood thinner at the same time. The kernel of truth in the study is related to the blood thinning aspect. There were many problems with the study including the fact that the subjects in the study had no memory problems, so one would expect little memory improvement in such a group. Secondly, there are dozens of studies that essentially clearly demonstrate that Ginkgo Biloba is effective in improving memory. For those who know about statistics, you will guess that this could be an example of a Type I error. The question one asks is, why did AMA publicize such a study? I’ll let the reader draw a conclusion!!!
A finding that has been repeatedly reported in the scientific literature but not nationally publicized by AMA is that some psychoactive medications including Depakote, Zyprexa and possibly some of the SSRIs have caused diabetes even possibly some deaths. You may want to consult with your doctor about these issues. Note: some of the patients that developed diabetes did not show the typical weight gain one would expect with diabetes.
Research: In a study by A. Richardson & B.Puri, A randomized double blind, placebo controlled study of the effects of supplementation with highly unsaturated fatty acids on ADHD related symptoms in children with specific learning disabilities, Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 2002, 26(2):233-239, it was found that after 12 weeks on the supplement the mean scores for cognitive problems and general behavior problems was very significantly lower than the control group. In other words the fatty acid supplement appeared to reduce ADHD-related symptoms in children.
Comment: Unlike the findings in the AMA report, these results have been repeatedly confirmed by many studies, and appear to be robust. Unfortunately, the pharmaceutical companies may not make as much money in selling fatty acids.
The National Consumers League Reported the following:
1) Scientific evidence supports that ADHD is real, serious, can be diagnosed and treated; adults as well as children have it, and it is vastly under treated.
2) ADDers and their caregivers have the following RIGHTS: to be recognized, evaluated and treated, to make informed decisions, to appropriate special education services, to appropriate workplace accommodations; and the following RESPONSIBILITIES: to educate themselves and others about ADHD, to comply with treatment, to be held accountable for their actions in all settings.
3) Medical professionals have clear RESPONSIBILITIES: to make informed diagnostic and treatment recommendations using appropriate guidelines, and to provide individualized treatment.
4) Educators have a clear RESPONSIBILITY: to accommodate ADDers without compromising the instructional needs of other students; and the RIGHT: to have open, constructive dialogue with parents and caregivers, to draw upon professional experience to obtain training, and to receive assistance, to understand the symptoms of ADHD.
5) Employers have RESPONSIBILITIES to accommodate ADDers without compromising the workplace environment, and to give the Adders opportunities to succeed.
6) The media has clear RESPONSIBILITIES: to accurately report scientific and medial facts, and to investigate the credibility of sources of information about ADHD.
This ADD Newsletter is available free at www.DrLoPresti.com PEACE !!! Bob