VOLUME 10, NO.1 JANUARY 27, 2005

NJ ADD/ADHD 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 JANUARY 27, 2005 AT 7:30 PM AT MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER, COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM , LONG BRANCH, NJ. GO TO THE MAIN RECEPTION DESK AND GET DIRECTIONS. THE TOPIC WILL BE: WAYS TO IMPROVE MEMORY.

COMMENT: Memory in ADDers has been a common complaint. Even individuals with no ADD have difficulty with memory when there are many distractions such as irrelevant or racing thoughts, bodily symptoms, intrusive conversations, certain types of music, clutter, and other environmental distractions. We live in a world filled with far more distractions than most of our ancestors or parents. We are encouraged by the business world to accept chronic interruptions, distractions, multitasking and other memory disrupters. We can change significant parts of our world, decrease our distractions and improve our memory. We can limit the amount of time in our day that we allow interruptions, distractions, and intrusions. I have eliminated my pager; watch little if any TV, keep instant messenger off my computer, and have sacred quiet times. Let's talk about various methods to improve memory at our meeting this week: memory aids, supplements, medications, games, and others.

RESEARCH: In a research study by K. Schulz etal., Brain Activation Gradients in Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex (VLPC) Related to Persistence of ADHD in Adolescent Boys, J.Am.Acad.Child Adolesc.Psychiartry, 2005:44(1): 47-54, it was found that adolescent ADHD boys that had improvement in their ADD symptoms, also had significant changes in their VLPC; those ADDers who showed no improvement in a GO/NO-GO task had no change in the VLPC.

COMMENTS: The important part of this research was that from childhood to adolescence, ADHD that changed to parital remission was associated with VLPC activity more like that seen in controls than in the ADDers whose symptoms did not improve. The VLPC nucleus deals with sensory cues (distractions). Now the questions are: Why did the changes occur? What were the differences in habits, experiences, environments of the groups? Can we influence the activity of the VLPC in other ways?

RESEARCH: In a section entitled "Research" in The ADHD Report, 2004 (12(6):13, there was a review of research by S.Khilnani etal., Massage Therapy Improves Mood in ADHD Students, Adolescence, 2003, 38: 623-638, a total of 30 students (age 7-18) with ADHD diagnoses were given massage therapy 20 minutes twice a week for one month. The ADHD massage group reported feeling better following the sessions. On the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale of pre- and post massage ratings, the ADHD massage group showed significant reductions in hyperactivity, anxiety, and daydreaming/inattention.

COMMENT: If you have a significant other who would be willing to trade 20 minute massage therapy sessions twice a week, you might experience the same or better results as this group. It seems worth a try.

RESEARCH: In a research article by R.Barkley, New findings: Alcohol, Driving and Adults, The ADHD Report, 2004, 12(6): 14-16, it was reported that ADHD adults showed a greater detrimental effect from alcohol on their attention and driving than was seen in a control group. The ADHD group's driving behavior without alcohol was similar to adults who were mildly intoxicated. On the virtual reality driving simulator, the adults with ADHD drove faster, with more variable speed, and longer braking times than controls. The treatments for the two groups were "two single acute doses of alcohol (0.04 and 0.08 blood alcohol concentration)". The ADHD and the control groups both rated their driving abilities as "above average". On a Continuous Performance Test, alcohol consumption was found to have a greater negative effect on the attention of the ADDers than the controls. Other research studies support these findings.

COMMENTS: The author recommends that "...adults with ADHD should be clinically counseled not to consume any alcohol while operating a motor vehicle." I agree.

PEACE!!! Bob

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