VOLUME 10, NO.10                                                             OCTOBER 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 OCTOBER 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 TOPICS WILL BE: 1) HYPERFOCUS: SPELL, RESOURCE, CURSE, GIFT?  WAYS TO MANAGE IT.  2) ANXIETY MANAGEMENT WITHOUT MEDICATION.

 

ADDERALL BAN REVERSED:  Canada has reversed its ban on Adderall XR.  An independent panel reviewed the data and recommended that the medication carry the warnings about risks.  If you have structural heart problems or are prone to addictions, the risks may apply to you.

 

ADULT CHADD MEETING:  For those interested in more ADD adult support group meetings, there is one nearby on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at the Somerset Medical Center.  JKMorrow01@aol.com is the contact. 

 

REVIEW OF ARTICLE:  In the September/October issue of Psychotherapy Networker, 2005,.29(5):46-, Margaret Wehrenberg summarizes ten anxiety management techniques that I believe will be very helpful for ADDers: "1) Manage the Body... 2) Breathe... 3) Mindful Awareness...4) Don't Listen When Worry Calls Your Name... 5) Knowing, Not Showing Anger... 6) Have a Little Fun...7)Turning It Off... 8) Persistent Interruption of Rumination... 9) Worry Well, But Only Once... 10) Learn to Plan Instead of Worry."

 

RESEARCH: In a research article by W.Pelham Jr.etal., A Dose-Ranging Study of a Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Transdermal System in Children with ADHD, J.Amer.Acad.Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2005, 44(6): 522-529, it was reported that the patch was comparable in effectiveness to oral doses of the medication.  Time of application had no significant effect on daily behavior.  The highest dose minimally increased the effectiveness of the medication.  There were three patch sizes, 6, 12, and 25 square centimeters.  The patch was applied to the right or left hip and was retained even while swimming.  There was behavioral improvement throughout the 12 hours of wear.  Side effects were several but most significant were appetite loss (61%) and difficulty sleeping (47%). 

COMMENTS: This is potentially an exciting new development, but it is clearly not ready for general use.  The appetite and insomnia problems are bad enough with regular and slow release Ritalin taken by mouth, and the data suggest the problems may be worse with the longer acting patch.  Keep tuned!!

 

CONTROVERSY ABOUT ADHD IN WOMEN/GIRLS.

                RESEARCH. In a research study by J.Biederman, M.D. etal., Absence of Gender Effects on AHDD: Findings in Nonreferred Subjects, American J. Psychiatry, 2005,162(6): 1083-1089, it was reported that the large differences reported between boys and girls with ADHD in clinical settings may be due to referral bias meaning that males are more frequently referred for diagnosis and treatment. Once diagnosed the boys and girls showed similar levels of cognitive, psychosocial, school, and family functioning. There were no significant differences in ADHD subtypes, treatment history, or psychiatric comorbidity (complications).

                NATIONAL CENTER FOR GENDER ISSUES AND AD/HD.  In a Q/A column for the center, Dr.Patricia Quinn emphasized some of the issues the Center has with current ADHD diagnoses and why girls/women are being underserved by the criteria.  Criteria for ADHD were derived mostly for males: females have fewer disruptive behaviors; the criterion of onset of symptoms before the age of seven is less likely in females with inattentive ADD; girls are more likely to have attention and organizational difficulties that are overlooked in the classroom; the demands of puberty prevent girls from hiding their symptoms.  "Good grades and satisfactory teacher reports, especially in elementary school cannot rule out ADHD in girls."   ADDvance Online News, 2005,16(3).

and www.ncgiadd.org

                                                                                PEACE!!!   Bob

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