VOLUME 11, NO.1                                                                                                JANUARY 26, 2006

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 26, 2006 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: SOCIAL SKILLS--USE THEM OR LOSE THEM!!!

 

SOCIAL SKILLS:  Remembering and Learning to use social skills can be a major undertaking for those of us blessed with ADHD.  Here are a few books that are helpful for adults and youth:

                What Does Everybody Else Know That I Don't, by Michele, Novotni, Ph.D. (This is the best book on the topic for adults with ADHD.)

                Teaching Social Skills to Youth, by Tom Dowd and Jeff Tierney (There is a CD-ROM included; it's for youth, but some adults may profit.  Use it to teach others and brush up on or learn social skills in the process.)

                It's So Much Work to be Your Friend, by Richard Lavoie (The author of this book for children has a wonderful reputation for producing excellent books and videos on relationships.)

                Raise Your Child's Social I Q, by Cathi Cohen (Here's another popular book for children.  As a parent I find that teaching these skills to my child refreshes my social skills memory.)

 

NEW RITALIN SKIN PATCH:  The patch is another step closer to being approved, produced and available to the public.  The name of it will be Daytrana

 

SLEEP AND ADHD.  In a research article by G.Fallone, C. Acebo, R. Seifer,  and M. Carskadon, EXPERIMENTAL RESTRICTION OF SLEEP OPPORTUNITY IN CHILDREN: EFFECTS ON TEACHER RATINGS. Sleep, 2005,28: 1561-1567, it was found that for very healthy children who did not have any diagnoses and no ADHD, time in bed had a significant impact on teacher ratings of attention and academic problems in school.  The kids were 6-12 year olds.  The study lasted three weeks.  WEEK ONE: Kids were rated by their teachers for academic problems attention etc. after a week of their usual time-in-bed schedule.  WEEK TWO.  Kids were rated for problems after a week of "optimized" sleep time--at least 10 hours/night or after a week of "restricted" sleep time (less than 6.5 hours for 3rd grade and above).  WEEK THREE. Kids were assigned to the schedule of sleep time not assigned in weeks two (optimized or restricted).  Actigraph wrist monitoring, parent diaries, and blind teacher evaluations were measured.  RESULTS: Teachers reported more attention and academic problems for the week when the child was on the restricted schedule of sleep compared to the week when the child was enjoying his/her normal sleep times.

COMMENTS: These kids had no ADHD, yet even a mild restriction of sleep impacted their attention and academic problems.  The optimized schedule was defined as time in bed.  Many adults with ADHD suffer restricted sleep almost all the time.  A common pattern is a delayed sleep schedule with morning fatigue.  What is needed here is a study with ADHD kids who are given optimized sleep time or just time in bed that is optimized.  Many ADDers jump out of bed as soon as they awaken.  Perhaps some dozing or relaxed time in bed might improve attention during the day?

 

INSOMNIA REVIEW:  In a review of the literature on insomnia M. Silber, CHRONIC INSOMNIA, New England Journal of Medicine, 2005,353: 803-810, it was reported that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)  was recommended as the first line of treatment for these problems.  That means going to see a psychologist trained in treating insomnia using CBT is often your best approach.  When medications are used too, there is a reduction in the effectiveness of the CBT treatment. There is a common use of sedating antidepressants, most typically Desyrel (trazodone) for chronic insomnia; yet there is little data on its effectiveness unless there is also depression or another psychiatric condition present.  Long term use side effects can be "awful".  Also, the benzodiazepine's limitations and warnings are well noted. They have a high addiction potential.  The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved of three medications for chronic insomnia: Lunestra (eszopiclone), Rozerem (ramelteon), and AmbienCR (zolpidem CR).  Yet most physicians will not likely prescribe these meds longer than six months, because the safety and efficacy of longer term use has not been well established. 

COMMENTS: This review was one of the best I have seen on the topic of chronic insomnia.  What is most encouraging is that a behavioral treatment is more effective than medication unless there is some underlying psychiatric condition.  Typical sleep hygiene practices are often ignored by many ADDers.  We can discuss these practices in our session this week. 

                                                                                PEACE!!!

                                                                                                Bob

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