VOLUME 11, NO.6                                                   November 16, 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 NOVEMBER 16, 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 FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS WILL BE:  Ways to Manage and Improve Follow-Through After Making a Commitment to Ourselves and Others.   (Chris will facilitate the November meeting)

REDUCE MEDICATION COSTS: CHADD is offering ADDers a prescription card with savings up to 60% on some medications as well as vision, eye care, contacts, and glasses.  The card cost $30.95/year for CHADD members.  Call the following number for more information: 1-800-233-4050.

TREATMENT OPTION: In a book titled, Fidget to Focus, by Roland Rotz and S. Wright, you will find a workbook and another strategy to manage ADD/ADHD.  Cost is about 15.00.

MEDICATION ISSUES:  On the positive side the long acting psychostimulant medications for ADD/ADHD are often associated with improved social performance and relationships outside of the workplace.  Marital and family problems often improve as long as the duration of effectiveness lasts into the time when the ADDer is at home after work.

On the negative side there are two significant warnings on medications:

1) Paxil and Paxil CR have now been listed with warnings of increased risk of suicide in adults, particularly young adults.  In older adults 25 and up there was no increase in warnings.  Comment:  Whenever there is major depression or bipolar disorder along with ADD/ADHD there is an increase risk of suicidal thinking and behavior. What I have seen clinically is that Paxil and other SSRIs such as Zoloft, Prozac, Luvox, etal., and SSRNIs Effexor, and Cymbalta, diminish the emotional reactivity of patients.  Sometimes guilt about hurting others, religious warnings, and conscience are diminished along with the depression and unpleasant mood swings.  One should always talk to their psychologist

or physician whenever suicidal thoughts are apparent and/or become bothersome.

2) New warnings have been attached to all psychostimulants including Ritalin formulations such as Concerta, Metadate, Focalin, Methylin, Daytrana, and amphetamine stimulants Adderall, Dexedrine.  The warnings essentially say that ANY CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITION OR HYPERTENSION SHOULD BE EVALUATED BEFORE TAKING STIMULANTS!!!!

RESEARCH: In a research article by S.Faraone etal., Diagnosing Adult ADHD: Are Late Onset and Subthreshold Diagnoses Valid?, Am.J.Psychiatry, 2006 163(10):1720-1729, it was found that late onset adult ADHD was valid and the age at which symptoms first appear should be increased to at least 14 years.

COMMENT:  Some ADDers whose diagnoses were conditional because of the age of onset might want to get a re-evaluation.  Barkley's research says the age should be 16 years.                                                                                                                                                    PEACE!!!              

                                                                                                                Bob

This newsletter is available free as an email at www.DrLoPresti.com.  It is offered to readers only for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute medical or psychological advice; always consult your doctor.