VOLUME 9, NO.12
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 DECEMBER 16, 2004 AT 7:30 PM AT MONMOUTH MEDICAL
CENTER, COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM , LONG BRANCH, NJ. GO TO THE RECEPTION DESK IN THE MAIN LOBBY
AND GET DIRECTIONS. THE TOPIC WILL BE: DEALING WITH THE HOLIDAYS (
NEW BOOK: E. Hallowell & J. Ratey,
ADD and ADULTS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW (Getting
the Most out of life with Attention Deficit Disorder),2004, Ballintine Books.
COMMENTS: These are the
authors of Driven to Distraction a best seller. The reviews look very good. There is an abridged audiocassette and audio
CD edition for auditory learners amongst us.
As usual both authors are very positive about the ADD Potential. We have heard them talk about the
"Potential Blessing" of ADD.
Their goal was to help ADDers find and strengthen their hidden potential
talents.
HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: For many the
Holiday Season brings both hope and sadness.
Some of us have suffered losses in 2004 such as job changes,
relationship changes, transitions and others.
Helping others who are less fortunate than we often brings a special
feeling and blessing to the helper.
Community Services, Churches, and other organizations may welcome your
service. Activating the DOING part of our brain can often give worry and sadness, a rest.
MORE SUPPORT: I have
encouraged members to consider joining the free email list of The-Organizer-Lady@yahoogroups.com
. She sent the following email this
week: "Need more support? ...Maybe
you need a personal MA ClutterBuddy partner to work
with by email...Work with your partner daily by posting ONE goal for that
day. The next day, report on how you did
on that one and set ONE new goal for the next day...Avoid long
discussions...Focus on the goal setting and reporting...Complement your partner" . You can join
this program by posting on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Friends-of-The-Organizer-Lady
.
RESEARCH: In a research
study by R. Post etal., Prepubertal bipolar I disorder and bipolar disorder NOS are separable
from ADHD, Journal
of Clinical Psychiatry, 2004, 65:898-901, it was reported that the chief
symptoms that distinguish the manic phase of bipolar disorder from uncomplicated
ADHD are elevated mood and grandiosity. Manic
or hypomanic bipolar disorders typically include
these additional symptoms: flight of ideas, racing thoughts, decreased need for
sleep, hypersexuality, severe temper, frequent and
extreme mood swings, and grandiose delusions.
Children often respond to lithium or anticonvulsants.
COMMENTS: Elevated mood refers to feeling and acting with euphoria, extreme
joy, exhilaration, excitement etc. that does not change with circumstances or
events. A person with elevated mood may
describe feeling "high"..."on top of the world" nearly all
the time, and they are not using drugs. Grandiosity refers to an inflated
appraisal of one's worth, power, knowledge, importance or identity. The additional symptoms listed above are very
common in ADHD without bipolar disorder.
One can have both ADHD and bipolar disorders. Other researchers and clinicians including
myself have found treating bipolar disorders alone when there is underlying
ADHD will result in treatment failures.
Adding small amounts of stimulants to treat the ADHD after the bipolar
symptoms are gone has often been helpful.
HOLIDAY SPIRITS: If you are being medically treated for ADHD this holiday
season you want to remember that stimulant medications and some other ADHD
medications can intensify the effects of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and other
drugs. MOST doctors will say either no
alcohol or no more than one beer or glass of wine. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
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.