VOLUME 9, NO.9                                                                           September 23, 2004

 

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 SEPTEMBER 23, 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: HOW TO MAKE NECESSARY TASKS INTERESTING, EXCITING, MOTIVATING, SALIENT AND EASIER TO COMPLETE WHEN YOU HAVE ADD/ADHD.

 

MEETING: The 16th Annual International Conference on AD/HD will be held at the Nashville, Tennessee Convention Center on October 28-30, 2004.  For further information check www.chadd.org.

 

ORGANIZING TIP:  You may be interested in getting daily email tips on how to better organize your life.  The service is presently free if you join a Yahoo group.  To subscribe go to The-Organizer-Lady-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . 

 

DIAGNOSING ADD/ADHD TIP: The following website has self rating checklists for girls and women: www.addvance.com/resources/resources.htm.  You will find many other helpful resources on ADD/ADHD for women.  The site is produced by two well known and trustworthy clinicians, one a psychologist and the other a psychiatrist.

 

RESEARCH: In a very interesting research study by N.Volkow, etal., Evidence that Methylphenidate MPH) Enhances the Saliency of a Mathematical Task by Increasing Dopamine in the Human Brain, American Journal of Psychiatry, 2004, 161(7): 1173-1180, it was discovered that 20mg of regular release MPH (Ritalin) given to healthy non-ADD/ADHD adults enhanced the interest for a task resulting in increased attention and performance.  The subjects were more likely to say the math task was “interesting, exciting, motivating and less tiresome and boring” after MPH, than after being given a placebo.  Extracellular dopamine in the striatum of the brains of these subjects was assessed with PET scans; the dopamine levels increased when the subjects did the math tasks with rewards, but not when doing tasks without rewards.  There was a direct relationship between the dopamine levels and the stated interest and motivation for the task.  Interestingly, dopamine levels did not increase while subjects passively viewed scenery cards.  The conclusion was that dopamine release is sensitive to environmental stimulation; salient and novel stimuli activate and increase the firing rates of dopamine cells and thereby increase dopamine release.  The authors believe their study supports the view that methylphenidate’s improvement of performance may be secondary to (because of) its motivational effects.  These findings explain why stimulants improve performance of a boring task.  They increase motivation. 

COMMENT:  These findings are quite consistent with our clinical experiences; and, once again reinforce what ADDers have said for years.  We need interesting, exciting, and motivating tasks (high salience) in order to function or perform at our best.  It appeared that Ritalin increased dopamine only up to a certain amount; the salience and context of the environment likely increased the rate of firing of the dopamine neurons and thereby further increased the amount of dopamine released into the extracellular space where it improved attention, motivation and performance. So, do what you love and your performance will improve.   

 

RESEARCH: In a research study by R.Crum etal.,  Sleep Disturbance and Risk for Alcohol-Related Problems, American Journal of Psychiatry, 2004, 161(7): 1197-1203, it was found that sleep disturbances caused by worry  (anxiety) predicted the risk of alcohol related problems 12.6 years later.  Worry without insomnia did not result in increased substance abuse.   Subjects were interviewed in 1981 and again between 1993-1996.  Only sleep disturbances related to worry predicted substance abuse.  Individuals with anxiety (worry) disorders without insomnia did not have increased risk for alcohol abuse.

COMMENTS: The significance of this study for ADDers is that insomnia, which is a cardinal symptom of most ADDers, could trigger the abuse of alcohol and other substances that help with insomnia.  There are many ADDers who abuse alcohol and other substances to medicate themselves for insomnia, but in the process worsen their ADD.

We underrate the importance of sleep for health.                  

                                                PEACE!!!      Bob

This newsletter is available 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.