DMAE - Great for the Brain and Great for Wrinkles

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol), with its ability to stabilize cell membranes that contribute to increased memory and healthier brain activity, is proven to boost memory and reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). That is a commonly known fact.

DMAE`s skin-firming benefits are less known. DMAE is shown to also provide skin tightening and facial lifting qualities. The results are often noticeable, not dramatic, but DNAE can slow the development of facial sagging as you age.

Armed with this new information, many skin care companies are now offering DMAE creams, though these creams are currently quite pricey due to the lack of market competition.

An alternative exists, especially if you have Attention Deficit Disorder and want to firm sagging skin. To get the two-for-one benefit of DMAE, use Attend, which contains 16.7 mg of DMAE per eevery two capsules!

A Brief But Important Review of ADHD Medications

In May 2006, Health Canada issued warnings on all ADHD medications that included heart risks and sudden death. Should the US do the same

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in May 2006, that side effects and other problems with prescription stimulants used for ADHD send on average 3,100 people to the emergency room each year - 80 percent of which are children. Problems most associated with ADHD medications include overdosing or accidental use causing side effects that include chest pain, high blood pressure, rapid heart beat, stroke and sudden death.

The FDA linked 25 deaths to ADHD drugs between 1999 and 2003; 19 were children. Also there were 54 cases reported of serious heart problems that included strokes and heart attacks.

In 2005 the FDA reported that children taking stimulants are at an increased risk of serious psychiatric adverse effects including psychosis or mania accompanied by hallucinations. The FDA Pediatric Advisory Committee recommended that a Medication Guide describing the potential psychiatric adverse effects and cardiovascular risks be provided when the medications are dispensed.

It should be noted that anyone showing signs of acute unexpected behavioural reactions, hallucinations, or increased aggression should discontinue the medication immediately. We highly recommend looking to effective naturasl supplements like Attend to avoid the dangers associated with ADHD drugs.

Are ADHD Medications Really Effective?

Spending on ADHD drugs soared from $759 million in 2000 to $3.1 billion in 2004 yet there are no studies that prove the long-term effectiveness of amphetamine drugs in helping people adapt or adjust to life with ADHD. With this widespread use of amphetamines and the risks associated with these drugs, shouldn't there be strong evidence proving that these drugs truly work in the long run?

ADHD medications do reduce the major symptoms of ADHD such as distractibility, impulsiveness and restlessness. People using stimulant medications need to question whether the symptoms are severe enough to justify the potential serious side effects.

Statistics show that ADHD drugs send 3,100 people to the emergency room every year. Of those, 80 percent are children. Additionally, the FDA linked 25 deaths to ADHD drugs between 1999 and 2003 - 19 of which were children. There have also been 54 cases of serious heart problems reported including strokes and heart attacks.

Major side effects may be rare, percentage-wise, but the use of ADHD drugs certainly is not. Many believe that different alternatives should be looked into as possible interventions. ADHD drugs may offer a quick fix, but do the benefits of that outweigh the possible dangers and misuse that can and do occur?

Parents need to be informed about the risks versus the benefits that these stimulants carry for their children and ask themselves; "Are these medications justifiable or even desirable?"

Depression- Nuture vs. Nature?

New research, published in the journal "Biological Psychiatry", suggests that a supportive and loving home life can be all that's needed to override the genetic vulnerability to depression.

The study found that those who carry a version of the serotonin transporter gene, 5-HTTLPR, are more susceptible to depression than people without this gene variant, but only in gene carriers who grew up in a stressful home environment. In contrast, young adult gene carriers who had a supportive and warm family had a reduced risk of depression.

Of the 118 young adults in the study, 27 percent carried two copies of the short form of 5-HTTLPR. A similar percentage had two long versions of the gene, and the rest of the adults carried one copy of each version. Those who carried the two short forms had a higher risk of depression if they reported having a dysfunctional family life marked by hostility, conflict and coldness. Those who grew up with a nurturing family had a lower risk of depression.

In the development of depression, these findings point to the importance of nature vs. nurture. Researchers believe that a strong family life can be enough to reverse the effects of this risk factor and that a dysfunctional family life can create stress that sends genetically vulnerable people into depression.

This study indicates that those with a family history of depression need not worry as long as they have a family with a strong support system in place and are there for you during the tough times.

Reactions to Prescription Drugs

A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that over 700,000 people go to the emergency room each year due to dangerous and harmful reactions to prescription drugs.

The most frequent causes were accidental overdoses and allergic reactions. Pharmacists stress that people need to ask questions and get information about the prescribed drugs before getting them.

Why Are Preschoolers Given Ritalin?

Ritalin, a popular ADD drug, is given to increasing numbers of preschoolers these days. A big problem is that the drug is not recommended for anyone under the age of six.

The first long-term government study for the preschool age group indicates that, although Ritalin may help children with severe cases of ADD, preschoolers need to be monitored very closely. Children under the age of 6 are more likely to develop serious side effects than older children.

This study, conducted in response to soaring numbers of very young children prescribed psychiatric drugs, appeared in the November edition of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Many of the originally 300 families enrolled dropped out after the first phase of the study. During the 70-week study, over 50 percent of the children dropped out due to side effects ranging from irritability, weight loss, insomnia, and slowed growth rate.

Drug Abuse Among the College Crowd

Recreational use of prescription drugs is becoming commonplace on college campuses and many students don't see the use or selling stimulants, painkillers, or even sleep aids as illegal or harmful.

Adderall, a stimulant drug to treat ADD, is becoming the most popular drug to help students pull all-nighters to get their work done. Misuse of any drug is dangerous and can end up being extremely harmful or deadly. The sad side is that many students believe no harm will come to them and do not recognize that using medications that are not prescribed to them, or misuse medications prescribed to them is a felony offense.

Students Abusing Drugs

There's a growing problem with Adderall drug abuse, especially among high school honor students who are not abusing the drug to get high but to enable them to get better grades.

The pressure to succeed academically is simply too stressfull for some students. These students something that will help them increase their attention span and improve their ability to follow directions.

With the growing problem with "study enhancement" drug use, experts are beefing up their efforts to make students realize the dangers involved in using amphetamines. Using Adderall without a doctor's consent or taking Adderall at higher doses can increase blood pressure and heart rate, produce heart arrhythmias and, even worse, cause a stroke, heart attack or death.

Is It ADD or Are You Just Busy?

Adult ADD is not an onset condition. The condition was either undiagnosed as a child, or the symptoms currently experienced as an adult are not ADD. If you are impatient, easily distracted, impulsive or are overbooked, your problem could be ADD or just a normal reaction to multitasking. A person who can't remember where they put the keys does not necessarily have dementia. Someone who has trouble paying attention does not necessarily have ADD.

A fine line exists between adult ADD or just plain old busy lifestyles and multi-tasking. In today's multisensory culture that also supports distractiveness, people have to question the cause of the problem. Whether the problem is ADD or a busy lifestyle, great ways to help relieve symptoms are having some quiet time, exercising, using homeopathic remedies, and even meditation.

Ways to Beat Stress

Had a rough day and need to find a way to relax? Here are a few stress busters to help give you relief.
-Get some exercise. Taking a long walk or a brisk run will help.
-Go to a bookstore and thumb through some books while enjoying a hot cup of cocoa.
-Find some of your favorite music to play, then dance and sing along.
-Visit a quiet place such as a museum or art gallery.
-With your feet propped up, enjoy some daydreaming.
-To help you get a good nights sleep, soak in a hot tub filled with chamomile.

Eat Your Veggies

New research shows that eating vegetables keeps your brain young and slows mental decline often associated with aging. In a study of almost 2,000 people, researchers found that older people who ate more than two servings of veggies a day appeared five years younger at the end of the six year study compared to those who ate few or no vegetables. Vitamin E-rich kale, spinach and collards ranked as the most beneficial vegetables. Vitamin E is a powerful free-radical fighting antioxidant.

Free Therapy for Depression

Numerous studies show that exercise is as effective in the fight with depression as medication or psychotherapy. Although exercise is a free, healthy and safe alternative, exercise is often a neglected method to managing depression.

Ask your doctor for a referral to an exercise physiologist who can address depression and a range of other chronic conditions. You can get fit and feel better at the same time. It's a two-fer bonus!

Labels Must Carry Warnings!

Canadian health authorities are following U.S. health officials suit demanding warnings on ADHD medications. The FDA requires that stimulant ADHD medications carry new warning information to alert parents and users to the risk of heart problems, sudden death and psychotic behavior. While some doctors believe the new warnings could slow the use of these medicines, others believe ADHD prescriptions are unnecessary and overused.

ADHD Drugs-It's All in the Family

If someone is in your household takes an ADHD medication, the likelihood of other family members taking ADHD drugs is quite high. A recently released Medco Health Solutions study confirmed what doctors have long known - ADD runs in the family.

Medco, a prescription benefits manager, based this study on an analysis of 107,000 prescription claims filed in 2005 of parents and their children ages 5-19. The study shows that parents of children taking ADHD drugs are nine times more likely to use ADHD drugs themselves. If a second child is present, that child is most likely on medication too.

Many doctors have long seen how ADHD runs in the family, and now these findings support the doctors beliefs. The study carries a few surprises as well. Adult ADHD medication use traditionally began after the child began taking ADHD medications. Parents, looking at their child's symptoms, realized they have the same symptoms and then sought treatment.

According to the study, out of nearly half of those taking ADHD medicine in 2005, the parent started taking medication first, followed by the child. Although ADHD is two to three times more common in males than females, in households where both parent and child are taking the drugs, 60% of the time Mom is on medication rather than Dad. Medco reported from 2000-2004 the use of drugs rose twice as fast among adults than children and had a higher rate among women than men.

The study also found that among children on medication, seven percent had a parent using the medicine. Also, if a twin is on an ADHD drug, there's a 25 percent chance the other is too. The statistics rose to 33 percent if both twins were male.

Experts believe ADHD symptoms become obvious when children reach 13 or are in middle and high school. For adults, the average age of starting medication is 43.

The FDA Says "No" To Modanfinil

Potentially fatal side effects stopped the proposed ADHD drug Modafinil from reaching FDA approval. Modafinil contains the same active ingredient as Provigil, an FDA-approved drug used to boost wakefulness and focus for adults with excessive sleepiness and narcolepsy.

Some doctors currently prescribe Provigil for Attention Deficit Disorder. If your child currently takes Provigil for ADHD, note that a recent study of the drug showed that one in 933 children developed a life-threatening skin condition.

Please speak to your health care provider about a safer treatment for ADHD. Or, consider using Attend, which is shown to be as effective as current ADHD medications but does not pose negative side effects.

The Power of Marketing

Allowing drugmakers to market ADHD drugs straight to the consumer spurred a 250 percent increase in psychotropic drugs in teens, a new study found.

Prior to 1994, drugmakers were not allowed to direct-to-consumer market psychotropic drugs. The federal government lifted the ban and the drug use floodgates opened.

According to a new Brandeis University study, published in the journal of Psychiatric Services, prescriptions of psychotropic drugs for teens increased 250% between 1994 and 2001.

By 2001, one in every ten office visits by teenage boys led to a prescription. Also, a diagnosis of ADHD was given in about one-third of the office visits that occurred during the study period. Furthermore, psychotropic drugs were prescribed without a mental health diagnosis in 14 to 26 percent of doctor visits.

This dramatic drug use increase occurred despite the fact that few of these psychotropic drugs are approved for children under 18. Researchers say that this trend needs further investigation.

ADHD Medicines Price-Gouging

The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board is investigating the makers of Concerta and Adderall XR for price gouging after a review that shows these drugmakers charge consumers 115 to 445 percent above the maximum level set for ADHD drugs.

Both Concerta and Adderall XR are once-daily time-released drugs. While the manufacturers claim the drugs are an improvement to Ritalin and Dexedrine, the review board believes prices should be the same unless Concerta and Adderall XR are considered a breakthrough or have a substantial improvement on existing treatments.

Compare Concerta and Ritalin, which have the same identical active ingredient; Concerta costs range from $1.98 to $3.20 per capsule while Ritalin costs range from .50 cents to $1.45 per capsule. Monthly, Concerta can cost anywhere from $61.38 to $96 while Ritalin can cost $15.50 to $44.95.

For many families, especially those without insurance coverage, the costs of these new drugs can be overwhelming. Due to the strong genetic component to the disorder, there are many families who have more than one child on medication, causing monthly prescription bills to run into hundreds of dollars.

It would be remiss not to mention that Attend, a once daily ADHD treatment that is shown to be as effective as Ritalin and Concerta, costs just $35.95 monthly. In addition to the health and wellness benefit of Attend, Attend is also a cost-effective way to treat ADHD symptoms.

Attend also comes with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. Just try getting your money back from the pharmacist if Concerta or Ritalin do not work to reduce ADHD symptoms!

Should You Treat Depression During Pregnancy?

Whether or not to treat depression while pregnant with prescription anti-depressants is a complex question. Women and their doctors must consider the benefits to mother while weighing the risks to mom and her unborn child.

Two new studies provide information regarding depression and pregnancy, but make the decision no easier.

The first study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that women who stopped taking prescription antidepressants were five times more likely to relapse into depression during pregnancy then women who continued taking antidepressants.

However, a second study shed light to a serious health danger to babies born of mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy. This study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that women taking antidepressant drugs during pregnancy were six times more likely to have babies with persistent pulmonary hypertension. Persistent pulmonary hypertension is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents babies from getting enough oxygen into their bloodstream.

Most everything a woman takes during pregnancy will make its way to baby. If a woman can manage through pregnancy without the use of pharmaceutical drugs, baby will be better off. If the depression is too serious to avoid intervention, please speak to your doctor about natural alternatives like Deprex. Natural alternatives can be much healthier for mother and baby than using antidepressant drugs. As always, women should discuss all medications and supplements used during pregnancy.

Pine Bark Extract - An Ingredient in Attend - Reduces ADHD Symptoms

A recent study shows that Pine Bark Extract, a powerful antioxidant commonly used in folk medicine, significantly reduces ADHD symptoms in children. Not coincidentally, this is one of almost 70 ingredients in Attend.

This study, published in the journal of European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, showed that Pycnogenol (pine bark extract) as an effective treatment for ADHD symptoms.

The study showed reduced hyperactivity and improved attention, concentration and motor-visual coordination while taking pine bark extract, and a return of ADHD symptoms once the group stopped taking pine bark extract.

In this double-blind study of 61 patients, 41 received Pycnogenol daily for a month and 16 received a placebo. Patients were tested and evaluated before treatment, one month after treatment and one month after the end of the study. Those taking Pycnogenol daily for one month showed a drastic drop in hyperactivity and inattention compared to those who received a placebo. After a month of not taking pine bark extract, researchers again performed testing and found that ADHD symptoms.

Bring on the pine bark extract! This finding is important news for families concerned about the dangers and side effects of ADHD medications and for those seeking natural alternative to ADHD medications.

Most ADHD medications can be addictive and all ADHD medications have side effects - some of which are serious and potentially life-threatening. The Center for Disease Control estimates that ADHD medications cause over 3,000 emergency visits each year due to these drugs.

In addition to increased cognitive function, Pycnogenol - an ingredient in Attend - also provides health benefits for the heart, circulatory system, skin.

Sage To Sharpen the Senses and Calm the Nerves

Folk medicine claims that sage quickens the senses, sharpens memory and reduces stress. New research confirms the sage wisdom of this medicinal herb.

British researchers studied alertness and anxiety levels of volunteers taking either 300mg of sage leaf extract, 600mg of sage leaf extract or a placebo sugar pill. Study participants were then given multi-tasking tests one hour and four hours after taking the pills.

Compared to the placebo group, study participants taking sage were more calm and remained more alert before, during and at the end of testing. The group taking the highest dose of sage fared best.

Sage is proven to slow the release of enzymes that break down neurotransmitters. Inhibiting these enzymes can improve mood by maintaining higher levels of neurotransmitters responsible for happy moods.

Try this at home; Before a stressful event take 600 mg of sage leaf capsules and see how well you fare. You can also make sage tea by steeping 1 teaspoon of dried sage in one cup of water.
**It should be noted that pregnant women should not take this herb.

Sage To

Too Many "Balls in the Air"?

Working moms know the meaning of "juggling" all too well but usually that reference to multitasking is negative. However, a new study shows that multi-tasking moms might have a healthiness edge over single working women and stay-at-home moms, a recently-released London study reports.

University College London researchers began studying 1,700 26-year-old women 27 years ago. At the end of the study, researchers found that by age 53, 38% of stay-at-home moms were obese, compared with 23% of working mothers. Women who did not carry the triple wife/mother/working woman title (specifically single women and stay-at-home mothers) were also more likely to report other health concerns.

Benefits of Omega-3

When it comes to boosting brain function, the Omega-3 family of essential fatty acids clearly emerge as a must-have brain health nutrient. According to a Purdue University study, children deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids are more likely to display ADHD symptoms like impulsiveness, lack of concentration, behavioral problems and excessive physical activity. One specific Omega-3 fatty acid, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), shows itself to be the darling of Omega-3s when it comes to nourishing the brain and stabalizing behavior. The Purdue study found that DHA plays a role in managing behavior and mood and can help children be more productive in school. Other studies confirm that DHA plays an important role in brain development and reducing cognitive decline.

Fish oil and wild salmon excellent source of DHA but good luck getting those down a picky eater's throat. Omega-3 enriched eggs are a good dietary option. Attend also contains DHA, along with every other Omega-3 in the fatty acid family.

Cholesterol and Memory

A 2005 Journal of Nutrition study found a connection between saturated fats and brain function in kids. This study found that as cholesterol intake increased, children's performance on memory tests decreased. With each 100mg intake of cholesterol, poor performance on the test increased by 25 percent.

Parents Looking At Alternatives

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 4.4 million children ages 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD and 2.5 million children in that age range
receive prescription drugs to treat Attention Deficit Disorder. Despite the high
number of children taking ADHD medication, this also shows a high number of parents electing not to medicate their ADD children. Parents increasingly seek natural remedies that include diet modification, nutritional supplementation and homeopathy to avoid the negative side effects of ADHD drugs.

ADHD and School Success-Yes, it is Possible!

A day in school requires sustained attention, sitting quietly and refined social skills - all of which ADHD children tend to have great difficult mastering. With a teamwork approach to education, solid communication and a few tried and try tips, the education process does not need to be an exercise in frustration for the student, parent or teacher.

To help ease the strains of ADHD and the school setting, try these back-to-school tips to encourage a successful school year.

Communicate Early and Often with the Teacher: Teachers need to know early of any issues that might create an education obstacle and ADHD most certainly falls into that category. Ideally, parents should meet with the child's teacher early in the school year to develop an early line of communication, head off potential problems and allow a proactive approach with the child’s education. In addition to communicating information to the teacher, seasoned teachers can often provide information that will help parents.

The time-constricted parent/teacher conferences, typically held after the first grading period, may not provide enough time to discuss the particular strengths and weaknesses of child. Additionally, your child might already be marked as a troublemaker or a slacker by that time. Undoing that label may not be as easy after one fourth of the school year already gone.

Understand Today's Classroom: In any given classroom, teachers likely have a couple ADHD students, a few more with unique emotional obstacles or educational special needs and then about 20 other "average" students. As parents, we know the extra dose of patience and understanding needed in working with the ADHD child. We also know (all too well, I am afraid), that our patience can be pushed to the absolute limit. Teachers face the same issues, and then some.

Patience is a Two-Way Street: Just as parents ask for patience and understanding with their ADHD child, teachers should also receive patience and understanding. A relationship built on the single goal of teaching the ADHD child benefits the child more than teachers and parents finger-pointing at each other over the educational process.

Be Goal-Oriented: If you do have a conflict with the teacher, try to approach the problem in a positive light. The teacher might tell you that your child will not stay in his seat, pokes at other students or is heading straight for a detention. Instead of focusing on the immediate problem at hand, focus on action plans to modify the behavior.

Homework Tips for Parents: Try these homework tips to ease the strain at home.
- Establish a Set Homework Routine: Because the ADHD child functions best in a consistent environment, homework should be done in the same place, at the same time and for a set amount of time every day.
- Clear the Clutter at Home: The child's work area should be free of distractions, such as televisions, video games, music and other people.
- Mandatory Homework Time: Establishing a set amount of time to work on homework provides consistency while discouraging the child from rushing through homework. In general, elementary school children should spend about 30 minutes each night on homework. Middle school and high school students should spend about one hour on homework. If the child does not have homework that evening or they finish before the allotted time, the child can read until their mandatory homework time is over.
- "Chunk" Tasks and Schedule Breaks: Long-range tasks are often difficult for the ADHD child. "Chunking" homework helps break the homework into smaller, more manageable pieces. A 20-problem math assignment, for instance, can be broken into four chunks of five problems each, with a small break given between chunks.
- Rewards/Consequences: The ADHD child needs all the rewards they can get, along with firm and consistent consequences. Modest rewards like a treat, special priveledge, earning Gameboy play time or the right to choose a favorite dinner can motivate the child to work toward the goal of completing his homework. Remember to offer intangible rewards like smiles and praise when your child puts the effort into completing his homework. A "way to go" goes a long way in positive reinforcement for Attention Deficit Disorder children. Effective consequences for not completing homework are losing phone, computer, stereo and television privileges for the evening.
- Remain Calm: Once you start yelling, the child has won the homeowrk power struggle. Remain calm and firm yet consistent with consequences. It may take a couple "consequence" days before the child to realize completing homework is better than not doing homework.
- Focus on Effort Instead of Grades: Don't get hung up on the traditional grading scale. Your ADHD child may not be able to receive "A"s on every homework and school assignment. Do make sure to give your ADHD child an "A" for effort. The goal is to develop a solid homework habit. With a homework habit established, better grades will follow.
- Keep Track of Assignments: Using an assignment book helps parents keep track of the child's daily and weekly homework. If the teacher does not use an assignment book, try to develop a system that keeps you informed of your child's homework assignments.


Classroom Tips for Teachers: These tips, though specifically targeted for teaching children with Attention Deficit Disorder, can help all students in school.
- Reduce the Classroom Clutter: Keep classroom ornamentation to a minimum, clear your desk of piles and reduce anything that will take the student’s attention away from the work at hand.
- Reduce Worksheet Clutter: Keep classroom and homework page formats simple. Reducing the clutter on worksheets will work wonders.
- Choose seating arrangements wisely: Back row or middle of the room seating gives ADHD children too many distractions. You should also try to seat ADHDchildren far away from students (friends and enemies alike) that can add to distractions and closer to well-focused students.
- Highlight Succes:Children ADHD are no strangers to scoldings and trouble. Continuing the scoldings and reprimands rarely brings positive results. Instead, highlight the student’s successes. Give the student a smile. Make an effort to show you find value in them. If you put the extra effort into the ADHD child, they will try to return the favor.
- Choose Your Battles: Try not to confront the ADHD child for every little classroom infraction. Separating out the big things from the little will save your voice and patience while saving the ADHD child from constant reprimand.
- Understand the need for movement: If your ADHD student seems exceptionally fidgety, select him to run an errand. Allow this student an extra bathroom break. Suggest that he get up and take a drink of water. Anything that will allow the ADHD student a moment to get the wiggles out and refocus will benefit not only him, but you and the classroom as a whole. Enjoy the peace and quiet while he is away.

The Continued Battle on Black Box Warnings

Although it has been nearly two years since antidepressants started carrying a black box warning of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, there's still a disagreement in the medical community about the wisdom behind the action.

Some practitioners think the risks associated with taking antidepressants are overblown and find the black box warnings unnecessary. This group worries that the black box warning might scare away patients may need antidepressants.

On the other hand, people in favor of the warnings believe patients have a right to know of the dangers and are dismayed that doctors continue to treat young children with these chemicals.


Recently, the FDA analyzed 24 antidepressant drug trials involved more than 4,400 children suffereing from major depression, psychiatric disturbances, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

The FDA found that thoughts and behaviors turned to death in approximately four out of every 100 children who use antidepressants. The death rate of children taking antidepressants was double the death rate of children taking a placebo. The FDA deemed the doubled risk of death and disturbing behaviors sufficiently enough to order the most serious warning possible.

Antidepressants are proven to increase suicidal behavior. However, some research suggest that antidepressants are not any more effective than a placebo. In fact, antidepressants, when graded by the U.S. Surgeon General in 1999, received the lowest mark of any psychotropic drug used in pediatric patients.

Litigious society or bad drugs?

Over the past six years, more than 65,000 lawsuits have been filed against drugmakers, making the pharmaceutical industry by far the most sued industry. It is my guess that lawsuits against drugmakers will continue increasing given the number of drugs on the market and the number of consumers taking them.

We may be a little lawsuit happy in the states but these numbers are far too high to discount. If you are taking pharmaceutical drugs or considering taking pharmaceutical drugs, please do your due diligence and know the potential side effects.

Breathing Exercises

In a blue mood? Simple breathing exercises can help brighten your day. Although meditation has been the long hailed cure for depression, researchers are now looking at pranayam - a specific set of breathing exercises - to achieve better results.

These breathing exercises bring focus to the mind and emotions. Pranayam have been known as an effective yoga technique for years. Pranayam also has an excellent effect on your nervous system. By giving a boost to the nerves, these breathing exercises clear blockage in the circulatory system or heart.

Yoga experts recommend that you should practice these breathing techniques for 15-20 minutes a day. So, to help keep depression at bay, find a yoga guru and start your day on a healthy note by learning Pranayam breathing exercise techniques.

Stress Affects Millions

Chances are you, like millions of other Americans, are feeling stress right now. Stress is part of the body's natural instinct to protect itself and it affects us all. While stress is a natural reaction, too much stress can cause life threatening health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and even depression.

So how do we keep stress at bay? Exercise! Overwhelming evidence continues to prove that exercise is a tremendous tension reliever and helps people better cope with stress. Maintaining a healthy diet also goes a long way in reducing stress but experts believe that you get the biggest relief from stress by exercising.

7 Ways to Relieve Stress

Below are seven wonderful ways to bring stress relief effortlessly into your life.
1) Prepare your next work day before you leave. Take a few minutes to make a to-do list, get organized and clean up before you leave. This will help you not think about work later in the evening. When you do come back to work, you'll feel like you're in control of the situation, and you can handle it.
2) Bring snacks to ease the "Comfort Food" cravings that often go hand-in-hand with increased stress levels. Try to keep three or four snacks on hand. Different items can include peanuts if you like something salty; string cheese if you have a craving for protein; a *small* amount of chocolate for the sweets cravings.
3) Frequently wash your hands. Stress suppresses the immune system, making you more susceptible to cold viruses and other germs. Frequent hand washing is your best defense against these germs and viruses.
4) Put on some music. "Heart," a British medical journal recently published a study that showed slow or meditative music is a proven stress buster.
5) Go jump in a lake! The "International Journal of Stress Management" published a recent Swedish study that found floating in water will trigger the body's relax response. 80 percent of those studied reported improvements in depression and stress from floating in water.
6) Keep your work at the office: The "Journal of Marriage and Family" published a recent study that found increased stress when cell phones and pagers at home spilled over into people's family life. If you can't turn off your cell phone or pager when the workday is over, screen calls and limit work-related cell phone calls. Checking e-mails only during work hours also brings stress relieving benefits.
7) Make like a pretzel and twist: A simple night-time spinal twist can help you get a better nights sleep by alleviating built up tension in your lower back. To do the twist;
- Sit on your bed with legs crossed.
- Place your right hand down on the bed behind you and rest your left hand on your right knee.
- Sit up straight, inhale for four to eight counts and lengthen your spine as you breathe.
- When exhaling, gently twist toward your right hand without straining your neck. - Hold in this position for four more full breaths. With each inhale, lengthen your spine. Gently deepen your twist with each exhale.
- Repeat on the opposite side.

SPD465

Pharmaceutical giant Shire, the makers of Adderall, is seeking U.S. approval of a longer lasting adult ADHD drug, SPD465. SPD465 contains the same amphetamine compound found in Adderall XR but the new formula is said to control ADHD symptoms for up to 16 hours.

If approved, SPD465 will be the first longest acting stimulant medication for adults with ADHD.

Remove Tonsils, Get Rid of Adhd?

Children who have their tonsils removed are more likely to improve behaviorally and less likely to display ADHD symptoms, recent University of Michigan Health System research shows.

Researchers say their findings show a growing amount of evidence indicating that children with inattention, hyperactivity, or sleepiness during the day may benefit from a tonsillectomy.

In this study, 22 children were diagnosed with ADHD at the start. 50 percent of the children no longer displayed ADHD symptoms one year later after the tonsillectomy.
Researchers link disrupted sleep and breathing problems to ADHD symptoms. Interruptions in sleep cause the brain to wake up, often without the person realizing it. These interruptions are believed to affect the child's behavior throughout the day.

Tonsillectomies were once as common as ADHD is now. In past decades over a million children received tonsillectomies. Tonsillectomies are now performed on a few hundred thousand children each year. Maybe not so coincidental, this research points out, is that ADHD rates continues to climb.

Based on these findings, researchers urge parents of children with behavioral problems to look first for possible sleep problems before placing an ADHD label on the child and resorting to amphetamine drugs.

Children who snore or have other nighttime breathing problems should be thoroughly evaluated for sleep problems. If sleep problems are evident, parents should consider a tonsillectomy.

Lighten Up To Lighten Up Your Mood

New research shows that light therapy works better for Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) than depression medications.

For eight weeks Canadian reseachers gave 96 people either placebo light therapy along with Prozac or 30 minutes of daily light therapy plus a placebo drug. Researchers found equal benefit from both treatments. However, those receiving true light therapy reported improved moods in the first week. It took the Prozac group two weeks to report equally improved moods. While both groups reported equal benefit in mood, the side effects were not equal. People in the Prozac group reported Prozac side effects of agitation, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping while those in the true light therapy group reported no side effects.

To help ease Seasonal Affective Disorder, researchers suggest sitting for 30 minutes a day in front of a device that emits a 10,000 lux glow if natural lighting is not available.

Stressed At Work?

A recent survey of 2,500 workers revealed that more than half work under a great deal of stress. While finding that people are experience work-related stress might not be earth-shattering news but the cause of the reported stress was surprising.
Overbearing or interfering boss are not near as stressful, the study found, than coworkers. It seems that people were twice as likely to report stress and mental duress from their fellow workers.

Coffee in Moderation Improves Concentration

Pennsylvania State University researchers found that one to two cups of coffee can help with your concentration. That's good news for those who drink just one or two cups of coffee in the morning. Now here's the bad news; Drinking four or more cups of coffee will likely cloud your memory.

In this newly released coffee study, 45 men were given caffeine capsules that equaled to 1 1/2 cups of coffee, 3 1/2 cups of coffee, or a placebo. Those who had the equivalent of 1 1/2 cups were twice as accurate in memory tests than those who had 3 1/2 cups or had no caffeine at all.

Obesity and Depression

A new research study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry reveals that an obese person is twenty five percent more likely to have depression or anxiety than a non-obese person. It is also said that the likelihood may be as high as forty four percent among educated Caucasian Americans. The study did not show whether obesity leads to depression or vice versa, but it shows with certainty that the association works in both directions. Researchers also found that an obese person has a twenty five percent higher risk factor of having a substance abuse disorder sometime in their life. The study shows the importance of finding a connection between the two because it is so common and it has a significant impact on health care systems. They reported that the average American has a thirty percent chance of being obese. And twenty percent of Americans are diagnosed sometime in their lives with depression. The Harvard Medical School study is based on an in-person survey among 9,125 adults. This is the largest and most representative study of the two problems in the U.S. population. This study also linked the problem in both genders. They also believe that stigma accounts for some of the relationship due to the fact that in groups were obesity is less socially normal, there's a greater association with depression and vice versa.

Alternative Methods for Depression

According to recent studies, people who are depressed and over sixty five tend to try complementary or alternative medicine more often then others. Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that 34.9% used alternatives compared to the 26.5% who didn't suffer these mental symptoms. Using prayer as a form of alternative or complementary method increased the number to 81.7% and 64.6% of those without. But fewer tan 20% with anxiety or depression didn't use either for help. Researchers say many go undiagnosed because they feel it's a natural part of aging and doesn't require treatment.

Simplifying Can Be Complicated

According to experts, we're our own worst enemy. Our lives have become so busy that many are displaying symptoms of ADD. We get distracted, can't organize, or even focus. Are your replying to your emails after 10 p.m.? Should you be watching your children play soccer instead of checking your Blackberry? How are you supposed to take a relaxing walk if you bring your cell phone? If you don't have time for a walk, try meditating throughout the day to help clear your mind and help you relax. You can also try a few stretching exercises if your at a desk all day. And when you're being Supermom or dad, don't forget to set aside some time for yourself to do something relaxing.

ADHD or Depression?

Experts who treat ADHD say it's often difficult to distinguish ADHD from clinical depression in girls, especially if there's no hyperactivity involved. Two other problems that exist are that it is estimated that ten to thirty percent of children with ADHD are also clinically depressed and there is no definite test to diagnose either condition. There are several ways to differentiate ADHD from depression so it's important to get a careful evaluation from someone that's familiar with both.
Symptoms of depression can include a loss of interest in activities, fatigue, insomnia or excessive sleep, weight gain or loss, feeling depressed for most of the day, and recurring suicidal thoughts. Primary symptoms of ADHD include inattention, disorganization, and impulsive behavior. Also, girls with ADHD can say why they are feeling depressed and girls with depression can't really give reasons why they feel that way. Finally, many with depression can remember when they felt better and were able to focus. Girls with ADHD are the opposite.

Magic Mushrooms for Depression?

An unusual study has shown that a compound, psilocybin, found in "magic mushrooms", can produce long lasting positive changes in a persons mood and behavior. Scientists say that this hallucinogenic chemical could be a possible new treatment for depression, anxiety and drug dependence. Those who took the chemical experienced what psychologist call "mystical experiences". Of the thirty six participants, one third described their experience as "spiritually significant". People experienced feelings similar to the importance of giving birth to their first child or the death of a parent. "Shrooms" come in several varieties and all contain psilocybin, which is now classified as a Class A drug such as heroin or cocaine. Research was led by doctors at Johns Hopkins in Maryland and all volunteers ere healthy, middle aged, and had no family history of psychotic illness. On two separate occasions, they received psilocybin and then a placebo, which was Ritalin. Medical professionals and the participants did not know when the test drug was being given. Sixty percent said they has a "full mystical experience". Two months later, seventy nine percent said they ad been experiencing a better quality of life. Their attitude, mood and behavior was better, which was confirmed by family and friends. Published in the Journal of Psycho pharmacology, the scientists said that great care was taken to minimize the side effects and warn people of the dangers of taking them unsupervised. Some adverse effects include anxiety, paranoia and vomiting, and can be risky for someone who has mental problems. Further research is intended for cancer related depression and anxiety and in the treatment of drug dependence.

Ritalin For Preschoolers

A growing trend is prescribing Ritalin and other ADHD drugs to preschoolers despite the fact that Ritalin's manufacturer, Novartis, advises against the use to anyone under six years. Warnings have also been given by the FDA of suicidal thoughts and violent behavior associated with these medications. Experts believe that doctors need to be following the drug manufacturers guidelines saying that there is no data available or established for those under six who are taking it.

College Campus Secrets

The drive to succeed in college has many young adults illegally taking prescription ADHD medications such as Ritalin and Adderall to help them stay awake.

For late night study sessions, many students take other people's prescription medications or they find a doctor that will prescribe it for them. Many lie and say they have ADHD symptoms just to obtain the pills for themselves or to sell the ADHD medication to others. What many students probably don't realize is that even though it may help them stay up late to finish a paper or do last minute studying, these pills can become addictive. Some counselors warn that there's not much difference between ADHD drugs and other drugs such as meth-amphetamine.

Meditation For Your Mental Health

Practicing meditation can be beneficial for physical and mental health as well. Diseases, such as cancer and AIDS or psychological conditions that are caused by stress and put a strain on daily life, can complicate symptoms and can make them harder to treat. Therefore, modern medicine has started to look for different methods of treatment. On a more spiritual level, meditation can bring beneficial effects to many who learn how to practice it. Here are a few examples of how and what it may help:
1). Stress Control. Stress we feel from everyday life can contribute to anxiety, hypertension, and heart disease. Studies have shown that hormones and biochemical compounds in the blood indicative of stress will decrease during meditation. Over time, these changes stabilize so that you are actually less stressed biochemically during your daily activity.
2). Pain Management. A vicious cycle can occur when chronic pain brings on anxiety. Those under stress have pain on more intense levels which causes further stress. Meditation can help break this cycle by helping people cope more effectively.
3). Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes fatigue and intense painful trigger points or areas along the body. One study of seventy seven men and women showed improvement after a ten week stress reduction program that used meditation. Half of which said their improvements were moderate or marked. So use some free time to improve your health, make life less stressful and easier to cope with by meditating.

Mercury-Based Preservative

Continuous evidence is now pointing to Thimerosal, which is a mercury-based preservative in vaccines, as possibly being responsible for the increasing growth rate of autism, attention deficit disorder, speech delays, and other neurological disorders. Today, many autistic children are found to be deficient in glutathione, an antioxidant generated in the brain that helps remove mercury from the body. Nearly a decade ago the American Academy of Pediatrics estimated the autism rate at 1 in 2,500. But today, the CDC says that rate is now an astonishing 1 in 166 or 1 in 80 boys. Also one in sic is now being diagnosed with a related neurological disorder. Prior to 1989, American infants generally received polio, measles-mumps-rubella, and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccinations. But in the early 1990's, public health officials increased the number by seven more shots that contained Thimerosal without considering how the mercury load would impact young developing brains. Warning were given that six month old children would suffer mercury exposure eighty seven times the government safety standards, but to no avail. In 2000, the CDC, pharmaceutical companies, and the FDA reviewed findings and were alarmed about the undeniable link between Thimerosal and the widespread brain damage in children. Since then, numerous animal studies have proven that Thimerosal is the culprit in America's epidemic of neurological disorders by being able to induce autism-like symptoms in mice. There has also been significant improvements in autistic children who have had mercury removed from their brain. Drug manufacturers who are wary of liability have reduced Thimerosal in most children's vaccines in recent years, but the preservative still remains in flu shots, tetanus boosters, and over the counter drugs. Stocks of the mercury laced vaccines were given to American children until the end of 2003.

Treating Disorders Early

Researchers believe that diagnosing and treating childhood disorders early plays a very important role in prevention down the road. Parents are encouraged to take their children to a doctor or have a disability screening if they see any signs of delays or other problems. They believe it's important that parents expose their children to books and reading, using and talking with appropriate words and playing games. Even simple things such as playing with cards or stacking dishes in the kitchen will help. Studies have shown that those who have trouble received little exposure to vocabulary. They also point out that preschool will help to develop language and social sills. Most problems seen today are learning disabilities, autism disorders, speech and language impairments and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But even a lack of breakfast or not having a regular bedtime can cause a lack of concentration and may be misdiagnosed as ADHD. Many feel that this diagnosis is overused. For example, if a child is hyperactive, but is learning in school, then it's not ADHD. Some behaviors may be a normal response to such things as a chaotic home life, parents separating and so on. Parents and teachers should look for signs such as not being able to focus for long on an activity that interests them. Some other symptoms could include tantrums, problems sleeping, and not following directions. Many feel that ADHD is preventable by having a structured home where children will know what will happen next. But if your home is already structured and only one child is having problems, then there might be other problems, like learning disabilities, that are involved. Some feel that before you take a child to the doctor for hyperactivity, you should take a parenting class to see if the problem is a home issue and not a learning issue first.

Message Away Depression and Anxiety

Therapeutic massage was developed in China about 2,500 years ago. Using their arms, hands, fingertips and elbows, massage therapists use pressure to help treat physical and emotional problems. Even in 400 B.C. Hippocrates used massage to treat sprains. Today, many cultures have developed their own versions. Recently, researchers from the University of Miami Studied thirty seven women who suffered from breast cancer. They found that those who received massage therapy or did progressive muscle relaxation for five weeks reported feeling less depressed and angry, and they had more energy. In another study at the University of South Florida, high blood pressure patients, who received ten minute massages three times a week for three weeks, lowered their points by eleven. Study reviews by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine concluded that massage relieves depression ad anxiety by affecting the body's biochemistry. Measuring the stress hormone cortisol before and after massage found that levels were lowered by up to fifty three percent. They've also found that massage increases serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that help reduce depression.

Mood Food

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh say that by eating more omega-3 fats, you may be less impulsive, less depressed and easier to get along with. Measuring the blood levels of omega-3s of one hundred and six healthy adults and giving them psychological tests, they found that those with the highest levels scored forty nine to fifty eight percent better on the tests than those with the lower blood levels. Previous studies have linked omega-3s to lowering depression, but this study is the first to show the enhancing capabilities in healthy people. Researchers say that two servings a week of high omega-3 fish, such as salmon, sardines, herrings and mackerel will give you optimal benefits.

Late Onset of Depression

Research published in the current issue of Cognitive Therapy and Research shows that the late onset of depression, that usually begins at age sixty or over, is linked to a decline in the brains executive functions, leading to repetitive negative thought patterns. This report is based on a survey of forty four people who suffer from depressive symptoms, aged sixty six to ninety two years, and who live in a retirement community. Those with a late onset of depressive symptoms showed a poorer performance than those with an early onset of depression. Typical signs of executive decline can include rigid thinking, inattention, dis inhibition and a decline in memory. Also seen with executive decline was a tendency for some to have repeated negative thinking patters. And finally, executive decline was associated with those who had late onset depression and it led people to ruminate negative thought patterns. Researchers now believe that a longitudinal study will reveal whether executive decline causes rumination and late onset depression or if there's another underlying association.

How ADHD Medications Work

Despite the fact that millions of children and adults are on medicine for ADHD, very few know exactly how these medications work in the brain. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are studying ADHD medications on the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is associated with making decisions, attention, and a person's personality. Because there's the concern of children becoming addicted to the current medications available, doctors must first find out exactly what these drugs do before different or better drugs are made. And despite these health concerns, doctors are still prescribing the medications because they help better than nothing at all. ADHD drugs are stimulants that increase two neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. It is thought that dopamine plays a role in one's memory and addictive behaviors and norepinephrine plays a role in a person's attentiveness and arousal. Researchers feel that past studies showed little results due to the effects of the medicines that were given in high doses. This can cause dramatic increases in the neurotransmitters, which can make attention even more difficult and can cause a bigger risk of addiction. So the researchers studied the effects of lower doses on rats and found that their dopamine and norepinephrine levels increased in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Their research indicates that any new medicines developed would need to target this area. Studies are being planned for the future to see how ADHD medications act on the nerves that enhance cognitive ability.

Depression and Parkinson's

A recent European Survey found that eighty percent of those with Parkinson's, a degenerative, neurological disease, also experience depression. What was more surprising was that out of the five hundred people polled, forty percent rarely, if ever, discussed the problem with their doctor. The most well known symptom of Parkinson's is tremors in the arms and legs. But depression can either be an effect of this or a symptom of the disease itself. Researchers also spoke with five hundred specialists who said their patients often or sometimes experience depression. But forty nine percent of the specialists said that depression symptoms were often difficult to recognize. Many doctors said that they didn't discuss depression because they felt there were more pressing symptoms to deal with. But most patients agreed that depression was just as significant as having tremors and can make it very difficult to maintain a normal outlook on life.

Conditions Affecting Many

Some people are now asking why people till suffer from problems such as depression, anxiety, stress and phobias when there are quite a few low cost solutions available. The most common form of mental health problem is a combination of anxiety and depression. According to the Mental Health Foundation in the UK, one in four adults will experience some form of mental health issue within the next year. Many feel that medication alone is not enough and people should include psychological therapy as well. By utilizing both, the chances of preventing a relapse are greater than with using medication alone. Unfortunately, many people either can't afford therapy or there's a long wait to see a therapist. This is perhaps the reason there has been an increase in self help alternatives. Remote therapy sites can provide for psychological issues including depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Many sites online can provide therapist sessions that can be downloaded to an MP3 player. Although you don't receive the advantage of a face to face session, you can use your downloaded information over and over again. Not only can it be more convenient, but cost efficient as well. Another reason for the rise in popularity is that they are anonymous, available instantly, and can be surprisingly effective.

Omega 3's and Depression

According to a pilot study done in Israel, children who suffer from clinical depression can find help with omega 3 fatty acids, the type that are found in fish oils. In the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers explain that study results in adults with major depressive disorder benefit from omega 3 fatty acids as an add on therapy, but the effects of this supplement with the disorder in children is unknown. Researchers studied 28 depressed children between six and twelve years of age, who were randomly given omega 3 fatty acids or a placebo. To assess the children, standardized depression scores were used at the start of the study and throughout the sixteen week trial. Also included in the trial were twenty children who remained for at least one month. Seven out of ten in the active group and none of the children in the placebo group had a reduction in their depression scores of more than fifty percent. Four children who received the omega 3 fatty acids went into remission. And there were no relevant side effects reported. The fatty acid used was a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid that is available over the counter. The researchers concluded that the effects of these supplements were highly effective and they believe that this was the first study of its kind with children.

Men, Women and Depression

Depression due to long term pain and sickness makes women more disabled than men. This was found in a study published in the European Journal of Pain. Researchers found that treatment procedures that reduced stress and pain in arthritis and back pain patients will reduce disability. Doctors can help reduce disability in female patients by targeting their depression. The study involved 260 chronic pain patients from the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and found growing evidence that psychosocial factors can effect a person's health and behavior. This research also shows that pain related emotions are associated with pain related behavior, and it also highlights a significant discrepancy between the behaviors of men and women.

ADHD and Pycnogenol

New research had shown that a daily supplement of pycnogenol, found in pine bark extract, helped improve attention, coordination and reduced hyperactivity in children with ADHD. This wonderful supplement is also contained in the Attend formula for ADHD. The stud, published in the Journal of European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, was a placebo-controlled, double-blind study that gave 57 children whose average age was nine and a half years, either a daily supplement of pycnogenol pine bark extract or a placebo for one month. Using the Child Attention Problems (CAP) teacher rating scale, the Conner's Teachers Rating Scale(CTRS), the Connor's Parenting Rating Scale (CPRS), and basic psychiatric examinations, the volunteers ere evaluated at the start, end, and one month after the trial was complete. The researchers found that the inattention and hyperactivity scores had decreased by around 20% for those taking pycnogenol, and there were no changes for the placebo group. These results were found using the CAP scores. The pycnogenol group also showed a decrease in inattention and hyperactivity by ten and fifteen percent, according to the CTRS scores. Also, the parental scores on the CPR test reported a decrease of eight percent and sixteen percent for the inattention and hyperactivity, respectively. Researchers believe they've found an alternative to existing drugs for those who fear the adverse effects of these medications. Although the mechanism behind the benefits is still to be identified, researchers believe that the extract might be promoting the synthesis of nitric oxide in the brain, which is a molecule reported to be a neurotransmitter. Studies have reported that pycnogenol stimulates nitric oxide synthesis in the smooth muscle lining blood vessels, but it is not known if it is stimulated in the brain as a result of the pine bark extract. Pycnogenol has also been claimed to be beneficial for other medical conditions such as diabetes and asthma, to help boost male fertility, and improve the memory of mice. Pycnogenol is extracted from the bark of the Maritime pine that is found on the Southern coast of France, and it is currently used in well over four hundred dietary supplements, multi-vitamins, and health products, such as Attend.

Children's Allergies Linked to Parents' Depression

According to a study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, parents who have major depression or panic disorder are more likely to have children who suffer from asthma and other allergy based conditions. The study of biological children supports the idea of shared genetic liability. At Columbia University, using a sample of 9,240 parent-child pairs, researchers assessed the link between childhood allergy disorders and parents with major depression, generalized anxiety disorders and panic attacks. The allergic disorders included respiratory allergies, hay fever, wheezing, eczema, asthma, and food allergies. Out of a total of 8,686 biological pairs and 554 non-biological pairs, thirty one percent of the children and nineteen percent of the adults had allergic disorders. There were six percent of parents diagnosed with major depression, three percent had panic attacks, and another three percent had the generalized anxiety disorder. The association between the two was seen only in the biological pairs. Further analysis showed that the association occurred statistically significant only in mothers.

Girls Suffering From ADHD

Researchers in Northern California found that despite the assumptions of many parents and pediatricians, girls do suffer as much from ADHD as boys. By observing girls with ADHD at summer camps, they found that they were much more impaired than their counterparts who don't have ADHD.
In the study done by the University of California-Berkeley, 228 girls, aged six to twelve, were enrolled in day camps held from 1997-1999. Of these girls, 140 had ADHD and were specifically recruited. The others not diagnosed with ADHD were told the camps were for "enrichment" purposes. So researchers could observe their natural behavior, those with ADHD were taken off their medication for the six week camp periods.
Watching the girls closely, they found that those with ADHD were often socially isolated and not interested in following directions. Although the ADHD girls weren't as physically aggressive as boys with ADHD, they would engage in "relational aggression", which includes getting back at someone by excluding them or spreading rumors. The girls also scored as poorly as boys on their abilities to set goals, alter strategies in response to changing situations, and making plans. The findings, that appear in the October issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, suggest that girls and boys are similarly affected by the disorder. Several researchers feel that many affected girls have been left behind because they are less likely to be hyperactive and have more trouble paying attention, thereby becoming less noticeable to teachers and parents. This highlights the importance of teachers, parents, and pediatricians paying attention when girls aren't doing as well as they should be. Also, the longer problems go untreated, the worse kids feel about themselves, the more social difficulties they'll have, and life will become harder for them. Many adult women are discovering that they've had undiagnosed ADHD since childhood. Oftentimes, teachers would say these kids weren't smart. But it's not an issue about intelligence. The issue is about an ability to organize and get it all together.

Got ADHD? Meditate, Don't Medicate

High-energy children labeled with ADHD are often put on powerful drugs as a first course treatment for ADHD. There is a drug-free approach showing great benefit for fidgety children; transcendental meditation, or TM.

Advocates of this drug-free approach state that TM is easy for kids. They simply sit, eyes closed for 10 minutes, twice a day. This practice allows children to experience deep levels of relaxation while wide awake.

Meditation is shown to increase blood flow to the brain, which is especially beneficial to those with ADHD. With ADHD there is often reduced blood flow in the brain."

ADHD children practicing meditation often experience dramatic reductions in stress, anxiety, depression. Organization, memory and strategizing skills are also improved.

Critics of drug-therapy for ADHD claim that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is over-diagnosed. Currently one in 20 U.S. children gets labeled with ADHD and put on powerful and oftentimes dangerous drugs like Ritalin. Compare this rate to Europe and Canada where the diagnosis is still rare. Nevertheless, meditation is a drug-free solution that can help children focus no matter what the diagnosis.

"Sticks and Stones" Saying Wrong-Names Can definitely Hurt You

Study findings published in the Journal of Affective Disorders state that those who are verbally abused as children grow up to be self-critical adults prone to depression and anxiety. Researchers at Florida State University studied data on 5,614 people aged between 15 and 54. They found that people who were verbally abused had 1.6 times as many symptoms of depression and anxiety as those who had not been verbally abused and were twice as likely to have suffered a mood or anxiety disorder over their lifetime. To assess self-criticism, researchers asked the participants to respond to statements such as, "I dwell on my mistakes more than I should", and "There is a considerable difference between how I am now and how I would like to be." Those who had been verbally abused were more likely to be self-critical than those who were not.

Need A Hug?

A new study from the University of Virginia and the University of Wisconsin found that the reassurance you received from a spouse or loved one can calm areas of the brain that register alarm. Using sixteen married women in a stressful situation, neuroscientists found that when a friendly volunteer held their hand, scans showed less activity in the parts of the brain that respond to danger. This effect was even greater when the hand belonged to the woman’s spouse. Researchers believe that the mind relaxes because someone is there to help. They also say that other forms of touch, such as a hug or massage, may also help ease anxiety and even reduce the amount of stress hormones that the brain produces.

Fast Mood Fixer

I’m sure you’ve read several times in the past that exercise can help lift your mood. But now researchers at the University of Texas in Austin have discovered that a thirty minute walk can give you a temporary lift from major depression also. Their study included forty men and women who were recently diagnosed with major depression. They were asked to walk on a treadmill or sit in a comfy chair. After a half hour, both groups had fewer negative feelings, which included fatigue, anger, and tension. But those who exercised said that they actually felt good. They received an 85 percent boost in vigor and a 40 percent improvement in overall well-being that lasted about an hour.
Previous studies have shown that by doing aerobic exercise, the brain’s serotonin levels increased. The subjects also got an extra boost of accomplishment by just knowing they did something good for themselves.

Can Sex Ease Your Tension?

If your anxious about work or any number of life's obsticles, just jump into bed and tension will disappear-for at least two weeks some say. A study from the University of Paisley in Scotland found that sex can ease tension for up to two weeks. Researchers asked about 50 men and women to record their sexual activity for one week. They then monitored their blood pressure as they were put under stressful situations such as doing math problems or giving a speech. The results showed that blood pressure was the lowest in people who had the most sex and was highest among those who abstained. Although they were unsure, masturbation and oral sex did not have the same effect. They believe it's because there's only one sexual behavior that evolution rewards with the likekihood of gene replication.

Women Worry More

In a recent study at the Ohio State University and the University of Maryland, researchers found that out of 1,672 reports from men and women nationwide, 40 percent of women felt rushed, even during leisure time. Only 31 percent of me felt this way and married men felt more stress than single men. So when company is due and your house is a mess, foods not done, or the baby needs changing, here are a few things women can do to get through this. First, get some help. Enlist your husband instead of letting him watch TV. Second, schedule some time to relax. Devote at least 10 minutes every four hours to do something relaxing, such as taking a walk. Finally, do you really need to be in a hurry? Most of the time your answer will be no. So stop, take a step back, relax, and delegate duties.

Stress and Healing Time

A new study has shown that stress that a typical married couple feels during an ordinary argument lasting a half an hour, is enough to slow sown their bodies' ability to heal from wounds by at least one day. It also shows that if the couple argues frequently, the healing process may even double. Some believe that this study may have major financial implications for medical centers and health care insurers.
Reported in the Archives of General Psychiatry, it is the latest discovery in a series of experiments spanning three decades at the Ohio State University's Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research. Their work has been aimed at identifying and then explaining the ways psychological stress can affect the immune system.
Researchers focused on 42 married couples who had been together for an average of 12 years. All were admitted into the General Clinical Research Center for two, 24 hour visits. These visits wee also separated by a two month interval.
Using a small suction device, they created eight tiny blisters on their arms that the researchers used to gauge the healing process. During the first visit, each spouse had a supportive, positive discussion about some characteristic or behavior that he or she would like to change. But during the second visit, they were asked to talk about a disagreement that had an emotional element to it.
both visits were videotaped and those tapes were used to gauge the couples level of hostility. The fluid accumulation at the wound sites and peripheral blood samples were taken from all. The analyzed data showed:
-The wounds took one day longer to heal after arguments than they did after the positive discussion.
-Those with high levels of hostility took two days longer to heal. They healed at about 60 percent of the the rate of those considered to have low levels of hostility.
-The blood samples from the hostile couples had levels of one cytokine, interleukin-6, increase one and a half times more than the other couples. Cytokines are key elements within the immune system that help balance the right immune response. Although high levels of this at a wound site stimulate the healing process, those levels circulating through the blood stream is a problem. These high levels have been linked to long term inflammation, which can lead to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, certain cancers and Alzheimer's.

Passing Depression to Your Children

Findings that appear in the March issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that by effectively treating a mother's depression within the first three months of a child's life, can reduce the risk of psychiatric and behavioral disorders in her children. Also, mothers who remain depressed increase the risk of passing disrupting behaviors and thoughts to their children. Research shows that parents who have depression is a high risk factor for childhood anxiety, disruptive behavior disorders and major depression. Children of depressed parents often develop psychological difficulties before reaching puberty and can continue into adulthood, thereby manifesting themselves in the next generation. Although many feel that major depression has a strong genetic component, other factors such as disrupted parent-child attachment and poor bonding may also play a very significant role. For children who are likely to be vulnerable, reducing stress that is associated with maternal remission may reverse the symptoms.

Job Burnout?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be time to seek employment elsewhere!

1). If you are cranky and irritable with co-workers that you used to get along with, it may be more than interpersonal dynamics, especially if they are walking on eggshells around you.

2). You used to wake up in the morning ready to start another day, but now it seems that you dread coming in, come in late, you start watching the clock after lunch, and you want to leave earlier.

3). Soon apathy has replaced enthusiasm. You are no longer motivated, have no sense of accomplishment and have no desire to be challenged. Those who have burnout no longer take pride in a job well done.

4). There is no longer any camaraderie with co-workers. You don't want to socialize in or out of the office as you did before.

5). You're starting to feel physically sick. You may feel exhausted, have headaches, muscle tension, and trouble sleeping. These are common signs of stress that can turn into a physical problem.

A Good Reason for Stress?

Stress is often talked about in bad terms. One example is that it is true that sustained stress is harmful to your health. Stress can contribute to insomnia, depression, anxiety, obesity, heart disease, and other problems.
But according to the April 2005 issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, momentary or acute stress may actually boost your immune system, promote longevity and can help you meet life's challenges. Face it, life without stress would be boring. Manageable levels of stress make a challenging task exciting and can increase your potential productivity and success. Stress is neither good or bad. But the positive or negative effects of stress depend on the amount you are able to tolerate.
A way to help prevent stress overload is to choose positive and meaningful activities over those that can cause an unnecessary emotional load. For those unavoidable stressors, such as trauma or loss, you can learn constructive ways to deal with them by focusing on those factors you can control. This could include taking care of yourself through diet and exercise, maintaining a positive approach and seeking professional help when needed.

Alzheimer's and Depression

According to a study by researchers at the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, those with a lifetime history of depression are associated with the increased plaques and tangles in the brains of those with Alzheimer's and those who have a more rapid cognitive decline. This study has now been published in the February issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
According to the background information in the article, previous studies have linked depression and Alzheimer's. Those with a lifetime history of major depressive disorder may be more likely diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Also, both diseases are likely to affect the brain's memory related temporal lobes. Depression is likely to cause atrophy of the hippocampus, which is the area where the largest amounts of plaques and tangles form in those with Alzheimer's disease.
To assess how depression might affect the development of Alzheimer's, researchers compared the brains of 44 patients who had Alzheimer's with a history of depression to 51 without. This group included 32 men and 63 women who had an average age of death of 81 years.
Those with a history of depression had more tangles and plaques in the hippocampus than those without. People who were depressed at the time they were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease had even more pronounced changes in their brains than those whose depression occurred earlier or later. Based on the analyses of cognitive tests that where given to the participants, those with Alzheimer's who had a history of depression also experienced a more rapid decline into dementia than those who did not have depression.

Treat Your Own Depression

Researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle found that patients who chose their own depression treatment had better outcomes than those whose treatment was determined by their physician alone. The study of 335 adults who had a clinical diagnosis of depression appears in the October issue of the Annals of Behavior Medicine.

Of the participants, most were male with an average age of 57. They were allowed to choose from a treatment plan that included medication alone, psychotherapy alone or both. It was determined that 72 percent who were recieving treatment according to their preference showed a more rapid improvement in the symptoms of depression.

In telephone interviews at one week, three months, and nine months, patients were assessed on functional status, severity of depression, the amount depression interferes with their lives, and changes in health outcomes and treatment preferences. Most showed improvement in all categories at the three and nine month intervals, and depression did improve for patients in both groups. Researchers feel the positive impact was more noticeable in the early months of treatment. And although not saying for certain, they feel the preference-matched patients were better able to stick with their treatment in the early stages.

15 percent of those who preferred medication alone were older and more likely to be white and married than the 24 percent who used psychotherapy alone, or the 60 percent who preferred both. They also found that African-American patients were less likely than whites to find either treatment acceptable, and Hispanic patients were less likely to find medicaiton acceptable. The majority preferred some type of active treatment.

Adults With ADD and Their Work Environment

With the increase in advertising aimed at adults, it is now estimated that 8 million struggle with ADHD. Chances are, if you work in an office setting, you've spotted a few of them. They may have symptoms that include figeting, trouble focusing on a task, missed deadlines, seemingly uncomfortable at meetings, desks in disarray, and interrupting colleagues. This issue, which is more commonly diagnosed in children, has become a growing problem in the workplace.
According to a study done in September by Dr. Joseph Biederman, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, this disorder can have a very significant economic impact on employees. He says that the household income for high school graduates with ADHD is almost $11,000 less than a person without ADHD. And college graduates who suffer from ADHD have an income nearly $4,000 less than their counter parts.

Is ADHD a Precursor to Smoking?

According to the Scripps Howard News Service, children who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are more likely to start smoking. On Oct. 3rd they also reported that those with more ADHD symptoms were at an even higher risk then persons that would smoke regularly during adolescence or early adulthood.
Although more research is needed, it is possible that certain ADHD symptoms may encourage smoking. The study, published in the October 2005 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, reported that smokers who had the most inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms as children, started smoking, on average, a year earlier than those who reported the fewest number of symptoms.

Stress During Pregnancy Causes High Cortisol Levels in Their Kids

Research done at Bristol University in the UK has found that women who have high levels of anxiety during the late stages of pregnancy, had children who had higher cortisol levels when they reached 10 years. Researchers say many of these children may be more susceptible to anxiety.
This study of 74 children can be read in the journal of Biological Psychiatry. Saliva samples were taken from 10 year olds and tested four times a day for three school days. The mothers were questioned about their anxiety levels during pregnancy. Researchers found that there was a clear correlation between the two. They also pointed out that factors such as the child's personality, environment, lifestyle, and upbringing need to be taken into account when trying to predict susceptibility to depression or anxiety later in life. Researchers also point out that cortisol levels can work both ways. Low levels are linked to some mental health problems.

Treating Childhood Depression

The latest research reported in the Lancet suggests that childhood depression is often difficult to treat. With little in the way of scientific evidence to guide the use of antidepressants, treating children can be problematic. And although depression is common among children and adolescents, recent data pertaining to the increaded risk of suicidal behavior among children taking antidepressants such as Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft have called their use into question.
The latest research reported in September shows that major depressive disorders affect nearly 1-2 percent of children 6-12 years, and 2-5 percent of teenagers. In addition, it shows that 14-25 percent of children and adolescents have at least one major depressive episode before they reach adulthood.
Depression in children is not a short or transient phenomena. It is relatively common, with impairment that can last awhile, deserving treatment. Given the recent problems of antidepressants causing suicidal thoughts, many experts believe that medication should be used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a very valuable and effective means of treating depression. Children shouldn't be limited to medication.

Treating ADHD Through Diet

Traditionally, doctors have been treating children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder with medication. But now more and more health care providers are having success controlling symptoms by simply changing their diets. Some say that children are now thriving due to a special nutrition program.
All foods cause chemical reactions in the body. Therefore, eating the wrong foods may cause a brain chemistry and nervous system imbalance. Experts say that the top five foods that can cause sensitivity and aggravate ADHD symptoms include eggs, corn, citrus products, and wheat and dairy products. They also say that adding a daily supplement to your child's diet may help. Missing essential nutrients may also cause ADHD symptoms.
Although there is no scientific evidence to back this up,parents say it's worth a try. They're looking for ways to help their kids without the use of prescriptions.

What's The Best Meds For ADHD?

If you're a parent seeking comparisons of ADHD drugs, you won't find any. According to a new review from the Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center at the Oregon Health and Science University, there are few clinical comparisons of ADHD medications despite the large variety and the prevalence of the condition among children and adults.The majority of head-to-head trials compared the widely prescribed drug Ritalin with other drugs. Most trials were also short in duration, included a small number of patients and did not measure the long-term effects of the drugs. Researchers also found that as for safety, the short-term, randomized controlled trials did not provide evidence that any one stimulant was any more tolerable than another or that nonstimulants were more tolerable than stimulants. Researchers also found that none of the trials compared how well the drugs improved academic performance, quality of life, or social skills. Few studies compare one stimulant to another and those that do show no clear advantages. Dr. John Santa, assistant direcotr for health projects at the center for Evidence-based policy says they reviewed 146 studies including a combination of randomized controlled trials and observational studies to ensure the largest possible amount of data on the medicines' side effects. Only half had any data on race or ethnicity, and only one quarter of school age children reported the type of ADHD treated. Very few studies compared the effectiveness of different drugs in treating adults with ADHD.

Pharmaceutical Companies Are Pushing Pills

"Selling Sickness: How the World's Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies Are Turning Us All Into Patients" is a new book coauthored by University of Victoria, Canada drug researcher Alan Cassels. He argues that people should be skepticle before taking pills for so-called illnesses, noting that pharmaceutical companies offer drugs to essentially healthy people. Cassels and coauthor Ray Moynihan, health policy researcher, closely examines the multibillion dollar pharmaceutical industry and checks for misinformation and profit-driven behaviour. They argue that pharmaceuticals have exaggerated drug effectiveness and the number of sufferers for a host of conditions including depression, ADD, PMS, and social anxiety disorder just to name a few. One example, high cholesterol, is now being considered a disease, rather than a simple risk factor. Exposing the sometimes questionable practices of North America's drug manufacturers is not something new. However, this book shows that there's not only problems in Oklahoma and New Jersey, but in Vancouver and Edmonton as well. And although direct-to-comsumer drug advertising is technically illegal in Canada, the drug commercials mentioned in the book will be familiar to Canadians.

Children and Prescription Drug Abuse

A new report shows that prescription drug abuse among teenagers is on the rise. According to a study done by the National Center on Addiction and Substanse Abuse at Columbia University, one in ten teenagers has tried prescription stimulants without a doctor's order.

The most common abused stimulant was methylphenidate (Ritalin). Many factors contribute to the escalating abuse of such prescription drugs. Some of these are lack of adequate information to youth, parents and schools regarding the abuse of potential these drugs. Parents and teenagers need to understand that the consequences of using these stimulants without a doctors orders are very serious and may include irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperature, and/or the potential for cardiovascular failure. All in all, the abuse of methylphenidate has increased significantly since 1990 and parents and school officials need to be on the lookout.

ADD Drug Cylert Too Dangerous

According to the Food and Drug Administration, liver problems with Abbott Laboratories Inc’s discontinued ADHD drug Cylert and other generic versions, are too dangerous for the U.S. market. This means that drug manufacturers can no longer produce generic versions of pemoline. Abbott Laboratories discontinued the drug earlier this year, but generic versions have remained available. The FDA said it is not recalling the drug. This will allow pharmacies to sell their remaining stock as doctors switch patients to alternative treatments. The lack of a recall caused concern from consumer advocacy group Public Citizen. Drs. Sidney Wolfe and Peter Lurie, who lead the organization’s Health Research Group, called the FDA and the involved companies reckless and insensitive to the health and lives of children and adults using this drug. The FDA made the statement that during the thirty years the drug has been available, it has thirteen reports of liver failure resulting in transplant or death among those who too it. According to them, the number is well above what the normal rate is such problems are among the general population. They conclude that the risk of liver failure outweighs the potential benefits, noting that other stimulants have been produced and don’t cause the problems pemoline does.

Don't Let Your Child Be A Bully

Research conducted at the University of Washington has shown that a lack of social interaction can cause aggressive behavior in 4 year olds. Most of that lack is from parents letting their children watch too much TV. Whether it's educational or not, TV cannot replace the importance of playing and interacting with family and friends. So please don't let your child become a bully. Participate in his\her life instead of using the electronic babysitter.

New ADD Medicine

The Food and Drug Administration has given approval to Cephalon Inc. to market Sparlon as a treatment for attention-defict/hyperactivity disorder in children ages 6-17. Subject to FDA final approval, Sparlon is expected to be on the market by early next year. Final approval is contingent upon discussions between Cephalon and the FDA regarding the product's labeling.

Sparlon is a new formulation and dosage strength of modafinil, which is the active ingredient in Provigil. Provigil is Cephalon's product approved for the treatment of adults that struggle with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/ hypopnea syndrome and shift-work sleep disorder. It was going to originally be marketed under the name Attenace, but the FDA expressed concerns about the name prompting the change.

Patch or Pill for ADHD?

Those suffering from ADHD may soon have a choice of taking pills of using a patch. The patch will deliver methylphenidate, the same ingredient that’s found in Ritalin, Concerta, and Methylin, throughout the day. Pending FDA approval, it will be the first ADHD medicine that doesn’t have to be taken orally. The company plans to call it Daytrana.
This transdermal delivery system is designed to provide a continuous release of medicine throughout the day. It will pass through the skin and go directly into the blood stream, and it will be water-resistant. Studies reported at the American and Canadian Academies of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry find it’s effectiveness as well as the once a day drug. Of 80 ADHD kids, aged 6-12, studied, those receiving the real patch, not a placebo, did much better. Their behavior and attention, tested throughout the day, had improved. They also achieved better results on age-adjusted math tests. Side effects were similar to other stimulant drugs, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and those with sensitive skin experienced irritation.
Another study on the patch compared it with a placebo and methylphenidate pills. Both the patch and pills improved ADHD symptoms in 6-12 year olds. Scores improved slightly more with the patch compared to the pills, but the difference wasn’t significant enough to claim scientific proof of superiority.
The patch would be ideal for children who can’t swallow pills. This is especially important for those taing the extended release pills because they cant’ be broken up or the release mechanisms will be destroyed. Another important factor is that the patch offers parents control over how long they want the medication to last. Once a child swallows a pill, you can’t do anything about it. The patch may release methylphenidate for up to 16 hours. And it must be removed for three hours before its effects wear off. But parents can decide to remove it earlier or leave it on beyond the school day. Knowing there was continuing efficacy beyond that 12 hour time point may give them more options.