Does Your Dog Have A.D.H.D.D?

Mike Adams, the man behind Natural News, posted a spoof press release Monday about A.D.H.D.D (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Doggy Disorder). It cracked me up. You can read the "press release" at;
http://www.naturalnews.com/022879.html

Make sure you check out the accompanying "Fidolin ADHD Medication Ad Parody " at;
http://www.naturalnews.com/022878.html

This 3-minute video clip is flat-out funny!

"ADHD Child Parenting Guide"

Hi all! I just stumbled across an excellent website that I found to be of great value. ADHD Child Parenting Guides highlights a number of (ADHD) treatment and therapy techniques and has a slew of informative articles. Here's a few;
Group Activities For Adhd Students

Fun Activities For Adhd

How To Deal With An Adhd Child

Diet Therapy For Adhd

Disciplining An Adhd Child

Adhd Teaching Strategies

Raising A Child With Adhd

Moms and dads, teachers and all who love our young bundles of energy - if you want a new place to find fresh information, this is one site to see.

Enjoy!

ADHD Kids Doomed to Failure?

In one corner you have the problem kindergartner. He pick fights with his classmates, incessantly interrupts the teacher and openly defies his teacher if push comes to shove. In the other corner you have the well-behaved kindergartner who wants nothing more than to please his teacher.

Guess which student performed better in reading and math by the time they reached the fifth grade?

In a large scale study of behavior and school performance, an international team of researchers analyzed measures of social and intellectual development from over 16,000 children.

Researchers found that the problem kindergarteners performed as well in reading and math as well-behaved peers by the time they ended their elementary school career.

So moms, dads, teachers and principals, please lighten up. The kindergarten terrors don't necessarily need to be medicated, held back or frown upon. Their early school behavior problems will not doom them to a lackluster finish to their elementary school years.

Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Brains Deficit? Not So.

Researchers have long debated whether ADHD, the most common psychiatric diagnosis given to disruptive children, is due to a brain deficit or to a delay in development. A recent study provides strong evidence that ADHD is more of a delay and not a problem with an abnormal brain.

National Institute of Mental Health and McGill University researchers, using imaging techniques, found there there is nothing deficit about these kids' brains. They are simply a little slow in the development department. This report, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explains why many children outgrow their ADHD diagnosis in middle school or later.

Experts say the findings of this study could change the way parents, educators, doctors and scientists view and treat disruptive children. Stimulant medication will rev up the brain but is that the best possible treatment we can offer our children? They just might need to grow up a little and time will take care of that all on its own.

Maybe, just maybe, the real problem is the inappropriate maturity expectations place on young children as soon as they enter classrooms.

Consume Fish Oil, Curb Violence and Aggression

If you want to test the affects of diet on violence and aggression, what better place than a prison? New research from within prison walls suggests that vitamins and fish oil can curb violent and aggresive behavior.


Related research shows that those outside prison walls also benefit from a better diet.


In a study of prison inmates, a physiologist at Oxford University investigated the effects of nutritional supplements on behavior. Half of the 230 British inmates received multivitamin, mineral and fatty-acid supplements while the other half received placebo. Here's what the study found;

• Minor prison rule infractions dropped by 26 percent in the group taking supplements. The placebo group's behavior did not change.


• Violent incedences dropped by 37 percent in the group taking supplements. The placebo group's behavior did not change.

Researchers in the Netherlands conducted a similar study and found similar results. Of the 221 inmates who participated in the Dutch study, 116 were given multivitamin, mineral and fatty-acid supplements and the remaining 105 inmates received placebos.


Reports of violence and aggression dropped by 34 percent in the group taking supplements. Reports of violence and aggression actually increased 13 percent in the placebo group.


Researchers are quick to emphasize that poor nutrition is not the only cause of antisocial behavior. Researchers are just as quick to emphasize that there is no down side to an improved diet. And for the prison population, better nutrition is a cost-effective way to address violence and aggression among inmates.


If supplements benefit the prison population, supplements should also work in the population are large as well. Right? (The answer is "yes")


Another Oxford University physiologist took this diet and behavior test to 12 primary schools in northeastern England. This study examined 117 underachieving children between the ages of 5 and 12. Half of the children in this study received an omega-3 supplement for three months. The other half received a placebo made of olive oil.


Researchers found that the group that received omega-3 supplements did substantially better at school than those in the control group. The omega-3 group performed twice as well as expected in spelling. The placebo group, instead of improving, continued to fall behind.


Again, researchers were quick to emphasize that poor nutrition is not the only cause of underachieving school behavior and were just as quick to emphasize that an improved diet can only help.


Based on this and other research, the World Health Organization last year reported: "Certain dietary choices, including fish consumption, balanced intake of micronutrients and a good nutritional status overall, also have been associated with reduced rates of violent behaviour."

The Daytrana Patch - A Sticky Situation

Daytrana, the first and only transdermal medication approved to treat the symptoms of ADHD, seemed like a great idea. Smack a sticky medicated patch on the body and let your skin soak in the drug.


It seems though that this patch worked just a little too well.
Shire, the pharmaceutical company that holds the global license for Daytrana, pulled their product off the market in response to "mechanical problems" with the patch.


Up to five percent of patients reported trouble removing the release liner from the sticky part of patches. Enhancements are underway to improve the release liner. The FDA last year approved Daytrana for children aged six to twelve years with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Food Additives Increase Hyperactivity

Is your youngster bouncing off the walls? Take the Red out. And the Yellow. Remove Sodium benzonate too.


A recent study found that artificial food coloring and preservatives commonly found in kid-favorite foods can increase hyperactivity and disruptive behavior. Conversely, avoiding food additives can lower the risk of hyperactivity and disruptive behaviors in children.


This UK study incorporated 298 children who consume one of three fruit drinks:

• Mix A contained artificial food coloring.


• Mix B contained artificial food coloring and the preservative sodium benzoate.


• Mix C was a placebo drink with no artificial coloring or preservatives.

The food colorings used were: tartrazine (a synthetic lemon yellow dye), sunset yellow, carmoisine (a synthetic red dye), and ponceau (a synthetic red dye). Researchers measured behavior based on parent and teacher ratings along with computerized tests that measured attention spans.

The results ...

• Children who consumed Mix A had significantly increased hyperactivity compared to the placebo group (Mix C).


• Children who consumed Mix B had significantly increased hyperactivity compared to the placebo group (Mix C).

Researchers also noted that increased hyperactivity also increased educational difficulties, especially in relation to reading. Study authors wrote, "This study provides evidence of deleterious effects of (artificial food colours and additives) on children's behaviour."

This study found that food additives and preservatives negatively affected all children who experience trouble with inattention, impulsivity, and overactivity and not just those diagnosed as ADHD.

Distractions for the Distracted?

You would think a quiet room with few distractions is the best environment to help ADHD children concentrate. New research from Stockholm University in Sweden shows otherwise.

A new study, published in the Psychological Review, found that concentration and memory improved for ADHD children when they listened to background noise while learning. Previous research indicated that ADHD children were easily disturbed in distracting environments. So what gives?

Researchers explained the surprising results by stating that background noise stimulates the brain just enough for it to function better. For children without ADHD, on the other hand, noise can serve as a distraction and can lower their ability to concentrate and remember things.

Will a little noise help your child? The only way you will know is if you give it a try. Throw a little background noise into the after-school homework routine and see what happens. If the noise seems to distract, turn it off. If it seems to help, by all means keep it on!

Depression: A Moldy Issue?

New research reveals that people living in damp moldy houses have a higher risk of developing depression. This groundbreaking public health study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, is the largest study to associate mold and mood.

While a handful of European studies published over the past decade linked mold to depression, these researchers originally set out to debunk that link. Needless to say, the skeptical US researchers were quite surprised when their study actually substantiated the European studies.

Researchers analized data from a large-scale European survey of housing and health that included almost 6,000 adults in almost 3,000 households. This analysis found a "solid association" between depression and the condition of the home.

Molds are toxins that can affect the nervous and immune system, as well as the part of the brain linked to social function. Researchers of the US study are still not entirely convinced that mold itself directly causes depression. Mold-related health problems such as illness, wheezing and fatigue could elevate the risk for depression. Also, a perceived lack of control over the household environment could also increase the risk of depression.

What the study does make clear is that an unhealthy home is unhealthy for the mental state of the people who live in it.

Are You Stressed? Join the Crowd

Are you stressed and anxious? Join the crowd. According to a recent Stress and Anxiety Disorders Survey, 7 out of 10 adults say they experience stress or anxiety on a daily basis.

The Stress & Anxiety Disorders Survey is a report that examines the effects of anxiety disorders and everyday stress and anxiety on sleep. This year's installment clearly shows that we are STRESSED.

In addition to the 70% of the daily stressed, 70% also stated that they have trouble sleeping. While most everyone surveyed stated that stress interferes, at least moderately, with their lives, about one-third report that they have had an anxiety attack or panic attack or that they have persistent stress or excessive anxiety daily.

Anxiety disorders (identified as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias) are the most common psychiatric illnesses in the U.S. Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults and and are on the increase.

Adults who are most likely to report daily stress or anxiety are;

• Under age 55
• Particularly those between the ages of 18 and 24 (91 percent)
• Have children (81 percent)
• Are employed (73 percent).

Women are much more likely to experience daily stress or anxiety than men (56 percent vs. 39 percent).

Low Dopamine in Children

Recent research from Stockholm University in Sweden has found that ADHD children and below-average achievers, in general, benefit from background noise.Three surprising results point out that background noise stimulates the brain to function better.

It improves:
1. Concentration
2. Memory
3. School achievement.

Research also showed that children without ADHD may distrub their brain with too much irrelevant stimulation and lower their ability to concentrate or remember as well as children with ADHD.This discovery was a surprise since previous research stated ADHD children were easily distrubed with background noise.

Brain Function Linked to Late-Onset Depression

A new study suggests that People with late-onset depression show poorer performance on executive function tests than those with early onset depression. Also, they showed a tendency for repeated negative thinking patterns. When executive dysfunction does not lead to rumination, it usually does not predict late-onset depression. Late-onset depression usually affects people 60 and over. It is linked to a decline in the brain's executive functions that leads to repetetive, negative, thought patterns.

Chiropractics and ADHD

A new study finds that adults with ADHD can greatly benefit from chiropractic care. The World Chiropractic Alliance in Switzerland made this news public. A press release stated that the chiropractic care seemed to increase the level of concentration in people with ADHD. Between 3 and 10% of children living in the US suffer from ADHD, and between 1 and 6% of adults do the same. Researchers evaluated attention in 9 adult patients before and after 2 months of wellness chiropractic care. Every patient experienced significant improvements in concentration and 88% normalized parts of the test. This means everyone benefited from this care. Chiropractic manipulation effects the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that is partly responsible for concentration and attention. If the cerebellum isn't functioning to it's fullest potential, the rest of the brain will become clumsy. By activating the spinal receptors and balancing the cerebellum, the brain is able to better function.

ADHD In The Preschools

ADHD is no longer the "in" diagnosis for just school-age children, but is also the new "in"diagnosis for the preschool aged kids as well. Attention deficit disorder is now the most common mental health diagnosis for children ages 3 to 5. Stimulant drugs are increasingly prescribed "off-label" to younger children, even though the FDA has not approved Ritalin, Adderall and other stimulant ADHD medications for children under the age of 6. The dangers and side effects are much higher for children under the age of 6 and the effectiveness is much lower for this age group as well. According to the September 2007 issue of Harvard Mental Health Letter there are things families should be trying before resorting to drugs for ADHD preschoolers. Here are a few:
--Parent training, based on the belief that parental negligence, harsh discipline, or intrusiveness could be triggering hyperactive behavior in a child along with impulse control.

--Setting appropriate limits and using moderate punishments as well as rewards.

--Specialized daycare
The most popular among these is the parent training. Parents are taught how to set the appropriate limits and to use the punishments and rewards system correctly. Basically, be slow in making a diagnosis, and definitely be sure. Please, consider any alternatives like the parent training or specialized daycare, or even something not mentioned here like all natural treatments, before resorting to stimulant drugs. Seems to me that anything is better than your toddler depending on something like that.

Daytrana Malfunctions

Up to 5% of patients using the Daytrana transdermal patch, used for ADHD treatment, have reported trouble removing the release liner from the sticky part of the patch. The patches have been withdrawn following these reports of application difficulty. While this has nothing to do with the release of the drug into the body, the manufacturer decided to withdraw the product anyway.
Shire, the UK company whom holds the global license for Daytrana, says the patches could be used as long as they weren't damaged. Improvements are in the works to fix the problem, and the new patches should replace the ones being withdrawn. Daytrana is the first and only transdermal medication approved by the FDA to treat ADHD symptoms, and was approved by the FDA last year for children with the disorder between ages 6 to 12.

ADD- With or Without Medication?

So many kids these days are being diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. According to a new study by the National Association of School Psychologists, catching ADD early on may make it possible to reduce symptoms. The most important tool for this is structure. Environmental management is what they are calling it, as it relates to ADD. 30% of preschool aged children with ADD improved with no medication at all, according to a new study. Changing the routine, diet, and overall family atmosphere can make a huge difference. A few more examples are monitoring sugar intake, a strict bedtime, and more structure throughout the day. Proactive parenting and education makes it possible to tackle ADD and make medication a last resort.

Non-Medical Interventions For ADHD

Non-Medical Interventions are an option with ADHD. According to one U.S. study, non-medical interventions can help prevent academic and behavior problems due to ADHD. The early intervention techniques use highly individualized programs, relying mostly on positive support to reinforce good behavior. This technique is simply known as positive reinforcement. When using a variety of early intervention techniques, an average 17% decrease in aggression and a 21% improvement in social skills was reported by the children's parents. The children's teachers reported a 28% improvement in both of those categories. Literacy skill improved up to 3 times over the baseline status. The multi-tiered approach to the early intervention offers more traditional services to at-risk children, and a more intensive service to children in greater need. While medicines might address symptoms of ADHD, it does not necessarily improve a child's academic and social skills.

ADD- Or Lack Of Quality Sleep?

The university of Michigan has recently done a study suggesting that around 30% to half of all ADHD diagnosed children may have nothing more than a lack of quality sleep problem. Children don't usually tell their parents that they are tired and want a nap or that they want to go to bed. Instead, they act irritable, temperamental, and in school aged children experience a great lack in focus and attention. Children aren't the only ones with this problem. Many adults simply do not get enough sleep. Avoiding caffeine, keeping TVs and computers out of the bedroom, and going to bed at the same time every night are all examples of simple ways to get more sleep. Although pediatricians are not yet appreciating this concept, any child with ADD should be changing their sleeping habits, in an attempt to potentially change their symptoms. Hey, it can only help right?

Is 5 Minutes Enough Time to Diagnose ADD?

The reality is this; Most pediatricians are booked for two patients every 15 minutes. With about five of those minutes dedicated to paperwork, doctors have about five minutes to spend on each child.Can your doctor truly give an adequate ADD diagnosis in 5 minutes? It is the opinion of many that doctors simply cannot provide a diagnosis for an issue as intricate as Attention Deficit Disorder in a short amount of time.What the pediatricians often do with new mental health problems is guess what the problem is, write a prescription and then see if the medication works. This is time efficient for the doctor - they don't have to ask a lengthy series of questions.However, a child may have ADHD coupled with other issues like anxiety and depression that can worsen with stimulant medication. Or, the child might not have ADD at all but gets stuck with the label - and the drugs to go with it.If your doctor has not spent at least 15 to 20 minutes to thoroughly address your child's issue, it's time to either get a new doctor or demand the time an ADD diagnosis truly needs.