ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Sleep apnea can lead to hyperactivity in preschoolers. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22881407/ I ask all of my patients/clients about symptoms of sleep apnea. It's amazing how many medical issues are tied to sleep apnea and chronic sleep deprivation.
So the MSNBC headline screams "Kids with ADHD more likely to bully". One would think, "Oh, looks like kids with ADHD are the bad guys." However, upon reading the article, you would find that although kids with ADHD are four times as likely to be bullies, they are 10 times more likely as other kids to [...]
A study looked at patterns of migration and the prevalence of the gene DRD4 (which is one of the ADHD genes). The study found that out of the cultures that had macro-migration (migrating long distances) had a higher proportion of long alleles for DRD4. The proportion of long alleles for DRD4 in this group was .85. [...]
Many people with ADHD experience "sensory overstimulation", where you feel like you are bombarded by sensory input, such as sights and sounds. A woman who experienced this sensory overstimulation found that it subsided about 20 minutes after taking a potassium supplement. A neurologist found that her symptoms were the same as in "hypokalemic periodic paralysis", where [...]
Here's an article on About.com where I discuss the ways people with ADHD can take care of themselves. Getting enough sleep, exercising, and cutting refined sugar out of your diet are some of the topics covered. http://add.about.com/od/livingwithadhd/a/Selfcare.htm
Extended-release guanfacine was found to be effective versus placebo in treating ADHD in children between 6 to 17 years old. Statistically significant mprovement was found on five assessment measures. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/568501
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) will now be offered in 20mg, 40mg and 60mg strengths in addition to 30mg, 50mg and 70mgs. Vyvanse is a stimulant that is FDA-approved for the treatment of ADHD. The new dosages should be available sometime before the end of March 2008. http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-22012011.htm
So I read the headline on msnbc.com - "ADHD drugs may boost ER visits". And I immediately wonder what the story is really about. The medical data of over 50,000 children was reviewed to see if there were more heart-related symptoms reported, such as a rapid heartbeat. Children who used stimulants were 20% more likely to [...]
In an article written about the Omaha shootings, the reporter made a point to mention that the shooter had been diagnosed with ADHD. Violent behavior is NOT a symptom of ADHD. In addition, the shootings were not the result of impulsivity, due to the fact that the shootings were pre-meditated.
The CHADD conference was great. It's such a good feeling to be sitting in a meeting where everyone else is fidgety and distracted too. There were some fascinating presentations on brain structure and genetics. I'll post the info as soon as I unpack.