Mental Health Update

After the presentation, a woman came up to me, wanting to share a story. She told me about her son, who had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. School was a challenge. He was a bright boy, but every single report card and parent-teacher conference included the same refrain: “Tim is falling behind. He is simply unable to focus.”

Big news! The British medical journal The Lancet reports that consumption of the artificial food coloring and other additives (sodium benzoate in particular) found in soft drinks helps create hyperactivity in kids. What’s more, these studies don’t even take into account the 12 teaspoons of sugar found in each 16 ounce serving of Coke, Dr Pepper or 7-Up.

Help! I’m drowning. I have 112 unanswered e-mail messages. I’m a writer — imagine how many unanswered messages I would have if I had a real job. Imagine how much writing I could do if I didn’t have to answer all this e-mail. My eyes are dim. I have a mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome. I have a galloping case of attention deficit disorder because every time I start to write something, the e-mail icon starts bobbing up and down and I’m compelled to check whether anything good or interesting has arrived.

I recently attended a talk by Denise Mair, on the evening that I also gave a presentation to the ADD group in Rhode Island. Denise is the only professional organizer in Rhode Island certified by the National Study group for the Chronically Disorganized. The NSGCD has published a measurable scale that distinguishes most of us from the chronic hoarders, the people you sometimes hear about in the news, with winding paths that cut through the memorabilia stacked from floor to ceiling, crushed by their books, surrounded by three hundred broken antique toasters, fifty years of Life magazine and a neglected cat.

The work, which could have implications for treating attention deficit disorder (ADD), is the first concrete evidence that two radically different brain regions-the prefrontal cortex and the parietal cortex-play different roles in these different modes of attention.

She did suggest another option -- the hyperactive flavor of attention deficit disorder: ADHD. O_o

It’s also the only way the medical establishment knows how to “fix” the startling numbers of children suffering from the highest rates of chronic disease ever measured, including mental disorders. This phenomena is not at all unrelated to the skyrocketing rates of autism, ADHD, diabetes, cancer, learning disabilities, asthma, bowel disorders and eczema.

The way families interact can bring about a transformation in a child. The catch is that the transformation can be a good one or a harmful one. A chaotic, confrontational home life can cause any child to develop attention and behavior issues. Children with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Aspergers syndrome (commonly misspelled Aspbergers or Asbergers; humorously as Assburgers) are especially sensitive.

My uncle, a former high school history teacher, pontificated last night that President George W. Bush was an infantile man with Attention Deficit Disorder, that he was a “frat boy.”

9. Attention Deficit Disorder - Silent night, Holy... Oooh look at the froggy... Can I have a chocolate? Why is France so far away?

There is so much going on inside my head today. What is the difference between today and any other day? You can hear all about it today. Usually I am trying to stuff down my total randomness and afraid people will find out how not all together I am. Today I am embrasing the randomness. I was diagnosed six years ago with Attention Deficit Disorder. I am the "inattentive" type. I have tried much of the time that I have been diagnosed either denying that anything is wrong, down playing the effects it has had on my life and hiding until I find out how I can pull all of the insane parts of my life together and feel "normal".

Because Strattera is known to cause some liver functioning problems, my doctor has to order periodic blood tests to make sure that it’s not hurting my liver. Luckily, I’m basically healthy to start with, so I’m not exactly in a high-risk category. But these required blood tests mean that other problems can be caught early.

I am an ADHD expert…to ONLY myself, to only my particular disorder, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. So as I write, I would like to share with you the ADHD alternative treatment methods I have learned about along the forty-year journey of living with this disorder.

The controversy continues, and goes on… Although I have not been faced with the prospect of medicating Sticks with any sort of antipsychotic medication, the dilemma for parents of ADHDers and whether to take stimulant medications is the same, and as usual, there is much more heat than light being cast on the debate.

One of my friends who shares my attention deficit disorder is Kiki. So when Kiki showed up in roller skates and was unable to have her av stand still for more than two seconds, it didn’t phase me. When she kept the damn things on for a solid week, I saw a blogging opportunity.

Also surprising was the extent to which I matched the diagnostic criteria for AD/HD, especially AD/HD-Predominantly Inattentive Type. I’m not saying I have it, but I could and very probably did when I was younger. Each of the inattentive criteria were obviously present from a very early age, and they still are to varying degrees. I am a bit annoyed that no one had me tested, but then again, we were kinda poor.

I just don’t know what more I can do for her. I took her to the doctor a few years back and Nikki was diagnosed ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) with depression. We put her on medication, got her counseling and she’s even receiving Special Ed help at school. Nikki has got to want to feel better. Nikki has got to want to keep control of her behavior. Otherwise all the help in the world won’t work.

For those who’ve never had the … “fun” … of watching a movie with me, let me tell you: since I suffer from Nerd Attention Deficit Disorder, the act of watching a movie and doing nothing else while watching it is anathema to me. When I watch TV at home, I am always doing something else: working on the server, writing, consuming feeds, something. Gilmore Girls is not able to get my full, undivided attention: mainly because I spend every episode writing Kari an email about every bit I do and don’t like about a show. [Mostly what I hate.] [[And Kari is a sweetheart not only for reading those emails, but responding to them. Have I told you lately that I love you, Kari? Totally in that “you put up with all the insane emails I send you” kind of way.]]

Recently, I was diagnosed with Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder (A. A. A. D. D.). This is how it manifests:

If what I’m using is doing the job, why change? Because I’ve got IADD… Internet Attention Deficit Disorder. I get twitchy if I don’t keep trying new things once in a while. The thing with browsers is I don’t really roadtest them very hard. If they annoy me I go back to Ye Olde standby, Firefox. So, I’m going Opera 8.5 (not 9 I know but it doesn’t have scrollbars for me.)

I believe there are many people who work in the high tech industry who have ADD, much more than the average of the population. Approximately five per cent of the population has ADD and 85 per cent of adults with ADD don’t know they have it. It seems to me ADD and the technology industry is a natural fit. The constant change of the high tech world can be stressful and troubling for some people but it’s often stimulating and energizing for the ADDer. A great source of Dopamine hits. Although, there are no specific statistics a number of other ADD experts I’ve talked to agree with my observation.

Dang, it gets hot in some places during the summer time. In fact, there’s nothing better to do on a summer day than be inside with the air conditioning on and flip the computer switch on while everyone is at the mall, and just have fun by doing some random searches on various search engines to see how the results can vary. It’s just plain fun sometime. Especially on random topics like attention deficit disorder a different perception. Yeah, like that. ;o) Alright, shoot me already. Now that was random. That you’ve got to give to me.

Perhaps I am a victim of Attention Deficit Disorder, there are so many in the symptoms list that are applicable to me, especially dominant the lack of focus, great start but poor ending, disorganized life, and easily bored.

Sweet, I guess. Don't get me wrong — the column actually praises Kaman for being a genuine person that hasn't let fame or money change him, which is admirable, and it makes a quick mention of his battle with attention deficit disorder, which he's trying to beat without relying on medication. All around, he seems like a cool guy, probably one that I would enjoy spending time with. But if I were an NBA star, the last thing I'd be doing is outfitting my West Coast mansion like a glorified hunting lodge, spending every night in while ignoring all of the social opportunities that comes with with being a young NBA starter.

I admit to being a little overwhelmed by my knitting lately. That I apparently have developed KADD - Knitting Attention Deficit Disorder - isn’t helping. I have also developed a real knack for choosing yarn that is beautiful, yet really hard to knit with or patterns that appear straightforward, but really aren’t.

And nearly every week, it seems, imaging researchers announce another finding, a potential key to understanding depression, attention deficit disorder, anxiety.

EVer since being diagnosed as an adult with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), I've been actually pretty cool with the idea--it lets me multitask far more easily than my non-ADD compatriots, and I've always enjoyed the creativity that goes with an imagination run wild.

Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

The iPod has certainly changed the way people listen to music, but what has the effect been? Stayfree Magazine’s blog has suggested that iPod usage and addiction has turned into “Musical Attention Deficit Disorder” and wonder if a slow culture reversal is in order– a return to the Walkman or Discman.

Cindi, with whom I've been friends for 23 years - is my friend who also experiences the joys and challenges of Attention Deficit Disorder. Only I think hers is actually officially Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which might explain why she gets up to run several miles every morning. Or did...I haven't kept up lately. I just know she's so busy and energetic it makes even me tired in ways my own full life doesn't make me.

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder – distinct from childhood ADD – is rather like having THC in your brain, but never getting high. There are times when you are doing fine, and your brain processes multiple threads with relish. However, most of the time one or more threads become detached, and the task is simply lost. It’s not precisely a learning disability, but a recall disability. Synapses are not clogged, they are under-powered, as it were. Load the system, and the paths break down. The effect of “use-it-or-lose-it” applies very much earlier in the game. The information is still there, but the path is lost. There are methods for compensating, but these require a good knowledge of learning theory, and you can still end up burning your breakfast while checking your email.

It’s designed to be an assistive device for people who are deaf or simply don’t have the best hearing. They also provide good alerts for people with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). That’s where it helps me. It keeps me aware of when I need to get something done, despite how distracted I might be by whatever is going on around me. It’s also great for people who are often in load environments where a beep might not be heard. Best of all, it alerts you without alerting everybody else.

I discovered that there is an established Attention Deficit Disorder blog over at Blogspot. It's set up by the people who bring you "Attend" (and perhaps other alternative A.D.D. products - I'm not focused enough yet this morning to wade through their information.) But you might be interested!

Talked to Daniel Letourneau of PANDA the Quebec ADD organization. Learned that Attention Deficit Disorder in French is Trouble Déficit de l’Attention.

If you ever have to teach other people, or simply want to communicate more effectively, you’ll have an edge by learning how to recognize, understand and communicate appropriately with people who have different learning styles. If you want to learn more about teaching ADD students, take a look at this page on my website with links to 34 Articles & Ebooks on how to teach students with attention deficit disorder.

Yet, for all those people who are interested in learning about Attention Deficit Disorder there are a few who don't believe in it or don't want to learn about it. As tough as it is dealing with these people sometimes they are the ones to need to be educated the most about Attention Deficit Disorder. In my experiences with these people listening to why they feel the way they do can be very helpful in trying to educate them. I have come to learn that not all people can be educated about Attention Deficit Disorder the same way.

"Dr. Edward Hallowell, a psychiatrist who's studied attention deficit disorder for more than a decade, has identified a related disorder he calls attention deficit trait, and he says it's reaching epidemic proportions in the corporate world. Unlike attention deficit disorder, or ADD, people aren't born with ADT. It's the result, he contends, of the modern workplace, where the constant and relentless chatter coming from our computers, phones and other high-tech devices is diluting our mental powers."

I once heard a speaker say he had observed how children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) could sit and play video games with absolute concentration for several hours. He said kids don't have an attention deficit, they've just figured out how much attention most things are worth giving - and then they only give it that much attention! Myself, I do believe in ADD, I just think we've diagnosed the wrong people. It isn't the kids who have ADD, it's the parents.

One child with a learning disability and/or an attention deficit disorder can keep a classroom in constant uproar if nothing is done to counteract his trouble with attention, organization, time, and social acceptance. In these areas, the youngster does not have the ability to control and change his own behavior. Teachers have to deal with these problems by adjusting his environment. Careful classroom management can prevent the LD/ADD student from becoming a strongly disruptive influence.

"In the past, there really was not a good way to definitively diagnose attention deficit disorder," Routh said.

So I was surprised to see that the book reliably conveys that there is very good cause for concern. Studies correlate the rise in autism with the rise in mercury based vaccination and also other famously growing ailments among children, including ADD (attention deficit disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and gross speech delay. One mother last night told me that her son at 7 spoke no better than a 2 year old.

An estimated 8 million adult Americans struggle with the inattention disorders like attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to researchers from Harvard Medical School. But, they say, only 20 percent realize it.

In fact, multitasking — a computing term that involves doing, or trying to do, more than one thing at once — has cemented itself into our daily lives and is intensely studied. Research has shown it to be consistently counterproductive, often foolish, unhealthy in the long run, and in the case of gabbing on the cell phone while driving, relatively dangerous. Yet it is also expected, encouraged and basically essential. This is such a topic of study that it has sprouted a number of terms, from "online compulsive disorder" to "data...

WE ARE WHAT WE THINK "We have so many options, reward centers that we never had before," says John Ratey, who teaches at Harvard and is a psychiatrist specializing in attention deficit disorder. "I think that’s why we’re seeing more of this. There are more demands on our attention and less training for us to stop and take it all in. We seem to be amazing ourselves to death."

It’s sort of like the normal version of attention deficit disorder. But it’s a condition induced by modern life, in which you’ve become so busy attending to so many inputs and outputs that you become increasingly distracted, irritable, impulsive, restless and, over the long term, underachieving. In other words, it costs you efficiency because you’re doing so much or trying to do so much, it’s as if you’re juggling one more ball than you possibly can.

Anemic wives slowly kill their husbands choosing foods that are rich in a single mineral. Growing children are at risk for attention deficit disorder because of a shortage of the same mineral. By middle age, males will store twice as much of this mineral and experience twice the diabetes, cancer and heart disease as females. The mineral is iron. It is the mineral of health and disease. Iron must be controlled throughout life to maintain health and achieve longevity, says health writer Bill Sardi in his newly release e-book The Iron Time Bomb.

Anemic wives slowly kill their husbands choosing foods that are rich in a single mineral. Growing children are at risk for attention deficit disorder because of a shortage of the same mineral. By middle age, males will store twice as much of this mineral and experience twice the diabetes, cancer and heart disease as females. The mineral is iron. It is the mineral of health and disease. Iron must be controlled throughout life to maintain health and achieve longevity, says health writer Bill Sardi in his newly release e-book The Iron Time Bomb.