New Study Finds ADHD Rates on Rise

Posted by on January 25th, 2013 | No Comments

The study, published in Monday’s issue of JAMA Pediatrics, examined health records from California and found that rates of ADHD have jumped by 24% since 2001.

“That is a very significant increase,” says Darios Getahun, a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medical Group who conducted the study.

Many experts theorize that the rise in diagnoses can possibly be attributed by growing awareness of the condition. If one were cynical, one could also point out the increased rate of marketing for ADHD medications. Let’s not be blind; ADHD is a multi-billion dollar business to the pharmaceutical industry.

Kaiser Permanente reviewed the health records of more than 840,000 children, ages 5-11, and also found that boys were three times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. The cynic might say that boys are more boisterous than girls. They display greater signs of hyperactivity.

“I don’t agree with the language about ‘epidemic’ proportions [in the study] and ‘dramatic’ increases,” says Paul Hammerness, an ADHD expert at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. “It is my impression that absolute rates are fairly stable over time, from country to country as well.”

One must always question whether we are allowing children to be children or trying to mold them through medication.

Suggested reading: The Last Normal Child: Essays on the Intersection of Kids, Culture, and Psychiatric Drugs (Childhood in America) [Lawrence H. Diller M.D.] on Amazon.com.

ADHD medication no substitute for effective parenting

Posted by on January 1st, 2013 | No Comments

The Journal Gazette posted an article by Dr. Rama Cousik. Cousik is an assistant professor of special education at IPFW (Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne). The article  is relevant and provocative.

www.journalgazette.net/article/20121223/EDIT05/312239978/1147/EDIT07

As I was preparing for a lecture on ADHD, one sentence in a 2009 UNESCO report caught my eye:

“A single ‘good’ quality study of methylphenidate (MPH) with 114 preschool children provided low SOE for improving child behavior. …Adverse effects were present for preschool children treated with MPH; adverse effects were not mentioned for PBT.”

We in academia are so fond of acronyms. Luckily, we are required to decode them: SOE means strength of evidence, and PBT means parent behavior training.

This quote is from a research report on treatments for children who are at risk for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). At risk means they are highly likely to be diagnosed with the disorder when they are older.

Methylphenidate is a prescription drug sold as Concerta, Metadate, Methylin and Ritalin – a drug as popular and as widely consumed as popcorn.

The researchers compared the effect of two treatment methods on children’s behavior: 1.) Prescribing methylphenidate to children and 2.) Training parents to manage their children’s behavior without medication.

Children with ADHD have problems paying attention, are impulsive and hyperactive. A diagnosis usually occurs at or after 7 years of age. Children who are younger than 7 years, at risk for ADHD, may be diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Parents report that approximately 9.5 percent or 5.4 million children 4-17 years of age have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, as of 2007.” And the number is increasing.

Having grown up in a world without ADHD, I struggle with the idea that many young children are increasingly being considered at risk for ADHD. I also struggle with the fact that medication is a part of the treatment package for many preschool children.

Like all drugs, methylphenidate has many side effects. According to PubMed, “Methylphenidate may cause side effects … nervousness, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea, heartburn, dry mouth, headache, muscle tightness, uncontrollable movement of a part of the body, restlessness, numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet…”

While I am grateful that drug manufacturers are required by law to publish the side effects of all drugs in the market, one thing bothers me. How does one expect a preschooler to even begin to comprehend what symptoms she is experiencing, let alone communicate them to parents?

And as if these side effects are not serious enough, they warn you about serious side effects, including “…irregular heartbeat, difficulty swallowing, fainting, seizures, hallucinations and tics.”

Two statements at the end of the PubMed webpage were foreboding: “Methylphenidate may cause sudden death in children … (and) may slow children’s growth or weight gain.”

Naturally, the UNESCO study found that medication had adverse effects and hardly improved children’s behavior, whereas parent training programs improved children’s behavior and, most importantly, had no harmful effects.

Now what does that tell us about parenting? It is in our hands to prevent our children from being diagnosed with ADHD and protect them from harmful side effects of medication, unless extremely necessary.

As parents, we want the best for our children. However, their best will not evolve if we don’t do our best to raise them. And doing our best includes learning about the harmful effects of drugs before we force them on our children.

If your doctor has told you that your child has ODD, learn everything about the condition and treatment options before you agree to medicate him.

Learning how to manage your child’s behavior without medication is the most effective first option of treatment and causes no harm to your child. Ask your health care provider to give you information about parent behavior training program in your area. If there is none, get together with other parents who are concerned about their preschoolers’ behavior and demand that such a program be initiated in your community.

Let us make a concerted effort and learn to manage children’s behavior without resorting to Concerta.

Exciting New Developments in Our Technology

Posted by on November 10th, 2012 | No Comments

Controlling apps on your iPhone, Android, or PC by mind alone? Yes, we’re doing that.

Explore your inner universe.

Strengthen your mind. Increase your capacity.

Can this be done with a simple wristband? Yes!

Get all the updates and even pre-order the wristband by visiting wwwfreerlogic.com.

 

Parental Guidance Suggested: Tips For Keeping Your Child Safe From Internet Dangers

Posted by on October 31st, 2012 | No Comments

The Internet’s growth has expanded exponentially in recent years, especially with the advent of social media websites. It can be an incredibly beneficial tool from many different standpoints, but on the same note, it can be a dangerous reality for many children. Of all the various inappropriate material on the web, there are specific types that break paternal controls most often.

Adult Content & ID Protection

Pornography has long been an online hazard for children, and although certain states have beefed up their pornographic content laws, their effectiveness has been almost non-existent. Thus, it’s important to be personally vigilent.

The other two top online dangers are social networks and illegal software downloads which can subsequently lead to other complications such as online identity theft. While it is certainly possible to use an identity protection service like Lifelock to monitor your information round the clock, the best preventative method is to actively ensure your children stays away from this type of material.

Monitor Your Child’s Online Activity

In many ways, the Internet is like an online public playground for children and adults. You wouldn’t leave your child unattended without supervision on a public playground.  The same vigilance applies to their online activity.  Be certain to periodically monitor what sites your child is visiting. What’s more, if the history on your browser is cleared, your child may be trying to hide something.

Set Your Parental Controls

Without parental controls put in place to block your kids from visiting pornographic or other inappropriate sites, they will be able to do so both intentionally and unintentionally. Either way, it is your job to make sure neither is possible via the parental controls on your computer. ABC-7 in Fort Myers, Florida, reports that guarding your children from chat rooms and even keeping their computer out where you can see it are effective measures for making sure your kids are protected.

Talk About Online Dangers

Speak to your child about the dangers of the Internet. With an age of new technology and widely accessible information also comes the need to inform your kids about the dangers of giving up too much of their private information online. The more information people know about your child, the more dangerous their online activity becomes.

Tech Goes Strong points out that some teens spend too much time on Facebook, and in that time are open to harassment by strangers trolling the web. Remind your kids to not accept friend requests from people they don’t know. This simple, but effective, rule of thumb will add a layer of security in your household.

Limit Online Usage

The truth is, too much online activity creates a very sedentary lifestyle for a child. Fifty years ago, children played outside significantly more. Instead, these days, kids do all of their playing virtually. Limit your child’s online time to an hour a day, or whatever you feel is necessary, but remember less time online promotes a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally.

Prenatal Exposure to Mercury May Be Linked to ADHD

Posted by on October 10th, 2012 | No Comments

Mothers beware of your diet

We’re all concerned about contaminants in our environment. We worry about drinking clean water, breathing clean air, and eating non-toxic food. A recent study published online Oct. 8 in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reveals another possible concern: mercury hidden in fish. The study links mercury exposure in expectant mothers to ADHD symptoms in their children at the age of 8. Mercury is known to affect the human nervous system.

As with other studies of mercury and its possible link to ADHD, the current study “adds to concerns about mercury consumption and to evidence about the benefits of fish consumption,” said Dr. Susan Korrick. Korrick is the study’s co-author and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.  Korrik’s team found that more mercury exposure leads to a higher incidence of ADHD symptoms. However, more fish consumption — the main source of mercury exposure — leads to a decreased risk.

“How much fish you eat is not equivalent to how much mercury you are exposed to,” said Dr. Korrick. “I think the public health conclusion that I would come to is that one can benefit from fish consumption, but it’s important to try to consume fish that are low in mercury.” Fish high in mercury include swordfish,shark, and fresh tuna. Fish with lower levels of mercury include salmon, haddock, shrimp, and cod.

Korrick and her reviewed data on children at age 8 from the New Bedford, Mass., area who were born between 1993 and 1998. New Bedford is on Massachusetts’ coast and is a fishing community where fish consumption is popular. Fish consumption is a primary source of mercury. Korrick’s team investigated whether greater mercury exposure before birth, prenatal exposure via mothers’ wombs, might lead to more behavioral problems in kids later in life.

The researchers tested the children and evaluated teacher reports. The researchers found that some children of mothers who had the highest levels of mercury before birth were 40 percent to 70 percent more likely to have the behavioral problems.

There are flaws to the research because of its design. It doesn’t prove that mercury is directly responsible for the behavioral problems or ADHD although prior studies have found links. Also, children in the study were not actually diagnosed with ADHD because the study only looked at ADHD symptoms. Better to be safe than sorry regarding mercury consumption.

ADHD, Autism & Bullying

Posted by on September 11th, 2012 | No Comments

Study finds children that have both ADHD and autism bully more

A study published in the journal, Ambulatory Pediatrics reports that children with both attention deficit or attention deficit hyperactivity disorders and autism are four times more likely to bully than children in the general population. The researchers cautioned strongly against labeling these children simply as bullies.

“This is the first nationally representative study of bullying behaviors among children with autism. The majority of parents of children with autism and ADD or ADHD were concerned about their children’s bullying behaviors, but there is much we do not yet understand. It is too early to label these children as bullies.” said Guillermo Montes, Ph.D., senior researcher at Rochester, N.Y.-based Children’s Institute. “These children may have pent up energy that needs to be properly channeled, or they may have other underlying behavioral or medical issues that have not been addressed.”

The study was based on disaggregated data from pulled data from the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. The sample included 53,219 children ages 6 to 17.

As a point of interest, the researchers did not find that children with autism alone had a higher rate of bullying. Bullying presented at a significantly higher rate only if the children were autistic and AD/HD. Those with both disorders showed a rate four times higher than children with just autism and with children overall. They also had a higher rate of bullying than children with ADD or ADHD but no autism.

AD/HD occurs in about half of children with autism spectrum disorders. The study may assist health care providers to assist parents in understanding bullying behaviors and obtaining assistance in managing the behaviors.

“It would be helpful for clinicians to be aware that so many parents of children with both autism and ADHD are describing bullying behaviors,” said Jill Halterman, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center and second author of the paper. “These children may benefit from additional support services, such as from a behavioral or mental health specialist, depending on the severity of symptoms. These services may be available through community based organizations or from the broader health care system.”

ADHD and Cyberbullying

Posted by on September 10th, 2012 | No Comments

Is there a link?

Are underlying problems like ADHD involved?

The July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry reports a study that finds teens who “cyberbully” others via the Internet or cell phones are more likely to suffer from both physical and psychiatric troubles. Additionally, their victims are at heightened risk from both physical and psychiatric troubles.

The research team was led by Dr. Andre Sourander, from Turku University, Finland, defines cyberbullying as aggressive, intentional, repeated acts using mobile phones, computers (including e-mails and Facebook) or other electronic media against victims who cannot easily defend themselves.

The study is relevant to current trends in the use of electronic media by teens. Researchers at the JFK Medical Center say that the average teenager spends a total of over 3,400 electronic [text] messages every month or surfs the Internet at bedtime. In January of 2011, national media focused on the death of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince. Prince, a Massachusetts teen, committed suicide after months of relentless cyberbullying.

The online Healthgrades.com site reports a recent U.S. survey of children aged 10 to 17 found that 12 percent were “aggressive” to someone else while online, 4 percent were victims of this type of online aggression, while 3 percent reported being both aggressors and targets.

The national spotlight on these trends has caused many parents to become increasingly concerned about both cyberbullying and their children’s Internet safety.

To evaluate cyberbullying, Sourander and team surveyed almost 2,500 teens. More than 7 percent of teens reported that they bullied other teens online. Almost 5 percent said they were targets of cyberbullies while 5.4 percent said they were both bullies and bullied.

The researchers’ data were quite compelling; teens who were victims of cyberbullying were more likely to come from broken homes and felt unsafe at school. Furthermore, they also had problems with concentration (ADHD), emotional problems, sleeping problems, and behavioral problems. The teens reported that they found it difficult to associate with their peers and were often prone to headaches and abdominal discomfort. It was quite apparent that psychological trauma was induced by cyberbullying.

Oddly, the cyberbullies had their own problems; they too were also more prone to suffer from problems with concentration (ADHD), emotional problems, sleeping problems, and behavioral problems. They too, found it difficult to associate with their peers. Cyberbullies also frequently smoked or got drunk, reported headaches, and were more prone to not feeling safe at school.

The researchers noted that cyberbullying was different than physical bullying. Physical bullying typically remains confined to school grounds or public places like the mall. Cyberbullies have an increased power and effect as they can bully 24 hours a day, seven days a week if so compelled. This relentless attack seems to affect both the cyberbully as well as the victim.

It is important to discuss this behavior with your child. That discussion should set strict limitations on the type of communication your child sends and receives. It should also include a cyberbully plan of action so your child knows what to do if bullied. The first step in that action plan should be to report bullying immediately to parent or teacher.

Bullying at School

Posted by on September 7th, 2012 | No Comments

What every mom, dad, and child ought to know. 

It’s a fact: teasing and playful banter are unfortunate but inevitable parts of the social scheme at school. However, ADHD children, who commonly also have social skills problems, often attract more bullying than their peers.  Because they have social skills problems, they often don’t know how to respond to bullying either. This can make school life very unpleasant.

Parents can teach a few basic skills that can make a world of difference. Also, proactive parents can help by shaping the school environment. It may take a little work, but it’s with it.

Here are some basic strategies:

  • Teach your children to stand up to bullying without overreacting. Suggest a series of steps your child can take without escalating the problem. Start by teaching them to walk away and immediately report bullying to a teacher, or calmly respond verbally without escalating the situation.
  • Martial arts classes can provide self-confidence and often teach skills to cope with bullying. Simple skills like making eye-contact, standing up straight, and speaking in a clear firm voice are often taught in martial arts classes and are effective.
  • At the first sign of bullying, whether it involves your child or another, alert your child’s teachers and school principal so they can take care of the situation. Follow up to be certain the matter has been addressed.
  • Another great martial arts technique is to yell, “Ouch! Stop! You’re hurting me!” when bullied. This response attracts attention from nearby adults without your child coming off as a tattle tale.
  • If the school doesn’t have an anti-bullying policy, ask them to establish one. You may need to attend some meetings with the school or with the PTO to assist in the development of the policy.
  • Keep an open line of daily communication with your child to stay aware of any problems.

 

ADHD Girls & Suicide

Posted by on August 22nd, 2012 | No Comments

Girls, Suicide, and ADHD
A new study finds some alarming relationships

A new study published online in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology reveals that girls diagnosed with ADHD are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide as young women.

The researchers recruited a heterogeneous group of 228 girls ranging in age from 6 to 12. The wide racial mixture of 53 percent white, 27 percent black, 11 percent Hispanic and 9 percent Asian-American makes this a true cross-sectional view of US society.

The study was undertaken by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley. The researchers not only found an increased likelihood of suicide as young women, but also found that young girls — especially those with early signs of impulsivity, were two to three times more likely to hurt themselves later in life. Furthermore, these girls also were more likely to continue to have ADHD symptoms and make much greater use of psychological services.

“ADHD can signal future psychological problems for girls as they are entering adulthood,” study author Stephen Hinshaw, a psychology professor at Berkeley, said in a journal news release. “Our findings reinforce the idea that ADHD in girls is particularly severe, and can have serious public-health implications.”

The researchers performed initial assessment and found 140 of the girls had ADHD. The girls diagnosed with ADHD were broken into categories: 47 were considered ADHD-inattentive. This type of ADHD means the girls had a hard time paying attention but they could sit quietly. The remaining 93 girls had ADHD-combined type. Combined type means these girls had a combination of hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive symptoms. The group that did not have ADHD was used as a control.

The core of this research is the longitudinal follow-up after the initial assessment. The researchers followed up with the girls five and 10 years later. Ninety-five percent of the girls were still involved in the study after 10 years. After the 10 year mark, they ranged in age between 17 and 24 years old.

The researchers performed extensive analysis of the girls’ lives including information about substance abuse, depression, general life problems, self-injury, suicide attempts, academic performance/achievement, and neuropsychological functioning.

The results:

  •   22 percent of the girls with ADHD-combined attempted suicide at least once in the 10 years after they were diagnosed.
  •  8 percent of the girls with ADHD-inattentive and 6 percent of the girls who did not have ADHD did the same.
  •  The researchers fount no differences in substance abuse across the three groups of girls.
  •  Girls in the ADHD-combined group also were much more likely attempt self-injury. 51 percent of the ADHD girls said they scratched, cut, burned or hit themselves. In comparison, only 19 percent of the girls without ADHD and 29 percent of those with ADHD-inattentive injured themselves.

“ADHD in girls and women carries a particularly high risk of internalizing, even self-harmful behavior patterns,” Hinshaw said. “We know that girls with ADHD-combined are more likely to be impulsive and have less control over their actions, which could help explain these distressing findings.”

While the study provides data regarding the relationship between ADHD and self-injury or suicide, it does not determine a cause-effect relationship. It does, however, indicate a warning need be heeded by parents of girls with ADHD.

Do We Outgrow ADHD?

Posted by on August 20th, 2012 | No Comments

Does ADHD Affect People Over Age 60?
Surprising results of Dutch research

It’s estimated that ADHD affects 5 to 10 percent of the child population in the US. Recent studies suggest that it may be a simple developmental delay. However, a new Dutch study finds ADHD does not disappear with age; it follows us from childhood to adulthood.

According to the first study of its kind, ADHD also affects around 3% of people over age 60. This casts significant doubt on the popular belief that many children grow out of the condition. The Dutch study was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry and examined 231 Dutch adults aged 60 to 94.

Lead researcher of the Dutch study, Marieke Michielsen said in a press  release:  “ADHD affects 3-7% of school-aged children, and about 4.4% of  adults. However, little is known about ADHD in old age and this is the first epidemiological study on ADHD in older people.”

The study reveals what most adults with ADHD already know — they work below their intellectual level, cannot maintain relationships, often express anti-social behavior, lack organizational skills, and have higher rates of accidents than adults without ADHD.

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam had 1,494 participants between the ages of 60 and 94. All completed a questionnaire to screen for ADHD. The number that showed the greatest symptoms was 231. They participated in a longer, structured diagnostic interview.

What could account for the discrepancy between the higher diagnosis of children and the lower incidence in adults? Several explanations are possible:

  • It is possible that symptoms diminish with increasing age.
  • ADHD may be over-diagnosed in children.
  • ADHD adults may learn coping skills that mitigate their symptoms.
  • Most diagnostic tools were developed for children and may not be sensitive enough to detect ADHD in older people.

ADHD is often diagnosed 4 to 1 boys to girls in the US. Previous studies confirm that it’s more prevalent in boys than girls. However, this study reveals that both men and women reported similar amounts of ADHD symptoms.

Regardless, it’s evident from this study that many people don’t outgrow ADHD and it’s necessary to develop the skills to make us happy and successful. Call 800-788-6786 to find out how.

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