I ran across some interesting statistics the other day. Whether they’re relevant facts, I’m not sure yet. The deal with weight and the child with ADHD.

Listen to these figures and you can help me decide.

According to a news article in U.S. News and World Report online, children who have an undiagnosed case of ADHD are at a 50 percent higher risk for being overweight than those taking medication for this disorder. (To read the entire article for yourself, click right here)

Now get this, those youngsters who were diagnosed with ADHD and were being treated, ran a risk of being underweight.

Is there a connection here or mere coincidence? That’s basically what the medical community is asking as it sifts through the results of this research. The study from which these conclusions were drawn, examined 63,000 children and adolescents. The children ranged in age five to 17.

The data that Molly E. Waring and Kate L. Lapane (both from the department of community health at Brown Medical School in Providence, R.I) came from the 2003-2004 U.S. National Survey of Children’s Health.

Specifically these researchers discovered that children who were not taking medication for the ADHD possessed a risk that was one and a half times higher than children who didn’t have this disorder.

Conversely, youngsters who did have ADHD and were taking medications for it ran a 1.6 times greater risk of being underweight.

Some experts, like Dr. David L. Katz, the director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, said the numbers aren’t very significant. Both conditions – ADHD and childhood obesity – are widespread. Some overlap is to be expected, he explained. He also points out that weight-loss is a side effect of Ritalin usage.

Dr. David w. Goodman, an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine agrees with his colleague. He called the results interesting, but he added he wasn’t sure they were “statistically relevant.”

Perhaps the real bottom line here is that parents need to monitor their children’s weight.

But, what do you think?
Please share your opinion in the comments section below.

Dr. Kenny

Technorati Tags: ADHD, Obesity, Childhood Obesity

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Taken once and lasting for 12 hours. Whether you’re six years old or 65.

Sounds like this might be a good idea for a new medication. Well, Ortho-MacNeil thought so. And the result is CONCERTA, a new timed-release drug for not only adults with ADHD, but children as well.

Recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, for adults, this medication has been on the market (as you probably well know) for children for quite a while. In fact, it was the first of the new generation of time-released drugs for ADHD.

CONCERTA uses a relative new delivery system, called OROS – which stands for Osmotic Release Oral System — to help deliver “poorly soluble drugs” to your body as quickly as possible. Additionally, this method unique to CONCERTA gives your system a consistent dosage of the medication over 12 hours. This is good news not only to get the symptoms alleviated fast, but to avoid those ups and downs that often accompany other medications.

Whether you choose this medication is a decision between you and your doctor. I’m certainly not saying it’s the right medication for you. Now, you know it’s approved for adults.

It’s important to realize something that many people don’t: That ADHD does not simply disappear for many individuals when they reach that magical, legal age of 18. In fact, research shows that up to 70 percent of children are still affected with ADHD once they hit adulthood!

Statistics show that adult ADHD affects some 8 million people – or one in 20 of us! – on a daily basis. Those who do have it know exactly what I’m talking about – even if your co-workers or supervisors don’t. For adults, ADHD may get in the way of not only career development, but social relationships as well as personal relationships.

Public health officials generally label a mental health condition a “disorder” and recommend treatment when the symptoms impair your daily life patterns. The fact that you now have the option at least to have your symptoms lessened for a full 12 hours is not necessarily a bad thing!

Options are usually quite desirable!

What is the impact of CONCERTA being approved for Adults?

My experience is that most Psychiatrists who are experts in ADHD were already using this medication for Adult ADHD. However, having this approval (or ‘indication’) for adult ADHD means that more physicians will feel comfortable to use it in adults when it is indicated. This may mean that it will be easier for adults to get the medication that they need.

At this time, the following medications are indicated for Adult ADHD:
* Concerta
* Strattera
* Vyvanse
* Adderall XR
* Biphentin (Canada).

There may be some other medicines approved for adults in the USA. As I’m a Canadian doctor, I’m not sure if there are others. Please share your comments or thoughts below.

Dr. Kenny

Technorati Tags: Concerta, ADD, ADHD, Medication, Adult ADHD

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Diagnosis: ADHD.

In some circles it’s still pretty controversial. And among some adults there’s a persistent resistance to the diagnosis. Many adults are totally appalled by the seemingly large number of children each year who have ADHD.

“We didn’t have this disorder when we were young,” almost arrogantly. “It’s a disease manufactured by the pharmaceutical companies and teachers who need to keep control of their classrooms.

Ah! Now, here’s some new research that stands ready – and quite capable – of rebutting this line of attack.

First, let me say, that just because ADHD wasn’t diagnosed some 30 years ago didn’t mean that it didn’t exist.

Listen to what the web site Psych Central reports about how ADHD just might surface in adults. No, adults don’t necessarily have to be hyperactive to be diagnosed with this disorder. In fact, some pretty diverse – and unexpected behaviors and social problems – may indicate an adult is suffering with this ADHD.

Chronic, persistent depression. Anxiety. Alcohol and drug addiction. Personality disorders. Certainly not your standard ADHD laundry list of problems, now is it?

The suggestion that these health and social problems may indicate an undiagnosed case of ADHD is important to me as a professional. But for family members dealing with this behavior, it may be a ray of hope.

This topic was recently brought up for discussion at the Annual meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. You can find the entire article here.

The College suggestions that for these individuals a Ritalin-type stimulant be used to help alleviate symptoms. Before any type of treatment can be recommended – let alone approved – more questions need to be answered, says Professor Phillip Asheron, professor of molecular psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry. “We don’t know whether these co-existing disorders are separate problems or whether these people are actually suffering from a form of ADHD that is presenting in a different way from the normal symptoms.”

He believes that at least of a portion of these individuals, may indeed, have ADHD but instead are being diagnosed with an entire separate disorder.

There’s only one problem. Many doctors hesitate to prescribe stimulant medications of any kind for adults. In fact, it’s only recently that stimulants have been indicated for use in adults.

Prof. Asherson is serious about uncovering the truth. He’s initiating a study to identify adults with ADHD in addiction centers.

I’ll keep my eye on this continuing situation and let you know what develops.

Please share your thoughts and comments below.

Dr. Kenny

Technorati Tags: ADHD, Adult ADHD, ADHD Diagnosis

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Say what you will about celebrity news, sometimes a good cause can use the publicity generated from a celebrity spokesperson. New Orleans reconstruction has Brad Pitt. Parkinson Disease has Michael J. Fox.

But how many in the general public know about Adult ADHD? Until now that is! Because Ty Pennington of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition™ has recently announced the establishment of a $10,000 scholarship to be awarded to an adult with ADD/ADHD.

Yes! I found it pretty amazing too – and a breath of fresh air.

The award is called “Daily Successes with ADHD Scholarship.” It’s presented to an adult with ADD/ADHD who is entering a creative pursuit of study at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. The student needs to be currently enrolled in the school, applying to it or enrolled in the graduate program.

The scholarship, by the way, is sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Shire, and the timing of the announcement (not surprisingly!) is tied to the company’s introduction of its medication VYVANSE for the treatment of adults with ADD/ADHD.

Pennington, by the way, is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, the location of the school and has ADD/ADHD himself.

Say what you will about the giant drug companies – we all have our opinions. Say what you want about the celebrity’s support of the “cause of the day.” Pennington’s tying his announcement of this scholarship has allowed the general public to at least be aware of the existence of adult ADHD. And that’s a good thing – if only a first step!

If you’re an adult suffering from this disorder, it’s nice to be able to look at Ty and say “He succeeded – and so can I.” And if you’re the parent of a child with ADD/ADHD, Ty becomes an important role model. The next time you and your child see him on TV, you can tell your child, “Ty Pennington has ADD/ADHD and he’s no failure. You can be as successful as you want!”

Yeah, perhaps celebrity news isn’t all bad after all.

It would be great if we could get some more celebrities to share their successes (and personal struggles) with ADHD.

Dr. Kenny

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, Ty Pennington, Extreme Home Makeover

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Alison Powell read an article about Adult ADHD a year ago, and thought it sounded like her. She sought medical care -and was in fact diagnosed with the condition. She is now actively working to improve knowledge and awareness about the condition in the UK.

Her story was recently written up in the ‘South Wales Argus’, and you can read the article here.

As an active Adult ADHD advocate, Alison is appearing on ‘This Morning’ on TV (ITV, to be precise) at 10:30 am (on July 24th) to discuss Adult ADD/ADHD.

While there are some experts to help with Adult ADHD in the UK, the NHS help may be ‘patchy’.

Alison has recently joined ADHD World - a social network for people with ADD/ADHD. You can view her profile page here. She, and some other residents of the UK, have started an ADHD UK Discussion Group.

Membership in ADHD World is free - and if you want to discuss any issues of ADD or ADHD in the UK (in kids or adults), just join ADHD World here, and then join the ADHD UK group, and share your questions or comments. You’ll be connecting with some ‘active advocates’.

Keep up the great work in the UK!

Best,

Dr. Kenny

Technorati Tags: Adult ADHD, Adult ADD, United Kingdom, ADHD UK, Social Network

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Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer - who plans to win 8 Gold Medals at the Beijing Olympics - has ADHD.

He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 9 years old. He used a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. After a few years, he was able to manage his ADHD without the medication.

Michael Phelp’s mother has shared details of his story in this news story. When you go there, click on the video on the top right to watch a video of a news story.

I wish Michael the best for the Olympics, and I appreciate his and his family’s openness about his condition. I think this will help a lot of people with ADHD to realize that they can succeed with their ADD or ADHD.

Dr. Kenny

Technorati Tags: Michael Phelps, Olympics, ADHD

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ADHD World is a new social network for anyone in the world interested in ADD or ADHD.

Many people have joined this new site- and new groups and discussions are springing up - with members from: UK, Canada, USA, Australia, and many other countries.

This ADHD Social Network provides users: Discussion groups, classified ads, photo albums, personal profile pages, the ability to create friendships, and much more.

The largest social network at this time is Facebook. Interestingly, one of the big pharmaceutical companies has created a facebook group called: ADHD Moms. They have hired ADHD Specialist Dr. Patrician Quinn, and Debbie Phelps (mother of olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 9 years old) to lead this group.

Macneil Pharma is supporting this page, but is not advertising its ADHD medication on this page. (to read more about this page, visit this article.)

My biggest critique of this facebook group: it is a one way discussion.

In other words, you cannot contribute your comments, and enter discussions. The leaders can provide content to you, and you can read or listen. To my thinking, this is very web 1.0. The whole concept of web 2.0 is that you can enter a discussion, and interact with other users or experts.

In comes ‘ADHD World’. This is a fully functioning web 2.0 social network for ADD or ADHD. This site provides active discussions, connections, and support.
A true dialogue, and the ability to interact. It is not connected to facebook, and it does not receive pharmaceutical funding.

You are welcome to join ADHD World, and participate with the growing number of users from around the world in an open discussion.

Best,
Dr. Kenny

p.s. Claim your free account right now: ADHD World.

Technorati Tags: ADHD, ADD, ADHD World, Social Network, Facebook

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There’s a new website that I think you’ll LOVE - and I’d like to share it with you.
I’ve gotten involved with it - and I need your help.

The site is ADHD World. It is located at www.adhdworld.com.

This is a social network for ADD and ADHD.
It’s like facebook - but it is created only for people concerned with ADD and ADHD from all over the world.
It’s independent, and not funded by pharmaceutical companies.
I believe that it’ll be a great resource for people to connect, share, learn and grow.

On this site, you can:

* CREATE DISCUSSION GROUPS - to connect with like minded people
* create a personal profile page
* create your own blog
* add your own pictures
* share your own personal insights, ideas, successes, and challenges
* run polls to get ideas from other people
* add events to let others (local or global) know about what you’re doing
* and much more…

Best of all, there is no cost to you - this is put out there for free for the ADD/ADHD Global community to use.

You can even add links to advertise your own website, support group, coaching program, etc. for free.

Here’s where I need your help:

I am just about to go to Minneapolis to the ADDA conference, and I am going to tell people all about this site, and how they should join.
However, there is (at the time of writing), just ONE MEMBER in this social network.
You guessed it - it’s me!

Have you ever gone to a new city and you’re trying to go find a restaurant - do you go to the one that’s empty, or the one that’s full?
You get the point.

As a subscriber of mine - I want to invite you to join ADHDWorld.com, and come and play with me on this new social network.

To make this win-win - I’ll do two things:

1) Once you join, find the ‘dr handelman’ group - and I will be an active participant on that in the coming month or two.
So, if you post a question or comment, I will do my best to get back to you in a timely fashion. After the summer, when life gets busy, I can’t be sure I’ll be there as consistently.

2) I will do a draw for someone to have a 30 minute personal call with me.
Here’s the deal:
* sign up for www.ADHDWorld.com
* create your profile
* add a picture
* join Dr. Handelman’s group
* By Saturday July 12th at 11:59 pm eastern time
Of those members who meet these conditions, I will use a computer program to randomly choose one of the members, and then
we will arrange a call. We’ll get on the phone, and we can talk for 30 minutes about whatever you want.
You can ask me questions about your personal situation, the ‘world of ADHD’ in general, or we can talk about movies,
video games, or whatever you’d like to

So - the win- win is this:
Your win: Join www.ADHDWorld.com, and you can be one of the first people to take part in this new social network which will be taking off in the coming months.
You’ll get to connect with others, share of yourself and what you’re doing, and even get traffic to your own site, support group or products.
By signing up now, you’ll get direct discussion with me on this social network, and if you do it by Saturday night at 11:59 pm eastern,
you may win a 30 minute personal call to discuss whatever you want to (we can record it for you too if you’d like).

My win: I get to connect more with you, and help to promote this site which is a personal goal of mine.

Thanks for taking the time to read this - and I look forward to seeing you on www.ADHDWorld.com

Dr. Kenny

p.s. of course, be sure to read the terms of service, and know that this system is technically in beta,
but the ‘team’ wanted to get it out before the ADDA conference (you know how a deadline can help get things done!)
see you there!
www.ADHDWorld.com

Technorati Tags: ADHD world, ADHD, Social Network

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I am just about to leave for the airport, to go to the ADDA conference. I am excited to meet many people that I have met ‘online’ in real life. This will be a great opportunity to connect, share and to learn more about ADD and ADHD.

If you’re going to ADDA - please let me know (either comment here or email me!) and I’d like a chance to meet you in person.

I hope to see you there!

Dr. Kenny

Technorati Tags: ADHD, ADD, ADDA Conference

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