Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD

This past Sunday, The New York Times ran an opinion piece by L. Alan Sroufe called Ritalin Gone Wrong.  Dr. Hallowell weighed in to counter the tactics and assumptions, stating “the piece pushed emotional hot-buttons in a way that would scare the daylights out of uninformed readers...” Dr. Hallowell offers a much different point of view, one based on his strength-based, whole-person approach to treating ADHD. >>> Read more >>>

I often am asked about why a person with ADHD should try meds, and one response I give is that meds can give you the clarity and calmness of mind to finally have a chance to let the talented, interesting person “inside” shine through without interference from ADHD symptoms.  Along those lines is the story of Andres Torres, who helped the SF Giants win the World Series in 2010.  He struggled and underperformed for years until he finally accepted his diagnosis of ADHD and decided to treat it.  After that he went from the minors to win the Series.  His story will be told in an upcoming documentary tentatively titled “Gigante.” >>> Read more >>>

Okay, I admit I stole this idea, but I will give full credit to Experience Life Magazine staff for writing a bit about why it’s important to think carefully about this year’s successes before setting your New Year’s resolutions (you can read the article here).  This is a particularly smart idea for couples who’ve been struggling with ADHD issues for a while.  Let me give you my specific thoughts… >>> Read more >>>

Are you an ADHD partner who has trouble consistently following your treatment?  If so, you wouldn't be alone.  But not remembering to take your meds has a bigger impact than you might imagine.  Here is how one man describes his on again / off again relationship with meds and my thoughts about how to become more consistent while also improving his relationship with his wife: >>> Read more >>>

There has been a lot of talk recently about executive function issues and ADHD. What are "executive functions" and how are they related to ADHD?

Executive functions help you exhibit control over your actions so that you can get to a specific goal you wish to achieve. That can be something lofty and long-term, such as "graduate from college" or something small and immediate like "make my lunch." There are five areas of executive functioning that are impacted when you have ADHD. Some find extreme weakness in one area, such as planning, and less in another, such as verbal working memory.

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John Ratey, author of Spark!, has just posted a wonderful new website that explains the science behind why it's so good for people with ADHD (and also people without) to exercise.  He explains in detailed but understandable language how exercise's impact on the brain helps with ADHD, stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, age-related memory loss and more.  Go to his site to understand WHY exercise works and HOW it works for you.  It's pretty cool stuff, and might just inspire you to create not only the right exercise program for your specific needs, but one that you can stick with!  Let me give you just a couple of examples: >>> Read more >>>

I’ve recently had the pleasure to “meet” (long distance) Kathrine Ellison, the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who is the author of a new book on ADHD.  It’s called “Buzz” (her son’s nickname) and tracks a year in her life with her ADHD son as the two of them learn to get along better.  She also has ADHD, so apparently the result is a book that is funny, heartwarming, and full of information about how you can help a teen with ADHD.  I’m very much looking forward to reading her insights and will share my impressions of the book when I’m done (Ned Hallowell loved it).  Anyway, she brought to my attention a sheet put out by the American Academy of Pediatrics about what treatments have been shown to work for treating various mental health issues in children, including ADHD. >>> Read more >>>