Dr. Rachel V. Gow, PhD: On the Frontline of ADHD

Dr. Rachel V. Gow

by Barbara Mulloy-Robbins

Not long ago I posted an article covering nutrition and ADHD, which included some information and great tips from British celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver. He manages his ADHD by maintaining a healthy diet.

Well, thanks to the beauty of the Internet, I have stumbled across another Brit who is taking the study of nutrition and ADHD to new heights. Dr. Rachel V. Gow is currently in the United States working as a guest researcher at the National Institute of Health. She’s involved in the design/management of clinical research and testing of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids and the potential they have for adults with ADHD. Her dedication doesn't stop there.

Dr. Gow’s website is definitely worth a visit. There you will see her commitment, both personally and professionally, in raising awareness of children’s mental health and the critical role nutrition plays in the development of healthy minds. She provides a wealth of information and resources for parents covering for main topics: ADHD, Neuroscience, Nutrition and Education. 

Dr. Gow is also managing to find the time to write a book that will undoubtedly be useful for both parents and those working in the field of ADHD and mental health.

Please click here to visit drrachelvgow.com

Stigma and the Uphill Struggle

 by Barbara Mulloy-Robbins

I received a book review from Carol T. Maxfield, Ph.D., a clinical Neuropsychologist, and the first line she wrote is the subject of this blog post. Carol wrote, “It is rare that a mother who has lost her sons would be willing to share her devastations in a candid and truly genuine manner.”  

One of the driving forces behind my book, An Uphill Struggle, and this blog for that matter,  is to stamp out the stigma surrounding mental illness and chemical addiction; a stigma that is all too prevalent in society today. I truly felt writing as honestly about my situation as possible would help with that. If I shared my experience with the connection between ADD and Chemical ADDiction in the life and death of my two sons, perhaps others would feel more confident and fearless about sharing their own stories.

We need to get past the judgement, the labeling, and seriously get down to the business of understanding the damaging effects of untreated mental disorders. Eliminating the stigma has to begin with those who are directly affected. Today, the growing numbers of children with ADHD are at a higher risk to self-medicate as teenagers and adults, and, as a society, we have a real problem on our hands, especially if we are still mired in the stigma of mental Illness. 

If we can learn how to properly engage children with ADHD in the home and in school, we are giving them a fighting chance that they will not turn to drugs and alcohol to cope later on. Perhaps if parents and teachers were more aware of stories like mine, communities will act quicker both in planning and implementing, as well as funding new programs that better serve the growing population affected by ADHD.

TotallyADD.com: a Bright Spot on the ADHD Landscape

by Admin staff

We’ve stumbled across a wonderful website that’s really putting a positive spin on adult ADHD diagnosis: totallyadd.com. Website founder, Rick Green is an accomplished comedian, writer and performer in Canada, who was diagnosed with ADHD at 47 years old. Rick, along with his wife, Ava, and comedy collaborator, Patrick McKenna created an extremely resourceful website that functions as an extension of their award winning documentary, ADD and Loving it?! 

 

This description from the totallyadd.com's About page really sums it up…

“Totally ADD is dedicated to helping adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and those affected by it, (family, employers, health professionals, etc.) liberate themselves from fear, shame, and stigma and create a life they love. Our mission is personal—we are a team of people with ADD or affected by it.”

Totallyadd.com hosts webinars featuring experts, authors and doctors covering many subjects like careers, money, aging, relationships and memory/organization as they pertain to an ADHD diagnosis. Along with the webinars (both live and archived) you'll find a blog, videos, an online store and message boards for registered members to connect and share.  To access the the site's features and content, you'll need to register and become a member. Registration is free, and so far the site has attracted of 20,000 members to the Totally ADD community.

 Rick Green has become a sought after keynote speaker and is leading the charge for ADHD awareness and acceptance. Earlier this month he spoke at the opening of Brantford, Ontario's Mental Health Week, which was covered by Brantnews.com. Rick was interviewed by reporter, Bob Mitchell; the article (link) is a great read, especially this quote from Rick,

"The odd thing is that when I get a handle on it…I really like being what I am…I think of stuff nobody else can…We're more creative than the average person." 

How refreshing it is to discover such a positive and open Adult ADHD role model like Rick Green! 

Take a video tour of totallyadd.com by clicking here

Second Annual Sarasota Book Fair!

Meet author, Barbara Mulloy-Robbins and many other authors at the Second Annual Sarasota Book Fair, Saturday October 5th, 2013. Barbara will be signing copies of her book, An Uphill Struggle - From ADHD to Chemical ADDiction.

Support local, independent authors and publishers by attending this wonderful  event!

ADHD: Hot Topic, Big Questions

photo from fanpop.com

by Barbara Mulloy-Robbins

ADHD has become a “hot topic (a favorite expression used by talk show host, Whoopi Goldberg). However, ADHD is definitely a hot topic not to be taken lightly.

In the mid-to-late 70’s and 80’s my lovable, but definitely out of control five year old son, Greg, was professionally diagnosed with  MBD (Minimal Brain Dysfunction)... Along came the 80’s and 90’s with the viewpoint that it was just a “catch-all, yuppie fad disorder.” Today ADHD is the official renamed disorder according to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

Recently, Alan Schwarz  and SarahCohen wrote a great, and certainly timely article for The New York Times... ADHD in 11% of U.S. Children as Diagnoses Rise.

Some of the big questions from the article seem to be…

1. How discriminating is the diagnosis and treatment?

2. Are mild symptoms being diagnosed too casually? and…

3.  Dr. Thomas R. Frieden at the CDC (The Center for Disease Control) likened the rising rates of stimulant prescriptions among children to the overdose of pain medications and antibiotics in adults. Can this be true? 

It appears that the etiology of ADHD is calling out for more definitive answers.

ARTICLE LINK... It's a good read.

As a person who likes to stick a quote in wherever I can, this one seemed appropriate...

“There are years that ask questions, and years that answer.” -Zora Neale Hurston.