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Is it ADHD…or Not?
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If you have kids, like me, you've probably heard about ADHD through parents or teachers at your child's school.ADHD is a behavioral disorder that has hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and lack of attention as its main presenting characteristics. It is said that it affects 5-10% of the school-age kids around the world, and is observed more in boys than girls. There has always been controversy about the diagnosis of this condition and the medication used. This recent study may add more fuel to that fire.
A new UCLA study revealed that only about half of the children with ADHD who participated in the study present the cognitive defects generally associated with the condition. There was also an issue about the long term effectiveness of the medications. When they compared children in areas where medication is rarely prescribed to those in areas where it's more common, the study showed that at the time of adolescence there were few differences seen between the disorder's characteristics in both populations.
One thing is for sure, it is important to learn and understand more, as individuals and professionals, about this condition before “diagnosing” a child.
Ivelisse, BS, LD/N
Nutrition Specialist
Take Care, Take Control and Enjoy!
Labels: behavior changes, children, emotions, kids, Teens
My son was diagnosed with ADHD, but there is no way to prove that he has it or doesn't have it. The diagnosis set us on a path that I wish we did not have to travel. He took all kinds of medications and saw counselors and psychiatrists, but none of it did anything except make him feel "less than." His self-esteem took a huge hit and he felt awful about himself. Finally I'd had enough because I didn't think the meds were helping him at all and I was sick of dragging him to doctors all the time. So, I told him we'd made a mistake and he really did not have ADHD. The look of relief on his face was palpable, and he has been a much happier and well-adjusted kid ever since.
My son was diagnosed with ADD (ADHD minus the hyperactivity) when he was in grade 1. Through the ADHD clinic here in Vancouver, BC, he took part in a nutritional study along with a group of kids who are seen in the same clinic. He was one of 1/3 of the children studied who turned out to have a ZINC DEFICIENCY. Supplementing this micronutrient has made a world of difference and we are so thankful for this find. HOWEVER, don't automatically start supplementing with zinc as it can negatively affect copper absorption. Talk to your doctor about a blood test for zinc deficiency.
It is horrible that any medical professional would treat a child (or adult) with ADHD as "less than." In the 80s, my younger brother was diagnosed with ADD, and was made to feel "less than" by most of his grade school teachers and peers. (I have it, too, but was diagnosed much later.)
Most people associate ADHD with the stigma attached to it, and no one draws attention to the POSITIVES of having ADHD. (Yes, there are positives!) People with ADHD are naturally very bright individuals. We are also sensitive and empathetic. We are also very creative.
To anyone who knows someone with ADHD, I'd like to suggest reading a series of books: "Driven to Distraction"; "Answers to Distraction"; and "Delivered from Distraction." These books give real insight by a psychologist (Hallowell) who also has ADHD. It explains a lot about the condition, discusses how it affects lives, marriages, families, and gives ideas of how to "treat" ADHD, both with and without medication.
Do You See Yourself in Your Child?
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I remember when I was in 4th grade my dad came to visit the school. The teacher took me with her to the isle to greet him and they began talking about how good I was doing. I will never forget when she said, “Your daughter is a very good student, but GEEZ it seems she has ants in her pants because she cannot sit still!” Now that I have a kid and can see his “hyperactivity”, I understand where it comes from, at least in part.It has been known by behavioral professionals and experts that certain disorders and behaviors run in families as part of a genetic pattern. Chances of having kids with mood problems are eight times higher in parents with Bipolar Disorder. Also, the risk of having depression increases three times on those with parents who have also had this condition.
Although it is not right to diagnose ourselves through our kids’ conditions, there is no doubt that more parents have to confront their own “demons” of the past when they begin to learn about their son’s or daughter’s situation.
Perhaps this will help us understanding our kids’ life and how to make it better for them.
Ivelisse, BS, LD/N
Nutrition Specialist
Take Care, Take Control and Enjoy!
Labels: children, DNA and genes, emotions, kids, Mental Health, Parenting
Don’t Catch Yourself Singing the “Holiday Blues”
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Although for many of us the holiday season means happiness and joy, there are still situations in life that can affect our spirit, especially during this time of the year; a change in life, moving, a death of a loved one, losing your job are just a few situations that can cause what is called the “Holiday Blues”.The Holiday Blues are generally caused by high expectations about the season and comparison with what it could be or was in the past. Since commercialism tends to over-do the holiday concept as the perfect season for everybody, people tend to think and dramatize how family members can become friendlier, the presents and abundance of food, and how people gather to enjoy each other. Then reality often falls short and depression sinks in.
There are things you can do to manage and even prevent these Holiday Blues so you can really have a good season. Accept and enjoy your present, and plan ahead so you can have a great holiday experience of your own!
Ivelisse, BS, LD/N
Nutrition Specialist
Take Care, Take Control and Enjoy!
Labels: emotions, holiday, Mental Health, Relationships
Meet the Public Face of Anorexia
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At least until now! Although Anorexia Nervosa has been known for years, it hasn’t been until now that this eating disorder has brought so much public commotion around the world. This woman is Isabella Caro, and for those that don’t know about her, she just recently turned into the controversial public face of anorexia. Why, you may ask? In Italy, this is Milan Fashion Week, and the Italian designer, Nolita, has decided to celebrate it with various billboards and newspaper ads featuring Isabella to increase awareness about this eating disorder.
Isabella is a 27-year old French woman that has been dealing with anorexia since she was 13 years old. In the picture you see here, she was weighing about sixty-two pounds (28 kilograms) which shockingly has not been her lowest weight. Her daily diet consisted of 2 squares of chocolate and 5 corn flakes. At fifty-five pounds Isabella collapsed into a coma, but the doctors were able to pull her out of it, making her realize she wanted to live a better life.
For some, this brings awareness about the controversy in the modeling industry regarding the female image and how this eating disorder is more popular than what people initially thought. Sadly for others this campaign glorifies the disease, making her the image to achieve with so little fat.
Here in the Unites States it is estimated that about 0.5-1% of females develop Anorexia Nervosa. That may not sound much, but with a female population of 143.4 million (based on latest census), these numbers translate in about 717,000–1.43 million women and about 40% of these females are between 15-19 years old. Although most of the affected are women, about 10% of those diagnosed are males and the disorder has even been identified in children as young as 7 years old.
Take care, take control and Enjoy!
Labels: appetite, emotions, Media, Mental Health, weight loss
Happy Folks Want Pizza, While Sad Folks Want a Cookie!
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The term “comfort food” is generally associated with sugary and fatty foods like brownies, cookies, cakes, ice cream, etc. The results of the survey conducted by Cornell Food and Brand Lab found that most people (86%) craved comfort food when they were feeling happy, some (74%) craved it when they wanted to reward themselves, and only 39% craved these foods when depressed or feeling alone. That said, studies have shown that what a person chooses to eat is highly dependent on how they feel and is not always the above mentioned foods. It seems that happy people craved more foods like pizza or steak and sad people craved the cookies and ice cream! Here are some strategies on how to have your cake and eat it too...
Renee, BS, LD/N, ACSM
Nutrition Specialist
"If you don't take care of your body, where are you going to live?"
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