Matusow has revealed his story in his biography, called: Mike Matusow: Check-Raising the Devil In this book, Mike shares his life challenges. He hopes that this book helps others to understand him, and to learn from his life experiences. He was quoted as saying:

“I spent two years working on it and I wanted to make sure that it reaches people and I hope people can learn from it and enjoy it. I wrote it to help people and help younger poker players so they don’t go through the same problems and situations that I went through.”

You can read more of Mike’s interview here.

From my perspective, I’m encouraged to see that another celebrity is coming forward and sharing his personal stories with psychiatric issues - particularly ADHD. This is so important for kids and teens to realize what’s possible for them, even if they have ADHD.

So, if you know an ADHD child or teen who loves watching the World Series of Poker (WSOP), let them know that Mike Matusow has ADHD, and they may want to read about it in his book.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADHD, Bipolar, Mike Matusow, Poker, World Series of Poker, WSOP

This disclosure has come in a ’roundabout’ way. This relates to the reports that Mr. Mayfield was suspended from driving due to finding amphetamines in his urine during a random urine drug screen. Mr. Mayfield has explained that he takes Adderall medication for ADHD, as well as Claritin D. This issue is before the courts. You can read the news updates here.

While Mr. Mayfield is going through a rough time right now, I am happy to hear that he has openly disclosed his diagnosis of ADHD. This can lead to advocacy and support for the many kids diagnosed with ADD or ADHD each year.

I do wonder how many of the Nascar drivers have ADD or ADHD?

Although there is research which shows that people with untreated ADHD are at risk of more accidents while driving, my clinical experience in ADHD suggests that people with ADHD often excel at ‘extreme sports’. Whereas driving to the store at 40 miles per hour may be boring, driving on a Nascar track at speeds in excess of 200 mph can be exciting and can command one’s attention. And as Mr. Mayfield explains - he is taking an ADHD medication while driving.

I do hope that things work out well for Mr. Mayfield, and that he uses this situation as a springboard for advocacy for ADD/ADHD. I hope that he can be a role model for the thousands of boys (And girls!) diagnosed with ADD and ADHD each year.

What are your thoughts and experiences? Please share them below.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, Adderall, ADHD, Jeremy Mayfield, Medication, Nascar

The history of ADHD, as I see it, includes the fact that ADD and ADHD started out as a ‘moral diagnosis’. In other words - people started out by viewing people with ADD and ADHD as ‘bad people’. They were viewed as ‘lazy’, needing to ‘try harder’, etc.

Medical, neurological and genetic research has clearly established the reality of ADD and ADHD, and now we have moved more toward a ‘medical diagnosis’ of ADHD.

This researcher is suggesting that ADHD is a consequence of our modern and structured society. He suggests that the early medical accounts of ADHD - i.e. Dr. Hoffman’s poem in the mid 1800’s, or Dr. Still’s account of ADHD in 1902 were not accurate. He is suggesting that ADHD is a social construct, and not a real disorder, and it only became an issue in ‘modern society’.

ADHD is NOT a social construct - it is a real disorder.

In my work with bestselling author Dr. Hallowell, we discussed how the history of ADHD needs to evolve from the moral diagnosis, to the medical diagnosis, to the strength based diagnosis. The ’strength based’ diagnosis is the evolution of the disorder - and suggests working toward how ADHD can actually be an asset for people who are diagnosed with it. You can read more about this in a special report we wrote here.

When the diagnosis of ADHD goes from being a disorder to ‘traits’, people can maximize their natural abilities and passions to do very well.

In the Toronto Star article, Matthew Smith is quoted as saying that the symptoms of ADHD which may interfere with school may be a ‘boon on the soccer pitch’. As a doctor who works with ADD and ADHD kids and teens on a daily basis, I regularly hear of kids with ADHD who struggle in sports like soccer - where their inattention has then watching the clouds rather than the soccer ball.

However, while Mr. Smith and I may disagree on the history of ADHD, we are not too far apart when it comes to the suggestion that people with ADHD can use their ‘traits’ as an asset. My main concern with his position is that the approach that he is taking discredits ADHD and promotes ignorance about the disorder. Even if his opinion is based on good research - by the time it gets to a ‘media soundbyte’, it ultimately takes away from the kids and teens who are dealing with an uphill battle. And it further stigmatizes ADD and ADHD. This is something that I am not interested in doing.

Please share your thoughts and comments in the discussion below.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, Education, History, Parenting

Yesterday, a milestone was reached for ADHD World - A Social Network for ADD/ADHD. We surpassed 1000 members. There are members from all over the world, sharing ideas, questions, concerns and often very personal dilemmas. Additionally, people share their pictures, stories, challenges and victories.

To my knowledge, ADHD World is the first independent Social network for ADHD which has surpassed 1000 members. (There are some pharmaceutically funded pages or groups on Facebook, but I’d suggest these aren’t ‘independent’).

A discussion has started on ADHD World as to what we should do to celebrate reaching 1000 members. To share your opinion, join ADHD World, and post your answer on this post.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

p.s. as another Web 2.0 site grows rapidly - Twitter - please join me by following me here: Dr. Kenny on Twitter.

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, adhd world, forum, Social Network, twitter, web 2.0

I’ve created a free video for you to learn more about this.
You can see it here: ADHD Medication Mastery.

And when you click through to that site - you’ll be given the opportunity to sign up for free ADHD Medication updates. You’ll get more videos with useful tips to help you and the people that you love.

Click through to see the video now (while it’s still fresh in your mind).

Best,

Dr. Kenny

p.s. I’ll be giving you many free videos and lessons on ADHD Medication Treatment in the coming weeks - so make sure to take advantage of it!

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: Daytrana, Focalin

While ADD/ADHD can be a gift, it can also produce its fair share of challenges. It can lead to overwhelm - for the person with ADD/ADHD, as well as the whole family.

Unless you have the right tools and strategies.

Dr. Rory Stern is hosting an event to help to give you the strategies you need to help your family to thrive with ADHD. He is hosting many experts and doing teleseminars for you to learn from your home. The event starts on May 4th, and runs for 6 weeks. You can attend for free, and then you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase the recordings.

I interviewed Dr. Stern, when I was in Boston for an ADHD conference in March 2009. We were standing on the streets of Boston (actually, you can see Copley Square behind us…), talking about how ADHD can affect families, and we discussed this upcoming event. You can watch the video here: ADHD Family Summit Video.

I hope you’ll take advantage of the great opportunity in the ADHD Family Summit. I know that I will be sharing the best information that I can on the session I’ll be doing on Medications.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

p.s. you can register for your FREE spot on the ADHD family summit here.

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, Boston, Family, Parenting, Telesemianr, Video

Introducing the ADHD Family Summit. This is a Teleseminar (teleclass) series that will be starting on May 4, 2009, and going every Monday night and Wednesday night for several weeks. It is being hosted by Rory Stern, PsyD. He has a number of top notch experts in ADHD and issues that affect your family who have agreed to share their expertise with you - for FREE.

Dr. Stern has pulled together these experts, and you can get access at no cost (during this economy - that’s great news for you!). You’ll be able to listen to the calls live, and I believe there will be a replay line for 24 hours if you miss the live call. If you decide that you want to get copies of these interviews to review in the future, then you’ll have an opportunity to purchase the recordings and PDF transcripts for a very fair price (i.e. less than one session with a Psychiatrist or Psychologist).

I will be speaking in this event - to discuss Medications for ADHD. I will provide you with all that you need to know to take medications safely and effectively. The title of my session: ADHD Medication Mastery - What You Really Need To Know About Safe And Effective Medication Management.

The other experts in this free series include:

• Theresa Cerulli, M.D.
  Topic: Understanding The ADHD Brain And The Impact Of Co-existing Conditions
• David Giwerc, MCC
  Topic: Beyond Signs & Symptoms - Is ADHD Who You Are Or What You Have?
• James T. Webb, PhD
  Topic: But My Child Is Really Bright… The Potential Overlap For Misdiagnosis And Overdiagnosis Of ADHD
• Keath Low, MA
  Topic: When Worlds Collide - Navigating The Turbulent Waters Within A Family
• Robert Myers, PhD
  Topic: Mastering Total Focus To Help Support Your Loved Ones When They Need It The Most
• Alex Doman
  Topic: The Ear-Brain Connection - The Role Of Auditory Processing In Attention
• Cal Sumner, MD
  Topic: Everyday ADHD - Understanding Where The Science Leaves Off And Real Life Picks Up
• Torkel Klingberg, MD, PhD
  Topic: Understanding Working Memory’s Role In Attention, Focus, And The Distracted Mind (And How Training Can Help)
• Jennifer Koretsky
  Topic: Put On Your Oxygen Mask First - Self-care Strategies For ADHD Adults And Parents
• Tara McGillicuddy
  Topic: Breaking The Stereotypes Of Modern-Day ADHD To Support Girls And Grown Women
• Alexis Martin Neely
  Topic: Just The Facts! What You Simply Need To Know To Protect Your Family In Case The Unexpected Happens

I’m excited to be taking part in such a leading edge series. I know you’ll agree that the topics covered in this series are unique - and will give you great perspective on how to handle ADHD in whichever way it affects your family.

Spots are limited - please go and sign up today for the ADHD Family Summit.

Please invest your time into this series - I believe it will pay you dividends in your quality of life and improve functioning for your family.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

p.s. why not visit the site right now, while you’re thinking about it?
Just click here now, for the ADHD Family Summit

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, ADHD Family Summit, Parenting

This talk is being run by the hospital that I work for - Halton Healthcare - and it will be Free for you to attend live.

Here are the specifics for this lecture:
1) Time and Date: Thursday May 7, 2009 - Displays and Refreshments at 6:30 pm and lecture begins at 7 pm. I will speak for about 1 hour and then answer some questions for about 30 minutes.
2) Location: Halton Hills Cultural Center - 9 Church Street, Georgetown, Ontario.
3) If you plan to attend - please do let the organizers know - so that they can have an accurate count of the attendees. To print a flyer of the event, (and get the contact info on how to RSVP), click here.

During this talk, I’ll share my perspective on ADHD - i.e. how differences may better explain ADHD than deficits, and how you can turn those differences into strengths. This will be a practical overview on ADHD, and it’s free for you to attend.

Please see the map below.

I hope to see you there.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

View Larger Map

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, Georgetown, Medication, Ontario, Parenting, Seminar

Quite simply: Raise prices.

A news report shares that Big Pharma are raising their prices to improve their income. Included in the example is Eli Lilly’s Strattera - a non-stimulant medication for ADHD.

I’m not sure if the same thing is happening with other ADHD medications, which are manufactured by other companies.

This is a very concerning trend - especially as people may be under-insured, or uninsured. The medication costs are often prohibitive - and if one needs the medication to survive at work and to keep one’s income, this can be quite a bind.

What has your experience been? Have the costs of your prescription gone up?

Please share your comments below.

** As further explanation - the information above refers to prices in the US. I have recently published two articles showing that the trend in Canada is that in fact the prices are coming down - particularly for Strattera and Adderall XR. You can read more details here: Strattera Price Drop in Canada, and Adderall XR Price Drop in Canada.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, Adderall, ADHD, Concerta, Medication, Strattera, Vyvanse

She explains that this ‘ADHD Moms’ group is not interactive, and she’s concerned about whether some of the information shared in that group is actually biased.

You can read her article on this here.

That is one of the reasons that I started ADHD World - a social network for ADD and ADHD. It is set up for anyone who is interested in ADD and ADHD, and there are no external funding sources which could impact the content. I am an active participant, as are almost 900 members.

Will you join us?

You can sign up for free here.

Best,

Dr. Kenny

©2009 ADD ADHD Blog.com. All Rights Reserved.

Technorati Tags: ADD, ADHD, ADHD Moms, conConcerta, Facebook, McNeil, Parenting, Social Network