ADHD: Signs,Symptoms, and Research

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with difficulties such as inattention, disorganization, and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Symptoms of ADHD typically begins in childhood and causes problems across multiple settings areas (e.g., home, public,and school). I recently wrote a blog on Psychology Today discussing medication and treatment. Below is a video providing education about ADHD from the National Institute of Mental Health. 

Resources for LGBT Health Awareness Week

LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Health Awareness Week is March 25^th – 29^th. The theme for 2013 is Come Out for Health. Per the American Psychological Association, the 4 principles for this year include:

• Consumer Empowerment — by making resources available to the LGBT community on how to approach their health care providers about their sexual orientation and gender identity; 

• Culturally Competent Services — by directing health care providers to resources on how to become a culturally competent source of services for the LGBT community; 

• Engaged Communities — by providing outreach materials to a variety of organizations to encourage participation in LGBT Health Awareness Week; and

• Inclusive Policymaking — by engaging Congress and federal administration during LGBT Health Awareness Week and providing resources to reach out to local and state officials related to LGBT Health. 

APA's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Office provides a range of information and resources for increasing psychologists' and others' cultural competence concerning LGBT health and this year launched a new webpage for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health.

How can you get involved?

There are several ways you and your community can support LGBT Health Awareness week.

• Set up an event in your community (e.g., round table discussion, health fair)

• Write a letter to your senator and/or congressman in support of LGBT rights

• Pledge a commitment to LGBT health

Resources for professionals:

APA Guidelines for Practice with LGBT Clients http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/guidelines.aspx

Marriage and Family Issues of LGBT People http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/marriage-and-family.aspx

Fact sheet on Psychological and Social Outcomes of Children of Same-Sex Couples  http://www.spssi.org/_data/n_0001/resources/live/Factsheet_Psychological_Social_Adjustment_V5.pdf

LGBT Families of Color: Fact sheet http://lgbtmap.org/lgbt-families-of-color-facts-at-a-glance

Human Rights Campaign- Guide to state level advocacy against hate crimes http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/a-guide-to-state-level-advocacy-following-enactment-of-the-matthew-she

Resource for parents:

Human Rights Campaign Parenting Resources:

http://www.hrc.org/resources/category/parenting

Resource Guide for Coming Out

http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/resource-guide-to-coming-out

For African Americans http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/resource-guide-to-coming-out-for-african-americans

For Latinos http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/family-and-coming-out-issues-for-latinas-and-latinos

For Asian Americans http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/family-and-coming-out-issues-for-asian-pacific-americans

An Ally’s Guide to Issues Facing LGBT Americans (for heterosexual supporters) http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/an-allys-guide-to-issues-facing-the-lgbt-community

Stress in America: Where do you fit?

Recently the American Psychological Association (APA) released the findings of their annual nationwide Stress in America survey. The Stress in America survey has been released since 2007 as part of the APA’s  Mind/Body Health campaign.  The Stress in America survey measures attitudes and perceptions of stress among the general public and identifies leading sources of stress, common behaviors used to manage stress and the impact of stress on our lives. 

According to the survey, almost three-quarters (72 percent) of respondents say that their stress level has increased or stayed the same over the past five years and 80 percent say their stress level has increased or stayed the same in the past year. Only 20 percent said their stress level has decreased in the past year. 

Some of the most common sources of stress included money (69 percent), work (65 percent), the economy (61 percent), family responsibilities (57 percent), relationships (56 percent), family health problems (52 percent) and personal health concerns (51 percent). Given the level of stress experienced by American’s we need to continue to work towards strengthening our understanding of the connection between mental and physical health.

How does stress affect your overall health?

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) identifies three different types of stress, all of which carry physical and mental health risks:

• Routine stress related to the pressures of work, family and other daily responsibilities.
• Stress brought about by a sudden negative change, such as losing a job, divorce, or illness.
• Traumatic stress, experienced in an event like a major accident, war, assault, or a natural disaster where one may be seriously hurt or in danger of being killed.

The body responds to each type of stress in similar ways. Different people may feel it in different ways. For example, some people experience mainly digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, depressed mood, anger and irritability. People under chronic stress are prone to more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or common cold, and vaccines, such as the flu shot, are less effective for them. 

Ways to cope with stress

Previously, I published a blog on ways to cope with stress. Although not an exhaustive list it provided some simple strategies to cope with stress. The NIMH also provides the following tips:

• Seek help from a qualified mental health care provider if you are overwhelmed, feel you cannot cope, have suicidal thoughts, or are using drugs or alcohol to cope.
• Get proper health care for existing or new health problems.
• Stay in touch with people who can provide emotional and other support. Ask for help from friends, family, and community or religious organizations to reduce stress due to work burdens or family issues, such as caring for a loved one.
• Recognize signs of your body's response to stress, such as difficulty sleeping, increased alcohol and other substance use, being easily angered, feeling depressed, and having low energy.
• Set priorities-decide what must get done and what can wait, and learn to say no to new tasks if they are putting you into overload.
• Note what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
• Avoid dwelling on problems. If you can't do this on your own, seek help from a qualified mental health professional who can guide you.
• Exercise regularly-just 30 minutes per day of gentle walking can help boost mood and reduce stress.
• Schedule regular times for healthy and relaxing activities.
• Explore stress coping programs, which may incorporate meditation, yoga, tai chi, or other gentle exercises.

In addition to uses these strategies, it may also be helpful to seek professional help if you feel that you are extremely overwhelmed by life circumstances. The APA provides a free tool to locate psychologist in your area. You can also contact your local state psychological association for resources to help locate a therapist.

Copyright 2013 Erlanger A. Turner, Ph.D.

Follow me on Twitter @DrEarlTurner and on Facebook at “Get Psych’d with Dr. T”

School violence: Tips on helping your child manage their emotions

Earlier today we witnessed another tragic school situation in Connecticut. According to the New York Times, 26 people (18 were children) were killed in a shooting this morning at an elementary school in Newton, CT. It was reported that the gunman shot his mother (who is a teacher at the school) and then 18 students in the class. In the wake of many recent school incidents of violence, a huge burden is placed on parents to help their child cope with the traumatizing event. 

Below are a few tips from the American Psychological Association (APA) on managing distress in children:

• Take "news breaks". Your children may want to keep informed by gathering information about the event from the internet, television, or newspapers. It is important to limit the amount of time spent watching the news because constant exposure may actually heighten their anxiety and fears. Also, scheduling some breaks for yourself is important; allow yourself time to engage in activities you enjoy.

• Talk with your child. Talking to your children about their worries and concerns is the first step to help them feel safe and begin to cope with the events occurring around them. What you talk about and how you say it does depend on their age, but all children need to be able to know you are there listening to them.
• Start the conversation; let them know you are interested in them and how they are coping with the information they are getting.
• Listen to their thoughts and point of view; don't interrupt--allow them to express their ideas and understanding before you respond.
• Express your own opinions and ideas without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it is okay to disagree.
• Remind them you are there for them to provide safety, comfort and support. Give them a hug.

• Keep home a safe place. Children, regardless of age, often find home to be a safe haven when the world around them becomes overwhelming. During times of crisis, it is important to remember that your children may come home seeking the safe feeling they have being there. Help make it a place where your children find the solitude or comfort they need. Plan a night where everyone participates in a favorite family activity.

• Watch for signs of stress, fear or anxiety. After a traumatic event, it is typical for children (and adults) to experience a wide range of emotions, including fearfulness, shock, anger, grief and anxiety. Your children's behaviors may change because of their response to the event. They may experience trouble sleeping, difficulty with concentrating on school work, or changes in appetite. This is normal for everyone and should begin to disappear in a few months. Encourage your children to put their feelings into words by talking about them or journaling. Some children may find it helpful to express their feelings through art.

• Take care of yourself. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children. Be a model for your children on how to manage traumatic events. Keep regular schedules for activities such as family meals and exercise to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.

If you find that your child is experiencing significant trauma and emotional difficulties you should consult with the school counselor or seek professional help in your area. It is possible that you may find a resource of providers by searching the website of the psychological association in your state. You can also browse for a psychologist in your area through APA.

Copyright 2012 Erlanger A. Turner, Ph.D.

Follow me on Twitter @DrEarlTurner and on Facebook at “Get Psych’d with Dr. T”

References:

American Psychological Association (2011). Helping your child manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting. Obtained December 14, 2012 from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/aftermath.aspx

Photo: courtesy of Shannon Hick/The Newton Bee

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness month. In the United States, over 100,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Several years ago, I was personally faced with dealing with breast cancer as my mother was diagnosed. I vividly recall it was the summer before I was preparing to move away for graduate school when I got the news. It was very devastating at the time. Yet my thoughts didn’t consider what she was experiencing at that time. First, how was she going to cope with the diagnosis? Second, how was she feeling about opening up and talking about her diagnosis with her first born child right before his departure to begin a journey towards becoming a psychologist? Now that she is healthy and remains in my life I have been treasuring each day with her. I have also been making an active effort to take part in activities that focus on Breast Cancer Awareness. For example, every year I travel home to run in the Susan G. Komen 5K in her honor.

I can only imagine what it is like for a mother to tell her child about her illness. Given the incidence of breast cancer, many women are faced with this issue each year. Here are a few facts you should know about Breast Cancer:

• Typically, breast cancer starts out too small to feel and does not cause signs and symptoms
• It is important to have a regular mammogram. Doctors use a mammogram to look for early signs of breast cancer.
• Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. 
• Men can also get breast cancer, but it is not very common. For every 100 cases of breast cancer, less than 1 is in men.

Dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis:

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer it is important to make sure you receive appropriate care. The links below provide some resources to help throughout the process.

• Tips on talking to your doctor
• Questions to ask your doctor
• Resources for getting a free mammogram
• Fact sheet on coping with breast cancer

Talking to your child about breast cancer:

View the links below for help on how to talk with your child about breast cancer and how to help them cope with your illness.

• Helping children understand cancer
• Talking to kids about “what is cancer”
• What it takes to be a caregiver
• Information on finding a support group

Written by Erlanger A. Turner, Ph.D. October 2012

© Copyright 2012 Erlanger A. Turner