Category: Blog Posts

Depression is becoming more and more common place in American society. Instead of a normal case of “the blues”, a new CDC report finds 5.4 percent of Americans 12 years of age and older have dealt with depression. 80 percent of those who report that they are depressed state that it is affecting their daily functional level. Sadly, only 29 percent have said they’ve contacted a health care professional.

How do you know if you are suffering from depression? Most often you would be experiencing a combination of these symptoms for a period of at least two weeks:

1. Depressed mood on most days for most of each day. (Irritability may be prominent in children and adolescents)
2. Total or very noticeable loss of pleasure most of the time.
3. Significant increase or decrease in appetite, weight, or both.
4. Sleep disorders either insomnia or excessive sleepiness nearly every day.
5. Feelings of agitation or a sense of intense slowness.
6. Loss of energy and a daily sense of tiredness.
7. Sense of guilt and worthlessness nearly all the time.
8. Inability to concentrate occurring nearly every day.
9. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

It is important to remember that depression can be treated! If you would like more information on depression, I highly encourage you to click on the link http://www.kmarshack.com/therapy/d_a_s/overcome_depression.html to read more and get the help you are looking for. You are not alone!

Did you know that there are different kinds of ADHD? I recently wrote a blog post about SPECT, a brain scan which can be used to diagnosis these different types of ADHD. Most psychologists and psychiatrists diagnosis ADHD disorders based on a series of inattention and hyperactivity behaviors. However, Dr. Amen uses the SPECT brain scan in addition to behavioral observations to diagnosis patients.

The scan focuses on the areas of the brain that relate to attention, short-term memory, and forethought. Six different types of ADHD have been classified as a result of this new medical procedure:

* Type 1 — Classic ADHD. Symptoms such as short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination, poor internal supervision plus hyperactivity and impulsivity.
* Type 2 — Inattentive ADHD. Classic ADHD symptoms, but instead of hyperactivity, there is low energy.
* Type 3 — Overfocused ADHD. Classic ADHD symptoms as well as negative thoughts and behaviors, such as opposition and arguing.
* Type 4 — Temporal Lobe ADHD. Classic ADHD symptoms plus irritability, aggressiveness, and memory and learning problems.
* Type 5 — Limbic ADHD. Combines ADHD with depression and low energy and decreased motivation.
* Type 6 — The Ring of Fire. Cross between ADHD and bipolar disorder. Characterized by moodiness, aggressiveness, and anger.

Are you wondering if you have an accurate diagnosis? Would you like to learn more about ADHD? Read additional articles on ADHD on this website or contact my office.

Dr. John Gottman, professor of psychology, has written a truly informative book entitled, “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.” After years of research and scientific procedures to observe the habits of married couples, Dr. Gottman has created a practical guide for couples who want to achieve the greatest potential in their marriage. He uncovers the truth about the many myths of divorce and sheds light on the actual reasons why marriages are falling apart in today’s society. The book includes quizzes, questionnaires, checklists, and exercises to help couples cope with their differences and reenergize their relationship.

I highly recommend this book. I have attended Dr. Gottman’s seminars in Seattle, Washington and was impressed with his work. For more information on “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work”, click on the link: http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0609805797/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_prod_3_0

Dr. Daniel Amen, a nationally-renowned psychiatrist, has developed a revolutionary procedure of evaluating mental disorders using a method called SPECT. What is SPECT?

SPECT is a brain imaging scan that measures the cerebral blood flow and metabolic activity pattern in the brain. By looking the brain function, it will give a more accurate cause for mental disorders—conditions such as ADHD, anxiety and depression—without having to guess or assume what is actually happening. The scan shows specific areas were the brain is implicated with specific problems, reasons why it may be functioning in a certain way due to toxicity or past trauma, as well as specific target area for treatment and medication. It is beneficial for both the clinician and patient because of its accuracy and reliability of the results.

I am very familiar with the work of Dr. Amen and he has referred clients to me here in the Pacific Northwest. If you are interested in learning more about brain SPECT imaging, visit Dr. Amen’s website at http://www.brainplace.com/ac/why_spect.php.

I wanted to share an important resource for individuals with ADHD and their families. CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation’s leading non-profit organization serving this community. They have over 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. that offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others. Visit their website for the chapter nearest you: www.chadd.org.

For those of you that live in the Portland, Oregon metro area here’s some information on the local chapter. Please note that meetings are free and open to the public. You do not have to be a CHADD member to attend.

PORTLAND METRO CHADD

PORTLAND ADULT GROUP – Meets the 3rd Tues of each month. Please visit their website for exact time and location. This is a professionally facilitated meeting where general discussion sessions alternate with speakers. Topics cover a wide variety of subjects of interest to adults with ADHD. Spouses and Significant Others are invited to attend.

A WORK IN PROGRESS – Meets the first Wednesday of the month. Please visit their website for exact time and location. This meeting will focus on sharing our challenges, and our solutions to those challenges.

Parent to Parent provides educational information and support for individuals and families dealing with ADHD and learning to navigate the challenges of AD/HD across the lifespan. Courses are offered in local communities across the country.

When parents learn that their child has ADHD medication is often the first treatment they consider. According to new findings that could be a mistake. That is according to researchers, presenting at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, based on the largest-ever study on the best treatments for ADHD.

Research shows that when children are initially treated with behavioral interventions — and their parents get training on how to manage their behavior — medication is used less often and in smaller doses. While medications address ADHD symptoms like restlessness and fidgeting, they don’t address other problems like difficult relations with peers, parents and family members.

In counseling, a therapist can help the child with ADHD learn to feel better about themselves. Over time the therapist can help identify and build on their strengths, cope with daily problems, and learn to control their attention and aggression. The parents may need special help to develop techniques for managing the patterns of behavior.

In many cases the entire family may need help. Mental health professionals can counsel the child and the family, helping them to develop healthy new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating to each other. Read more of my advice on parenting a child with ADHD – http://www.kmarshack.com/therapy/parenting/tipadd.html.