ADHD week!

Sorry for the long wait for a new post. This week will be all about ADHD, from treatment and prevention to a case study. Today as we always do is make sure that everyone has a clear understanding of what it is and who it effects in the world. A few statistics before we dive in like Pete Rose. An estimated 9.5 % of children between the ages of 3-17 are diagnosed with ADHD and 4% of adults. Click here to review some other really interesting long term and short term statistics of ADHD, ADHD Figures and Statistics...Without further ado in the words of Bud Light...Here We Go!

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder:

Could be either A or B.

A. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Inattention

1.   Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.

2.     Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.

3.     Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

4.     Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).

5.     Often has trouble organizing activities.

6.     Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

7.     Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).

8.     Is often easily distracted.

      9.   Is often forgetful in daily activities

B. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Hyperactivity

1.     Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.

2.     Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.

3.     Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).

4.     Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.

5.     Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".

      6.  Often talks excessively. 

 Impulsivity

1.     Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.

2.     Often has trouble waiting one's turn.

      3.  Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

There are other subtypes but for our basic understanding this is the important aspects that are important for us to know and learn about it during the week. 

Stay tuned for the rest of ADHD week!

Good day for a Monday!

YES

Article: PTSD and Rap Music

I just came across this article on Yahoo!News. Check it out...really interesting how an Iraqi Vet is using music to help him with his PTSD. 

Click the link

Iraq Veteran Uses Rap to Treat His PTSD

Two for Tuesday!

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Eating Disorders: Interview with an Art Therapist

As promised, here at ClinicallySpeaking we not only like to write and talk about the published articles and different treatments, we like to speak to those professionals who are in the field and "in the trenches". 

ClinicallySpeaking had a chance to catch up with Jennifer Lipstein, LCAT-ATR, BC (Aka Licensed Certified Art Therapist). She works with people suffering from Eating Disorders at the Renfrew Center, they are a well known agency for treating people with eating disorders.

CS: Thank you Jennifer for giving ClinicallySpeaking some of your time to talk about eating disorders and your experience.  

JL: Absolutely no problem!

CS: In your experience, have you encountered that there are more people suffering from bulimia or anorexia?

JL: In my experience, I have encountered more people suffering from Anorexia then Bulimia, although that is not to say that one is more prevalent then the other.

CS: Is there a more prevalent in certain cultures/ethnicity or do you see it even across the board?

JL: It is definitely uneven, it is more prevalent in middle white class, and over achiever type of personalities. Families that have certain expectations on the actual individual.

CS: Other than having diagnosis, what are the other challenges that come up while treating them?

JL: Many individuals who suffer with eating disorders also struggle with anxiety and depression. Many individuals have encountered some sort of trauma (trauma being a very broad term). ED has very little to do with the actual food (if at all). The food is used as a tool to dissociate and detach from feelings, as well as provides an individual with a sense of comfort and control; in a lot of ways that ED is empowering. While re-teaching ones body to recognize hunger cues and accept food- it is important that one is also learning the meaning behind the food-what does it mean to feed your self/ to allow your self to feel, to take care of you self/ to listen to your emotions, to provide your self with nourishment/nurture? In order to heal the ED it is important to understand its roots, and devise healthy eating habits and coping mechanisms to deal with the underlying problem.

CS: As an art therapist, what techniques do you rely on that are most effective with this population?

JL: Art allows for one to express thoughts and feelings that are indescribable. It turns abstract feelings in to something tangible and approachable, as well as provides one with an opportunity to approach the situation from a different perspective, and in a non-threatening manner. Through creative expression one gains insight into ones self and the situation. I typically provide my patients with some sort of open directive and a choice of materials. It is important to create a structured/safe environment, while also giving the individual the space and freedom to independently explore. Using a variety of different art mediums i.e. paint, collage,plaster... one is encouraged to identify and explore feelings in ones body, explore relationships such as; ones relationship with family, friends, and food. Furthermore, art is used to explore body image, trust, boundaries... the possibilities are endless. I personally encourage my patients to escape their mind and allow their emotions to guide their hand. After finishing, it is then important to reflect back on their work- recognize patterns and themes, identify emotions while creating the art work as well as while reflecting, and create coping mechanism to help appropriately respond to challenging situations.

You can contact Jennifer at Jylipstein@gmail.com for questions, comments, and treatment.

If you or someone you know appears to be suffering from an Eating Disorder. Here is a link to take short quiz to identify if you need to obtain professional services. Eating Disorders Questionnaire

Top of the week to ya lads and lassies!

YES 

Eating Disorders: Treatment and Prevention

Continuing with the theme of eating disorders this week, we will be talking about different treatment and some preventions that are being made globally to help those with eating disorders.

Much like other mental illness, behavioral problems, and addiction treatment people suffering from this disease can utilize any modality of treatment (i.e. individual and group therapy). However, there are two leading types of therapy that are used most in treating eating disorders. The first, FBT, or Family Based Treatment. There was a study that was published in October 2010, that showed that "more than 50 percent of patients receiving family based treatment (FBT) were in full remission after a year-long treatment period, compared to 23 percent of those receiving adolescent-focused individual therapy (AFT). After a year of follow-up, only 10 percent of patients who achieved remission during family based treatment relapsed, compared to 40 percent of AFT subjects", as reported by University of Chicago. That is though working with the adolescent and young adult population, what about the adult population? It appears from my research on the topic while adults who do suffer from it, the majority of the population who is Dx with an eating disorder are adolescents and young adults, 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.8. Quite alarming...

Another well known and adopted from of treatment is the use of Art therapy either in individual counseling or group therapy. Art therapist helps the patient to become creative and express themselves through a painting, or sculpting. Not only is the activity that they are involved with potentially soothing, it will allow the therapist to get a glimpse of how they are reacting and feeling through the pictures and the non-verbal communication. During these sessions, art therapist promote finding new ways of nurturing themselves rather than hurting their bodies.

Last week was a big week in the world of eating disorders and prevention. The fashion world has always been under a microscope regarding models and their health. Last Thursday as reported by Latina.foxnews.com that "19 editors of Vogue magazines around the world made a pact to have healthy models on their pages, according to a Conde Nast International...Vogue believes that good health is beautiful. Vogue Editors around the world want the magazines to reflect their commitment to the health of the models who appear on the pages and the well-being of their readers," said Conde Nast International Chairman Jonathan Newhouse in a statement...Models' health - and especially their weight - has been a lightning rod the past few years, especially after the death of two models from apparent complications from eating disorders in 2006-07."  

At the end of march, Israeli lawmakers have passed legislation "that requires that male and female models in Israel must have a body mass index (or BMI, a measure of weight proportionate to height) of no less than 18.5—a standard used by the World Health Organization—or a note from a doctor saying they are not underweight before they can be hired for a modeling job. A six-foot-tall model, for example, must weigh no less than 136.5 pounds. The legislation also bans use of models who "look underweight," and creators of ads must disclose whether they used Photoshop or graphic programs to manipulate images to make the models look skinnier...Lawmakers are hoping the measure encourages a healthier body image among teens and fights the spread of eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia. According to a study cited by the Associated Press, 2 percent of girls aged 14 to 18 in Israel have eating disorders", as reported by Yahoo! news.

A scary but interesting stat that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness...

Happy Thursday!

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