Q: I seem to think all the time about what might happen to me - it's really unproductive. How do I get past this constant worrying?
A: The basic equation for worry is increased vulnerability + decreased power = increased worry. That means decreasing vulnerability or increasing power will help you. Typically, things that help you increase your power include: making a plan; getting the facts; exercise daily; and analyzing your issues and taking corrective action. Tactics that may help you decrease vulnerability might include: maintaining a cash reserve fund; hiring experts in the area that worries you (financial, therapeutic, etc.); and removing yourself from dangerous or toxic situations. Excessive rumination can also be a sign of depression, so talk with your doctor about whether treatment for depression might help.

Q: I know you've written this before, but I can't seem to remember it. How much fish oil should I be taking for my ADHD?

A: Adults can take up to 5,000 mg a day, and children up to 2,500 mg. If you get "fish burps" keeping your fish oil in the freezer will help alleviate the problem.

Many people feel moments of anxiety from time to time, but those with anxiety disorders feel anxious, worrisome and fearful most of the time. The National Institute of Mental Health claims that about 18% of American adults have anxiety disorders; children also suffer from anxiety. There are several kinds of anxiety disorders, including phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

GAD is one kind of anxiety disorder characterized by:

• a pattern of uncontrolled chronic worry lasting at least six months
• difficulty concentrating, memory problems
• poor sleep
• inability to relax
• physical symptoms like nausea, muscle tension, fatigue, headaches and breathlessness.

People with GAD are often aware that their worries are irrational. They worry about just getting through the day and predict that things will always go badly. GAD develops gradually over time during childhood and middle age; symptoms worsen during stressful times.

Treatment Approaches

If you think that GAD exists, the first step is to bring this article to your doctor and discuss your symptoms. Medications are one approach: anti-depressants, beta blockers and anti-anxiety medications can help. If you suffer side effects from medications, or you do not want to go the medication route, consider biofeedback or neurofeedback (see Dr. Hallowell's site for descriptions of alternative services available through the Hallowell Centers), yoga, hypnosis and/ or meditation. Counseling by a social worker or psychologist can also be helpful. For diagnostic or treatment advice, call the NY or MA Hallowell Center.

Also try Dr. Hallowell's best-selling book Worry: Hope and Help for a Common Condition.

This article was contributed by Susan Macintosh of the ADHD Coaches Organization.

What is ADD Coaching? Can an ADHD coach help you or someone in your family? Coaching is defined by the International Coach Federation as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential." ADHD coaching employs a special skill set to empower persons impacted by ADHD to manage their attention, hyperactivity, and impulse control.

An ADHD coach could be described as a well trained, professional "best friend" who totally believes in you.. Even if all you can see is what's not working in your life, your coach sees what is working, what's good, and what's possible for you. Your ADHD coach can help you understand your unique brain wiring, your strengths, and how you can use that knowledge to your great advantage, unlocking extraordinary potential.

The time you spend with your coach is all about you. Your coach will provide a safe and nurturing environment, listening to and hearing your concerns. Your coach will help you understand and support your treatment program and save you precious time and wasted energy. Your coach listens to your troubles and concerns then supports you in finding your own unique solutions. Your conversations together will be supportive, not judgmental. Your coach is a collaborative partner who will help you learn to minimize and/or manage weak areas so that you can focus on what you're good at and what you're passionate about. You will cover topics that include health, education, life skills, tools and strategies and ways to keep on track. An ADHD coach will help you design your life to be one which will give you satisfaction, variety, and success. Your ADHD coach can help you overcome the frustration, confusion, and discouragement you may have felt around your ADHD and, with understanding and appreciation, support you in designing and enjoying a new life of possibilities and potential.

So, how do you find a good ADHD coach? A simple Google search, using key words, will bring up credentialed, ADHD specialist coaches and their web sites. It doesn't really matter where your Coach is located, as you will probably work with them over the phone. What is important is that you find a well-trained coach with good credentials. You should feel comfortable talking to your coach. Choose someone who makes you feel the best about yourself and who helps you feel excited about your goals. Sometimes it may take a couple of conversations to discover the right fit, so don't be afraid to interview more than one. A good coach will tell you if they don't feel that they are a good fit with you, and may be able to offer referrals.

So, at the end of the day, an ADHD Coach is "better than your best friend"! Your Coach is there for you and for the life you want to create, to help you clarify what it is that you really want, to help you to learn how to manage ADHD challenges, to build upon your natural gifts and interests, and to encourage you to reach your goals and enjoy a life well lived. It is the one relationship that meets you appreciatively and where you lead the way. It is an extraordinarily rewarding and fun partnership where the benefits and rewards are all yours to enjoy!

If you feel that coaching is a good choice for you, contact the Hallowell Center in NY or Sudbury for a complimentary 15 minute discussion with one of our coaches.

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Ned Hallowell, Melissa Orlov, Sue Hallowell LICSW and Dr. Kevin Murphy will be the faculty for a phone seminar for professionals interested in learning more about treating couples in which one or both partners has ADHD. The six-session course qualifies for up to 21 CE credits.

Because the rate of marital dysfunction is so high for couples affected by ADHD, many marriage counselors have at least some couples in their practice. Yet the skills used to help these couples move forward have not been taught in traditional curricula. Our objective is to help mental health professionals better assess, address, and treat both partners in an ADHD-impacted relationship.

The ADHD Effects on Couples professional seminar will be held by phone on six separate dates (May 5,11,17,24 and June 2,7) from 8:15-9:45pm EST. Each session will be taught by an expert and includes specific presentation and reading materials that will be sent to the participant in advance. Audio recordings of each session will also be available, and all course graduates will receive a listing in the referral area of the adhdmarriage.com website.

In addition to Dr. Ned Hallowell and Melissa Orlov, with whom readers of this newsletter are familiar, the faculty includes Sue Hallowell, LICSW and Dr. Kevin Murphy. Sue Hallowell has been a practicing therapist for couples with ADHD over 25 years. Dr. Murphy is the President of the Adult ADHD Clinic of Central MA, as well as an Associate Research Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical. He is also co-author or ADHD in Adults: What the Science Says and over 30 scientific articles and book chapters on adult ADHD.

Please help us spread the word about this seminar. It has an exciting agenda (see this link), great faculty, up to 21 CE credits and costs only $295 for those registering before March 31. If you are a therapist, please forward this information to your colleagues. If you are a patient, please forward this to your therapist! Questions, please email Melissa Orlov at morlov@hallowellconnections.com

By Margo K. Mahoney, M.Ed

As we return from vacations and long weekends parents often tell me that their child/young adult has a very difficult time re-entering school and the after school home schedule. One tip is that we can help that child/young adult write out a general time specific outline of a regular school day from wake-up to bedtime.

After working together on this have the child/young adult make the work his or her �own by drawing, coloring, highlighting important parts of the day or whatever they would like (It is very important to have them personalize the schedule because if they do not take ownership, they will not follow through with the exercise). �Finally, have them visualize the day with you making up stories or situations about themselves and having fun with it. �You can ask them what they saw after they do this - it becomes fun for both of you! �Now ask the child/young adult to tape it to a place in their room where they will look at it.

The last Sunday early evening of their vacation with school on the horizon, have them go to a quiet space and visualize their day 3 times; taking at least a 10 - 15 min break between each time. �I also ask my clients to write down or draw something interesting about each time so that they can remember the task.

You will find that melt-downs, behavior, etc will improve greatly each re-entry time.

Margo K. Mahoney, M.Ed is an ADHD coach at the Hallowell Center in Sudbury who specializes in children and organizational skills. Contact her at (978) 287- 0810.

Study on Differences Between Bi-Polar and ADHD Researchers have started to unravel the differences between bi-polar disorder and ADHD at the brain region level. Read the article HERE

Social and Emotional Programs Help Kids' Academics In these days of budget cuts, a meta study of programs aimed at helping kids adjust emotionally shows that these programs are successful at both improved emotional control and academic achievement. Read the article HERE

MGH Study on Impact of Meditation This carefully designed MGH study shows a causal relationship between 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation (average time - 27 minutes a day) and changes in brain areas that control attention and stress. Read the article HERE

The Fear Factor at Work A piece on the Business Standard on Dr. Ned Hallowell and the impact of fear in the work place. Read the article HERE

Study on Coaching ADHD Kids Through College The Edge Foundation recently completed a study with Wayne State University on the benefits of coaching college students with ADHD. The research showed that students who received coaching showed significant improvement in their ability to organize, direct and manage cognitive activities, emotional responses and overt behaviors. They were able to formulate goals more realistically, manage their time more effectively, and stick with tasks even when they found them challenging. If you are interested in learning more about the program and the study visit their WEBSITE

Predicting ADHD Risk From Birth A recent study in The Journal of Pediatrics shows that babies born with low scores on the Apgar test of newborn vitality are at higher risk to develop attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than infants with near-perfect scores.A study of 980,902 babies born in Denmark from 1988 to 2001 found that newborns with Apgar scores between one and four had a 75% higher risk of developing ADHD than babies with scores of nine to 10. You can read about the study HERE.

Are you suffering from twisted thinking? Like a mental filter where you only dwell on the negatives and ignore the positives? Do you suffer from "Overgeneralization" and view a negative event as a never-ending pattern of defeat? Read more HERE

Every Other Tuesday Beginning October 19, Sudbury, MA - Free ADHD Adult Support Group 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Sudbury Hallowell Center. No registration necessary and free to the public. For more information: Call Rebecca Shafir (978) 287-0810

Unwrapping the Gift: Embracing Learning Difference through the Lifetime - March 29, Hingham, MA 9:00 am - 10:30 am. Hosted by: Youth Health Connection. Linden Ponds, 203 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham, MA. For information or to register, email Karin Farell at Karin_Farrell@sshosp.org South Shore Hospital Website

CrazyBusy: Managing Modern Life from Love to Work to Everything Else - March 29, Needham, MA - 7:00 to 9:00 PM Hosted by: Parent Talk, Inc. Location: Newman Elementary School Auditorium, 1155 Central Avenue, Needham, MA To register go to this link - Offerings - Lecture Series Regisration strongly encouraged (cannot guarantee availablility for walk-ins.) Members free, $20 for non-menbers who pre-pay on line. $25 at the door. Event sponsored by Needham Bank.

The Hurried Child - April 5, Wakefield, MA - 7:00pm - 9:00 pm. Hosted by: Wakefield Parent Partnership Location: Glavin Middle School, 525 Main Street, Wakefield, MA. Times: The event is Open to the Public. For information go to this link

Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness - April 6, Locust Valley, NY 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Hosted by: Friends Academy. Dolan Center Theater, Friends Academy, Piping Rock Road Locust Valley, NY. For information email: Ron_Baskind@FA.org Friends Academy Website

ADD & Marriage: A Surprising Impact - April 7, New York, NY 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm A presentation by Melissa Orlov and discussion on ADD and Marriage for the Manhattan Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Support Group (MAADDSG) West End Collegiate Church 245 West 77th Street (near West End Avenue) New York, NY.

Five Steps to Help Create and Sustain Lifelong Joy - April 12, Newton, MA 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Hosted by: The Newton Partnership at Newton South High School, Newton, MA For information email: nancy_holczer@newton.k12.ma.us Website

The ADHD Effect In-Depth - Start Turning Around Your Relationship Now! - April 26 - June 7 by phone - The ADHD Effect In-Depth phone seminar with Melissa Orlov. Seven evenings at 8:30pm EST. For details, go to this link.

Managing Time, How to Conquer Procrastination and See Results - April 30, Sudbury, MA A workshop from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Go HERE for more details and registration information.

ADHD Summer Enrichment Camp at Leelanau School - July 18 - 22, Glen Arbor, Michigan Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Hallowell's ADHD Summer Enrichment Camp

The ADHD Effect and You July 25 - July 27, Chautauqua, NY - The introductory course helps you understand what's happening in your relationship, and why. Three 1.5 hour lectures with Q&A provides both information you need and time for your specific questions. The course is being given at Chautauqua Institution, New York as part of their Special Studies program during Week 5 of the Chautauqua season. For more information, go to this link and look under "education" and then "special studies."

Unwrapping the Gifts: A Strength-Based Approach to ADHD Across The Life Span - August 8 - 12 Cape Cod, MA This week-long series meets Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 12:00 pm. Hosted by: The Cape Cod Institute. For information click HERE

email: morlov@hallowellconnections.com

phone: 508-545-2250 Hallowell Connections

web: http://www.drhallowell.com