A: Aricept or donepizil is a drug that increases the neuro-chemical acetylcholine. Since acetylcholine is important for memory, some clinicians have become interested in using Aricept to help with ADHD. Currently, there is very little scientific information to support its use. Two studies have been done, both in adults. One study found a positive effect for Aricept. The other study found no benefit.
 
Aricept has not been approved for use in children. Aricept can be a difficult drug to take as common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, muscle cramping, and vertigo, and more serious side effects include seizure and irregular heart beat. It may be that with more study, we find that Aricept is a useful drug for ADHD , but for now, the jury is still out. - Paul J. Sorgi M.D., Sudbury Hallowell Center

A: Halloween comes once a year.  While it's not pleasant to live through the sugar highs, hopefully the candy is out of the house fairly quickly.  Your best bet is probably to talk with her about how candy impacts everyone (including her), and ask her - on the honor system - to limit her consumption each day so she's not subjecting herself or you to sugar highs and crashes.  Don't monitor unless you think she has a long-standing eating disorder or problem.

Conversations about how food fuels the body - and how making healthy choices optimizes your ability to focus and learn - should be ongoing.  A great way to have these conversations is around the food choices you make for your family while you are cooking (invite her to join you) and on shopping trips.  As an example, you might have a "fiber test" for cereals.  If it doesn't contain a minimum of 2 grams of fiber it doesn't come home.  At the store she can help you find the healthy choices.  Or she can help you figure out how to incorporate at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day into your meals.

Vitamin D is a potent andro-steroid. Like testosterone, Vitamin D also plays a key role in muscle strength and the integrity of connective tissue and the maintenance of bones and cartilage, as well as with repair and recovery from injuries. Vitamin D is key to efficient brain function. It is essential for the metabolizing of calcium which affects our brain cells' ability to function efficiently. And Vitamin D is important in the production of serotonin, which prevents depression, anxiety and improves sleep. Studies of sun-tanning in both natural sunlight sun and in tanning beds have shown increases in brain levels of serotonin, endorphins and dopamine, which boosts mood, improves sleep and reduces anxiety and depression.

The best kind of vitamin D is vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which comes from the sun and fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel.  Happily, most vitamin supplements are vitamin D3. Milk is also fortified with vitamin D, but at very low levels.

When being tested for vitamin D deficiency, calcidiol is the only blood test that should be drawn. If you are considering a Vitamin D supplement, consult with your doctor about the appropriate levels of Vitamin D as excessively high levels could be toxic to your kidneys and heart. Learn more about the new Vitamin D guidelines here. 

Social Workers in NY: CE Course - Melissa Orlov trains participants on how to identify undiagnosed ADHD in couples seeking marriage therapy, and effective therapeutic interventions. November 7th, 6-9pm. Learn more at NASW-NYC   

Dr. Hallowell and the Facebook Community share their lives, stories and inspiration. As an example, here is a recent post:

"Spencer has ADHD. We have taught him how to use it for good (like doing something productive instead of hitting his brothers). He is the hardest working child that I have ever known. Last night, I came home and he had taken all of the covers off the couch and was washing them. Adults love him. He might be a B student at school, but will be very successful in life with his drive and motivation. We have had to take him off of meds recently because of his tics. Thanks for sharing this article. I will share with a friend whose son was just diagnosed."

"Everyone's smart... you just need to find out at what!" If you have a child with ADHD, this delightful, colorful story, written by Dr. Hallowell, encourages children to play and learn in order to find their strengths. The discussion guide for parents and educators provides support to help children discover the sparkling individuality of their minds. Learn more here.




To learn more about all Dr. Hallowell's books, visit his book store here. 
 

San Francisco, CA    CHADD Conference, November 8-10    

Andover, MA    Parent to Parent, November 13, 7:30-9:00pm  

Stevenson, MD    Odyssey School, November 14, 7:00pm 

Webinar    NYC Hallowell Center, November 9, 1:00pm

Newton, MA    Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston, November 27 7:30-9:00 pm