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In This Issue . . .
 In our featured article, "ADHD and Sleep Problems in Adults End the Nightmare with this New Research," ADD CrusherTM Alan Brown discusses how ADHD impacts sleep, especially for ADHD adults. Not only do they have more difficulty falling to sleep at night, but they also find themselves unable to stay awake during the day. Read Alan's article and learn some ways to overcome sleep challenges, not only for those with ADHD, but for anyone struggling with sleep issues.
 Our Guest Writer article is by Jodi Sleeper-Triplett, entitled "The Fundamentals of Coaching Young People - The Coach Does Not Control the Coaching Plan." Jodi gives us her insight on the coaching process and provides questions to help set the goal in coaching. Read her article to find out why she says it is not the coach who controls the coaching plan.
Would you have heart bypass surgery without being tested to make sure it isn't something like G.E.R.D.? Then, why would you get an ADHD diagnosis without taking any objective or biological tests? Watch our interview, entitled "ADHD Diagnosis: It's not Just a Subjective Process Anymore," with Dr. Kenneth Pages on Attention Talk Video.
Does PTSD compromise the prefrontal cortex? Find out in our interview, "ADHD and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," on July 3, 2013, as Dr. Charles Parker answers the question.
If you have an ADHD teen heading off to or already in college, do you ever wonder what it costs to hire an ADHD coach for your student? In our show on July 10, 2013, Robert Tudisco of the Edge Foundation gives us the answer and more. The show is entitled, "ADHD: You Can't Go Off to School with Them, But We Can."
Be sure to check out our July 17 interview with Kirsten Milliken entitled "Play and ADHD: Everybody Needs to Play," to find out what role play has on ADHD. And be sure to schedule time to hear Dr. Charles Parker as he quizzes Jeff Copper around having a coach as part of an ADHD treatment plan on July 24 in our upcoming show entitled, "Why a Coach on an ADHD Treatment Team?"
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Audio News
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Recent Shows to Listen to in Our Archives
ADHD and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
 How does ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder affect the brain? Is there a similarity? How are both conditions treated in a similar way or completely different? What is the chance of recovery from PTSD? What does it look like when ADHD, PTSD, and military life all come together? If you're curious about these questions and more, join host Jeff Copper and co-host Kirsten Milliken as they interview Dr. Charles Parker on the topic. We guarantee this to be a thought-provoking show. College is a huge investment. It is the biggest life transition for any student and even bigger for an ADHD student. Join us for this edition of Attention Talk Radio as we talk about how to protect your college investment. We interview Robert Tudisco, head of the Edge Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing resources, among other things, to college students. We also have an excerpt of a prerecorded interview with Dr. Eileen Henry of Muskingum University around its programs that also protect students. If you have an ADHD student and are starting to think about college, you don't want to miss this show.
We've done the science-based shows, the emotional shows, shows about research, shows about kids, about adults, religion, sex and intimacy, and even ADHD and humor, but never one around ADHD and play. Don't you think it is about time? If you have ADHD, come with us and play and learn about play in this edition of Attention Talk Radio. Our guest is Kirsten Milliken, co-founder of PlayDHD. We talk about play in the context of science (how it relates to Dr. Barkley's EFDD construct), the value of play, how those with ADHD should play to have fun. To quote Dudley Moore's character from the movie Arthur, "Isn't fun the best thing to have?" Join us for this fun and playful show.
Reminder to Calendar Upcoming Shows
Surprise! The tables are getting turned. In this episode of Attention Talk Radio clinical psychiatrist Dr. Charles Parker quizzes Attention Talk Radio host and ADHD coach Jeff Copper around the need to have an ADHD coach as part of an ADHD treatment team. The two talk about the challenges and the values and give examples around how those with ADHD can have a more positive impact when mental health professionals and coaches work together. If you want to get the most out of your treatment team, you won't want to miss this show.
Be sure to visit the Attention Talk News website
Attention Talk Network.. Your ADHD information Source!
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Video News
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ADHD Diagnosis: It's Not Just a Subjective Process Anymore
You walk up a flight of stairs; your heart races, you feel pressure in your chest, and you are rushed to the emergency room. Upon arrival, you are asked to sign a release for emergency bypass surgery. Would you sign? Or wouldn't you want to see some tests results ruling out minor things like heartburn before you go under the knife? In this episode of Attention Talk Video, we interview Dr. Kenneth Pages (in general psychiatry in Tampa, Florida) around adding objective tests and biological information as a means to accurately diagnosis ADHD. In our interview we talk about how more doctors should do the same as a means of protection and illustrate how to identify physicians who are serious about diagnosing ADHD right the first time.
Click image to watch the video
College Admissions Essays Advice in 90 SecondsUsing the Summer to Start College Applications: School is out for the summer and while rising seniors may be under the impression that they won't have to write another essay until the fall, they may want to think again. Summer is the best time to begin working on college admission essays when students' schedules are typically less busy. Click image to watch the video
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Featured Article
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ADHD and Sleep Problems in Adults: End the Nightmare with this New Research by Alan Brown of ADD CrusherTM
Article originally appeared on ADDCrusher.com and is reproduced with permission.
As we head back to school and work, and supposedly get back into our routines and daily "rhythms," there's one routine/rhythm we adult ADD'ers never seem able to dance to. Sleep. Research indicates that ADHD can cause sleep problems in adults. Sufferers are more likely to have sleep abnormalities, a harder time getting to sleep - and a harder time staying awake during the day, especially if we are not being sufficiently stimulated - which we, um, rarely are. And getting less sleep than non-ADDers adds to an already overwhelmed and scattered mind, for a bucketful of bad brain - not something we want to carry into the study hall or the conference room.
Recent News about ADHD and Sleep Problems in Adults
A few things conspired to make this topic a must-write-about-now...
First, ADDitude magazine did a quick-tips article on it.
Then I heard a piece on NPR about sleep and study habits (great Back2School info here).
And then, sure enough, Attention Talk Radio had an archived show about ADHD and sleep with Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School. Mr. Know-It-All (in a good way).
I'll share a few natural remedies for ADHD and sleep problems in a moment. But first, let's make sure we know the extent of the problem here:
- First, simply put, it exacerbates our ADHD symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, moodiness...irritability.
- It decimates performance: Just 1 hour of sleep loss 3 nights in a row significantly affects performance on tests. Assume ditto decimation for us in the workplace.
- Insufficient sleep lowers metabolism, increases appetite and thereby makes us more susceptible to weight gain/obesity. Sleep deprivation cranks up a hormone called lectin, which holds on to body fat.
- Oh - and sleep problems can be SO severe as to actually impersonate ADHD and result in an incorrect diagnosis of ADD. So, um, maybe I'm not...Nah. I am.
The scientists haven't figured out exactly why, but we ADHD adults typically have a hard time slowing down our brain at night, which is a key for falling asleep. And then, we're more likely to have restless leg syndrome, sleep-walking and -talking. We're even hyperactive sleepers, people! Not a happy contrast with the JOYS of sleep and its fabulous rewards of clarity, contentment and sanity.
Some Natural ADHD Remedies for Crappy Sleepers
When other people are winding down and feeling sleepy, we ADDers are starting to wind UP! Our circadian rhythms are programmed differently, so instead of winding down at 10p, we're firing up a bunch of thoughts, worries, ideas, etc. It's OK, there's hope. In Video I, Way 1: Feed Your Brain, I lay out four simple sleep helpers, which are mixed in below with a few more good ones...
- No Media 1+ Hours Before Bed: UNPLUG!!! Get off of media earlier in the evening - at least 1-2 hours. Might be hard, but think of it this way: the add brain is like a lawn mower and has momentum making it difficult to just shut it off. PLUS, research shows that the rays emitted from e-devices tricks our brain into thinking it's daytime.
- Medication Conservation: While some claim that their stimulant meds actually help them get to sleep (perhaps by allowing them to focus their mind on falling asleep), we have to remember what meds might still be swimming around in our veins from the day time. For instance, I don't use sustained-release meds for this reason. When I'm done working, I want to be done chirping.
- A Visit from the Protein/Dairy Fairy: Get a little sprinkle of serotonin and melotonin from cottage cheese or warm milk before bed.
- Get the Caffeinne Out: Even small amounts - even early in the day - can affect our ability to fall asleep. You don't have to go decaf, but know that I won't judge you if you do (I do a 5-shot decaf latte, and I'm proud). Everyone talking about ADHD and sleep problems in adults warns against caffeine.
- Get Tested: If you're waking up in the morning and feeling tired or like you never slept, you should absolutely check for snoring/sleep apnea - not breathing in enough oxygen. But even if that's not the issue, only a professional sleep test can give you reliable data on something correctable like a breathing issue.
- Make Bedtime Routine a Routine: You have to train your brain to know it's time...to...wind...down. Change into bed clothes earlier. Turn down lights earlier. Take a quick bath. Turn on some ambient/white noise. Whatever the routine...do it routinely...every night.
- Set a Bedtime Alarm: That's right - set an alarm for the same time every evening that reminds you it's time to shut the TV...laptop...knitting bag...book.
I regard sleep as absolutely foundational. And I'm more convinced of it after this recent batch of reading/listening. Sufficient sleep gives the brain a chance to perform at peak ability; insufficient sleep sends it spinning even more out of control. The articles mentioned here will give you more in dept information about ADHD and sleep problems in adults. Every other alternative treatment or solution you put into play will have exponentially more impact if it's done on top of a better night's sleep. Now, go to your room!
--Crusher
If this blog post was of even of modest interest to you...then you'll go freakin' crazy for ADD CrusherTM Videos & Tools. Give them a look-see. Try 'em. No like? Money back.
Article originally appeared on ADDCrusher.com and is reproduced with permission.
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Guest Writer Article
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The Fundamentals of Coaching Young People --
The Coach Does Not Control the Coaching Plan
Coaches work with young people to help them identify their own goals, dreams, and vision for the future. Counter to some parents' or even young clients' expectations, the coach does not control the coaching plan. Instead, the coach supports and monitors the success of the plan. Coaching is an inquiry-based process such that the coach doesn't decide the agenda or the action items. Whatever agenda emerges from the client's responses, the coach stands behind the client and that agenda.
Most often the coaching process begins with an initial two-hour intake session, which is similar to the intake session in adult coaching with the exception of parents being present. During the intake, the coach asks background questions to learn more about the client and offers powerful, open-ended questions to get to the heart of the client's values, goals, and desires. As the process unfolds, the coach and client create a personal coaching agreement, which contains the client's goal/s and lays out client-generated action steps for success. Oftentimes, young clients want to focus on specific short-term goals during coaching (e.g., get a B in history or sign up for football tryouts). These goals may help the client to become more confident and develop the readiness for loftier, long-term goals that may not have seemed possible at the start of the coaching relationship. As the client progresses, he or she is likely to expand goals, achieve more success, get a feel for independent thinking, and develop a comfortable, trusting relationship with a coach.
As in coaching with adults, the young client sets the agenda for the coaching process, while the coach elicits information to clarify and identify the details of the client's agenda and the plan for how to reach the client's goals. Thus, when working with the young client, the coach is careful not to redirect the coaching toward an agenda that has been predetermined by the parents or one that the coach views as a better alternative for the client.
It is also up to the coach to listen carefully to questions, concerns, and feelings that might get in the way of the client's path toward the agreed-upon goals. For example, the client may set a goal to learn how to ski, only to find out that skiing is cost prohibitive at this time in his or her life. (Note that questions related to the feasibility of the clients' goals are posed during the coaching process.) The client chooses instead to put the goal of learning to ski on the back burner and to find a more affordable option (e.g., taking up tennis or running). In addition, the coach will listen for any hesitation that might be coming from the young client due to lack of skill or knowledge of how to go after the selected goal and then respond by encouraging the client to explore what it might take to increase skill or knowledge in order to accomplish the goal.
Imagine a young person interested in pursuing a career in graphic design. What might that career look like? What type of work does this particular young person envision doing each day? What excites the young person about the field of graphic design? How might he or she move forward toward this goal starting today? What might stop the young person from pursuing this goal? These are the kind of questions that the coaching process will help the young client consider while exploring options for the present and the future.
Jodi Sleeper-Triplett
JST Coaching, LLC
Premiere ADHD Coach Training Company
www.jstcoach.com
Author: Empowering Youth with ADHD
© 2013. Jodi Sleeper-Triplett
Reprinted with permission.
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