A Message from our Healthcare Director, Dr. Jack  Maggiore:

Our followers know well of the statistics that we post of the 40%  misdiagnosis rate of ADHD, as reported by the University of Notre Dame in 2010,  and again by Portrait Health Centers in late 2011.   One of the more overlooked conditions that mimics the symptoms of ADHD,  inattentive type, is a sleep disorder.   Lack of quality, restorative sleep directly contributes to what appears as lack of interest, daydreaming, inattention, and poor comprehension, in the classroom, as well as in the workplace.   Not too surprisingly, the same individuals who are often misidentified and misdiagnosed as having ADHD, and the same people who have a tendency for migraine headaches.  One of the
more common triggers for a debilitating migraine event is the lack of
sleep.  The reason that inadequate sleep leads to a migraine headache is thought to be related to the predisposition of these individuals to have a period of hypertension in an attempt to keep the brain alert and the body awake in the face of physical and mental exhaustion.  Unfortunately, this increase in blood pressure leads to the body’s response to reduce the blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels in the head, a process called vasodilation.  Vasodilation leads to localized inflammation, or swelling, which causes severe pain, commonly
experienced as an intense headache in the more than 30-million Americans with  the disorder called migraine.

It is not likely that those with migraine have an  increased tendency for true ADHD, and there is not sufficient evidence that  those with true ADHD are more prone to having the syndrome known as  migraine.  However, for many  individuals with ADHD being treated with a stimulant medication, any “vacation”  from these drugs, or a change in the dose of the stimulant medication may serve  as a trigger to a migraine headache.   Also, for those who are prescribed the blood-pressure-lowering medication  Strattera® to control the symptoms of ADHD, one of the unanticipated benefits of  this medication may be a decrease in the number of migraine headaches due to the lowering of blood pressure, a possible initiator in the migraine pathway.  Any medication that has either stimulant or sedative properties is likely to cause a change in sleep patterns, which, as we indicated, is a trigger for migraine headaches. It is important that you discuss any change in sleep with your doctor, especially if you see that headaches are occurring with this  change.

 Do not underestimate the benefits of a good night’s sleep. A comprehensive sleep evaluation is valuable for many reasons related to ADHD  symptoms, migraine, as well as problems with weight management, diabetes, stress, and heart conditions.  Sleep is essential for much more than just an opportunity to recharge our inner battery, it is at the heart of a number of our hormone cycles, metabolism,  and mental health.  

Contact our Nurse Navigatorat (847) 868-3435 today to discuss how your migraine  headaches and ADHD tendencies may be related to a sleep disorder.  Visit us at www.portraithealthcenters.com.

To schedule an appointment online, simply click on the button below:

New Year’s Resolutions are all about making a commitment to improving our lives and ourselves.  Losing weight and exercising more remain the top two resolutions made by US adults, and those are fine self-improvement goals.  However, if you look at the trends for Americans who are increasingly overweight and in danger of becoming diabetics, it takes more than just a lofty promise to ourselves on New Year’s Eve to accomplish a goal.  It takes a plan.

Not Just a Promise… A Plan!

For the more than 5 million Americans with ADHD, a list of resolutions may include plans to become more organized, procrastinate less, channel your excess energy, and reconnect with friends and loved ones.  A top 10 list of New Year’s Resolutions may include:

1.      Channel that extra energy

            Feelings of restlessness and the inability to wind down and relax is a true burden for those with ADHD whose brains are programmed into believing that there is still more to accomplish in any given day.  Finding a way to channel       that energy into something constructive provides a helpful benefit to yourself, and possibly others.  Try working into an evening routine exercise that raises your heartbeat.  Just 30 minutes of walking outdoors, in a mall, or on a   treadmill or bicycling outdoors or on a stationary bike is often adequate to help the body and brain feel content with a productive workout.  Extra energy could also be channeled into a hobby such as woodworking, automotives,   crafts, and restoring antiques.  Volunteers are needed more nowadays than ever, for churches, park districts, community centers, schools, and hospitals.  Channeling your excess energy to positive use is accepting your ADHD as a true gift, and serves as an example to others how embracing your gift helps to overcome the negative stigma associated with ADHD.

To learn more about ADHD treatments, therapies, and tips, visit www.portraithealthcenters.com.  To schedule an appointment at Portrait Health Centers, call (847) 868-3435 or simply click below:

New Year’s Resolutions are all about making a commitment to improving our lives and ourselves.  Losing weight and exercising more remain the top two resolutions made by US adults, and those are fine self-improvement goals.  However, if you look at the trends for Americans who are increasingly overweight and in danger of becoming diabetics, it takes more than just a lofty promise to ourselves on New Year’s Eve to accomplish a goal.  It takes a plan.

Not Just a Promise… A Plan!

For the more than 5 million Americans with ADHD, a list of resolutions may include plans to become more organized, procrastinate less, channel your excess energy, and reconnect with friends and loved ones.  A top 10 list of New Year’s Resolutions may include:

1.      Set attainable milestones for project management

            Road signs and mile markers are put in place to help us stay on a path and help us to know where we are when we drive.  Similarly, we need to establish milestones when we set out on a project or complex task.  This is particularly essential for those with ADHD.  For example, if you are assigned the task of contacting all current and potential clients to inform them about a new product or service, you know the outcome, you have an idea where      to start, but how can you determine if you are making acceptable progress to complete the task by its proposed deadline?  You set milestones.  Break up the task into small, attainable, and measurable steps rather than diving      into an outdated list and randomly making calls or contacts.  Board games that have a start and endpoint are excellent examples, as you can see before the roll of the dice where you are at any given point and where want to want to finish.  Develop each step of your project, and write down what you intend to accomplish by that milestone, what you need to reach that point, and when you intend to arrive there.  Then, on that target date, determine if you have successfully reached that milestone, and if not, determine what prevented you from reaching that point.  Make adjustments as needed before proceeding.  Small, manageable, and measurable steps are the keys to a successful project outcome.

To learn more about ADHD treatments, therapies, and tips, visit www.portraithealthcenters.com.  To schedule an appointment at Portrait Health Centers, call (847) 868-3435 or simply click below:

New Year’s Resolutions are all about making a commitment to improving our lives and ourselves.  Losing weight and exercising more remain the top two resolutions made by US adults, and those are fine self-improvement goals.  However, if you look at the trends for Americans who are increasingly overweight and in danger of becoming diabetics, it takes more than just a lofty promise to ourselves on New Year’s Eve to accomplish a goal.  It takes a plan.

Not Just a Promise… A Plan!

For the more than 5 million Americans with ADHD, a list of resolutions may include plans to become more organized, procrastinate less, channel your excess energy, and reconnect with friends and loved ones.  A top 10 list of New Year’s Resolutions may include:

Prioritize with a goal in mind

Starting each day without an agenda or plan of attack is a dangerous practice for those with ADHD.  Spend the first 5-10 minutes of every workday to build a “Things to Do Today” list on an 8 x 11 sheet of paper in a notebook or binder, not on a post-it pad or scratch sheet of paper.  First, prioritize your tasks.  If you are not sure as to what is most important to accomplish, ask your supervisor or manager.  If you are self-employed or in charge of a project, the best advice is to ‘follow the money’.  Complete the critical tasks that lead to increased revenues, secured contracts, job security, and satisfied customers.  Be sure to include on this page the resources or tools you need to get the job done, and the due date.  And if you can’t complete a task within a given day or by the due date, make sure that it remains your priority until the task is complete. Setting milestones for completing more complex tasks will help with project management.

To learn more about ADHD treatments, therapies, and tips, visit www.portraithealthcenters.com.  To schedule an appointment at Portrait Health Centers, call (847) 868-3435 or simply click below:

New Year’s Resolutions are all about making a commitment to improving our lives and ourselves.  Losing weight and exercising more remain the top two resolutions made by US adults, and those are fine self-improvement goals.  However, if you look at the trends for Americans who are increasingly overweight and in danger of becoming diabetics, it takes more than just a lofty promise to ourselves on New Year’s Eve to accomplish a goal.  It takes a plan.

Not Just a Promise… A Plan!

For the more than 5 million Americans with ADHD, a list of resolutions may include plans to become more organized, procrastinate less, channel your excess energy, and reconnect with friends and loved ones.  A top 10 list of New Year’s Resolutions may include:

1.      Get Organized with Finances – Use proven organizational methods

            Start by getting rid of and recycling paper clutter, including junk mail, old newspapers and magazines.  Then take your bills and place the bill with the furthest due date on the bottom of the pile.  Write the date due and the amount due on the envelope (if you saved it) or on the visible portion of the top of the bill.  Continue with your stack until you have the bills that are due the soonest, or possibly any that are past due.  From this stack build a spreadsheet or construct a document with 5 columns – Creditor’s Name, Amount Due, Date Due, Date Paid, and Amount Paid.  If you pay bills from multiple accounts you should add a column for From Account.  Many affordable       accounting software programs are available to help you stay organized from month-to-month, but the first step is always reducing that overwhelming pile into a manageable stack and developing a working list.  Some programs  even have payment reminders that could be programmed to be sent to your cell phone to help to make sure that a due date does not pass.  As for going entirely paperless for a bill paying system, we do not recommend doing so if    you have ADHD, as having a tangible reminder in the form of a piece of paper is to your benefit.

To learn more about ADHD treatments, therapies, and tips, visit www.portraithealthcenters.com.  To schedule an appointment at Portrait Health Centers, call (847) 868-3435 or simply click below:

Exercise increases chemicals in the brain that regulate your emotions and moods. For people with ADHD, that means their attention span, focus, and sleep patterns, may improve.

Exercise is great for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For starters, exercise increases the levels of brain chemicals called dopamine and serotonin, which are lower in people with ADHD.

ADHD and Exercise: How it Helps

“Dopamine and serotonin are enzymes that help people feel good,” says Frank Coppola, a New York City-based ADHD coach. “They regulate things like mood, attention, and anger. So having more rather than less definitely helps someone with ADHD.”

Exercise also helps with alertness and sleep patterns, which can be a problem for people with  ADHD, Coppola says. “Exercising tires your body, so you sleep better and feel more focused and alert the next day.”

Exercise helps you relax and quiet your mind as well. “Exercise helps cut down your chance of depression, which can accompany ADHD. It increases oxygen to the brain, improves your eating habits and can help with weight loss,” Coppola says.

ADHD and Exercise: Affordable Therapy

You can join a gym or hire a personal trainer, but there are many inexpensive ways to exercise. You might buy exercise videos or DVDs, or just get out there and move.

For example you can:

• Walk
• Run
• Dance
• Swim
• Bike
• Do yoga
• Hike
• Rollerblade
• Stretch
• Weight train

ADHD and Exercise: Get Disciplined

“What’s hard for people with ADHD, and of course other people too, is having the discipline to make exercise a part of their life,” says Coppola. “I believe that doing something for 30 days can create a new habit so that’s the approach I suggest.”

According to Coppola, the first 10 days are usually the hardest. “A rocket launch uses 85 percent of its fuel on the ground,” says Coppola. “Look at your first 10 days as your launch time.”

• Start by setting reasonable goals for yourself. Exercise 10 or 15 minutes daily for those first 10 days. You eventually want to reach 30 minutes a day to maintain the benefits for people with ADHD.
• Around the sixth day, the body starts to react. “Your body gets used to the exercise and starts to want it. This makes it a little easier to stick with your exercising,” explains Coppola.
• After 10 to 20 days you will feel it if you miss a session.
• As you stick with it, you’ll find that during the next 20 to 30 days your body really starts to crave the exercise,” adds Coppola.

ADHD and Exercise: Mix it up

Since people with ADHD can be easily bored without diversity, it’s a good idea to vary the kind of exercise you do. Here are more of Coppola’s suggestions:

• If you walk one day, you might want to take a bike ride the next.
• If you usually exercise in the morning, try exercising in the evening sometimes.
• Try breaking your 30-minute workout into two 15-minute periods.
• Having an exercise buddy is another way to stay motivated.

If you don’t stick with your exercise plan, don’t beat yourself up, as people with ADHD are prone to do. “Just say ‘okay’ and start again,” Coppola says.

ADHD and Exercise: Getting Kids Moving

Children with ADHD also need to exercise. Just as with adults, exercise increases dopamine and serotonin levels in kids, helping them be more alert and attentive, and tires them out at night, helping with sleep problems.

“Most schools have gym classes or sports teams,” Coppola says. “If your child isn’t getting exercise at school, offer them the chance of after-school activities such as gymnastics, karate, or soccer.”

All in all, exercise is a great prescription for ADHD. So strap on those rollerblades, get out your yoga mat, put on your walking shoes, and have a good time. It’ll feel good.

Gifts for ADHD Tweens and Teens

Motion Therapy
High-energy kids need active play, especially when they’re cooped up indoors. Active gaming fills the bill. Check out Kinect forXbox 360. The player’s body acts as the controller. Kinect tracks your child’s full-body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions, even different emotions in his voice. Sports, fitness, dance, and animal games will be first off the assembly line. Price: Xbox 360 console with Kinect: $299.99; Kinect sensor only: $149.99.

Neat Things
Building toys, like LEGO, are great for creative kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but, oh, the mess! This year, along with the latest “Toy Story” or “Harry Potter” LEGO set, give your organizationally challenged child a LEGO ZipBin. When unzipped, it turns into a play mat, on which your child can construct buildings, airplanes, whatever. When zipped up, it’s a box or basket, depending on the model, which stores the bricks inside. Perfect for one-step cleanup. Price: $12.99-$24.99.

Let’s Roll 
A Maze and Marbles (via Young Explorers) is an interactive building toy that captures -- and holds -- our ADHD kids’ attention. The countless configurations of chutes, bridges, and drops, through which the marbles race, develop organizational and spatial skills. This hardwood version of the classic toy is sturdy, making it ideal for the rough play of ADHD kids. Price: $69.95.

Spheres of Influence
Hoberman Spheres are an engineering marvel, and an addictive distraction that occupies busy hands and curious minds. The colored collapsible spheres, which expand from six inches to 30 via small plastic joints, are not only fun to play with, but can also teach self-regulation, a function often lacking in ADHD kids. 1000 Petals Yoga suggests using the Hoberman sphere as a visual aid for meditation. “Take a deep breath, while expanding the sphere, breathe out while contracting it.” Price: $14.99 - $34.99.

Feel the Burn
Super Skipper, by International Playthings, burns up a child’s extra energy while harnessing the therapeutic benefits of music and rhythm. Kids jump and skip over a revolving bar in time to music. Music is key to brain development, for language processing, motor skills, and coordination. As a bonus, the toy might just tire out your child! Price: $32.99.

The Holidays are supposed to be joyous times to spend with family and friends.  For many, these happy times are replaced with stress and anxiety over the demands we place on ourselves over the expectations of Christmas presents and shopping, holiday baking, decorating, writing cards, visiting friends and relatives, and hosting parties.  Tackling these 4-6 weeks requires organization, careful planning, controlled spending, and cooperation with loved ones.  For those with ADHD, these qualities may prove to be particularly elusive, and may leave you longing for January 2, 2012.

Why not spend an hour talking with an ADHD Adult Coach to devise a strategy for not only surviving these holidays, but to develop a New Year’s Resolution that includes learning proven coaching methods for planning, organization, prioritization, and relationship management?   

Until your visit, consider these helpful hints:

Ways to cope with the stress of the holiday season.

1. Taking care of yourself.  Continue to do what keeps you feeling energized and healthy.

2. Decide in advance what you’ll buy. Make a list that includes the people to buy a gift for, each with a dollar amount and gift idea. Shop specifically for the items on the list. Shopping online cuts down on impulsive overspending, saves time and gas money you would spend driving, wrapping, and mailing.

If finances are especially tight, homemade gifts or services or a family gift exchange are very nice options. Other family members may be relieved by your suggestion.

3. Delegate. Deciding what others can do to help. Keep a list and post each family member's duties on a chart on the fridge, with a check-off box next to the name and the task. You’ll know at a glance whether the job has been done.

4. The perfect holiday is only a fantasy. There’s only so much time and only one of you. Most of us think we can do more than we actually have time for. Better to plan too little than too much. Family traditions are wonderful, but as families change and grow, you may need to do things differently. Adjust the holiday plans to your current situation. Rediscover the word “No!”

5. Extra efforts to focus. If possible take a day off from work or hire a babysitter so you can plan, write cards, or shop without the kids.  And you will be treating yourself time alone to recharge your batteries.

6. Skip shopping. Rediscover the true meaning of the Season by making a donation in family members' names to a favorite cause or nonprofit organization.

7. Escape! Try a quick in-town vacation from the holiday season and its frenzy. Take your family on a day trip the week between Christmas and New Year’s.