I just read a very good article by Dr. Eleanor Rolnick about a decade long Norwegian study involving 23 children with ADHD who were put on milk free and gluten free diets. The theory that milk and gluten interfere with the breakdown of certain proteins was developed by Dr. Karl Ludvig. The theory is a metabolic predicament which seems to be triggered when eating milk and gluten and therefore may accelerate ADHD. 22 of the children in the study showed almost immediate mental health improvement, overall behavior, as well as enhanced attention span with increased learning capabilities!

“Long term monitoring of these children has found their disorders to be manageable while the challenges they once faced have virtually disappeared.” – www.keepmecurrent.com

So, what do I think of this? Actually, I must concur with the results of this study, with the results of my own recent diet change! It has been long noted that after eating is when kids usually have the most problems and so it was noted with me too, when looking back in time. That, I believe, is why we blame so many problems on sugar, even though it has been disproven that sugar is the culprit. Many still believe sugar to be the main issue, but that is because problems seem to occur most frequently after meals! In some cases, with allergies for example, it might not be obvious because symptoms can occur hours or even a day or two later.

I was having more serious issues a few months ago and my symptoms were escalating. I talked about it with a good friend of mine, Gina Pera, and she recommended asking Dr. Charles Parker about it. You may remember a recent post I did with Dr. Charles Parker when I interviewed him. He knew right away that my symptoms went further than ADHD symptoms and were indicative of a metabolic issue. He asked me about gluten and milk specifically. Turns out I am allergic to wheat and dairy products. Furthermore, because of where I live, I was vitamin D deficient!

I have nearly eliminated gluten and dairy products from my diet. And I feel much better. As a matter of fact so many issues I was suffering from have either gone away or have significantly improved! What I appreciate most in this diet is that my mood is so much more even. I am able to think things through much better and see the good in things I might not have noticed before. The improvement from eliminating gluten and dairy products is nothing short of remarkable. Yes, I still have ADHD, but it is far more manageable and the positive sides of ADHD are easier to access now!

A good place to visit and learn more is Dr. Charles Parker’s blog. He has written quite a bit about ADHD and metabolic issues. The original article about this Norwegian study can be found here.

Please, remember that I am only relating my personal experience and it is important to see a doctor before making any diet changes or other health related changes. Milk is also known to be good for those who do not have dairy/milk allergies or other negative health issues concerning milk.

Have you tried any such diet changes? What were the results?

~Bryan

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I have decided that once a week I will address the most interesting subject from your emails in a Blog Article and this week’s will deal with: is it ADD ADHD or Bipolar? In a recent email a reader asked me if ADHD can be misdiagnosed as Bipolar. The simple answer and the definite answer is, please, see a doctor—I am not a doctor.  I cannot answer that question; however, I can give you my personal opinion, but remember it is only another Adder’s opinion and nothing more than that. You must see a doctor for such inquiries. There are many tests and evaluations one must go through. I cannot, and clearly will not, give you any medical advice other than that you see a Doctor! –so there! However, I have this for you:

ADD and ADHD present a lot of obstacles in one’s life, but one of the most frustrating obstacles is the frequency of being up and then back down again. ADD and ADHD is not only an organizational, impulsive and distractive type of disorder, it is also one that effects emotions day in and day out. It’s no wonder that Bipolar is known to be comorbid with ADD ADHD and sometimes ADD ADHD is misdiagnosed as Bipolar and vice versa. It really does not surprise me and I will tell you why.  (I am providing a link below where it is suggested that ADHD and Bipolar may be a distinct nosological entity.)

Disappointment, feelings of being a failure, depression and low self-esteem are often reported by those who suffer from ADD and ADHD, but it is also reported that Adders feel elation, happiness, creativeness, cheeriness, fun and success! I have felt all of the above several times, in no specific order and in the same day. Life is a road leading through peaks and valleys and we Adders can’t seem to find the straightaway highways which are constantly straight and smooth,–at least not without therapy.

When we succeed we are elated and celebrate and when we fail we are upset and can become depressed. We succeed and we fail daily on both large and small levels and it can be frustrating – you are not alone. This can come across to others as perhaps a bipolar disorder. Sometimes frustration gives into anger and this can be seen as mania by those who are not professionally trained to identify true disorders. Many of us have sought treatment for this reason specifically and the bright side is that treatment does help smooth out and straighten those roads! Simply learning why we do what we do and that we are not alone has a major impact and is the reason I created Adder World.

Living an emotional rollercoaster as an Adder is not unheard of and is actually common, especially when untreated, but always seek professional medical advice for any diagnosis! Some disorders can be very similar to another and sometimes disorders can be comorbid.

~Bryan

For more information please follow these links: 

http://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/10/2/235#R5Q9041722

“ADHD more commonly occurs alone (about 20 percent of children with a primary diagnosis of ADHD have bipolar disorder as well), but the two share several characteristics—hyperactivity, distractibility, irritability, decreased need for sleep, and temper tantrums. But, Weller said, there are also characteristic differences in the presentation of the two.” Elizabeth Weller, M.D    Here:

 ^{http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/37/13/26}

http://www.psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/1/51

To get answers online about your child from a pediatrician go here:

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/askapediatrician/l/bl_ask.htm

Dr. Doug Cowan Psy.D., M.S. answers ADD ADHD questions online:

http://www.newideas.net/adhd/questions-answers

~Bryan

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The reason I created Adder World was and is to help spread understanding and awareness of ADD ADHD. I speak from experiences I have had, what I have researched and the experiences others have shared with me. I do not claim to be a doctor or any other type of medical professional. If my experiences and what I have observed and therefore write about help bring awareness and inquiry to others, then I am achieving my said goal and hopefully more.

You can help me!

Read on if you really, really want to help…

Yes, indeed you can! Your experiences are valuable to all of us. We can learn from you and at the same time your comments can help spread awareness. Please, share your experiences with the rest of us by commenting on any article you relate to, most especially if you relate to more articles. Do not under estimate the value of your voice and how it might help others in similar situations as you. Many of you visit from ADD ADHD forums and you share your ideas there and no, you shouldn’t stop that—only enhance that by allowing others to hear from you from across the internet. Not everyone visits the same sites and many might not have read your experiences yet. I do appreciate the emails I receive and that has helped me along greatly—let’s spread the knowledge and give our visitors more than just my opinions, experiences and research! Everyone can become part of the solution and help reverse the overwhelming denial and negative opinion of the general public. Not only that, but many medical professionals have visited Adder World, by writing your experiences, you could very well be helping these professionals discover new treatments! I don’t think that’s too far fetched… do you?

Thanks for visiting Adder World… Your world, my world… OUR world!

~Bryan

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Co-morbid doesn’t mean anything like what I thought. Co-morbid is a term used when referring to the fact that more than one disease or disorder is present and they are related in some manner. Personally, I would prefer another word had been selected for such a description. Nobody really wants to explain their illnesses or disorders as morbid. 

Co-morbid means: multiple illnesses or disorders, usually related. When I was writing about Restless Leg Syndrome and the fact that many ADD/HD sufferers have RLS, I was referring to Co-morbid circumstances. I have learned recently that there are several types of ‘Co-disorders’ (I like that term better) which could be present with ADD/HD. I have put a list together for you of the most common, but this list is limited and in no way implies that you have any.

Remember, I am not a doctor, this is only informational and please, -please, do not attempt to diagnose yourself. Only a trained professional can diagnose and treat any mental disorder.

Potentially Possible Co-Disorders or Illnesses: Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Enuresis (bed wetting), Learning and Communication Disorders, Sleeping Disorders, Asthma, Allergies, Restless Leg Syndrome, Tourettes Disorder, and Dysphoria.

This is the short list and more than likely your doctor has or will examine you for any of the above. There are more and these are the most common.

I think this is very interesting and helps explain why no two Adders are exactly alike. Some people do not fully understand the difficulties and complexity of ADD or ADHD. ADD/HD can also be the cause of some Co-Disorders, such as Anxiety, Depression and others. I believe the more people understand and know the issues of ADD/HD, and all that this disorder potentially entails, the better off we will be as a society and perhaps stigmas concerning ADD/HD will start to fade. The more the stigma surrounding ADD/HD fades, the more people will seek help. That’s my belief and that’s my goal.

Here are some links for your continued research:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comorbidity
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http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/mentalhealthstats.cfm
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http://www.baltimorepsych.com/ADD_Comorbidity.htm
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http://add.about.com/cs/comorbidcondition/a/comorbid2.htm

~Bryan

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