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Join us at noon CT (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) on Tuesday, July 5, for an hour-long chat about children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with Chicago Tribune health reporter Julie Deardorff, and panelists Dr. Lawrence Diller and Katherine Ellison.

At last count, more than 5 million U.S. children have been diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. But when is ADHD a legitimate diagnosis and when is it an oversimplified label? Diller and Ellison will tackle this issue, as well as discuss whether psychiatry has been too quick to medicate children and how to navigate what Ellison calls the "ADHD Industrial Complex: The multi-billion dollar industry of medications and non-pharmaceutical interventions that can overwhelm the uninitiated consumer."

Dr. Lawrence Diller, a behavioral and developmental pediatrician and family therapist, sparked a national debate over the ADHD diagnosis and the use of prescription drugs in children in 1998 when he wrote the controversial bestseller "Running on Ritalin." In his latest book, "Remembering Ritalin," Diller revisits his former patients who are now in their mid-20s to mid-30s. Diller, an assistant clinical professor of the University of California Medical School,San Francisco, has evaluated and treated over 3,200 children. He appeared before Congress as an expert witness in 2000 and gave a presentation on ADHD and medication to the President's Council on Bioethics in 2002. Docdiller.com

Katherine Ellison, a highly distractible Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, has been taken hostage by Mexican peasants, arrested by Cuban police, tear-gassed in Panama and chased by killer bees, none of which was as mentally taxing as raising two adorable, high-maintenance boys in the northern California suburbs. Now a writing consultant, author and mother of two, she has written extensively on recent developments with ADHD. Her latest book, a memoir titled "Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention," details her life with a high-spirited child who has been diagnosed with ADHD and investigates the controversies surrounding the disorder. Ellison, who was also diagnosed with ADHD, often speaks at conferences about how she and her son deal with ADHD in their everyday lives and what she has learned from a year spent figuring out how to make the public school system work for her child. Katherineellison.com

If you are unable to make the chat, or would like to send your question in advance, e-mail Julie Deardorff at jDeardorff@tribune.com or follow her @JulieDeardorff.

Health Chat: ADHD

(07/05/2011)

  

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11:47

[Be Right Back Countdown]

10 minutes  Tuesday July 5, 2011 11:47

11:53

Julie Deardorff:  Hello everybody! Welcome to the Chicago Tribune health chat on childhood attention deficit disorder. We will be getting started at noon. Tuesday July 5, 2011 11:53 Julie Deardorff

11:53

[Be Right Back Countdown]

5 minutes  Tuesday July 5, 2011 11:53

11:59

Julie Deardorff:  Hello! I’m Julie Deardorff, your moderator for today's chat which will cover any questions you have related to attention deficit disorder. We have two special guests today. The first, Dr. Lawrence Diller, a behavioral-developmental pediatrician, has written several books detailing his 30 years of working with child patients. His most recent book, “Remembering Ritalin” revisits some of his former patients who are in their twenties. At the end of his book, he answers some common questions about ADD/ADHD and Ritalin. Tuesday July 5, 2011 11:59 Julie Deardorff

11:59

Julie Deardorff:  Welcome to our chat, Dr. Diller. Tuesday July 5, 2011 11:59 Julie Deardorff

12:00

Lawrence Diller:  Happy to be here. This is a novel first experience for me too! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:00 Lawrence Diller

12:01

Julie Deardorff:  My other guest today is journalist and author Katherine Ellison who has a unique perspective on attention deficit disorder. Both Ellison and her now 15-year-old-son, nicknamed Buzz, have been diagnosed with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and her latest book ¿Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention¿ details her efforts to work out their problems. She's full of advice ranging from how to make the school system work for a child with attention deficit disorder to what, if any relief, can be find in the products sold by the modern modern mental health industry. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:01 Julie Deardorff

12:01

Julie Deardorff:  Welcome, Kathy! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:01 Julie Deardorff

12:01

Katherine Ellison:  I'm thrilled to be here, thanks! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:01 Katherine Ellison

12:03

Julie Deardorff:  Just to start, Dr. Diller, could you clarify the difference between attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:03 Julie Deardorff

12:04

Lawrence Diller:  There's always been troubles with the names for these problems of attention, focus and hyperactivity. According to DSM-IV it's still all called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, however in common usage people say ADD without hyperactivity to denote the inattentive, distractible type without the impulsivity and hyperactivity. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:04 Lawrence Diller

12:04

[Comment From MalloryMallory: ]  Hello! I am a pre-service teacher interested in learning more about ADHD in children and how it affects their learning. So glad to join you both today! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:04 Mallory

12:04

Katherine Ellison:  Hi, Mallory -- From my research and direct experience, I can tell you that kids with ADHD have a terrible time in traditional classrooms. One of the main problems is that the condition usually includes a really low threshold for boredom and also impulsivity. So a lot of kids will blurt out answers or misbehave because they just can't tolerate sitting still. They get in trouble, start thinking of themselves as bad kids, and school becomes a place of fear and loathing. I am currently working on a book with Todd Rose, an education expert featured in Buzz, about how to change the school environment to help kids like this. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:04 Katherine Ellison

12:04

Julie Deardorff:  Here's a question from Sheila: I read many blogs written by parents pleading for help when describing horrible effects that their children are experiencing when put on various medications prescribed by their doctor. In most cases the doctor denies that these various effects are "side" effects of the medication(s) and either increases the dosage(s)/adds an additional diagnosis with an additional medication. These parents are confused as to what to do since the professional is telling them one thing yet their observations and gut feelings tell them something else. My direct question is ... Why do so many (if not most) doctors seem to either not be fully informed about the side effects of these medications/ precariously prescribe them (in many cases off-label) to young children? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:04 Julie Deardorff

12:06

Lawrence Diller:  A sad but true fact is that doctors really only get upset about side effects when someone dies (except if they or their family have experienced side effects). The most common side effects of Concerta/Adderall type drugs are poor appetite and insomnia. However there are also much rarer side effects. The Problem is often the side effect is treated with another drug instead of just stopping the first. If you go to the MD and he/she does nothing else but prescribe medicine you can expect a medication answer to everyone problem or side effect your child encounters. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:06 Lawrence Diller

12:06

Katherine Ellison:  We're in a terrible situation here, I agree. Most meds are prescribed by pediatricians who don't have that much direct knowledge, nor the time to do thorough evaluations. My son's pediatrician refuses to treat ADHD for that reason, and instead refers kids to psychiatrists who have long waiting lists and usually aren't covered by insurance. He's distressed about the situation as am I. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:06 Katherine Ellison

12:07

[Comment From MalloryMallory: ]  I do understand students have many problems like these in traditional learning environments. I would be very interested in learning what teachers can do to differentiate and give these children an equal opportunity in school. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:07 Mallory

12:08

Lawrence Diller:  I think teachers have been trained by doctors (often with drug company support) to view virtually all problems of performance and behavior as potential ADHD/ADD. I am always bothered when a child is referred to me without a rudimentary screening of learning or processing problems which or so common with ADD. If these can be addressed in small group teaching setting the behavior problems often disappear or improve. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:08 Lawrence Diller

12:09

Katherine Ellison:  It's wonderful that you're so dedicated about this, Mallory. Teachers can indeed do a lot and there are lots of ways to educate yourself. From my own research, I can tell you the most important thing is to appreciate and praise kids with ADHD when they do something right -- not in general terms, like telling them how smart they are, but specifically pointing out the effort they put out. Also, realize how hard it is for them to sit still and give them opportunities to move around throughout the day. Assign them to pass out papers or even let them go outside to run around or do pushups as a break. I have a whole chapter on education in Buzz and hope you can read it! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:09 Katherine Ellison

12:09

[Comment From MaryMary: ]  One question I see over an over again is what are the long term effects of these meds? Have adults/kids who have taken meds for 10+ years had any common problems? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:09 Mary

12:11

Lawrence Diller:  The most common problems that lead to long term use of medication (10 years) are learning or school problems. The hyperactivity and impulsivity of childhood generally improves around age 13 but if learning/processing problems are part of the picture then the need for medication may continue through high school and even into higher education if that's what the person wants to pursue. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:11 Lawrence Diller

12:11

[Comment From John DicksonJohn Dickson: ]  Is there any connection between children who have speech delay (slight in this case) and ADHD? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:11 John Dickson

12:12

Lawrence Diller:  Any kind of learning or processing problem are common with ADD/ADHD. Speech problems (articulation) will just make life more difficult for the child. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:12 Lawrence Diller

12:12

[Comment From DawnDawn: ]  Mom of 2 (son, daughter) adopted as infants. Both diagnosed after high schl with adhd (daughter inattentive type & son became symptomatic in college). Many options can be tried prior to meds: omega 3s in diet & as supplement. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:12 Dawn

12:13

Katherine Ellison:  That's a good point, Dawn. In addition, physical exercise is a great strategy. Neurofeedback -- biofeedback for the brain -- is growing in popularity as well, for some good reasons. I have stories about it on my website at www.katherineellison.com. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:13 Katherine Ellison

12:13

[Comment From Pam FletcherPam Fletcher: ]  My 13 year old daughter had been a A/B student from kindegarten to the beginning of seventh grade. By the second quarter of seventh grade, her grades were C/Ds, and she began demonstrating behavioral issues. I attributed it to puberty/hormonal changes. However, a therapist has saying she thinks it might be ADD. I have a son with ADHD who has been so from the beginning. Can ADD just come on midway through childhood? I can't reconcile this potential diagnosis for my daughter. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:13 Pam Fletcher

12:15

Lawrence Diller:  To Pam: There is a normative dropoff in motivation when a child hits early adolescence. This inconsistency in motivation is indistinguishable from the symptoms of ADD. Make sure your kid doesn't have learning problems and then try some school behavior contracts (look at Scott Sell's Parenting Your Out of Control Teen). If your child continues to struggle it might be reasonable then to try a medication like Concerta or Adderall which will help ANYONE stick with things they find boring or difficult. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:15 Lawrence Diller

12:15

Julie Deardorff:  This one comes in from John: How does today's quick paced video imagery affect the ADHD mind? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:15 Julie Deardorff

12:19

Lawrence Diller:  There's been a lot of concern about the over stimulating nature of the effects of video gaming/TV/etc. on children. The best we can say is that there's been an association but no cause and effect of children playing too much video. However, I don't believe this is causation -- children in London, Tokyo and Milan play just as much video games as American kids but theyuse 1/10 to 1/50 the amount of Concerta/Adderall that American kids do. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:19 Lawrence Diller

12:19

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]  Hi. This is Sandy Newmark MD. There are no good studies adequately addressing the long-term effects of psychostimulants on the developing brain. We know they have to have an effect. We just don't know what it is. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:19 Guest

12:19

Katherine Ellison:  Sanford Newmark has written a whole, wonderful book on alternative strategies, by the way, called ADHD Without Drugs -- he's a great resource! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:19 Katherine Ellison

12:20

[Comment From AlexAlex: ]  Question for Dr. Diller, I am a 21 yr old premed college student recently "diagnosed" with ADHD. I've made stellar grades throughout (3.9 GPA) but focusing/concentration has always been a problem, in the past I have fought through it, but I am really struggling on MCAT verbal. My psychiatrist has tried me on vyvanse and adderall XR and it helps but I'm still only scoring ~50% and I need to get in the 70% range, what would be your suggestions? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:20 Alex

12:21

Lawrence Diller:  Alex you're situation is very tough. You're operating at the top echelon of achievement compared to the general population. You're also using two drugs that are actually very similar -- they are both amphetamine. I'm not sure what to say. if you cannot perform adequately (to your measures) on these drug I think you will have to find other forms of support (tutoring, etc.) or begin to question whether your career quest really makes sense with regards to your own talents and personality. Good luck. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:21 Lawrence Diller

12:21

What treatment strategy have you tried? Medication  ( 22% ) Neurofeedback  ( 11% ) Diet  ( 0% ) Behavioral modification strategies  ( 11% ) Special education intervention  ( 44% ) Other  ( 11% ) Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:21

12:22

Julie Deardorff:  Kathy, how common is it for parents of kids with ADD to be diagnosed and does that make it easier or harder to deal with it? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:22 Julie Deardorff

12:24

Katherine Ellison:  A lot of research suggests that the main reason you come by ADHD is as a family legacy -- it is believed to be more hereditary than schizophrenia, and just slightly less than height. What that means is there are millions of clinically distracted parents out there trying to help millions of clinically distracted kids -- and it's a tough and mostly lonely job! In some ways, it helps to have the insight into what your child is going through, but sharing the condition is also problematic. My first title for "Buzz" was "Hotheads" because of how much my impulsive son and I argue! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:24 Katherine Ellison

12:24

[Comment From AnnAnn: ]  Why don't we hear more about the connection between learning disabilities and ADHD? It seems that this is a chicken and egg question. Are learning issues causing ADHD symptoms or is ADHD causing the learning problems. It seems that it is much easier to prescribe ADHD with meds than it is to navigate the complexities of learning issues. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:24 Ann

12:26

Lawrence Diller:  Ann is a genius. The reason why we don't hear more about this connection (chicken and egg) is that there are no pharmaceutical companies pushing learning disabilities while there are profits to be made with the diagnosis of ADHD/ADD. If you read from my previous answers I feel strongly that special education and behavior modification approaches should be tried first and then if the child is still struggling then medication make sense. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:26 Lawrence Diller

12:26

[Comment From JohnJohn: ]  Is there any organization movement making a concerted effort to change our public schools approach to teaching boys that are borderline AD and disrupting the entire class? Recess has been eliminated and movement is very limited. We seem to stubbornly ignore young boys nature and label it AD Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:26 John

12:27

Katherine Ellison:  John, in "Buzz," I profile a fascinating education reformer named Todd Rose, who has a very serious case of ADHD, dropped out of high school at 17 and today teaches education neuroscience at Harvard. He and I are collaborating on a book that will answer just this question. There are indeed many smart people concerned with this problem, which devastates so many lives unnecessarily every year. One very promising development is new computer software that will make standard curricula accessible in exciting new ways for kids with learning issues. Stay tuned! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:27 Katherine Ellison

12:28

[Comment From JesusJesus: ]  I have a nine year old daughter who has been diagnosed ADHD and has shown behavior issues as well as lack of focus since she started school. Still, we have not wanted to put her on any medication and we continue to doubt the diagnosis and wonder how much of her behavior is just normal "kid stuff" or perhaps just cultural misunderstandings, since we are Hispanic. I would welcome any input from anyone sharing this same outlook or viewpoint, or even a different one. Thanks! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:28 Jesus

12:31

Lawrence Diller:  Jesus brings up important cultural differences in the perception of ADHD/ADD in children. In fact white affluent families have the "highest" rates of ADHD/ADD children except for foster kids. Generally Hispanic families acceptance of increased activity in their children is a bit higher than for white families. African American families have the lowest rates of acceptance in part because they feel that the schools their kids attend are poor and don't entirely trust the white establishment. I think Jesus you should find a doctor/evaluator who promotes not just medication interventions (which can be helpful) to pursue any further problems with your kid. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:31 Lawrence Diller

12:31

Chicago Tribune:  The following response is in regard to the poll question. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:31 Chicago Tribune

12:31

[Comment From DawnDawn: ]  Vote on treatment strategy should include category "All" ! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:31 Dawn

12:31

Katherine Ellison:  You're so right, Dawn! So many dedicated parents are out there doing all we can to try to help our kids. One big problem out there is what I call the ADHD Industrial Complex, which bombards parents with information that often has a big profit motive behind it. Here I'm not just talking about the multibillion dollar pharmaceutical industry but a parallel group of businesses touting mostly unproven supplements and regimens. In may cases they take advantage of parents who are in a panic to try to help their kids and end up wasting a lot of money. It's wise to keep in mind that some of the best approaches are the most simple and sometimes cheapest. Make sure your kid gets plenty of exercise and sleep, love him with all your heart, learn to laugh and accept what you can't change. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:31 Katherine Ellison

12:33

[Comment From DawnDawn: ]  Daughter was h/s dropout jr yr. Home schooled for last 4 credits. Now 1 course to go for associate degree; has certificate drug & alcohol counseling. Find areas of interest to motivate! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:33 Dawn

12:33

Katherine Ellison:  Dawn, that's another really good point. So many children with ADHD end up with huge problems with self-esteem. So it's very important for parents to get them in situations where they can shine and be appreciated! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:33 Katherine Ellison

12:35

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]  Jesus: We have been fortunate enough to find a Montessori elementary school that allows our son freedom to move around and learn at his own pace - it has made a huge difference. He was truly suffering in a large public elementary school . I wish you luck. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:35 Guest

12:35

Lawrence Diller:  Finding the right environment that works for your child can be curative but not always easy or possible. I happy it worked out for your daughter. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:35 Lawrence Diller

12:36

[Comment From Sandy Newmark MDSandy Newmark MD: ]  I just wanted to add that good research shows that iron deficiency and zinc deficiency can be important in ADHD, and less thoroughly researched, magnesium levels as well. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:36 Sandy Newmark MD

12:38

Julie Deardorff:  Here's a link to Dr. Newmark's bio. http://www.osher.ucsf.edu/bios/newmark.html Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:38 Julie Deardorff

12:39

Lawrence Diller:  The fear of medication is so great that alternative/complementary causes and treatment have big appeal. Unfortunately most of the AC questions and answer do not have very strong evidence to support their causes or interventions. I would agree in a general way that iron deficiency could cause all types of performance and mental problems. Zinc, magnesium, selenium, etc. I don't think there's evidence and is likely very rare. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:39 Lawrence Diller

12:42

Julie Deardorff:  Kathy, what do we know about sleep deprivation and how it's related to ADD? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:42 Julie Deardorff

12:42

Katherine Ellison:  There's a strong link between sleep problems and ADHD but some chicken and egg confusion about which causes which. Sleep problems can cause ADHD-like symptoms, but ADHD -- and the anxiety that often accompanies it -- can interfere with sleep. My son has terrible problems with sleep, and we've been exploring ways to help him. Not doing screen time right before bed can help. Working on the underlying anxiety is also really important. Alas, none of these issues are easy! They can take time and insight! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:42 Katherine Ellison

12:42

[Comment From DawnDawn: ]  Dr. Diller: comment on omega 3s & adhd? (Qxford-Durham study by Richardson et al.) Underlying subclinical depression? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:42 Dawn

12:42

Lawrence Diller:  There some evidence for omega 3s being helpful in a general way but I've been in this field for 32 years and I've seen so many diets and food additives come and go that I've become skeptical. As I've said I'd rather see mom having a knock down drag out over Johnny putting away his toys than whether or not he eats a cupcake. I know a lot of people are going to be annoyed with me for saying this but with limited time and money I'd stick with behavioral strategies, special education and medication as tried and true effective interventions. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:42 Lawrence Diller

12:43

[Comment From HelenHelen: ]  Is it common for doctors to prescribe risperdone with Concerta for ADD in elementary age children? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:43 Helen

12:45

Lawrence Diller:  There are many other medications being used to treat difficult children who first come under the label of ADHD. There really isn't an indication for this drug, which is an anti-psychotic for ADHD but if Aderall/Concerta doesn't "work" then the MD often tries a Prozac drug next and if the kid is still a problem then the doc says he's "bipolar" and adds these heavily sedating drugs like Risperdal, Zyprexa or Abilify. So many of these kids have bigger problems with their families that are unaddressed (this is not blaming the parents because many of these kids are tough to raise and the parents could use some help). Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:45 Lawrence Diller

12:45

Julie Deardorff:  What is neurofeedback and how can it help kids with ADD? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:45 Julie Deardorff

12:47

Katherine Ellison:  I dedicate a whole chapter in "Buzz" to neurofeedback, which I think is a really promising strategy. It's basically biofeedback for the brain -- you can read articles I've written that describe it on my website at www.katherineellison.com. There have been so many good recent studies on the effectiveness of neurofeedback for kids with ADHD that I just heard that the Department of Education is sponsoring a study of it in classrooms in Boston. The big problems now unfortunately are that the therapy is expensive and not covered under most medical plans. And it's hard to find a really good therapist. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:47 Katherine Ellison

12:47

[Comment From MalloryMallory: ]  Dr. Diller, what special education and behavioral strategies do you recommend using with children with ADHD? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:47 Mallory

12:47

Lawrence Diller:  Again 3 decades of experience tell me that specific special education approaches are not as critical as small group (e.g. one on one or three on one student to teacher ratios). Also more immediate rewards and discipline are the keys to the behavioral approaches. I like Tom Phelan's 1,2,3...Magic alot for families with children 11 and under. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:47 Lawrence Diller

12:48

[Comment From DawnDawn: ]  Risperidol risk= diabetes in child too. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/571416_6 Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:48 Dawn

12:48

Lawrence Diller:  Zyprexa is even worse. Then there's the sedation associated with these medications as well. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:48 Lawrence Diller

12:49

[Comment From DawnDawn: ]  Why is QEEG not more commonly used to assist diagnosis? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:49 Dawn

12:51

Lawrence Diller:  There is no definitive test for ADHD. So QEEG which is a form of electroencephalography (EEG) simply has too many false positives and negatives to be worthwhile clnically. The same is true for brain scans (like MRIs or SPECT) and even CPT (continuous performance tests). All these test lend an aura of science to the diagnosis but ultimately it remains a subjective decision on the part of the evaluator. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:51 Lawrence Diller

12:51

Julie Deardorff:  Kathy, can you offer parents a few tips for navigating the school system? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:51 Julie Deardorff

12:52

Katherine Ellison:  A big part of the journey I took during my year of trying to help my son was figuring out how to support him at school. As a parent, I found it was crucial to educate myself about ADHD and educational approaches. This helped me a lot in talking to teachers because in the beginning I was terribly intimidated. Another major thing I learned is that it's very important to help teachers understand that your child isn't misbehaving because he or she is "bad" -- often they are struggling with serious issues with attention, processing and memory that make it very hard for them to do what other kids do so easily. I learned to always ask my son's teachers "what's he doing right?" It helped them reflect on how much negative attention they were focusing on him and how a little appreciation goes a long way. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:52 Katherine Ellison

12:52

[Comment From Jamie Levine MS, EdJamie Levine MS, Ed: ]  Dr Diller-what do you think of a concerta/wellbutrin cocktail and have you prescribed that mix often? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:52 Jamie Levine MS, Ed

12:53

Lawrence Diller:  Not much. Again when the kid hasn't responded to Concerta, I suggest next trying Adderall. If neither works then you've got a problem if it's just ADHD/ADD because the other medications don't work as well. Wellbutrin has been mildly associated with ADHD with minimal evidence of value. I must add that Strattera and Intuniv similarly are poor substitutes for the stimulant drugs. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:53 Lawrence Diller

12:55

[Comment From Dawn IIDawn II: ]  My daughter has major LD/Dyslexia and was diagnosed with ADHD but the meds cause depressive/sad mood changes and lack of interest in life. I buy the LD/dyslexia diagnosis but the ADHD I question. Enough is enough. I can't stand to watch her struggle any more. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:55 Dawn II

12:56

Katherine Ellison:  Dawn, I so feel your pain! It is so terribly hard to watch your child struggle. In my own journey, I've found it's really important for parents to pay attention to themselves in this process -- to figure out our own issues, and how we can take care of ourselves, so we can hang in there peacefully through the long haul. It is a long haul, but it gets better! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:56 Katherine Ellison

12:56

[Comment From AnnAnn: ]  Dr. Diller, I really appreciate your sane stance on the medication debate. Do you predict that the new DSM will separate out inattentive ADHD from hyperactive ADHD? The symptoms seem so different yet they are treated pretty much the same way. Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:56 Ann

12:56

Lawrence Diller:  Thanks much Ann for your support. I often feel that I'm a bit alone out here professionally with my balance between non-drug and drug interventions. The DSM V will absolutely separating these two conditions which have nothing in common except their response to stimulant drugs which BTW is universal (everyone responds to low doses of amphetamine). Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:56 Lawrence Diller

12:58

Julie Deardorff:  We're nearing the end of the chat. Any last tips or suggestions you'd like to offer? Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:58 Julie Deardorff

12:59

Katherine Ellison:  It's been wonderful to hear your questions -- and if you'd like to continue the conversation, I encourage you all to join the Facebook page for Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention, which I'm keeping updated almost daily! Tuesday July 5, 2011 12:59 Katherine Ellison

1:00	Chicago Tribune:  Readers, here is the link to the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buzz-A-Year-of-Paying-Attention/113732785325394 Tuesday July 5, 2011 1:00 Chicago Tribune

1:00

Lawrence Diller:  I appreciate all the good questions. I think people understand that this is a common yet ambiguous condition in children and adults. I've never been against medications and prescribe them everyday but I don't think medication is the same as engaging children with parenting and educational approaches. Read my new book Remembering Ritalin which is a 13 year follow up on 10- children who were in my first book Running on Ritalin. Also check out www.docdiller.com, www.rememberingritalin.com. Also facebook rememberingritalin to see videos of young adults who were treated for 10 years and also twitter me if you like. Tuesday July 5, 2011 1:00 Lawrence Diller

1:00

Julie Deardorff:  I want to thank our experts for their time and their great answers. Thanks for joining us everyone! You can follow me, Julie Deardorff, on Twitter @juliedeardorff. I'm also on Facebook. Join us at 11 a.m. CT (12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT) on Thursday, July 7, for a live hour-long chat on how medical information will change in the digital world. Tuesday July 5, 2011 1:00 Julie Deardorff

1:00