ADD, Depression, and Diet

There is a link between the 3 - ADD, Depression, and Diet.  Your child with ADD may suffer with symptoms of Depression -
     * mood swings on a day to day basis
     * a decrease or increase in appetite
     * inability to sleep or sleeping too much/lethargic
     * feelings of worthlessness or guilt

            "About half of all children who have ADHD have trouble regulating their emotions, and this problem
            can also lie at the root of primary depression." - 

                    http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1015.html

This can go for us adults too.  I know I have suffered from depression at times and it seems to be for no reason!  I had Postpartum Depression after my third and realized that medication didn't help me, it actually made me feel guiltier and more depressed.  (I'm not saying that medication is never needed for severe conditions, but it wasn't right for me at that time).

            "Depression is estimated to be 2.7 times more prevalent among adults with attention-
             deficit/hyperactivity disorder than among the general adult population."

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/748.html

There is really good news!  Diet can really help ADD/ADHD kids (and adults) to feel happier and have a more neutral mood.


            "For a lot of years, there has been anecdotal evidence linking depression with gluten (along with more
             serious mental disorders, up to and including schizophrenia).
             Clinical depression appears to be linked with serotonin levels in the brain.
             Serotonin is a natural substance which is produced in the body. This natural production appears to be
             impaired or reduced in various groups of people, including depressives.
             The reasons for this impairment are not yet completely clear. However, 90% of the production of    
             serotonin occurs in the digestive tract. So it begins to make sense that the food eaten might have an
             effect, either positive or negative, on serotonin production.
             Another report by Alessio Fasano and Carlo Catassi states that there is an "Asymptomatic Silent
             Form" of celiac disease. Symptoms of this form of gluten intolerance (which may not all be present)
             are: iron deficiency, a tendency to depression, irritability, or impaired school performance in children
             "feeling always tired," and easy fatigue during exercise, and reduced bone mineral density.
             Gluten-free diets (sometimes combined with dairy-free) have been used for autism, depression and
             schizophrenia, with some success. Even though the mechanism is still not fully clear, it does appear
             that there is a scientific basis for a connection between gluten and depression in susceptible
             individuals."
                              http://www.glutenfreedietbook.com/articles/index.php?article=16

So...I have a confession!  When Pumpkin is home, we eat a pretty good gluten-free/sugar-free diet, but when he is at school or in bed...I'll bring out the forbidden food.  Thinking that it can't harm me too much, I have overindulged a little this week - seeing that it was my birthday I deserved that HUGE piece of chocolate cake after the kids went to bed!  (Cake = gluten and sugar together)

I have noticed that I've been more irritable, a little lethargic, and have an increase in cravings the last couple of days.  I know this is because of my diet.  (My husband confessed that he hasn't been feeling great lately either).  Maybe time for a detox again?  I think we (that means my husband and I) will be more strict with our diet - gluten and sugar free - starting on Monday :)   .....what?  It's still my "birthday weekend"!

Sick or Just Needing a Social Break?

So, today was the first time Pumpkin acted like he was sick so he wouldn't have to go to school.  I do want to give him the benefit of the doubt and he did have a small cough.  My husband and I suspected it might be something else so we talked to him about "sick days" and that he could only have so many.  If he used one today then he might have to go to school on a day where he was even more sick because he is using his day today.  He still was quite adamant about not feeling well.

      {Just a side note...I used this a few times when I was a kid - I'm pretty sure we all faked the sick -
       anyways, I knew my mom knew the truth but she never questioned me about it.  She was always
       supportive and let me stay home "sick".  I was always so thankful for those days - there were only a
       few!}

So, we let him make a very grown-up decision to use one of his sick days to help his cough.  Then he started telling us that some of his friends don't want to play with him at recess.  He goes on to tell us that some friends like to run and play tag but he doesn't like to do that (ADD kids sometimes don't do well with contact sports), some kids play with legos but when he asks to play with them, they say no.  This just broke my heart!  I know there are probably many aspects and reasons for poor Pumpkin to not have many friends.  In fact, I don't want him to have tons of friends, I just want him to have one good friend who is like him - a good friend, funny, sweet, creative, and just fun to be around.  Children with ADD/ADHD often have problems with social skills for various reasons.  Many times they don't do well with competition and big group settings.  Sometimes they don't perceive things the way they should and take things too literally or personally.  Sometimes they are bullied which causes more anxiety and more stress than they already have.

There are things parents can do to help their kids have friends.  ADDitude Magazine has some great articles that can be found here.  They also have a lot of other resources that can help parents manage social interactions with their kiddos.

Well, as you can see, the kids are enjoying a good movie, still in their jammies, and eating popcorn.  Let's hope he wants to go back to school tomorrow! :)

The Weekends

I have a weird love/hate relationship with the weekends.  I love them because that means no real routine with a hurried breakfast and driving to school on time.  I love them because my husband is home and that gives me a break.  I love them because we get to go to the beach or some other fun place.  But...I somewhat dislike them because there is no real routine and I never know what to make for breakfast.  I somewhat dislike them because the kids are excited that Daddy is home and are jumping all over the place and that gives me a break to do the laundry :[  I somewhat dislike them because we usually end up going out to the beach all day and coming home with 3 exhausted kids and more laundry to do.

Maybe we should have more of a routine on the weekends.  Children with ADD need routine and set schedules.  However, with such a strict routine during the week, it's nice to have a break!  Today, at the beach, Pumpkin ran and ran with Daddy.  It was great to see him have such a fun time, smiling and then continuing to be a good boy through dinner and into bedtime!  I love it when he's happy!!!

Quick Meal Idea - Chicken Stirfry with Noodles

There are some things I try to keep on hand for a quick meal idea.  This was Monday's dinner and I hadn't gone grocery shopping for the week so I whipped up some chicken stirfry.  It was so easy to make and we all loved it.  My daughter said, "Mom, can you make this every night"?  (She says that every night, no matter what I make :)

1 package cooked grilled chicken strips (I get mine as a 2 pack from Costco)
1 package of frozen stir fry veggies (I'd rather use fresh but this is always good to have on hand for a spur of the moment idea)
Chicken broth
Tamari Sauce (low sodium)
Gluten free noodles

Boil and drain the gluten free noodles and set aside.
In a wok or frying pan, pour a bit of chicken broth then add the frozen veggies. I use this cooking method from George Mateljan.  He avoids heating up the oils in cooking which can be more damaging than beneficial.  He calls it his "Healthy Sauté".  Check out his explanation here!
Keep the lid on for a few minutes to "steam" the veggies to cook through and through.  Stir the veggies now and then and add the chicken.  Since the chicken is already cooked, you don't have to worry about cooking it through but just heat it up and stir with the veggies.
Add some Tamari Sauce and stir real good to mix it up.
Add noodles little by little, stirring them into the mixture.
Stir fry the noodles into the veggie and chicken mixture and voila - you have a very quick and yummy dinner - gluten free and healthy!

My two older kids' plates - They ate it all! 

Busy, Busy, Busy

What else can I say?  Gluten-free, sugar-free is exhausting!  I am constantly at the grocery store and in the kitchen.  I don't have a dishwasher so all the cooking and baking dishes need to be done right away.  There have been times that my dishes are drying on the drying rack, on one side of the counter and taking over the stove top! 

In the last couple of weeks, I have attempted to bake blueberry muffins, heart-shaped pancakes, and chocolate cake.  I have cooked an endless amount of chicken, turkey, rice, beans, and tortillas.  This is not easy coming from a regular mom who has no back ground in cooking what-so-ever!  I grew up on spaghetti and casseroles mostly and never even really learned how to measure properly!  Let's just say, the blueberry muffins were a huge success but the pancakes were another story!  I'll try to post pictures and even recipes when I have more time!

As far as the "Big Question" - Is the diet working?     -     YES!  My husband and I think it actually is!  It's hard to believe that something so small can make such a huge difference.  We have seen a tremendous difference in his ability to understand consequences and focusing on what matters.  He has been obeying us much more consistently and is not fighting us as much.  I have so much to say about this that I'll have to do a separate post just on his behavior.  The best way I can describe it is this - a fog has bee lifted from his brain and he is aware of what is around him and loves himself again!  It is a beautiful thing and again - all praise and glory go to God in Heaven!

According to Dr. Amen

According to Dr. Amen, a highly respected brain imagery doctor, there are 6 types of ADD.  This information is taken from his website and his book.  I checked out his book from our local library but is actually quite cheap from Amazon - just click on the pic on the left.  It really helped me understand the basics of ADD/ADHD, the difference between the two, and the options I have as a mom.  My hubby and I choose not to use medication, but he suggests some in this book.   I did not want to omit that information but I strongly suggest parents try other means instead of going straight to medication.  My 6 year old is responding VERY well to the gluten-free, sugar-free diet that we have him on!

As I was reading just the first couple of chapters, there were parts where I got tears in my eyes.  I was just so happy that someone understood where I was coming from.  Someone else knew what we were going through and someone was there to educate me and help.

Here are the 6 different types of ADHD, each with different brain function issues and treatment protocols.

Type 1: Classic ADD

Symptoms: primary ADD symptoms plus hyperactivity, restlessness, and impulsivity.
SPECT: usually low prefrontal cortex with concentration
Supplements: multiple vitamin, NeuroEPA fish oil, L-tyrosine or DL-phenylalanine
Medications: stimulant medications (such as Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, or Dexedrine)

Type 2: Inattentive ADD

Symptoms: primary ADD symptoms plus low energy and motivation, spacey, and internally preoccupied. Type 2 is diagnosed later in life, if at all. It is more common in girls. These are quiet kids and adults, often labeled lazy, unmotivated, and not that smart.
SPECT: usually low prefrontal cortex with concentration and low cerebellar activity
Supplements: multiple vitamin, NeuroEPA fish oil, L-tyrosine or DL-phenylalanine
Medications: stimulant medications (such as Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, or Dexedrine)

Type 3: Overfocused ADD

Symptoms: primary ADD symptoms plus cognitive inflexibility, trouble shifting attention, stuck on negative thoughts or behaviors, worrying, holding grudges, argumentative, oppositional, and a need for sameness. Often seen in families with addiction problems or obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
SPECT: usually high anterior cingulate activity plus low prefrontal cortex with concentration
Supplements: multiple vitamin, NeurOmega fish oil, 5HTP, L-tryptophan or St. John’s Wort plus L-tyrosine
Medications: antidepressant Effexor, or a combination of an SSRI, like Prozac, and a stimulant

Type 4: Temporal Lobe ADD

Symptoms: primary ADD symptoms plus a short fuse, misinterprets comments, periods of anxiety, headaches or abdominal pain, history of head injury, family history of rages, dark thoughts, memory problems, and struggles with reading. Often seen in families with learning or temper problems.
SPECT: usually low temporal lobe activity plus low prefrontal cortex with concentration
Supplements: multiple vitamin, NeurOmega fish oil, GABA or taurine for irritability, or Brain Vitale or NeuroMemory for memory issues.
Medications: Stimulants, by themselves, usually make people with this type more irritable. Effectively treated with a combination of antiseizure medications (such as Neurontin) and stimulants.

Type 5: Limbic ADD:

Symptoms: primary ADD symptoms plus chronic mild sadness, negativity, low energy, low self-esteem, irritability, social isolation, and poor appetite and sleep patterns. Stimulants, by themselves, usually cause problems with rebound or cause depressive symptoms.
SPECT: usually high deep limbic activity plus low prefrontal cortex at rest and with concentration
Supplements: multiple vitamin, NeurOmega fish oil, SAMe or DL-phenylalanine
Medications: Stimulating antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin.

Type 6: Ring of Fire ADD

Symptoms: primary ADD symptoms plus extreme moodiness, anger outbursts, oppositional, inflexibility, fast thoughts, excessive talking, and very sensitive to sounds and lights. I named it Ring of Fire after the intense ring of overactivity that I saw in the brains of affected people. This type is usually made much worse by stimulants.
SPECT: marked overall increased activity across the cortex, may or may not have low prefrontal cortex activity
Supplements: multiple vitamin, NeurOmega fish oil, NeuroLink (contains 5HTP, GABA and L-tyrosine)
Medications: Anticonvulsants (such as Neurontin) and SSRI medication, or the use of the novel antipsychotic medications such as Risperdal or Zyprexa.

The Beginning

Six days into a Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Sugar-free diet and about 2 weeks into a diagnosis...I am beginning to feel less overwhelmed, but none the less, exhausted with info overload.  I lay in my bed going over what took place today; what he ate, how he acted, and what has changed.  I'm relieved that he has been diagnosed with ADD only because we can now do whatever it takes to help him.  Up to this point, we have been dealing with the temper tantrums, anger, confusion, and sadness that has been going on in his little body.  As a mom, I am completely crushed and broken seeing my first born suffer so much.  At least now we can start treading back up the hill and maybe even get on top!  Thank God that this is the bottom and we are on the way up!